Leading furniture manufacturers around the world are increasingly striving to use environmentally friendly materials in production. Tables and chairs, walls and cabinets, sofas and armchairs made from natural ingredients, or at least without toxic or harmful components, will bring peace and comfort to your home. We list materials that will not cause harm to human health and the environment.
Let's start with upholstered furniture. In upholstered furniture, the use of environmentally friendly materials is extremely important; for example, natural fabrics (cotton, wool, linen, velvet) instead of synthetic ones in the upholstery of sofas and armchairs. , will last longer. Genuine, carefully crafted leather - the most prestigious and at the same time practical look coverings. At proper care she will keep hers for a long time appearance. Nubuck is also environmentally friendly - it is genuine leather that has been treated by special means, so that it acquires a soft and fleecy texture, reminiscent of suede. Let us dwell on nubuck in more detail, because this material has recently begun to be actively introduced into the production of upholstered furniture. Nubuck is highly durable and water-repellent properties, increased wear resistance, antistatic effect, heat resistance. So, for example, to remove ink or grease stains from furniture made of nubuck, you need to moisten with water or a solution washing powder cloth and rub the contaminated area in a circular motion. Using a dry cloth, carefully remove any remaining moisture. That's all!
Let us remind you that the “specialist” in sofas and armchairs with leather and nubuck upholstery is the Keoma factory, which recently presented in Moscow at the iSaloni exhibition 2013, their latest new products.Separately, in the production of environmentally friendly upholstered furniture, it is worth mentioning polyurethane foam - it is often used in seat cushions, backrests and armrests. This high-tech material is also environmentally friendly, and at the same time it allows you to achieve maximum comfort in upholstered furniture: there are different degrees of hardness.
Products close to upholstered furniture are mattresses for beds. As for them, here you can also find options made only from natural fillers. These include coconut coir, natural latex (from the sap of the rubber tree), horsehair, sisal, and seaweed. Natural ingredients usually more expensive, but they are no less durable than their synthetic counterparts, and, unlike them, are hypoallergenic and environmentally friendly.
Now let’s get back to cabinet furniture and the environmental friendliness of the materials used in its production.
Solid wood is certainly the most natural material in the production of cabinet furniture. Wood is used to decorate countertops and furniture facades. Typically, coniferous and hardwood types of wood are used for this - oak and beech, pine and ash, walnut and cherry, yew and larch. The coating is often treated special compounds(stains, impregnations) to give it water resistance and more bright color or to create an unusual visual effect (patina, gilding). Paints, waxes and varnishes that are applied to the surface of an object undergo the most thorough examination. According to GOST, in furniture production It is recommended to use only compounds of the 3rd (moderately hazardous) and 4th (low-hazardous) classes. Solid wood furniture is considered the most expensive and elite. Here you can also name wicker furniture made of rattan and bamboo. Armchairs, stools, bookcases and other pieces of furniture from Indonesia can certainly also be classified as environmentally friendly and made from natural materials.
Veneer comes immediately after solid wood - it is practically not inferior to it in popularity and is just as environmentally friendly, but much more a budget option. This facing material is a thin sheet of wood, so it retains the texture of wood. In addition, veneer can be used to create plywood.
Chipboard (wood- particle board) is a material that you should definitely avoid in your home, although in Russia it is still used in the production of furniture: beds, tables, cabinets and other items. This material is the leader in number harmful substances. It contains phenol-formaldehyde and urea-formaldehyde resins, which are unsafe for health, which act as its binding component and provide strength. The intensity of formaldehyde release depends on the temperature and humidity in the room: the warmer it is, the higher the formaldehyde content in the air. Therefore, all chipboard products are glued protective film or veneer. Now chipboards are being replaced by other, more harmless ones. modern compositions and materials.
MDF (finely dispersed fraction) is considered an environmentally friendly material. It is created by pressing very small wood chips, and the binding element is lignin, a substance that wood releases when heated. No carcinogenic chemicals are used in production epoxy resins and phenol. Furniture made from MDF boards is not susceptible to mold and other fungi, and this is another plus in its favor, especially in rooms where children are. MDF is durable and wear-resistant; it can be washed using cleaning agents.
In production kitchen sets HPL plastics are often used. This is a synthetic material, but it is also considered environmentally friendly. Decorative plastic consists mainly of cellulose and natural resins. It is famous for its resistance to moisture and abrasion, therefore it is suitable for cladding facades and countertops.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastics can also be called environmentally friendly. They are light, strong and at the same time durable. At the same time, furniture made of plastic attracts dust, and plastic surfaces can act as sources of static electricity, which forces such coatings to be modified.
Provide bad influence Materials such as glass, aluminum and stainless steel are also not capable of affecting human health.
Furniture made from environmentally friendly, natural materials is usually sold at a higher price than its counterparts made from synthetic substances, the safety of which is highly questionable. However, to paraphrase a well-known proverb, we can safely say: this is the case when health can be bought.
My home is my castle! This phrase can often be heard from people trying to make their home as safe as possible from external enemies. However, we do not always think about the internal security of our home. Meanwhile, invisible enemies can easily attack us and harm our health. It's about about toxic chemicals our internal environment, which do not at all contribute to the strength of our health.
The fact is that at the moment there is a wide variety of furniture on sale that is beautiful and comfortable. However, in the process of a competitive race, manufacturers often do not focus on the safety of their products, but rather think more about how to sell them better and faster due to beauty, functionality, and a cheap price. In such cases, the consumer has to learn to navigate the peculiarities of the furniture market on his own.
Let's figure out what materials it's made from. modern furniture and determine the most suitable ones for use in our home.
Solid wood.
It is usually considered the most environmentally friendly furniture. Such furniture is made from pine, birch, oak, walnut, mahogany, alder, etc. It is the most expensive on the market and often lacks trendy appeal (in the form of print, color, design), and in order to to meet your needs - most often made individually, to order. It is more durable and safer in terms of release hazardous substances. However, even in it there may be some danger from the point of view of the environmental friendliness of the adhesives used in its manufacture, varnishes, paints, as well as special additives for treating surfaces against pests and water ingress. Such furniture must be ordered only from reliable manufacturers with quality certificates for their products.
Chipboard.
Chipboard is made from sawdust and shavings, which are glued together with special resins, which, alas, most often contain formaldehyde, are then sanded and painted with enamels that may contain phenol. After the production of the boards, they are usually laminated - covered with a paper-resin film, and then the material acquires the name laminated chipboard.
Typically, such a film prevents the release of harmful aldehydes into the air. Therefore, if you have furniture made of chipboard, then check its integrity on the surfaces, and, if necessary, seal these places with PVA or varnish. Also ensure that all edges and seams exposing chipboard material were intact, this will reduce the concentration of dangerous resins that may be released through them.
Fiberboard.
Fiberboard is made by pressing wood fibers with the addition of binding elements, which also most often contain phenol and formaldehyde, etc.
MDF.
Fiberboard medium density It is made by dry pressing fibers and gluing them using paraffin and lingin (natural wood glue). Thus, MDF boards safer for our health, but only if they are made with high quality, since manufacturers can use epoxy resins instead of natural adhesives, chemical adhesives, which also release formaldehyde.
Plastic.
Plastic furniture is safe only if it is manufactured in accordance with quality standards and is used in rooms without temperature changes, outside the influence of sun rays and heating (batteries, next to gas stoves etc.) In this case, the risk of release of polymer compounds (styrene) is quite low. However, you should not abuse its quantity in the interior, because over time, the outer covering layer is imperceptibly destroyed and harmful substances are released.
Furniture made from other natural materials
: vine (branches of shrubby willows), rattan - palm vines, reeds meet all environmental requirements and will add pleasant variety to your interior.
Whatever furniture you choose, always ask for an environmental safety certificate from the seller, which will indicate the formaldehyde emission coefficient: E 0- perfect option, E1 is an acceptable option, E2 is average level, E3 is a dangerous option.
Thus, the safest for furniture are natural materials and MDF, provided they are made of high quality.
The environment at home plays a significant role in maintaining and preserving human health. Wall and floor decoration, furniture, and textile materials can cause serious complications and exacerbations of chronic diseases if harmful components were used in their production. IN modern world many manufacturers focus on production ecologically clean furniture , which is in increasing demand among buyers who prefer a healthy environment in their home.
Pieces of furniture are purchased for more than one year, so even a slight content of harmful impurities in the materials, varnishes and paints that were used in their manufacture can cause harm during prolonged contact with a person. One of the most dangerous substances used in furniture production is formaldehyde. Even a small concentration of it in the air can provoke allergies and asthma. Therefore, when buying furniture, especially for a child’s room or bedroom, it is important to purchase environmentally friendly products.
Why you should choose wooden furniture
Give preference to furniture made of natural wood - right choice, because wood contains beneficial phytoncides that are released even when the product has been in use for several years. In addition, it is no secret that trees have positive energy. Do not think that solid wood furniture is not affordable for everyone. Domestic producers They make excellent products from inexpensive species - birch and pine.
In addition, the tree fits perfectly not only into, but also into almost any.
Furniture made from wicker - an eco-furniture option for home and garden
Beautiful and practical furniture wicker from wicker is in increasing demand. Originally intended for country houses, it has successfully taken root in city apartments. Elegant tables, cabinets, armchairs and especially beloved rocking chairs are made from rattan, willow or bamboo. There are also combined options with glass or steel. Such items, despite their elegance and apparent fragility, can last up to 25 years. They do not require special care, are easy to clean with a vacuum cleaner, and their only drawback is that they are afraid of rain.
How to check if furniture is environmentally friendly
- When purchasing, ask the sellers for an environmental certificate. The presence of a certificate guarantees that the product does not contain, for example, cadmium, used in paints, or lead.
- If New furniture emits a pungent odor, it is worth thinking about its environmental friendliness. Despite the fact that, according to GOST, the smell should disappear in no more than 2.5 months, such a purchase can result in an unnecessary headache. After all, your well-being largely depends on the air in your apartment.
- When choosing a bed or sofa, avoid products with foam rubber - over time it decomposes, which leads to the release of harmful substances.
- Give preference to upholstery made from natural, non-electric fabrics.