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In this series of posts I work my way through “Squeaky Green- The Method Guide to Cleaning Your Home” one chapter at a time.
I was eager to jump into this week’s chapter on Kids’ rooms, as my daughter, Samara, was recently diagnosed with acute environmental allergies. Keeping her room clean and non-toxic is the key to keeping her sneezing and congestion at bay.
CHAPTER SIX
The number one reason kids stay home from school is asthma – a condition that is rising at alarming rates. Research has suggested that chemicals, pesticides and environmental pollutants may play a significant role in the frequency of both asthma and cancer in children.Some of the tips that were covered in earlier chapters bear repeating, as they very much apply to your kids’ rooms as well.
Chapter Three covered dust mites in detail. Samara is highly allergic to them so we vacuum and dust her room regularly, have put dust mite covers on her mattress and pillows, wash her sheets and covers weekly in hot water and have a strict no food policy in her room.
Cleaners
Chapter Two reviews organic cleaning options. Toxic cleansers are particularly dangerous in kids’ rooms as they spend so much time on the floor and are constantly putting their hands in their mouths. There are many great organic alternatives to conventional cleaners.
-Buy paints and pens that are certified by the Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI). BUZZER!
Paints and markers can contain things like trichloroethylene, which can cause liver and lung damage. The tricky thing is that companies are not required to list all ingredients on their labels, so it’s hard to know what their products contain. ACMI doesn’t catch everything but they come close. Children’s products should bear the Approved Product (AP) label which indicates that ACMI has found that the product has “no materials in sufficient quantities to be toxic or injurious to humans or to cause acute or chronic health problems.” The logo is round with the letters “AP” in the center.
A couple of years ago I put an “art desk” in Samara’s room so that she would have a special place to create her projects. Most of her pens and paints are washable but not necessarily non-toxic and she has all sorts of stamp pads and glitter glue that do not carry the “AP” label. She is past the stage of putting these things directly in her mouth but she still gets them all over her hands and body, so there is plenty of opportunity for potential toxins to soak into her skin. I’m not going to toss everything but, when the time comes, I will make a concerted effort to buy non-toxic replacements.
-Purchase foam tiles that have not been treated with antibacterials. CHECK!
As I mentioned in Chapter Four antibacterials are pesticides and should be avoided at all costs. Be careful when purchasing foam tiles to make sure that they have not been treated with antibacterials. Kaboodle has a variety of non-toxic foam tiles and mats.
-Purchase toys that are non-toxic and PVC free. BUZZER!
Again, as I mentioned in Chapter Four, PVC contains phthalates-toxic chemicals used to make flexible plastics. They can travel out of whatever they are in and into our bodies, where they can cause reproductive disorders and breathing difficulties.
I have not been able to keep all plastics out of Samara’s toy chest. She is addicted to Polly Pockets- small plastic dolls, with changeable plastic clothes and accessories. She can play with them , literally for hours. That’s awfully nice, especially when I am trying to make dinner. She doesn’t put them in her mouth, so for now we are going to keep them.
Companies that have gone PVC-free include Brio, Ikea, Lego, Primetime Playthings, Early Start, Sassy and Tiny Love. Wood toys are a great alternative to plastics. In terms of children’s health, an unfinished solid wood toy is completely harmless! Wood toys made with nontoxic paints and finishes also use and release fewer toxins. Natural oil finishes, such as linseed and walnut oils are safest, as is beeswax.
If you happen to live in the Los Angeles area, try out Eco-Dough- a non toxic play dough that comes in beautiful natural colors. My sister-in-law, Lee Emery, writes about it on her blog LAcitymom.com. Eco-dough is available at the Hollywood Farmer’s Market, Entertaining Elephants in Studio City, and Sparrow on Cahuenga Blvd.
-Clean your children’s toys regularly and launder stuffed animals once a week, if possible. BUZZER!
Stuffed animals attract dust mites and mold. A hot water wash is the only way to keep them really clean. The easiest way to clean plastic toys is with eco-freindly wipes. Make sure they are biodegradeable or compostable. Roughly 20 billion square feet of nonwoven material is consumed every year in the U.S. with a large portion being used as wipes.
I have to admit I am not as diligent as I should be about washing Samara’s toys, especially her stuffed animals. She is not happy about putting them in the washing machine, so I have to sneak them in while she is at school.
-Choose furniture with non-toxic paints and finishes. CHECK!
These days most manufacturers of baby and kids’ furniture are very eco- conscious but always check to make sure that what you are buying is non- toxic.
It is worth reviewing the bedroom chapter to remind yourself of the importance of organic cotton bedding and mattresses. Traditional bedding can contain synthetic materials that can transfer residue or off-gas while you child sleeps.
Something that this chapter does not mention but that I feel is worth exploring is an air purifier. Samara is so allergic to dust, pollens and molds that we really have to work hard to keep those elements out of her room. Our allergy doctor recommended the Blueair model 402. It’s NOT cheap but it provides a high level of filtration with very little noise and without emitting ozone and It’s certainly worth it if it keeps her out of the doctor’s office and off allergy medicine.
Next week , is our last week in this series. Join me as I explore how to keep your pets toxin free.
*This blog is based on content in “Squeaky Green- The Method Guide To Detoxing Your Home” by Eric Ryan and Adam Lowry
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