Eco-Friendly Nursery Tips

It's easy to see how new parents can be overwhelmed even before the baby is born. If your goal is to create an eco-friendly nursery, you're probably reading about types of paint to avoid, how to furnish the room and what kinds of cleaners to use. There is so much to decide and everyone has an opinion, not just your mother-in-law. These are some eco-friendly guidelines to help while you prepare for baby.

Green Mom Blogger Beth Aldrich offers some advice. "The main thing to keep in mind is that you want your baby's room to be healthy and clean. Indoor air can be three times more polluted than outdoor air, and according to the EPA, is considered one of the top five hazards to human health. Paints and finishes are among the leading causes. Mythic non-toxic paint is a clean, low odor paint alternative that provides the durability and coverage you expect from a premium paint without the off-gassing VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds) and toxins that emit years after drying with most paints," she explains.

You might want to also look into an air filter for the nursery.  Aldrich adds, "Once you've gotten the room painted, install a high quality air filter to clean and purify the air from airborne cleaning products, and product off-gassing to dust." If you're not sure where to find one, she says Consumer Search Online is a good resource.  

Once the walls and air quality are checked off the list, you can move to window coverings. Research suggests typical mini-blinds aren't your best bet. Instead, look for a more natural alternative. "There are several companies that offer eco-friendly fabric window treatments -- The Shade Store and Blindsgalore.com are two of our favorites," says Kate Ward, site director for The Bump.com. If you would like to use mini-blinds, there are several choices that are better for your baby and the environment. "Look for mini-blinds that use natural, durable, and non-toxic materials like bamboo. These will help block out solar heat in the summer and keep heat in during the winter, keeping baby comfy and saving you money in the long run," she says  

If you've always hated that carpeting in the office-turned nursery, now is the time to make a change. Bamboo is a great choice for your child and the planet. Ward mentions, "Teragren, Premium Green Bamboo, and EnviroChoice Bamboo are all great flooring providers."

If you aren't able to spring for new flooring, there are steps you can take to reduce those pesky allergens. "There are a many eco-friendly cleaning brands and products worth trying, including natureclean®, Simple Green® and Seventh Generation's Natural Citrus Carpet Cleaner," Ward comments.

As you get the room baby-ready, you'll also be on the lookout for just the right furnishings. Rachel Sarnoff, founder and editor of www.EcoStiletto.com has furniture recommendations. "Get a crib mattress that has not been treated with flame retardants--if you can't find or afford a mattress like this, at the very least cover your existing crib mattress with a thick mattress pad made from organic cotton," she says. "And if you're in the market for nursery furniture, look for lines that eliminate formaldehyde from their formulations."

Along with these tips and all of those books you've been reading, you'll be prepared for baby's arrival. 

Photo Credit © Boris Ryaposov | Dreamstime.com