Whether your child’s playroom is a special corner of the
house, or the entire basement, make sure it’s a healthy and safe environment with
the following tips from Washington Toxics Coalition:
Choose hard, smooth surface floors that
are easy to clean. Kids play primarily on the floor, so make it a healthy
material like solid wood, bamboo, cork, and linoleum. If glues or finishes are
required, choose ones that do not contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and
follow directions carefully. Choose area rugs made of natural materials
like wool or jute instead of wall-to-wall carpet.
Choose durable, low-toxic furnishings like solid wood
furniture. Avoid particle-board products, typically made with
urea-formaldehyde (UF) glues. Steer clear of stain-resistance (Teflon)
treatments, and products embedded with antimicrobial chemicals such as
Microban. Polyurethane foam may contain toxic flame retardants, so instead
choose items stuffed with down, wool, cotton, or polyester. Avoid
products containing PVC, such as inflatable furniture, artificial leather,
PVC-coated fabrics, and vinyl furniture covers.
Promote healthy
indoor air in your play space and throughout your home. Keep
pollution sources out by avoiding products like harsh cleaners, air
fresheners, and pesticides. Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and
kitchens to keep humidity low, and fix leaks to avoid mold and moisture issues.
Open windows for fresh air when appropriate to increase ventilation.
Use the right tools and tactics for safe
cleaning. Clean without harmful chemicals using a HEPA
vacuum, damp dust with microfiber or terry cloth rags, and try green
cleaning recipes. If your family is generally healthy, the need for
disinfecting and sanitizing products is rare. Routine cleaning with plain
soap and water is an effective method for removing germs from surfaces.
Avoid clutter so dust and dirt can be easily cleaned. Using
closed containers for toys is a great way to minimize dust and clutter. Label
bins and rotate them periodically from storage into the playroom to keep toys
manageable and make old favorites “new” again. Choose plastic-free storage options
such as solid wood toy chests and bins made of wicker, canvas, and
cardboard.
Select safer
toys. Avoid toys with PVC (vinyl), a soft flexible plastic commonly
found in bath and squeeze toys, inflatables, and dolls. Choose plastic-free
toys when possible, especially for young children who frequently put them in
their mouths. Look for toys made of unpainted wood, cloth dolls, plush toys,
and games or puzzles made of paper.
Encourage creativity with kid-safe
art supplies. Children rarely use art products “as
directed,” so make sure your art supplies don’t include harmful ingredients.
Avoid solvent-based products like permanent and dry-erase markers, mists from
sprays, and dust mixes from clays or paints, all of which are easily inhaled.
The label “non-toxic” and the ACMI AP symbols indicate
less toxic options, though they still are not always completely safe for kids.
