Bringing Home Baby? Detox Your Nursery!

The last thing you want to worry about as a new parent is exposing your baby to harmful chemicals in your home. Unfortunately our kiddos are extremely vulnerable (seeing as they're so tiny and all). Use this handy-dandy easy guide to detox your nursery.

From changing diapers to singing lullabies, the nursery is your home base! Watch out for these hidden hazards.

Diapers & Wipes

Via womensvoices.org

* Make sure your diapers and wipes are chlorine-free, fragrance-free, and dye-free

* Make sure any anti-bacterial wipes are stored away from your changing table. They contain harsh disinfectants that can hurt your baby's skin!

* Want to reduce waste and harmful chemicals? Try cloth diapers!

* If you're going to stick with disposable diapers, look for renewable materials like wood pulp or a hybrid of cloth and biodegradable materials.

Furniture and Mattresses

* Choose untreated solid wood furniture. Special coatings or particleboard can emit formaldehyde!

* Ask the salesperson if flame-retardants were used in production. If so, steer clear!

* Let new mattresses breathe in a well-ventilated room for several days before using.

* Find eco-friendly mattresses at www.greenpages.org

Toys

* When buying plastic toys, find the recycle symbol number 5 for safer plastic

* Avoid plastic altogether and purchase toys made with wood, cotton, wool, and other natural materials.

* Make sure to check up on toy recalls!

* Check out www.healthystuff.org to find safer toys without heavy metals!

Paint and Wallpaper

Many paints and finishes contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can cause eye and throat irritation, and long-term risk of cancer or central nervous system damage.

* Choose low or zero VOC paints. Better yet, look for natural paints derived from clay, chalk, milk protein, or colored earth pigments.

* If you live in a home built before 1978, you may have lead-based paint in your house. Call 800-424-LEAD or visit www.epa.gov/lead for more info.

* Avoid toxic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or vinyl wallpapers. Instead look for ones made from bamboo, hemp, or rice paper!

Air Fresheners

That synthetic "fresh" smell may contain formaldehyde, petroleum distillates, p-dichlorobenzene, and aerosol propellents, which can disrupt hormones and lead to breathing problems!

* Sprinkle baking soda into trash cans and diaper pails to absorb odors

* Use fresh lemon or a few drops of essential oil for a real fresh smell

For more information and ways to detox your entire home, visit Women's Voices for the Earth!