How to create an eco-friendly nursery - easily!
Want to design an eco-friendly nursery for your baby? Here are some easy-peasy switches
(extra bonus - lots of these alternatives also save $$$...cha-CHING!)
1. First things first - choose sustainable materials
Where you can, opt for sustainable, renewable, and non-toxic materials. This includes organic cotton (we know a brand...), bamboo, and reclaimed or at least FSC-certified wood. If you can get locally grown wood, that's a bonus.
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2. Use non-toxic wallpapers or paint.
Conventional wall deocr often contains harmful chemicals such as VOCs that can be dangerous for your baby's health. Ick. Instead, choose non-toxic paint, or wallpaper such as the peel and stick wallpaper and decals in our nursery décor range. Our recyclable, PVC-free woven wallcoverings are printed with non-toxic water-based latex inks, and safe to use in baby and children’s rooms. They're also printed locally in Canada (which if we could, we would for everything!), which reduces air travel.
3. Use energy-efficient lighting
LED lighting costs a bit more at the outset but consumes less energy than traditional bulbs, lasts longer (less changing, woohoo!) and ends up costing much less in the long run.
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4. Choose organic blankets, cloths and bedding
Choose bedding, blankets, cloths and clothes made from organic cotton or bamboo, which are grown without harmful pesticides and chemicals. They're also reeeealllly soft (it's to do with the longer fibres - we've got a blog post about that!) Try the Rocks in our Pockets Quilted Blanket and make sure to stock up on a stack of the Essential Muslins.
5. Invest in quality furniture
If you can, try to invest in quality furniture that is built to last. We've all seen local marketplaces groaning with falling-apart pieces from large fast-furniture brands that will just end up in landfill. Buying better limits amount of waste generated by disposable or cheaply made furniture. It CAN be expensive so...
6. Choose second-hand items
It's vintage, darling.... Second-hand items such as furniture, toys, and clothes are ideal for babies. They get used for such a short time that there's almost always a wealth of almost new, quality items going around. Minimise that carbon footprint by extending the life of existing items and reducing the need for new ones.
7. Natural cleaning products
Try using natural cleaning products in your nursery - and all over your home! You'll be doing your baby's - and your own - health a favour.
8. Consider using cloth diapers
STOP! Before you shake your head, cloth diapers of 2023 are NOT the ones we remember from the 80s and 90s. They actually work almost like disposables, except instead of throwing away, you wash 'em. Since they are reusable, reducing the massive amount of waste generated by disposable diapers. They also save you money in the long run - in case you need extra motivation!
9. Incorporate plants
Beside making your kid's room look all classy and breezy and shizz, plants can improve the air quality in your nursery and help remove toxins from the air. just make sure to choose plants that are safe for babies, such as spider plants or peace lilies, and consider hanging plants that little curious fingers are less likely to find themselves in.
Got any tips you want to share?? Comment below!