EcoBalanza, a manufacturer of ethical, sustainable handcrafted upholstered furniture today launched their new Essential Collection. Billed as “affordable luxury for your home or business”, the Essential Collection is made with non-toxic components, a constant concern for sustainability, and a deep commitment to quality craftsmanship.
Read MoreWhen enjoying your new sofa, the thing you'll notice most is the fabric. You’ve chosen the color and the texture and now that this piece is in your home, you sit on it every day, whether it’s watching movies, reading books, eating a meal, or entertaining guests. You know exactly how soft it is and how scratchy, but do you know how safe it is? Because it could be that your skin and lungs have been bathing in chemicals every day.
Read MoreYou’ve probably never seen the frame on the inside of your sofa, but do you know what it’s made of? There are many considerations that go into deciding what to fabricate upholstered furniture out of, and just as many considerations for you when buying a new piece. Consult the following guide when shopping for upholstered furniture for your home to make sure you bring home a piece of furniture that is both safe for your family, and a durable investment of your money.
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I have a special needs child with a medical condition that keeps him on the sofa much of the day. The family sofa is more than just a place to sit, it's his security blanket.
As a mom, my paramount concern is his comfort and safety. When the time came to buy a new sofa, I wanted to make a change and get an organic one to prevent exposing him to toxins or chemicals found in regular sofas.
I did a lot of research on the internet, but there wasn't clear information to help me understand what the options were. I still had a lot of questions. Are all the components truly organic? How do you read between the lines when a company promotes itself as using “all natural” materials? Are they in control of the sourcing of all their materials?
When I found EcoBalanza, it was different. They explained all the filling options - like latex, wool and kapok as well as the different fabrics, and dyes. I was also reassured that they were in complete control of their supply chain, from start to finish. Scott spent a lot of time with me on the phone. He understood our long list of requirements, including my hesitation to make an expensive purchase, sight unseen. He asked many questions, sent pictures and facilitated the process of translating our specific needs into a custom built, beautiful and lasting piece.
Turn around time was shorter than I expected. It was shipped from Seattle to a local white glove delivery service. They brought it to my house, unwrapped the frame and cushions and carted away the packaging.
So today, the couch stands in my home, and it's clearly not a piece that was rolled off a factory floor. The design was specifically tailored for my son. They made the couch deeper, with a higher back and longer zippers to make the cushions easier to clean. The extra filling makes it softer and very comfortable. It's modern, stylish, well built and best of all, has no chemical smell.
I made an investment, it’s for my son, it’s for my peace of mind. It’s totally worth it.
- Vicky
Tumor-causing flame retardant treatments: Polyurethane foam burns fast and hot,[iv] which is why it’s treated with flame retardants like polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), Melamine,[v] chlorinated tris (TDCPP) and chlorinated organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs).[vi] TDCPP negatively impacts fertility and tumor growth rates kidneys[vii] of which 8,000 tons are used every year.[viii] High-level exposure to melamine causes acute renal failure, urinary stone formation, and crystalluria.[ix]
In her blog, Christie's Non-Toxic Lifestyle, Christy Begien share some great insights into the impact of living with Volatile Organic Compounds. Visit her blog regularly to see how you can learn from her experiences.
VOC? What does that mean? The Minnesota Department of Health states that Volatile Organic Compounds are “a large group of carbon-based chemicals that easily evaporate at room temperature. While most people can smell high levels of some VOCs, other VOCs have no odor. Odor does NOT indicate the level of risk from inhalation of this group of chemicals.”
I’ll bet most of you have heard of formaldehyde. It’s a VOC and considered volatile because it emits a gas at room temperature. As it warms up, more of the chemical off-gasses into a room. (Off-gassing is the natural evaporation of chemicals.) The top three VOC offenders in our home? Carpeting, paint, and furniture and upholstery; all can carry VOCs, such as formaldehyde, toluene, and benzene, just to name a few.
The Washington Toxics Coalition is a great resource for understanding the importance of paying attention to what is inside your furniture. Here are a few healthy tips to guide you:
If you’re not sure whether a piece of furniture contains toxic flame retardants, ask the manufacturer. If they are not able to tell you, consider an alternative.
If you already own furniture that may contain toxic flame retardants, cover and seal any rips in upholstery and replace old items where foam is exposed, loose, and crumbling.
Consider replacing furniture made of manufactured wood that contains formaldehyde-based glues. You can also apply a sealant, to contain the formaldehyde.
For more than a decade, EcoBalanza has been handcrafting luxury upholstered green furniture that is safe for homes and businesses and kind to the environment from our workshop in Seattle.
EcoBalanza is a boutique designer and handcrafter of ethical and sustainable luxury upholstered organic furniture that is safe for your home or business and kind to our environment.
Contact us for a showroom appointment.
888.220.6020
624 S Lander St, Suite 32, Seattle, WA 98134
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