Is Replacing Old Furniture Good For Your Health?

Small changes really can make a big difference in your life. This is especially true when it comes to your health. But did you know that furniture can play an integral role in your comfort, mood, and even your wellbeing? Most of us spend a big chunk of our time in our homes, so it makes sense that they will have a large impact on your life. From allergies to asthma, and back problems, old furniture can negatively impact your life in ways you’ve never thought of before.

If you have been thinking of making improvements to your home or just want to improve your health, then this is your sign to invest in new furniture. While it’s reasonable to be hesitant due to the cost, time, and effort that comes with upgrading furniture, it is a small price to pay for the numerous benefits that follow.

Unhealthy Chemicals

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A study led by researchers from the University of California, Davis, the Environmental Working Group, found that couches made before 2014 are likely filled with added flame retardant material. Flame retardants contain a large group of chemicals that may be harmful to your health. PBDEs have been linked to thyroid disease in women, as well as cancer, impaired learning, reproductive problems, asthma, and allergies.

In the study, researchers collected dust samples from homes before and after the couches were replaced, waiting 12-18 months after to test the results. They found that concentrations for the three different types of flame retardant chemicals were significant in people’s homes before they replaced their furniture, and six months after they were replaced, the number of flame retardant chemicals found in the home decreased.

Dust Mites

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Dust mites are “close relatives of ticks and spiders” and are known to feast upon “skin cells shed by people, and they thrive in warm, humid environments.” You can see why they gravitate towards our homes. They are the perfect incubators for these little microscopic bugs. Dust mites are generally found in “bedding, furniture, and carpeting.” Dust mites are everywhere human beings live and fuel themselves on your dead skin.

Many people assume that they are the exception because their home looks clean and tidy. Unfortunately, while the amount of dust mite activity and growth is affected by cleanliness, it also has a lot to do with the lack of ventilation and the increased use of forced-air heating. No matter how many times you sweep, mop, vacuum, and dust, you’ll still have dust mites in the house circulating through the air every time you hear that furnace kick on.

If you’re prone to allergies, you’ll especially want to replace old furniture. A dust mite allergy will manifest like any other indoor allergen with sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, nasal congestion, itchy nose (as well as the roof of mouth or throat), postnasal drip, cough, facial pressure, and pain (caused by congestion), and swollen facial skin.

What Should You Do With Old Furniture?

When you decide to replace your furniture, there are plenty of ways to get rid of it without throwing it away. Depending on the quality of the furniture, consider donating to charities, thrift stores, and homeless shelters. You can also sell your old items on online marketplaces. There are several platforms available that make the process easy. Yard sales are also a great way to get rid of old and unused furniture lying around.

Helpful Tips To Keep In Mind

• Check out yard sales to find more expensive, solid wood-frame furniture. Invest a little money (or DIY) in having someone make new cushions with safe fabric. Or, use secondhand shops. Piece together a funky mix of new-to-you furnishings.
• If you can’t afford to replace your cabinets, sofa, mattress, and whatever else immediately, take steps to seal the toxins in. AFM Safe Seal will work on “wooden” stuff, and mattresses and couches can be covered to contain the fumes.
• Houseplants can help with filtering the air in a home, so maybe it’s worth investing in a little greenery. Plants brighten up the place, are great listeners, and make breathing healthier.
• Use this very helpful chart for choosing the right furniture, covers, and so on. It even reaches out to those of us still into beanbag chairs and inflatable furniture. And, use this alternatively helpful chart for a room-by-room breakdown of items to avoid and their replacements.

Related Content:

• Try These Alternatives to Toxic Plastic and Veneer Furniture
• Is Your Furniture Doing More Harm Than Good?
• What Do Fast Food Containers and Couches Have in Common? Flame Retardant Chemicals
• 4 Ways Your Posture Impacts Health and Wellbeing and What Good Posture Looks Like
• How to Repurpose, Recycle, and Reuse Old Mattresses

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