Last updated : Thursday, June 18, 2009

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5 Eco-Friendly Finds for the Nursery

High angle view of sleeping baby

When it comes to your home, the decor is often a work in progress. You might keep an old rug because you can't afford a new one, or save the paint job your bathroom desperately needs for another rainy day. But when it comes to your new baby, everything has to be ready and safe for the long awaited arrival. To help provide your new bundle of joy with only the best little home, we spoke with the experts at Green Depot, who gave us some tips on the top baby-friendly products for the nursery.

Wall Finish
Use a Zero-VOC paint to cover walls. These non-toxic, low-odor paints can help to seal any potential off-gassing from toxic paint layers below. Plus, they come in all the pales and pastels possible!

Flooring
One design element that is often overlooked is flooring. But think about it, before your baby starts walking, he or she is going to be crawling all over the place! The last thing you want is to have your baby pick up all the chemicals, toxins and allergens that many rugs and flooring contain. However, there are a wide range of sustainable options, including hardwood, bamboo  and cork. If you want something a little softer, use natural fiber area rugs and rug pads. The same goes for wall-to-wall rugs, (but keep in mind these tend to collect more dust and allergens, which babies don't like.)

Furniture
Because the crib and the changing table are both places your baby will spending a bundle of time, you'll want to make sure you're buying the best quality furniture, made from sustainable materials with non-toxic finishes.

Bedding
What good is a toxin-free crib if the bedding isn't of the same quality? Make sure the crib mattress is chemical-free, non-toxic and made of natural fibers. Bedding should be un-dyed and un-bleached, and of course, cute!

Safety
Last, but certainly not least: Make sure your baby is breathing clean air while he or she naps and nestles. This air filter ensures the highest level of protection against contaminates, and emits a soft, white noise that will help your baby sleep soundly. In addition to the air filter, make sure you include a carbon monoxide detector. (You should have one detector per floor of your home).

In addition to nursery must-haves, Green Depot has other great baby essentials like bottles and pacifiers, diapers and wipes, and of course, toys!

 

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