Home remodeling projects have seen a big change in the last decade of two. People used to go for home remodeling for enhancing their home’s appearance and now they do it to make it healthy and eco-friendly as well. They are projects that increase a home’s energy efficiency, help people conserve natural resources, and enhance indoor air quality by eliminating toxic materials from home.
People now realize that some finishes and the building material they choose for their homes are toxic and they make indoors more polluted than outdoor. This is why people choose non-toxic and eco-friendly renovation projects for their home. This article intends to let you know about the non-toxic building products you can use, and some ideas for a non-toxic kitchen remodel.
Nontoxic building products
All of us worry about chemicals present in cosmetics, pesticides, and medicines but not many of us worry about the chemicals some products in our home release. The toxic materials that we choose for our homes make indoor air unfit for our survival. Here is what you can do to avoid their use:
Use non-toxic paints
You choose paint because you like a wide assortment of color options it offers and because it gives improved performance. Usually, paints that are marketed as ones that remain on the walls for longer years contain VOCs (volatile organic compounds). They are responsible for toxic emissions in modern homes, so you must choose zero-VOC paints. They perform beautifully and do not release toxic fumes.
Avoid formaldehyde-based adhesives
Formaldehyde is one of the most common and the most dangerous indoor air pollutant. Counter tops, shelving, carpets, cushions, furniture and kitchen cabinets usually use formaldehyde-based adhesives because it holds things well. However, taking its impact on our health into consideration, it is bad. It releases harmful chemicals in the air; we breathe them and fall ill. Go for products that come with green labels and check for the presence of this adhesive in them.
Consider the PVC problems
PVC is a common product and probably we all have used it in homes at some point or the other. It makes plastics durable and flexible because it contains a group of harmful chemicals. Found in vinyl flooring, ceiling tiles, plumbing pipes, wiring, and carpet backing, they release toxic chemicals that affect our immune system and even cause cancer. Therefore, try to avoid them and go with PEX or polypropylene.
Ideas for a non-toxic kitchen remodel
Choose Eco-Friendly Green Kitchen Flooring
You need to let go of old linoleum kitchen flooring and go for eco-friendly flooring. The options include bamboo, cork, hardwood flooring, or the modern linoleum sheets made of biodegradable materials. You should choose a material that could stand the high traffic in the kitchen, produces no harmful vapors, and can stand spills and stains well.
Use stainless steel utensils
Stainless steel is a recyclable material, and use of stainless steel utensils is good for people with chemical sensitivities, and is not harmful for the environment. Not just utensils, you can go for the stainless steel designer kitchen cabinets as well.
Choose indigenous stone countertops
While choosing countertop material, choose ones made of indigenous stones and stained concrete, as they are non-toxic. They are durable, water resistant and they are non-toxic, which makes them apt for your green kitchen.
Install recycling bins in kitchen cupboards
You can make it a practice and encourage children and other family members to become active recyclers. The glass juice bottles, aluminum cans and many other waste products in the recycle bin can straightway go for recycling, rather than going into landfill sites.
Summary:
Eco-friendly home remodeling does a lot to eliminate toxic substances from home, thus, enhancing the indoor air quality. They also make homes energy efficient, and help them conserve environment.
