Revamp Your Living Space with These Top 7 Non-Toxic Dressers
Many dressers and common furniture pieces are made with materials that release toxic chemicals into the air. That’s not what you want to have in your home. So I’ve gathered a list of the best non toxic dressers that are made without any flame retardants.
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Toxic Chemicals In Dressers
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): VOCs are the biggest concern in not only dressers but most furniture pieces. When VOCs evaporate into the air through a process called “off-gassing”, they can pollute your indoor air quality.
- Formaldhydes: Formaldhydes are a type of VOC and they create health issues including cancer and skin irritation.
- Lead-Based Paint: This isn’t common in modern-day furniture but it’s a real concern if you’re concerning buying any antique or vintage dressers. Lead is highly toxic and even small exposure to it can be detrimental.
- Phthalates: Phthalates are used to make plastics more durable. But they can cause hormonal imbalance in the body among other health issues.
- Flame Retardants: Some dressers are treated with flame retardants including polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) which can cause health issues. Many furniture pieces have flame retardants if they were manufactured in 2014 or prior. Only after 2014 were flame retardants not required in furniture.
What To Look For
- Zero or Low VOC Paints and Finishes: Instead of dressers with toxic paints and finishes, choose dressers finished with natural oils like raw linseed oil. You can even have them unfinished too.
- Solid Wood: Many cheaper dressers use engineered wood like medium-density fiberboard (MDF), plywood, or chipboard. These types of wood require glue to put the pieces all together. But the problem is the glue oftentimes is made with VOCs and formaldehyde. So I always recommend solid wood unless you can verify there are no VOCs in the glue.
- Third-Party Certifications: I like to look for certifications such as Greenguard, Greenguard Gold, or Made Safe to verify it’s non-toxic. For sustainability, I look for the FSC certification and Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Certification.
Best Non Toxic Dressers
1. My Top Pick: Avocado Reclaimed Natural Wood Dresser
Avocado is a well-known brand that makes sustainable and non-toxic furniture pieces. This natural wood dresser is one of my favorite wooden furniture pieces because it’s made with 100% reclaimed wood and is handcrafted in their FSC-certified Los Angeles woodshop.
There is a zero-VOC sealant which makes this Avocado dresser completely non toxic. This is also a Greenguard Certified dresser so it’s been tested for low emissions, is formaldehyde-free certified, and has no phthalates.
The pattern on this solid wood dresser is also very unique and instantly makes the space look very down-to-earth and natural. You can choose either a 3 or 6-drawer option.
The sustainable wood dresser is also low profile so you don’t need to worry about securing it to the wall.
This is my top pick for the best solid wood dressers!
2. Best For Vintage & Modern: West Elm Carved Pattern 6-Drawer Dresser
West Elm is one of the best non toxic furniture brands because of its very trendy designs and high sustainability and non-toxic standards.
This Carved Pattern Dresser has a vintage-inspired silhouette and makes a statement in the space. It’s created with sustainably sourced kiln-dried mango wood and is contract grade so it’s built to last.
The mango wood used is sourced from trees that no longer produce fruit. The solid wood is also FSC-certified, meaning it’s sourced from responsibly managed forests.
This non-toxic dresser comes in black and white colors and is the perfect piece for a modern-style home.
3. Best For Farmhouse: Pottery Barn Sausalito 8-Drawer Dresser
If you’re more into the farmhouse and rustic style look, this one by Pottery Barn will be right up your alley.
It’s crafted with kiln-dried solid Meranti wood and MDF veneers that are incredibly sturdy. It comes with metal nobles with an antique nickel finish. The non toxic dresser is contract grade so it meets rigorous standards and is made to last.
The materials used are sustainably sourced. It’s also Greenguard Gold Certified which means it’s been tested for over 10,000 toxic chemicals. This dresser won’t release any toxic chemicals into your living space.
4. Best for Mid-Modern Century: West Elm Ellington 6-Drawer Dresser
For the ultimate mid-century modern interior design look, this West Elm Ellington Dresser is the perfect one for that. Some elements that make it a modern piece are the rounded corners, cylindrical legs, and unique texture.
This is made with recycled materials and is fair trade certified, meaning the workers who handcrafted the item are paid fair wages in a safe working environment.
The solid wood is FSC-certified and is made with kiln-dried wood. It’s also contract-grade so it’s built to last a very long time.
5. Best For Customizing: Burrow Build Your Own Dresser
Burrow is known for having a more customizable non toxic furniture and this one allows the option of a 3 drawer, 6 drawer, 9 drawer, 5 drawer, 10 drawer, or a 12 drawer dresser.
The drawers have a soft close glide so you won’t ever pinch your fingers again. This comes in two colors – walnut and oak color. The color is solid and slightly shiny so it gives off a very clean and finished look.
Burrow non-toxic furniture also uses sustainable wood sourced from responsibly managed forests. It’s also FSC-certified and they use only nontoxic materials.
6. Best For Bohemian: Pottery Barn Westly Cane 6-Drawer Dresser
If you like a boho-style interior design, this Pottery Barn Cane Dresser is one of the best non-toxic furniture pieces for you.
The 6 drawers are made with natural cane inserts and the white part is made with poplar solid wood that is kiln-dried. This helps it prevent cracking and warping. This is also contract grade so it’s made to last.
This is Greenguard Gold Certified so it’s been tested for toxic chemicals. Also, by purchasing this nontoxic dresser, Pottery Barn will plant a tree.
7. Best Budget: DaVinci Jayden 6-Drawer Double Wide White Dresser
High-quality dressers that are also non toxic can be expensive but here’s one that is more affordable. It has a simple white design and classic white knobs, perfect for a room that’s going for a minimalistic style or even for a nursery.
This drawer is by DaVinci and is Greenguard Gold Certified so it’s been tested for over 10,000 chemical emissions and VOCs. This means you’ll have healthier air in your environment.
This low VOC dresser has 6 drawers with plenty of space to store your items. The sustainable dresser is made of solid sustainable New Zealand pinewood material and TSCA compliant engineered wood.
And that’s a wrap on the best non toxic dressers!
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