The HUT HUT rocking horse takes a new spin on an old classic.

The Ioline crib is beautifully crafted, sure to produce incredible shadows and effects for your little one.

The Caravan line has a mid-century modern flare and comes in a variety of colors that truly POP!

We’re so used to stain-guard chemicals that the thought of not having a sofa or chair “protected” from spills makes some people shy away from healthier furniture. Yes, it’s true, you might stain your sofa. Isn’t a stain worth not having toxic chemicals seep into your body? Common-sense ways to avoid stains include not eating on your sofa, incorporating a slip cover into your design that can be removed and washed, opting for wool upholstery that keeps spills up on top of the surface long enough to grab a blotting towel, and scheduling regular visits with a nontoxic upholstery-cleaning service. And when you’ve flipped over each stained cushion a couple of times and the piece is looking too shabby, have it re-upholstered. It’s what your grandmother would have done (well, that or cover it with plastic in the first place, but let’s not go there…).

Those of us who have spoken to the manufacturers and heard all the insider stories about where people source their latex from and which supposedly organic mattresses have caused people to have reactions know that there are a lot of gimmicks out there. There is a huge difference between natural latex–which is composed of 95% sap that comes from rubber trees and the other 5% is soaps and sulfer that helps the sap bake like a cake–and petrochemical based foam.

The chemicals used to manufacture polyurethane foam have been identified as carcinogens, and the flame retardant chemicals that are usually added make the end product even more toxic (they have to treat it with something because it’s so flammable that fire experts refer to it as “solid gasoline.”) This material is non-biodegradable, so it will be with us forever. Some environmentalists believe that recycling foam is a solution for this material. While I sympathize with their point that something useful should be done with this material so it doesn’t sit in landfills for all of eternity, that shouldn’t make us think that it’s OK to buy new foam because it’s so harmful to our health. Recycle your foam and someone else will be exposed to the witches’ brew of carcinogens. How is this a solution?

Why do people continue to use polyurethane foam in furniture and mattresses? Because it’s dirt cheap compared to natural latex, wool, and even cotton. There are some truly brilliant ad campaigns and manufacturers out there who are trying to sell soy-foam to an unsuspecting public. You see pictures of soybeans and stories about American farmers and how we’re not using as much crude oil (which we’re fighting wars over!) to make it. And hey, soy is healthy, right? So foam made of soy – our prayers have been answered!

But when you break it down, manufacturers who claim their foam is 20% soy based means that only 20% of the polyol portion of the foam is derived from soy. Polyurethane foam is made of polyol and isocyanate in about equal parts, so 20% soy based means 10% of the foam’s total volume, so 90% is still polyurethane foam. Plus there are the food production and environmental problems including pesticide use, genetically modified crops, and deforestation issues in the Amazon to build soy plantations for the increasing demand for soy. So there are huge environmental concerns with this product, but I’m guessing they add up to a hill of beans for mothers who are just looking for a way to give their children a healthy mattress to sleep on.

You know how when something seems too good to be true, it generally is? This is one of those times. I’m sorry, but you can’t buy a healthy organic mattress for $400. I wish you could. Maybe someday you’ll be able to. But not today. We’ve tried to find the least expensive truly healthy twin mattress and we applaud the efforts of Angela Owen from Suite Sleep, who makes simple 4” and 6” natural Dunlop latex mattresses. There are no bells and whistles, no padded upholstery casings. Just one piece of firm natural latex wrapped in a thin casing of organic cotton/bamboo/wool fabric. It’s flame retardant without chemicals thanks to the wool, and it’s the simplest, least expensive option for a safe twin mattress we’ve found. $599 for a 4” and $849 for a 6”. If you want something that will last until the kid is in college and beyond, spring for a $1,200 Savvy Rest that’s 10”. Otherwise, you will sleep soundly knowing that your child is on a mattress that will not offgas and that will be comfortable until the teenage years (at which time you could always just add a 3” wool topper!).

It may not be glamorous, but the most important upgrade you can make to your bathroom is to select water-saving fixtures. Californians are not new to water conservation, but as the situation becomes increasingly dire it’s simply irresponsible to remodel a bathroom without making this a high priority. Look for WaterSense-labeled faucets and showerheads as they use less water than federal law mandates, and then be sure not to run water longer than necessary. Ever wonder which uses less water, a bath or a shower? If you have a low-emitting showerhead, you’ll use about 10 gallons of water during a four-minute shower. Most bathtubs take 30 to 50 gallons, so unless you take 20-minute showers – and I hope you don’t – soaking in the tub uses more.

Toto Aquia WaterSense Certified Dual-Flush Toilet

Once you’ve got the right fixtures, focus on maintaining healthy indoor air quality in the room. Using 0-VOC paint on the walls is a no-brainer, but you also need to consider the vanity and other cabinetry. Stock cabinetry available at home improvement centers is made of particleboard or plywood that will offgas formaldehyde and finished with high-VOC enamel paint or stain. Support a local small business and protect your health by hiring a cabinet shop to build something using special plywood with no added formaldehyde, and Forest Stewardship Council-certified or reclaimed hardwood. Finish the cabinets with 0-VOC paint or stain, plus two coats of water-based, low-VOC polyurethane sealant so they’re easier to wipe down in a wet environment.

Vetrazzo Vanity Top in Cobalt Skky (made from Skky Vodka bottles)

Prices for the American-made materials listed above range from $35 to $100 a square foot, which can be more than some natural stones. However, stone is usually imported from China, India, and Europe, increasing the carbon footprint of the material, plus it’s hard to know for sure that proper ecological care is taken when stone is quarried in third-world countries. If you must use a natural stone, try to find remnant pieces from fabricators or building salvage yards.

Will remodeling a bathroom using eco-friendly materials cost more? A little; but you’ll save money on water, keep harmful chemicals out of your home, use less energy, and have better-made cabinetry that will last for decades, so it’s a better investment overall.

And once I accidentally sprayed some Caldrea Countertop Cleanser on a mirror and realized it worked just as well as the Caldrea window cleaner. Borax works on everything from tubs to tile floors to sinks. And white vinegar gives a little shine to sink faucets while also cutting soap scum on shower tiles. Just find a couple good non-toxic, plant-based, or food-based cleaners and use them on everything! You’ll save money and storage space under your sink.