How Soft Furnishings Influence Indoor Air Quality and Respiratory Health

By Your Health Magazine Contributor

Your Health Magazine Contributor

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How Soft Furnishings Influence Indoor Air Quality and Respiratory Health

Ever wondered why your home feels stuffy even with the windows open?

It could be right under your nose… Couches, drapes, pillows, and carpets are all secretly affecting your indoor air. Here’s the crazy part – according to the EPA, indoor VOC levels can be up to 10x higher than outside.

Think furniture. Soft furnishings are huge. Dust accumulation to chemical off-gassing. What you allow into your home can be more important than most people know.

Let’s break it down…

Inside this guide:

• Why Soft Furnishings Affect Your Indoor Air

• What’s Hiding In Your Home Textiles

• The Respiratory Health Connection

• How To Choose Healthier Soft Furnishings

• Easy Ways To Clean Up Your Indoor Air

Why Soft Furnishings Affect The Air You Breathe

Soft furnishings are everywhere. Think:

• Curtains and drapes

• Cushions and pillows

• Upholstered sofas and armchairs

• Carpets and rugs

• Throws and blankets

All of them breathe the air in your room every second of every day. Some gather dust and allergens. Others off gas chemicals into the air slowly.

The thing is… Chemically made rugs (Synthetic fiber rugs) and other man-made materials emit VOCs into your home for months — if not years — after you install them. Purchasing high quality items from reputable sellers such as Rugs Direct does matter, because you know what you are putting on your floor.

There are studies to prove it. According to the American Lung Association, home furnishings like draperies, upholstered furniture, and carpets emit VOCs that accumulate in your home.

Yikes, right?

What’s Hiding In Your Home Textiles?

Did you know that most people don’t know what is inside their soft furnishings? Here’s what could be lurking in there…

Common chemicals found in soft furnishings:

• Formaldehyde — used in wrinkle-resistant treatments

• Flame retardants — often added to upholstery and rug backings

• Stain repellents — like PFAS “forever chemicals”

• Synthetic dyes — can release VOCs as they break down

• Adhesives — used to bind backings onto rugs and carpets

That’s a lot of chemistry sitting in your living room.

Not only chemicals lurking on your furnishings. Upholstery also collects:

• Dust mites

• Pet dander

• Pollen

• Mold spores

Why is this an issue? Because every time you sit on the couch, stroll on the carpet, or pat down a pillow… all those microscopic bits go right back up into the air you breathe.

The Respiratory Health Connection

Indoor air quality affects your breathing. When you think about the fact that most people spend 90% of their time indoors, this becomes quite significant.

Poor indoor air can lead to:

• Asthma attacks

• Allergy flare-ups

• Persistent coughing

• Eye and throat irritation

• Long-term respiratory issues

According to the EPA, dust mites, mold, pet dander and particulate matter are some of the most prevalent asthma triggers that can be found indoors. Where do you think most of them accumulate? Your soft furnishings!

Children and elderly tend to be affected the most. Their lungs are more susceptible and they spend even more time indoors than adults do.

Tip: If anyone in the household has asthma or allergies, be sure to pay attention to the type of soft furnishings chosen. Some can hold significantly more allergens.

Consider this … most people spend the majority of their waking hours swimming in indoor air. If that air is loaded with chemicals from off-gassing and trapped allergens, the lungs are fighting just to function normally. Constant irritation, increased infections and a greatly increased risk of developing new respiratory problems are the result of many months and years of exposure.

How To Choose Healthier Soft Furnishings

Now for the good news… You have a ton of control over this.

Pick Low-VOC Materials

Search for “low-VOC” or “VOC-free” products. Wool, cotton, jute & bamboo tend to emit fewer chemicals than synthetics. Natural fibers aren’t automatically safe either — their manufacturing process determines how toxic they are. Remember, not all synthetic fiber rugs are created equal. Poor quality rugs will use stronger chemicals and cheap grade rug backings.

Check For Certifications

Reliable labels to look for:

• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 — tests for harmful substances

• GREENGUARD — certifies low chemical emissions

• GOTS — for organic textiles

Consider The Backing

Floor rug backings are usually the biggest culprit. Rubber or latex and PVC backings can off-gas potent smells for weeks after opening. Natural latex or cotton backings are preferable.

Air Out New Items

New purchase? Hang or unroll your new item in another room for a couple days before bringing it into your living space. Allow most of the VOCs to escape before it steeps in your bedroom or wherever you spend most of your time.

Easy Ways To Clean Up Your Indoor Air

Already have soft furnishings in your home? No worries. There’s still lots you can do today to clean your air.

Here are some quick wins:

• Vacuum weekly — use a HEPA filter vacuum to trap fine particles

• Launder fabrics regularly — curtains, cushion covers and throws should be cleaned every few months

• Open windows daily — even 10 minutes of cross-ventilation helps

• Add houseplants — some plants help filter your air naturally

• Run an air purifier — one that has HEPA + activated carbon will filter particles + VOCs

Humidity is another thing to keep in mind. Aim for 30-50% to avoid mold growth and dust mites.

Another simple trick is having your soft furnishings steam cleaned once or twice a year. This kills dust mites and removes allergens your hoover will miss.

One more thing that most folks forget to do turn your rugs and flip your cushions seasonally. This prevents dust and allergens from accumulating in the same place and extends the life of your furniture as well.

Bringing It All Together

Your soft furnishings are doing a lot more than just looking pretty.

They help create the air you breathe every day. What choices will you make:

• Affect your respiratory health

• Influence your allergy symptoms

• Shape your overall indoor air quality

The best news is that tiny lifestyle changes can have a massive impact. Use low-VOC materials, opt for natural fibers when possible, and keep on top of house cleaning. Your lungs will thank you.

Next time you go shopping for curtains, a rug or a sofa, look beyond style. Consider how it will impact the air in your home – and the health of your family.