With more people working from home, many of us are spending more time indoors than ever before. That’s one reason why buying non-toxic furniture (or at the very least, less toxic furniture) is becoming more important to many people. So in this part of our furniture series, we’re talking about non-toxic dressers.
Table of Contents
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Formaldehyde in Dressers
- What to Look for in Non-Toxic Dressers
- Real, Solid Wood (Instead of Engineered Wood)
- Little to No Adhesives
- Zero- Or Low-VOC Paints and Finishes
- Third-Party Certifications
- The 9 Best Brands for Non-Toxic Dressers
- Are IKEA’s Dressers Non-Toxic?
- For a More Affordable Option: Buy Secondhand
- More Non-Toxic Furniture for Your Bedroom
- Conclusion
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Featured image credit: Kalon Studios
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Formaldehyde in Dressers
As we discussed in our Ultimate Guide to Non-Toxic Bedroom Furniture, volatile organic compounds (a.k.a. VOCs) are the biggest concern when it comes to furniture.
VOCs are chemicals that, simply because of their composition, can evaporate in normal atmospheric conditions. This evaporation is what a lot of people call “off-gassing.”
When the chemicals in your furniture off-gas, they release toxins into your environment, which you then breathe in. VOCs from furniture and building materials are actually a huge source of indoor air pollution!
Formaldehyde is one of those VOCs, and it’s very commonly used in dressers in the form of adhesives. Unfortunately, formaldehyde is linked to various negative health effects, from skin irritation to cancer.
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A Simplified List of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
You may have heard about volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in your furniture or carpeting, but what exactly are they? Here’s a list of the most common VOCs along with where they’re found, what it means for human health, and what you can do about it.
What to Look for in Non-Toxic Dressers
Real, Solid Wood (Instead of Engineered Wood)
It’s very common for furniture companies to use engineered wood, also called composite wood, as opposed to real, solid wood because it’s cheaper. Examples of engineered wood include medium-density fiberboard (MDF), particleboard, plywood, or chipboard.
To make engineered wood, manufacturers basically take a bunch of sawdust and wood chips, and wood pieces and glue them all together to form what looks like real wood. All of those glues and adhesives are a big part of what makes dressers and other “wooden” furniture toxic because they contain so much formaldehyde and other VOCs.
Instead of engineered wood, look for solid wood instead, which will automatically contain less toxic chemicals. Sustainably sourced and/or reclaimed wood is best!
Little to No Adhesives
Using MDF and other types of engineered wood is one of the biggest ways formaldehyde gets into dressers, but manufacturers may also use adhesives to actually assemble the wooden pieces as well. When shopping for non-toxic furniture, look for brands that use assembly methods which require as little glue as possible.
Zero- Or Low-VOC Paints and Finishes
Another place VOCs can come into play is in the finishes and paints used. Instead of toxic finishes, lacquers, and paints, look for companies that use natural oils like raw linseed to finish the wood. Or, choose unfinished if you like that aesthetic!
Third-Party Certifications
When shopping for non-toxic furniture, looking for third-party certifications can help you make sure your dresser meets a certain set of standards when it comes to the materials used.
Look for labels like GREENGUARD or GREENGUARD Gold, MADE SAFE, Formaldehyde Free Verified by UL Environment, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and Sustainable Furnishings Council. You can read more about each of these labels here.
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The Best Safe Sofa & Non-Toxic Couch Brands for 2024
You likely spend a lot of time on your couch, whether you’re snuggling up for a good show or gathering together with loved ones for game night. Here’s what to look for in a non-toxic sofa and our favorite eco-friendly brands.
The 9 Best Brands for Non-Toxic Dressers
Now, let’s get to our favorite brands for non-toxic (and beautiful!) dressers for your home.
Avocado
When it comes to non-toxic and eco-friendly bedroom furniture, Avocado is one of our MOST favorite brands! Their furniture is not only safe and sustainable, but it’s truly durable and beautiful, too.
Avocado’s Greenguard certified dressers are made in their Los Angeles workshop out of reclaimed and responsibly-sourced FSC-certified wood and finished with a zero-VOC sealant.
They have a few different varieties of solid wood dressers, whether you prefer a more “natural” look, or something a little more elegant. The easy-open drawers eliminate the need for knobs and handles and allow for a really clean, sleek aesthetic.
Not only is Avocado’s bedroom furniture free from toxic chemicals, but they’re also a B Corp certified company, which means they are prioritizing people and planet as much as possible. Their Los Angeles workshop is powered entirely with renewable energy and is on its way toward a zero-waste certification. All of their products are carbon negative as well.
ducduc
If you’re looking for a non-toxic dresser for your nursery or kids’ room, ducduc is a great option. In addition to their standard 4-drawer and 8-drawer (double-wide) dressers, they also carry a few dressers that double as changing tables. Colors include natural, white, grey, and “midnight” blue.
Everything is handmade in the USA out of 100% baltic birch wood (which is completely MDF-free) and is finished with non-toxic, water-based finishes and glues.
Natural Home by The Futon Shop
The Futon Shop carries a collection of wide, solid wood dressers that come in a variety of different finishes. Most of their dressers are actually produced by Vermont Furniture Designs. They don’t stain any of their dressers, but instead let the natural wood color shine through, finishing them with a natural, zero-VOC linseed oil wax.
Medley
Medley carries several different sustainable and non-toxic dressers, depending on the size you need (3- or 4-drawer tall, 4- or 6-drawer wide, etc). Choose between either FSC-certified American solid hardwood or natural bamboo, available in various different light and dark finishes.
In addition to sustainably-sourced materials, Medley uses a few different types of low- and zero-VOC finishes and glues made out of water-based and natural materials such as beeswax. Plus, everything is handcrafted in California, USA.
Use the code THEFILTERY5 for 5% off your order.
West Elm
You probably already know about West Elm as one of the most popular places to buy furniture for your entire home. Not everything West Elm makes is non-toxic, but they do make it really easy for customers to filter products based on their priorities. So when you’re shopping for dressers, you can sort according to Greenguard Certified, Fair Trade, Sustainably Sourced, and/or Handcrafted.
They also have different dressers that will fit a wide variety of aesthetics, whether you’re looking for something for the kids’ room, a modern and minimalist dresser for your bedroom, or a mid-century chifforobe!
Masaya & Co.
Masaya & Co. carries a couple of large, wide dressers that would look beautiful in your bedroom or even as a media storage unit and table combo in the living or dining room. These gorgeous dressers are handcrafted in Nicaragua out of sustainably harvested hardwood and finished with a low-VOC natural oil.
Plus, for every product sold, Masaya & Co. plants 100 trees!
Kalon Studios
Kalon Studios’ minimalistic non-toxic dressers are available in tall or wide American ash or Black walnut solid wood. They’re finished with non-toxic SCS Indoor Advantage Gold Certification premium organic oil/wax finish for zero off-gassing.
Plus, they have soft-close drawers for the win!
Vivaterra
If you like more of a rustic look, check out Vivaterra. Their non-toxic dressers are handmade in California with reclaimed Douglas Fir wood and water-based, non-toxic stains. Choose between a variety of heights, stain colors, and the number of drawers.
Nest
For a different option, you might want to check out Nest. Instead of regular trees, their dressers (and nightstands and bed frames) are made out of 100% solid Moso bamboo. (Bamboo tends to be a little more lightweight than solid wood.) They’re made in an ISO 14001 Environment Management certified facility without any plywood, particleboard, or MDF.
They have two different collections: the Mercury (pictured above) and the Azara (which has a more mid-century aesthetic and is also available in a lighter color). Both collections include a bed frame and a few different dressers and nightstands — and of course you can buy the whole set or just pick and choose which pieces you want.
Are IKEA’s Dressers Non-Toxic?
You might notice that everyone’s favorite affordable Swedish furniture company didn’t make this list. IKEA does have some great sustainability initiatives and has made even more progress in recent years, but unfortunately, they didn’t make the cut for this guide.
Most of IKEA’s dressers are made using at least partially solid wood, although many of the dressers do use fiberboard as well. They’re also finished with conventional acrylic lacquers, paints, adhesives, and stains that are not necessarily low- or no-VOC. (This even includes their ‘more sustainable’ natural wood dresser.)
We hope to see IKEA transition to non-toxic glues and finishes in the next few years! You can find out more in our in-depth analysis of IKEA’s chemical safety initiative here.
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Is IKEA Furniture Non-Toxic?
Is IKEA’s furniture non-toxic? Does it contain toxic chemicals like flame retardants, PFAS, formaldehyde, or phthalates? We’re giving you all the answers!
For a More Affordable Option: Buy Secondhand
Dressers can be expensive, especially when you’re buying something that’s high-quality, sustainable, and non-toxic. So thrifting and buying secondhand can be an option to consider as well.
Here are some places to look for secondhand furniture:
More Non-Toxic Furniture for Your Bedroom
If you’re looking for natural, non-toxic and eco-friendly furniture like mattresses, bed frames, nightstands, mirrors, headboards, and benches to match your dresser, we’re put together a full guide to non-toxic bedroom furniture—just click here!
Conclusion
Whenever your current dresser starts falling apart (and let’s be honest: if it’s an IKEA one, it’s going to happen soon), consider replacing it with one that’s made with non-toxic and sustainable materials that won’t off-gas harmful chemicals into your bedroom while you sleep!
Image Credits: All product photos belong to respective brands.
