How much attention do you pay to your curtains? Probably not so much. You just draw them, make sure they work well and are clean. But have you ever wondered if you have earth friendly curtains in your home?
Earth friendly products are made using processes and materials which cause little to no harm to the environment. Synthetic fibers and plastics usually don’t fit in this category.
You may think you do not have many options to choose from. Things have changed in the past few years and now there are different earth friendly curtains to try in your living room, bedroom and even bathroom.
Going for an earth friendly product instead of a conventional one can have a great impact on the environment. You may not see it immediately or easily, but there will surely be a change in time.
The difference between earth friendly and conventional curtains stands, of course, in the materials they’re made of. Let’s take a look!
How conventional curtains are made
No all curtains are made of eco-friendly materials such as bamboo or organic cotton. Some of them are manufactured using synthetic fibers. Thinking about your shower curtain?
We will take each product category at a time.
Shower curtains
The shower curtain is probably the best example in this case. These products are usually made of vinyl or PVC (polyvinyl chloride). These are two types of plastic made by man.
The problem with these materials is that they are dangerous for our health and the environment.
PVC is the third-most produced plastic in the entire world and it requires the biggest use of chlorine gas (again, in the world).
When this material is not recycled and ends up in the environment, it begins leaching powerful toxins.
Our health is also put in danger because of PVC. It has been linked to:
- reproductive problems
- immune system problems
- neurotoxicity
- cancer
Other curtains (living room, bedroom, dining room)
The curtains from your other rooms may be made from other synthetic materials. Polyester is one common example.
This is another type of plastic used in the production of drapes, blinds, and other products such as bed sheets.
The problem with these curtains starts when the sun hits them and they worm up. The plastics may start releasing gases. You may not sense them, but they can affect your health in the long run.
Polyester has often been linked to skin problems such as inflammations or dermatitis. It may also cause respiratory problems or eye irritations.
Pay attention to these symptoms and visit your doctor if you start experiencing them without knowing the cause.
The benefits of having earth friendly curtains
Because we are talking about all the curtains from your home, including the shower one, you may think it’s not possible to have all of them made of earth friendly materials.
Well, it is. You can now find organic cotton shower curtains to replace your old plastic ones. They have been designed to resist mold and mildew just like plastic curtains.
As you can see, there are some great benefits of using earth friendly curtains.
Earth friendly materials
Organic cotton and bamboo are two popular choices for earth friendly curtain materials.
They do not contain any plastics or synthetic fibers, meaning they do not contain any dangerous chemicals.
Because this is a crucial aspect, you should check it thoroughly when buying a curtain.
Safe for your health
Curtains free of toxic chemicals are a safe option for your health. They do not release dangerous gases and this protects you from unpleasant health problems such as irritations and headaches.
Wide variety of products
Earth friendly curtains come in different shapes and sizes. You can choose from a wide variety of colors, patters and still take care of your health and the environment.