It's true, whether it's to cut manufacturing costs or provide flame retardant properties to household items, by the time your furniture and everyday pieces reach you, they have likely been treated with several chemicals. Many of these chemicals are known health hazards, but due to lack of regulation, low individual quantities, or a different arrangement of priorities, these chemicals are everywhere.

Some common chemicals used in textile production include formaldehyde, phthalates, heavy metals, and flame retardants. Through research, we have discovered that prolonged exposure to these substances can lead to skin irritations, allergies, respiratory issues, hormone disruption, and even potential carcinogenic effects. These effects are not just risks posed to the consumer, they even more directly affect those who work in textile factories that produce synthetic and treated fibers.

To make matters worse, these chemicals and synthetic fibers are not biodegradable. Once they are discarded, they travel to landfills where they can leech toxicity into the surrounding environment. The United States alone discards 12 tons of furniture every year, but these chemicals are used just as much on clothing and any other textile product. These synthetic fibers, including polyester and acrylic, shed microfibers during use and washing. These microfibers are small plastic particles that can enter water systems, accumulate in aquatic environments, and eventually make their way into the food chain. Even after just scratching the surface, you can start to see how much the accumulation of chemically treated textiles can literally and figuratively pile up.

With our growing awareness, there has been a resurgence in popularity of natural fibers (those not treated with chemicals) in the home. These textiles have been used throughout history because they are accessible, sustainable, and comfortable for a range of uses.

Unlike synthetic fibers, which are derived from petroleum-based products, natural fibers have a lower carbon footprint and contribute less to pollution and waste. In part, this is because natural fibers are biodegradable! When disposed of properly, natural fiber textiles can decompose naturally, reducing the burden on landfills. Natural fibers are also, of course, natural! These resources are renewable and usually grow effectively without the needs for added synthetic hormones or pesticides. For example, bamboo can grow up to 3 feet within one day, and simultaneously, can absorb up to 35% more carbon dioxide and produce 30% more oxygen compared to an equivalent stand of trees.

What’s more, natural fibers aren’t just better for the environment, they are also better for you. Textiles such as organic silk or hemp are hypoallergenic and naturally anti-bacterial compared to synthetic fabrics. They are less likely to cause skin irritations, allergies, or sensitivities and also are known to help slow aging. Similarly, natural fibers are a better choice for those with respiratory issues—and is an indication that they are a better choice for all—because they do not contains and emit harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. Finally, the lack of added harmful chemicals in natural fibers also means these textiles do not disrupt the endocrine system and confuse our hormone levels like synthetic fibers.

Once you lay out the immediate pros and cons, the benefits of choosing natural fibers become readily apparent. While these textiles might have a greater upfront cost, once you consider the long term impacts of the choice between synthetic and natural, the scales tip in the other direction. Natural fibers are durable, renewable, and an investment that pays off in a range of facets while the choice for synthetic fibers only pays off as an immediate, quick decision.