Deep Cleanse: Boost the Health of Your Home With Natural Fibres
Like lemon to the liver, natural textiles such as hemp, linen and organic cottons can help detox your home
Sophie Seeger
19 August 2014
Houzz Australia Contributor. Director of Seeger By Design; tutor for the Interior Design Institute, abstract artist and designer of rugs and textiles for soft-furnishings.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Director of Seeger By Design; tutor for the Interior... More
You don’t have to be a ‘green revolutionist’ to detox your home. Through curtains, upholstery, cushions and bed linen, your house and your family can do a ‘cleanse’ the natural way, with animal, plant or wood-based spun fibres.
We know synthetic textiles are bad for the environment, as they are not only often non-biodegradable (when discarded they do not break down in the soil), but they can also be toxic to your health. Did you know that synthetic (man-made) fabrics are made using petroleum, acid and oil – and they’re treated with chemicals. Every time you read the label: static-resistant, stain-resistant, wrinkle-free, stain-proof or moth-repellant, there’s a high probability that the fabrics have been treated with caustic soda, ammonia, acetone or sulphuric acid.
Synthetic rugs and carpets can also give off harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds) into the air. These can cause nose, throat and eye irritations, nausea, dizziness and headaches. Choosing wools, sisal, seagrass and jute is the natural way to go – these fibres contain naturally occurring beneficial properties. Here’s how to use natural textiles and fibres for maximum benefit to both your home and your health.
We know synthetic textiles are bad for the environment, as they are not only often non-biodegradable (when discarded they do not break down in the soil), but they can also be toxic to your health. Did you know that synthetic (man-made) fabrics are made using petroleum, acid and oil – and they’re treated with chemicals. Every time you read the label: static-resistant, stain-resistant, wrinkle-free, stain-proof or moth-repellant, there’s a high probability that the fabrics have been treated with caustic soda, ammonia, acetone or sulphuric acid.
Synthetic rugs and carpets can also give off harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds) into the air. These can cause nose, throat and eye irritations, nausea, dizziness and headaches. Choosing wools, sisal, seagrass and jute is the natural way to go – these fibres contain naturally occurring beneficial properties. Here’s how to use natural textiles and fibres for maximum benefit to both your home and your health.
Hemp hemp hooray
Create this pretty aesthetic while allowing your home to breathe. These recycled hemp bags are perfect for vanity skirts; a mudroom to hide those muddy shoes and boots; a dressing table, or even in a cottage kitchen.
Tip: Being low allergenic, hemp is the perfect textile friend to sit alongside your food and bathroom necessities, or your little girl’s clothes.
Create this pretty aesthetic while allowing your home to breathe. These recycled hemp bags are perfect for vanity skirts; a mudroom to hide those muddy shoes and boots; a dressing table, or even in a cottage kitchen.
Tip: Being low allergenic, hemp is the perfect textile friend to sit alongside your food and bathroom necessities, or your little girl’s clothes.
Stripes, florals and motifs
Hand-printed cushion covers in a variety of prints and natural textiles add texture and tone to a room.
Hand-printed cushion covers in a variety of prints and natural textiles add texture and tone to a room.
Sleep easy…
Oh, I would sleep all night and luxe all day with perfect organic cotton sheets and a heavier natural linen or bamboo cover to add visual texture combined with a weightier warmth.
Oh, I would sleep all night and luxe all day with perfect organic cotton sheets and a heavier natural linen or bamboo cover to add visual texture combined with a weightier warmth.
Colour me perfect
Apart from the glorious colour, this grass wallpaper offers another bonus – it’s made from hemp. With light playing on its texture and tone, this wallpaper brings the sea, sky and sun directly into the room in a natural and very gentle way.
Apart from the glorious colour, this grass wallpaper offers another bonus – it’s made from hemp. With light playing on its texture and tone, this wallpaper brings the sea, sky and sun directly into the room in a natural and very gentle way.
Bring your textiles out to play
Laze outside and know that your upholstery is also breathing the fresh air but not fading quite as quickly. Hemp is known to have high UV qualities and resists mildew.
Tip: Still remember to turn cushions regularly.
Laze outside and know that your upholstery is also breathing the fresh air but not fading quite as quickly. Hemp is known to have high UV qualities and resists mildew.
Tip: Still remember to turn cushions regularly.
A perfect backdrop
A sofa covered with linen or hemp in a neutral palette or muted tone sets the stage for over-laying with a range of prints. It’s an elegant statement, comfortable and wears well with age.
Tip: For light upholstery use 255g (9oz) but I would recommend a heavier 368g (13oz) if you have little feet and paws enjoying it, too.
A sofa covered with linen or hemp in a neutral palette or muted tone sets the stage for over-laying with a range of prints. It’s an elegant statement, comfortable and wears well with age.
Tip: For light upholstery use 255g (9oz) but I would recommend a heavier 368g (13oz) if you have little feet and paws enjoying it, too.
Allow the light to shine
Hemp comes in a variety of weights and, for curtains, 255g (9oz) is perfect for that casual but elegant French country look. Due to the weave, hemp allows the light to show through while having superior insulating qualities. When they’re light enough, your curtains will also move in the breeze and bring in the scent of summer.
Hemp comes in a variety of weights and, for curtains, 255g (9oz) is perfect for that casual but elegant French country look. Due to the weave, hemp allows the light to show through while having superior insulating qualities. When they’re light enough, your curtains will also move in the breeze and bring in the scent of summer.
Knotted and ready for action
Rope can be found in a variety of natural fibres such as hemp or jute, and can add a rustic and unique touch to a hand rail. Or why not use for a curtain tie-back? They would tie in perfectly in any seaside or country home. Did you know that jute fibre production absorbs the destructive greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide? Opting for jute rugs is a healthy choice for your home.
Tip: Visit a boating supplier to bring your rope home.
TELL US
How do you use natural fibres at home? Share your ideas in the comments section below.
MORE
Greening Your Home: The Best Natural Products to Clean Your Home With
Green Living: Create a Bedroom That’s Healthier for You and the Planet
Greening Your Home: 10 Ways to Create an Eco-Friendly Workspace
Rope can be found in a variety of natural fibres such as hemp or jute, and can add a rustic and unique touch to a hand rail. Or why not use for a curtain tie-back? They would tie in perfectly in any seaside or country home. Did you know that jute fibre production absorbs the destructive greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide? Opting for jute rugs is a healthy choice for your home.
Tip: Visit a boating supplier to bring your rope home.
TELL US
How do you use natural fibres at home? Share your ideas in the comments section below.
MORE
Greening Your Home: The Best Natural Products to Clean Your Home With
Green Living: Create a Bedroom That’s Healthier for You and the Planet
Greening Your Home: 10 Ways to Create an Eco-Friendly Workspace
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So make sure it is organic cotton, especially for bedding :)