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Non-toxic nursery swaps

Six simple changes for a healthier nursery, from crib sheets to the air your baby breathes.

The nursery is where your baby spends the most hours, sleeping, breathing and pressed up against fabric. That makes it the best place to start. You don't need to redo the whole room. Pick one of these and go from there.

Polyester crib sheets

Your baby's face is on the crib sheet for hours every night. Synthetic fabrics are often finished with treatments to resist wrinkles and stains. Organic cotton (look for GOTS certification) skips those, breathes better, and gets softer with every wash.

Scented laundry detergent

This is the swap people forget. Everything your baby wears and sleeps on is washed in it, so whatever is in your detergent stays on their skin all day. Fragrance is one of the most common skin irritants, so choose a detergent labeled fragrance-free, not just "gentle."

Plug-ins, sprays and scented candles

Air fresheners add synthetic fragrance to the air your baby breathes all night. Opening a window for a few minutes a day and running a HEPA purifier freshens the room without adding anything to it.

A conventional crib mattress

Mattresses can be made with foams and chemical flame retardants. Look for certifications like GOTS, GOLS or GREENGUARD Gold, and a short list of materials. This is a splurge, so if it's not in the budget, a fragrance-free wash routine and organic sheets are a great start.

Synthetic swaddles and sleep sacks

Natural fibers breathe, which helps baby stay comfortable. Muslin is lightweight and gets softer over time.

A brand-new room that smells "new"

That new-furniture smell comes from chemicals off-gassing. If you can, assemble furniture and unpack the mattress a few weeks before baby arrives and keep the windows cracked.

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