| consumers than ever are choosing to decorate | | | | bamboo is harvested by simple cutting so it has |
| their homes with products made from sustainable | | | | little impact on the environment. If you are |
| green materials and sources, and upholstery is | | | | considering furniture or fabric made from |
| one item where green alternatives are available. | | | | bamboo, check the label and the |
| One way to choose ‘green’ | | | | manufacturer’s website because some |
| upholstery is to purchase furniture products made | | | | manufacturers use chemicals in their growing and |
| from recycled materials. Another way is to | | | | processing methods. |
| choose furniture made with environmentally | | | | Compare and Consider Growing Methods |
| friendly and sustainable fabrics; read the product | | | | The methods used to grow the plants that make |
| label to be sure. However, it’s also | | | | the fabric need to be considered as well. For |
| important to remember that the methods used | | | | example, traditionally grown cotton is heavily |
| to grow the plants that make the fabric may or | | | | treated with pesticides, but organically grown |
| may not be environmentally responsible. | | | | cotton is pesticide free. Organic farmers also shun |
| Sustainable Fabric Choices | | | | chemical fertilizers and incorporate practices such |
| When it comes to fabrics made from | | | | as crop rotation to maintain the soil naturally, so |
| environmentally sustainable materials and plants, | | | | this takes a lesser toll on the surrounding |
| hemp and bamboo are at the top of the list. | | | | watersheds than farmers who use pesticides and |
| Hemp has the distinction of being one of the | | | | fertilizers. Another advantage of choosing |
| oldest cultivated plants in history. Its deep root | | | | furnishings with organic fabrics is that the crops |
| system is the reason why it needs less than half | | | | are typically grown on small family farms that help |
| as much water to grow as other plants cultivated | | | | sustain small towns and villages all over the world |
| for fiber and it has no natural pests. Fabric made | | | | and avoid all the environmental and economic |
| from hemp is highly durable and strong and is | | | | pitfalls associated with massive farming |
| generally available in well-known weave patterns | | | | conglomerates. |
| like herringbone and basket weave. Hemp is | | | | Other Ways to Go Green |
| available in its natural off-white color, as well as an | | | | When you want to go green with your |
| unbleached shade, and in neutral tones in shades | | | | upholstered furniture options, don’t |
| of tan, brown and black. Hemp is also used in | | | | overlook the obvious. Instead of buying new |
| combination with other natural fibers like linen, | | | | furniture, keep what you have and refresh it |
| ramie and organic cotton which results in a lighter, | | | | slipcovers made from sustainable hemp or |
| softer fabric. | | | | bamboo or from organic cotton. In the long run, |
| Bamboo fabric is harvested from natural bamboo, | | | | the less waste you put into a landfill the smaller |
| which is one of the world’s fastest | | | | your carbon footprint which is better for both |
| growing plants. It does not require pesticides for | | | | your local environment and ultimately, the |
| good yields and it is easy to harvest: Most plants | | | | environment of the planet. |
| have to be dug up for harvest and replanted, but | | | | |