We all want furniture that can handle daily life - spills, pet accidents, kids' messes - while still being safe for our family. For years, this meant choosing treated, stain-resistant furniture chemicals, simply because there weren't better options. Today, thanks to OEKO-TEX® certified materials and modern technology, you can find furniture that's both durable and safe.
At Homebody, our couches and recliners feature innovative fabrics that pass extensive OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 testing, ensuring every component - from threads to cushion covers - is tested for harmful substances. In this article, we'll show you why this matters: we'll explain what's typically in traditional stain-resistant treatments, reveal how our technology keeps your furniture clean without those chemicals, and demonstrate why OEKO-TEX® certified furniture is the smart choice for your family's health and comfort.
What Are PFAS and PFCs, and Why Should You Care?
What Are These Chemicals?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and PFCs (perfluorinated chemicals) are often called "forever chemicals" because they don't break down naturally. They've been widely used in furniture, carpets, and other household items to resist stains and water. While they're effective at repelling stains, their persistence in our bodies and environment has raised serious concerns.
Health Concerns: What Research Tells Us
Scientists have found links between these chemicals and several health issues:
● Higher cholesterol levels
● Changes in liver function
● Weakened immune system responses
● Pregnancy complications, including high blood pressure
What makes these chemicals particularly concerning is that they can build up in our bodies over time, meaning even small exposures can add up over the years.
Environmental Impact: A Lasting Problem
When PFAS and PFCs enter our environment, they stick around - for a very long time. They can:
● Contaminate drinking water sources
● Build up in the soil where we grow food
● Affect wildlife and their habitats
● Travel through air and water, spreading far from their source
Research from affected communities shows these chemicals impact ecosystems, from the water we drink to the food we grow. They've been found in remote locations, showing just how far they can spread.
OEKO-TEX® Testing Ensures Your Furniture Is Tested for Hundreds of Harmful Substances
The OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certification is a critical safety standard for furniture fabrics. The certification requires extensive laboratory testing of every material used in your couch or recliner's upholstery. This includes testing all fabric layers, threads, cushion covers, and even the decorative materials. For furniture you sit and lie on daily, this thorough testing is essential. Your skin comes in constant contact with these surfaces, and you breathe the air around them for hours each day.
The testing process checks for hundreds of harmful substances, including chemicals that could be released into your home over time through daily use. This is especially important for couches and recliners since they're large pieces that take up significant space in your home. The certification confirms that all components meet strict safety limits, well beyond standard regulations.
Modern Fabrics Use Weaving, Not Chemicals, to Fight Stains
Here's what makes modern performance fabrics different: instead of relying on chemical sprays to repel stains, these fabrics are designed from the ground up. Imagine thousands of tiny, tightly woven fibers working together to naturally keep liquids from soaking in. The best part? When spills happen (and they will), most clean up easily with just some water. It's like having a protective shield that's built into the fabric itself, not added as an afterthought.
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100: What It Means for Our Furniture
At Homebody, our couches and recliners carry the OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification - but what does this actually mean for you? This globally recognized testing system examines every piece of our furniture thoroughly, from the smallest thread to the comfy cushions you sit on. Since you spend hours sitting and lounging on our furniture, we've chosen this certification because it applies even stricter testing standards to materials that come in close contact with your skin.
When you choose a Homebody couch or recliner, you're getting furniture that meets established testing standards:
- Every component undergoes thorough testing - threads, buttons, cushion covers, everything
- Testing checks for over 1,000 different substances
- Materials that touch your skin face stricter testing requirements
- All testing follows internationally recognized standards
- Testing criteria are reviewed and updated yearly to stay current
We want you to feel informed about the furniture you bring home. That's why we choose to have our couches and recliners OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certified. This certification helps us create furniture that meets established safety standards through globally recognized testing methods. As testing standards continue to evolve and improve each year, we remain committed to meeting these comprehensive requirements, helping you make more informed choices about your furniture.
Choose Your Next Couch Wisely – Health, Comfort, and Planet
When we steer clear of couches and recliners with PFAS and PFCs, we're doing a whole lot more than just picking out furniture. We're making a solid choice for our health, and environment. By going for options like OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified fabrics, each purchase for your home becomes a place where safety and comfortability are intertwined. This is definitely something to think about when it comes time for your next sofa purchase.