With the news that the vinyl shower curtains so many households use in their bathrooms are laced with toxins, many are seeking alternatives that are safer for their families. Traditional vinyl shower curtains were found to have contained toxins that can be linked to liver damage as well as damage to the central nervous, respiratory and reproductive systems, according to researchers for the Virginia-based Center for Health, Environment & Justice. Not really worth it for that new curtain smell.
Organic cotton and hemp are the obvious green alternatives, but the reason many people use vinyl in the first place is because of its convenience and affordability, two qualities that cotton and hemp cannot easily boast. For those of you who love IKEA, and there are many, you will be happy to learn that they carry several stylish shower curtains made of PEVA, an non-vinyl alternative that performs similar to standard PVC but without the chlorine and other toxins that make it hazardous to your health. PEVA is also biodegradable, making it not only safe for your family, but eco-friendly. They are unfortunately not available for sale online, but if you have a store in your area, by all means, go pick one up.
In keeping with the IKEA that you know and love, these shower curtains are not just affordable — they are less expensive than many of the vinyl shower curtains on the market today, so there is no reason not to make the switch. You can get a clear shower curtain for as little as $1.79. Also in keeping with the Ikea tradition, they are simple and stylish, so your bathroom decor won’t have to suffer for safety.
Why It’s Green:
- Made of PEVA, a non-vinyl, non-chlorine-based material
- PEVA is biodegradable
Price: $1.79-9.99
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I’m Jennae Petersen, and I’m a lot of things. A mother, a graphic artist, a connosieur of beautiful interiors and a purveyor of all things design. Green Your Decor was borne of frustration in my attempts to find eco-friendly housewares that were also beautiful, and inspiration to do something to reduce my own carbon footprint and help others do the same in a beautiful way.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I found your blog thru simplemom and I love it. I am going to get me one of those PEVA curtains from IKEA since I would like to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle and IKEA makes things in my budget. thanks for the idea.
Fantastic find, Jennae. I was just wondering about where I could get a non-toxic shower curtain. And with a new Ikea opening in Brooklyn, the timing is perfect!
- Aaron Dalton, 1GreenProduct.com
@ zobars: Thank you for your support. I’m going to be keeping an eye on IKEA’s catalog for more green items, because noone can dispute that IKEA is budget friendly
@ Aaron Dalton: I’m going to be posting more non-toxic shower curtains in the next few days
According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, vinyl shower curtains do not pose a health hazard, and the report saying so was bad science!
@ Michael: Thanks for giving us that link. I welcome your contribution. Even in the case that the study was bad science, I say why take the chance when there are so many other options out there at a comparable cost that there are no health questions about.
Even if the report were inaccurate, vinyl is neither biodegradable nor recycleable. Why not not choose an option that is kinder to the earth?
Help. . .looking for a custom sized hemp shower curtain. . .
100 x 100 in, give or take a couple each way