Parents' Guide To Safely Painting Baby Furniture (Part 1)

ECOS 01/25/2018
satin varnish

Preparing to welcome a new baby into your life and home should be a special and unique experience for all parents. That being said, it's important to do everything you can to make sure your baby is as healthy as possible. However, studies have shown that levels of several organics average two to five times higher indoors than outdoors, and when inhaled they can contribute to several health problems. If you're preparing to welcome a new baby into your life and home, we've got you covered. Here's part one of our parents' guide to safely painting baby furniture and preparing a safe and healthy nursery.

Precautions Before you dive right into your painting endeavors, it's essential to do some basic safety checks. First -- and this should be a given -- make sure that the paint or satin varnish you're using is free of lead, which has been proven to be toxic to brain development and has no safe levels. Fortunately, it has been banned from paints and satin varnishes since 1978, so it's very unlikely to appear in any materials you'll be working with.

Another quick precaution to take prior to painting involves giving the piece of furniture a quick but sturdy shake. If you notice that it's wiggling or seems otherwise unsteady, it may be a good idea to tighten it up before you get started.

Finally, you should also be aware that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission does not recommend the use of cribs that are more than 10 years old. You can easily access their official website to check for any crib recalls and ensure that the one you have selected is up to code and safe for your baby.

Workspace Prep Once you're absolutely sure that you have a piece of furniture that is safe and ready for painting, prep your workspace by laying down a sheet or protective drop cloth. Then, gently wipe down the piece of furniture you're painting to remove any remaining dust and debris. If the piece of furniture has many compartments, such as a dresser, vacuuming the drawers is a good way to save time and maximize efficiency.

Ultimately, understanding how to safely paint baby furniture can help keep your baby happy and healthy for years to come. Keep an eye out for the next post, where we'll discuss the remaining steps of safely painting baby furniture. For more information about satin varnishes and other latex free, low VOC paints, contact Ecos Paints.

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