Non-Toxic Window Blinds

February 6, 2012

Question from suzanne

I'm starting this discussion for people looking for non-toxic window blind options and suggestions. I'm not a Sales person! This is my personal experience and I have been active on Debra's site for years now.

Some time ago I'd submitted a question to 3 Day Blinds about their wood blinds. They said that the finish on their wood blinds was non-toxic and low VOC. We decided to go ahead and have a home consult. We talked about all their options. The Consultant informed us that their Faux Wood Blinds were made of a polymer with no VOC, and no off-gassing. It isn't a covered MDF or anything similar; it's a more solid plastic type material. He showed us a sample and I examined/sniffed it :-).

I felt very good about the option; there was no smell and I can usually get an energetic sense of how things affect me. This felt totally inert to me. My husband has been installing the blinds the past few days and so far there is no smell or adverse reaction that I am experiencing.

I know beauty is a side issue to toxicity but I just have to say the blinds are beautiful... I'm very happy because they feel safe to me, look great and finally offer us the privacy and light control we've been missing for years in our home!

I have mild-moderate Chemical Sensitivity with probably a higher tolerance than those with a Severe condition. I don't know if these blinds will work for others, I can only speak for myself and share my experience.

I'm going to ask the consultant who helped us to chime in here perhaps, if there are questions about the 3 Day Blind materials.

Debra's Answer (updated by Lisa Powers 2020)

There are two separate issues that are being addressed here:

1. What window blinds are non-toxic? and

2. What blinds have a low odor that might be tolerable for sensitive people?

I’m glad that you have found blinds that are tolerable but after looking at the products from the company, they contain materials that I would choose to avoid. The faux wood blinds are made of PVC, which is the most toxic plastic. The most non-toxic shades that I have found are earthshade.com