Eco-Friendly Wood Finishes: What Is VOC Flooring?

Being eco-friendly is becoming more popular — and important — as people become more conscious of their carbon footprint and the impact their lifestyle choices have on their environment. “Green” floor care products like plant-based soaps and finishes made from natural ingredients are in demand. They’re free from harmful chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Why is this important?

If you’re unfamiliar with VOCs or the environmental risks of harsh chemical cleaners, we're here to help you make an informed choice about how you clean and protect your flooring.

What Are VOCs?

Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals that can readily evaporate from particular materials. Synthetic paints, finishes, and varnishes are typically high in artificial ingredients containing large concentrations of VOCs.

What is VOC in flooring? In addition to possible contamination from cleaners and varnishes, synthetic materials commonly found in flooring and furniture typically contain high VOC levels. Why is that important?

VOCs are toxic and can be harmful to your health. They are linked to a variety of respiratory concerns, including asthma. Worse still, prolonged exposure is thought to contribute to someone’s risk of developing cancer, as many VOCs are known to be carcinogenic.

And they’re not good for the environment either, contributing to air and water pollution and sometimes taking hundreds of years to break down. If they’re in your flooring or furniture, they can take many years to “gas out” entirely and could pose a health risk the entire time. If given a choice, it’s clearly best to avoid possible VOC contamination in the products you bring into your home.

Choosing Clean, Green Products

When making safer, healthier choices for both the people in your home and the environment, consider our line of products by Rubio Monocoat. We offer eco-friendly wood cleaners and finishes entirely free from VOCs and other harsh chemicals. These solutions are made with sustainably sourced, all-natural, and biodegradable plant-based ingredients

 

Rubio Monocoat products stand out from other eco-friendly wood finishes—the Oil Plus 2C is the leading plant-based, sustainable wood finish on the market. Like all ”green” Rubio Monocoat products, the oil is designed to protect and nourish wood surfaces. It’s a low-odor, non-toxic, zero-VOC finishing system with no water or solvents to harm you or your hardwood floors.

The Benefits of Eco-Friendly Wood Finishes

Is varnish eco-friendly? Generally speaking, no. Varnish relies on harsh solvents that are often high in VOCs. They can also be messy and difficult to use, and any spills must be cleaned up immediately.

Eco-friendly wood finishes are an excellent choice to minimize environmental impact. They are free from VOCs and other hazardous chemicals and provide a safe, sustainable alternative to toxic products and chemicals that require energy-intensive processing.

They are also more durable and long-lasting than traditional wood finishes. Because they’re all-natural, they work with the organic compounds in the wood they’re used to treat. As a result, these finishes don’t need to be reapplied as often and won’t break down as quickly as non-natural finishes or varnishes.

Eco-Friendly Solutions for Wooden Floor Care

As we become more aware of health concerns within our homes, the size of our carbon footprints, and the influence our lifestyle choices can have on the environment, it's important to us to make informed decisions. Special Hardwood proudly provides access to green, eco-friendly solutions free of VOCs and other potentially harmful chemicals.

With various eco-friendly interior products to choose from, you can preserve the beauty of your wooden floors without worrying about harsh chemical toxins or environmental damage.