Choosing Placemats

kitchen textiles Dec 04, 2017

by Angela Cummings and Sophia Ruan Gushée

 

Placemats help to protect tables and add interest to table settings. While many people focus on the style of placemat, the material it’s made of is equally important.  

Place mats can be made from natural materials (like cotton, hemp, or linen), or synthetic fibers (like polyester and nylon, vinyl, plastic, or wood). In addition, they can be dyed and treated with other chemicals. Some of these materials can contain chemicals that pose health risks.

Read my blog post about tablecloths for more information on how to select healthier placemats.

Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each type of placemat before choosing a style.




When choosing a placement, take into consideration both the style and what the placemat is made of. Natural placemats are typically a healthier option with fewer chemicals, easy to wash, but aren’t as durable as other placemat options. In many cases, durability may not be a concern and the trade off for a healthier home environment may be minimal.


References 

(1) A to Z of D-Toxing, Works Cited Part 1

(2) Scientific American

 

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Ruan Living simplifies a nontoxic lifestyle through its Practical Nontoxic Living podcast, free detox workshops, online D-Tox Academy, and transformative 40-Day Home Detox. It aims to help you avoid toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from what you buy, own, and do— without compromising your joy and convenience. Ruan was founded by Sophia Ruan Gushée, author of the bestselling critically acclaimed book A to Z of D-Toxing: The Ultimate Guide to Reducing Your Toxic Exposures and several detox workbooks. A graduate of Brown University and Columbia Business School, Sophia has served on the Brown University School of Public Health Advisory Council and Well+Good Council. A popular nontoxic living speaker, consultant, and teacher, Sophia lives in New York City with her husband and three daughters. Her passion for empowering others to enjoy nontoxic living began with the birth of her first daughter in 2007. Everything she creates is a love letter to her children and for the healthiest, brightest future possible. You can learn more here: Sophia’s Impact.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. This information is provided “as is” without warranty.

It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. We do not offer medical advice, course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other opinion on your conditions or treatment options. To the extent that this article features the advice of physicians or medical practitioners, the views expressed are the views of the cited expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Ruan Living.

In no event will Sophia Ruan Gushee or Ruan Living be liable for any damages or loss of any kind resulting from the use of this website. Anyone relying upon or making use of the information on this website does so at his or her own risk.

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