Families with college-age kids are checking off their Dorm Essentials lists and packing up the car for that iconic family event – College Move-In Day. Here are some tips to reduce your college student’s exposure to toxic chemicals in their new digs and making a healthy college dorm room for them.
1. Bedding: Make it cotton and Oeko-Tex certified
Standard dorm mattresses are Twin XL, which can be hard to find bedding for. We have many Twin XL options that are 100% cotton and Oeko-Tex certified – one of the highest environmental certifications available – with reduced toxics in the textiles.
2. Personal Care Products: Skip the chemicals
Follow our tips for finding less-toxic personal care products for tweens and teens and pack plenty so they are on hand when school gets busy. Then buy extras during visits, and send some along in care packages.
3. Laundry: Lighten the chemical load
Again, send plenty of a less-toxic laundry soap with your student and replace during visits. Get wool laundry balls to avoid chemical-laden laundry sheets.
4. Coffee maker: Caffeine without chemicals and unnecessary waste
If your college student is insisting on a K-cup coffee maker for that early morning cuppa Joe, opt for one that has a filter insert that they can put ground coffee in instead of using plastic K-cups. To stop the protestations, make sure your student knows this option will save them lots of money! An even healthier option, and almost as convenient, is a single serving ceramic coffee cone and unbleached paper filters.
5. Hot Water Kettle: Skip the plastic
If your student prefers tea to coffee, get them a stainless steal electric kettle instead of a cheaper plastic one. In this case the healthier alternative is more expensive, but they are also more durable.
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