Is your sofa really killing you?

As upholsters working in the industry, getting up close and personal with these materials it's something we have been shouting about for a long time and now a recent news article in the New York Times along with other recent UK reporting has brought this question more in to the public light....

Could your furniture actually be harming your health?

It sounds dramatic—but modern upholstered furniture in the UK contains surprisingly high levels of chemical flame retardants.

As an upholsterer, I think it's important that customers understand what this means...

Why UK Furniture Is Different (and More Chemical-Heavy)

Since the late 1980s, the UK has had some of the strictest furniture fire safety laws in the world. These came after a tragic Woolworths fire 1979, which led to the introduction of the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988.

These rules require furniture to pass open-flame tests—essentially simulating a match or small fire.

The problem?

To pass these tests, manufacturers have had little choice but to use large amounts of chemical flame retardants.

• Some UK sofas contain up to 20% flame retardant chemicals in their foam 

• These chemicals are often added to both foam and fabric coatings 

In contrast, much of Europe and the US moved away from these requirements years ago.

What Are These Chemicals—and Why Are They a Concern?

Flame retardants were designed to slow fires—but research increasingly suggests they come with serious downsides.

Studies have linked certain flame retardants to:

• Hormone disruption

• Fertility issues

• Developmental problems in children

• Increased cancer risk

Some commonly used chemicals are now classified as “probably carcinogenic” 

Even more concerning:

• These chemicals don’t stay locked inside your furniture

• They escape into household dust, which we inhale or ingest

• Children and pets are especially vulnerable due to close contact with surfaces

There’s also evidence that when treated furniture burns, it can produce more toxic smoke, including carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide

The Big Shift: New UK Regulations Are Coming

After years of pressure from scientists, upholsterers, and campaigners, things are finally changing.

The UK government is now proposing major reforms:

• Scrapping open-flame testing

• Moving to a “smoulder test” (similar to Europe and the US)

• Reducing reliance on chemical flame retardants

This is a huge shift for the industry—and long overdue.

It also opens the door for more natural, low-toxicity upholstery methods.

How to Make Your Upholstery Choices Less Toxic

While regulations are evolving, there are already practical steps you can take:

1. Choose Natural Materials Where Possible

• Wool is naturally flame-resistant

• Cotton, linen, and hemp can be safer alternatives (depending on treatment)

2. Ask Questions About What’s Inside

When buying or reupholstering, ask:

• Does the foam contain added flame retardants? Are there alternatives?

• Are fabrics chemically treated?

3. Reuse and Restore Existing Furniture

Quality older furniture (especially pre-chemical-heavy eras or carefully restored pieces) can often be a better option than buying new mass-produced items.

4. Reduce Dust Exposure

Because chemicals migrate into dust:

• Vacuum regularly (ideally with a HEPA filter)

• Wipe surfaces frequently

5. Consider Foam Alternatives

Options like:

• Natural latex

• Wool

• Coconut coir

  
  

Can You Actually Avoid Flame Retardants in the UK?

Right now, it’s still difficult—but that’s changing.

Historically:

• It’s been “almost impossible” to meet UK fire standards without chemicals

But with upcoming reforms, we’re likely to see:

• More chemical-free options

• More transparency

• More innovation in materials

  
  

What You Can Do to Help Push Change

This shift didn’t happen by accident—it came from industry pressure and public awareness.

If you care about this issue, you can:

• Respond to UK government consultations on furniture regulations

• Support campaigns for safer materials

• Sign petitions calling for reduced toxic chemical use

• Ask retailers and makers for safer alternatives

Consumer demand plays a huge role—when people ask questions, the industry responds.

Final Thoughts: Should You Be Worried?

Your sofa isn’t about to “kill you”—but the health risks around toxic chemicals in furniture is very real.

The good news? Change is happening—and upholstery is at the heart of it.

As awareness grows, so does the opportunity to create furniture that safe, sustainable and genuinely healthy for the home.

Thanks for reading.

Hannah x