Why We Say No to Flame Retardants.

What's Lurking in Your Sofa?

At Planted Furniture, we believe your home should feel safe, calm and chemical-free. That’s why every piece we make—sofa, footstool, headboard or armchair—is created without flame retardant (FR) chemicals.

In the UK, most upholstery is legally required to pass fire safety tests. Sadly, this often leads to sofas being saturated with harmful synthetic chemicals, especially on cheaper, foam-filled furniture.

Here’s why we’ve chosen a different path—and why it matters.

The Trouble with Flame Retardants

Flame retardants were introduced to reduce fire risk by slowing the spread of flames. But decades of research now tells a more complicated story.

While the UK’s strict fire rules have saved lives, it’s clear that soaking furniture in chemicals isn’t the only—or best—solution. In fact, flame retardants may:

• Offer limited real protection in large fires

• Increase the toxicity of smoke

• Linger in your home long after you've bought the sofa

And unfortunately, they don’t stay put.

These chemicals migrate into household dust, air and even your skin. They're especially concerning for children, who spend more time close to the floor and often have higher exposure.

Linked to Real Health Concerns

Many common flame retardants are now linked to serious health effects:

• Hormone and thyroid disruption

• Developmental delays and lower IQ in children

• Reproductive problems

• Some forms of cancer

UK households have been found to carry some of the highest levels of flame retardants in Europe, due to our furniture regulations and reliance on treated foams.

Why We Never Use FR Chemicals

At Planted, we believe your furniture should support your wellbeing—not compromise it.

That’s why we:

• Use natural fillings only – no synthetic foam, no FR sprays, and no hidden nasties

• Work with wool, cotton, and natural latex, which have inherent flame resistance

• Handcraft every frame and cushion in our Cheltenham workshop, so we know exactly what’s going into each piece

We meet UK fire regulations naturally—without toxic coatings—thanks to the clever use of barrier fabrics and time-tested materials.

A Safer Future for Furniture

The truth is, flame retardants belong to a dated era of furniture making—one that didn’t prioritise long-term health or environmental impact.

We’re proud to be part of a growing community of makers and customers who want more:More comfort. More integrity. More transparency. Less chemicals.

What You Can Do

If you’re shopping for new furniture, here are a few things to ask:

• Does this piece contain foam or synthetic padding?

• Is the fabric treated with chemical flame retardants?

• Are natural fillings available?

And if you're unsure, just ask us. We’re always happy to talk materials, safety and sustainability—it’s what we’re built on.

Our Promise

We make furniture that’s built to last—inside and out.No foam. No fire retardants. No compromises.

Because your health, your home, and the planet deserve better.

Explore our chemical-free range → plantedfurniture.com