I recently shared a Healthy Home Renovation series on Instagram, detailing some of the changes I invested in to make my home as healthy as possible. Below, I’ll recap highlights from that series for anyone looking for resources on this topic. 

We’re not sharing this information to create stress or overwhelm—and we realize that most people aren’t in a position to change all of these things overnight. This information is intended to empower you when choosing renovation materials, redoing a room in your home, or purchasing a new home.

For years, I knew about the importance of things like non-toxic sheetrock and insulation, but until recently I wasn’t able to act on any of it. Still, knowing this information helped guide which homes we've rented or purchased, which paints we used, and how we prioritized things like HVAC filtration and less-toxic furniture over other, more "fun" home-related purchases.

Please know we're not building experts, we’re just sharing what worked for our home personally. Alright, let’s get to it!

Watch our kickoff video

Why This Matters: What is Sick Building Syndrome?

First, a quick note on why we did this series: Your home’s air quality matters more than you might think.

Furniture, rugs, cabinetry, insulation, paint, and cleaning products can all contain chemicals that are released into the air which can impact our health. All of this aligns with sick building syndrome (SBS), where building occupants experience acute, non-specific health issues (like headaches, dizziness, and eye irritation) directly linked to time spent in a building, with symptoms typically disappearing after leaving. 

My Branch Basics co-founder Marilee Nelson (and also, my aunt!) is a building materials specialist and a certified Building Bau-Biologist, who has helped people build healthy homes and remove harmful chemicals from their homes for over thirty years. She studied building materials and their impact on health while recovering her son’s health, and has seen firsthand how the materials our homes are made of—and the products we keep inside it—can impact human health. 

The good news is that small upgrades in materials can have a long-term impact. 

A Harvard air quality specialist studied the impact of indoor air on our health and brain function. Volunteers who worked in environments with lower levels of carbon dioxide and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) scored 61% higher on cognitive tests. When they worked in the absolute cleanest conditions, scores improved by 101%. 

It is possible for our homes to support our health, not hurt it!

Resources: What to Ask Your Contractor & Where to Start

Watch the video

When choosing a builder or contractor, make it clear that your goal is to build or remodel in a way that protects and promotes human health. Many contractors are used to conventional materials and methods, so this approach may feel unfamiliar. And while some builders are trained in "green building," that doesn't always mean they're focused on clean or healthy building—some energy-efficient materials and practices can actually increase a home's toxic load.

I was fortunate to find a Houston-based builder who was open to alternative materials as long as they met code, maintained the home's integrity, and the information was provided in a timely manner. Because of that, my husband and I stayed closely involved throughout the process, researching and supplying healthier material options whenever needed.

Work with a healthy home consultant and use one of our favorite resources, Prescriptions for a Healthy House, to learn about safer material options where needed. Written by two of Marilee's close colleagues, Paula Baker-Laporte and John Banta, Prescriptions for a Healthy House. is a perfect reference for both homeowners and the architects, designers, and contractors involved in a project.

One helpful step Marilee recommends in her consulting work is asking your builder for a complete list of all materials typically used during construction. This way, you can identify and approve products his crew uses that are safe. This shows you are open to using as many materials as possible that his subcontractors already know. The list also red flags awareness of materials that are toxic and not acceptable so that clarity up front is established. The list can serve as common ground, making the process as smooth as possible while building understanding, trust, and respect between the builder and the homeowner.   When it comes to what you prioritize, begin with the materials that cover the most surface area and contribute the most to indoor air quality. 

Here are our top five places to start:

• Insulation: Choose formaldehyde-free options like fiberglass, mineral wool (American Rockwool), or Havelock Wool. These avoid the phenol-formaldehyde binders and flame retardants commonly found in spray foams and conventional insulation.

• Drywall: Specify untreated natural gypsum drywall (not synthetic) that contains no biocides. Boric acid is acceptable. National Gypsum Sheetrock is one of our preferred options—confirm it's sourced from their gypsum mines. Avoid moisture-resistant drywall, often identified by green or purple board.

• Paint: Our top choice is ECOS Paints, which are free of the biocides (SVOCs) found in conventional paints and can be color-matched directly through their site. Natural mineral paints like Silicote or clay paints are also great options. If using conventional paint, consider Sherwin-Williams Emerald Interior as a safer alternative.

• Cabinetry: Where possible, use solid wood. If plywood is required, choose PureBond, a formaldehyde-free option widely available at Home Depot.

• Floors: This category is broad, but worth doing right.

• Tile: Ceramic and porcelain are excellent choices since they don't require sealers. Use biocide-free grout and thinset.

• Wood: Choose untreated solid hardwood, finished with safe stains and sealers like ECOS or Finish Works 260. 

• Engineered wood: Look for formaldehyde-free options such as Kahrs, Stuga, or Green Building Supply.

• Rugs and carpet: Avoid azo dyes, stain treatments, and chemical finishes. Look for natural fibers like GOTS-certified cotton, wool, jute, sisal, or seagrass. We  recommend Organic Weave and Rugs by Roo for clean carpet options.

Healthy Home Renovation Tips

Ready for even more healthy home tips? Here is the full list of resources I’ve shared on Instagram as part of my Healthy Home Renovation series. Let this information meet you where you are, with the resources you have. 

1. Location

Location matters a lot when buying or building a home, so if you're in a position to choose, here's some info that may help. The good news is you can do some research before you even get in your car:

Golf course proximity

We recommend distancing from a golf course as much as possible. They're treated regularly with large amounts of pesticides, and studies show that living in proximity raises the chances of neurodegenerative disease. But here's an example of how even I didn't do this perfectly: both our parents live in Houston near the same golf course, and their support was the main reason we moved back in the first place. So while we never looked at homes within several streets of the course, we still ended up within half a mile. We've put extra resources into HVAC filtration, and when we take walks, we choose streets heading away from the course.

If you do live near a golf course:

• Upgrade your HVAC filtration

• Keep windows closed on spray days

• Take walks outside the neighborhood, away from the course, when applications happen
  

Cell towers

Another factor is distance from major cell towers. We used antennasearch.co  to make sure we were at least half a mile away. Again—we're in Houston, so this isn't ideal, but it was unavoidable.

If you're close to a cell tower, lower EMFs by:

• Using airplane mode whenever possible

• Not sleeping with your phone on or next to you

• Using EMF-blocking paint in bedrooms (more on that soon!)

2. Gauss / EMF Meter

A gauss meter for measuring AC magnetic fields is one of the best tools you can have when evaluating a home. Why does it matter? According to Bau-Biology principles and the precautionary approach, elevated magnetic fields may interfere with the body's restorative processes, particularly during sleep. When the body is under stress, cells can become less efficient, making it harder for nutrients to get in and toxins to move out. Here’s a quick tutorial on how to use it:

3. Radon Testing

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Before buying a home, it's wise to test for radon: a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that seeps up from the soil and can accumulate indoors. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., and even homes in "low-risk" areas can have elevated levels. One property may test low while the house next door tests high, so it's not something you can assume is safe.

The good news: radon testing is simple, inexpensive, and quick. When I tested in Houston, a local company came out the same week and sent results shortly after. If levels are elevated, mitigation systems are highly effective, and if one is already installed as a safeguard, additional testing typically isn't necessary.

4. Dust Testing for Pesticides

Watch the video

It's extremely important to understand the pesticide history of a home before committing to it. One of the most powerful ways to do this is through a dust test, which can reveal decades' worth of pesticide contamination in indoor air and dust.

Many homes built between the 1930s and 2004 were treated with soil pre-treatments for termites and wood-boring insects using pesticides that are now banned. Some of these chemicals—like chlordane, heptachlor, and aldrin—have extremely long half-lives and can remain in homes for decades. 

Exposure has been linked to serious health issues including cancer, neurological conditions, hormone disruption, infertility, and birth defects. Marilee has seen countless cases where chronic health issues were traced back to pesticide residue from treatments done many years prior.

A simple method developed by Dr. Richard Cassidy of Tox Free Inc. detects low levels of several of the worst pesticide offenders. You can order the kit through ToxFree.net and results are typically ready within about a week—making it ideal to complete during a home's option period.

If results show elevated pesticide levels, cleaning protocols can help reduce them before retesting. The approach depends on when the home was built:

• Homes built before 1988: Clean baseboards with Enviro-One (5 parts water to 1 part Enviro-One) to break down chlorinated pesticides.

• Homes built between 1988–2005: Use Super Washing Soda (2.5 teaspoons per gallon of distilled water) to break down organophosphate pesticides. Wipe down afterward with distilled water if residue remains.

• Homes built after 2006: Clean baseboards with Branch Basics All-Purpose to help neutralize and remove pesticides currently in use.

In all cases, follow with a deep clean of ceilings, walls, and floors using Branch Basics.

5. Mold Testing

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Mold is one of those things most people don’t think about until it becomes a big problem.

The reality is, it’s incredibly common—about 50% of homes in the U.S. have some level of mold—and it’s not just older homes. Even brand new builds can have issues. Between damp basements, small leaks, or trapped moisture in walls, mold can quietly grow and impact both your health and your home’s value.

The tricky part? There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer for how to test for mold. It can feel overwhelming trying to know where to start. "Mold Controlled" by John Banta—an incredible, practical guide every homeowner should have—includes a chapter on “Home Selection: Rent or Buy” that is very helpful on the home decision-making journey. 

I am fortunate to have a local Houston group, Restore and Renew Remediation, that I've hired to come check out potential homes. They go into depth, removing electrical outlets, to scope the walls as well as perform specific mold testing. Finding a knowledgeable company that goes way beyond the (often low!) standards of simply passing state "mold clearance" testing, understanding the impact of mold on human health, is truly ideal. 

6. The Foundation: Making It Clean

Watch the video

A healthy home truly begins from the ground up, and that means ensuring the foundation is clean, dry, and properly prepared before construction begins:

Non-toxic admixtures 

Did you know toxic concrete admixtures—coloring agents, water repellents, accelerants, reducers, and retardants—aren't actually necessary for the performance of the concrete? Just be sure your contractor understands the climate parameters required if you skip additives. For instance, they can be avoided entirely if concrete work is scheduled for warm weather. Calcium chloride may be used as an additive in freezing conditions. Note: in extreme heat, it's harder to avoid a water reducer.

Moisture control 

One of the most common problems in slab foundations is ground moisture rising into the home, which can create long-term humidity problems. You can add Xypex, a non-toxic admixture, to concrete slabs to prevent hydrostatic pressure. This is also why drainage planning is essential — proper grading ensures rainwater flows away from the structure rather than toward it.

Preventing structural moisture problems 

Basements and crawl spaces must be designed to prevent water intrusion and allow any moisture that does enter to dry quickly. If these areas remain damp, they can become reservoirs for mold growth and microbial contamination that eventually spreads to the rest of the home. Starting with a clean, dry, well-drained foundation is key.

7. Framing & Structural Plywood

When it comes to framing your home, the first thing to consider is making sure all wood is untreated. I used untreated pine.

We also highly recommend avoiding OSB (Oriented Strand Board), which is commonly used in construction. OSB can release VOCs like formaldehyde, which are linked to respiratory irritation and are classified as carcinogens. Instead, opt for solid wood, CDX plywood, or FSC-certified wood products, which tend to have lower toxicity.

For sheathing, choose CDX plywood rather than OSB. While slightly more expensive, CDX offers lower formaldehyde content, better moisture resistance, greater durability, and superior performance in humid climates.

For truss joints and structural beams, seal all sides with two coats of AFM Safecoat Safe Seal to help encapsulate any formaldehyde or chemicals; I did this for my support beams.

For sill plates, which are typically pressure-treated lumber attached to the concrete foundation, choose cedar or redwood instead. These woods are naturally termite-resistant, so you can avoid chemical treatments altogether.

8. Drywall / Sheetrock

Most drywall found east of the Mississippi River is made of synthetic gypsum, which may contain mercury and other heavy metals, biocides, and other contaminants that end up in the dust inside our homes. What you want is natural, untreated, non-synthetic gypsum, which is the mineral which makes the drywall. After calling a local drywall supplier to inquire, I found out that I would be able to get natural gypsum through National Gypsum. Another brand we recommend is Dens Armor Plus. 

9. Insulation

Spray foam insulation may be popular for energy efficiency, but it comes with real health concerns. VOCs in foam insulation are typically a short-term air quality issue if the mix is correct, conditions are optimal, and the installation is done right, they should clear within 4 to 6 weeks. However, all spray foams contain dangerous halogenated organophosphate flame retardants, which are SVOCs that ride on dust. Unlike VOCs, which dissipate over time, these flame retardants remain for the life of the insulation.

In her career as a materials specialist in the healthy home building space, Marilee has seen many families suffer the consequences of improperly mixed spray foam at installation, resulting in higher and longer VOC outgassing. Long-term exposure has been linked to lung damage, and some isocyanates (one of the chemicals used) are considered potential carcinogens. These VOCs can also cause more immediate issues like coughing, wheezing, and nervous system responses—even tiny amounts can trigger asthma attacks.

Beyond the VOC and SVOC chemical concerns, spray foam can trap moisture in walls, especially if applied over damp materials or used in assemblies that can't dry, significantly increasing the risk of hidden mold growth.

If your goal is a healthy home, turning to safe insulation is an easy choice. Great alternatives—that may actually save you money—include formaldehyde-free fiberglass batt insulation, American Rockwool, and Havelock Wool insulation.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of the Healthy Home Renovation Series soon!