The materials behind every mural
For parents who like to do their homework. We did ours too.
When I was setting up Calvin's nursery, I kept running into the same thing: vinyl. Decal after decal, all PVC. The more I read about what that meant in a small room where a baby would sleep, the more I wanted something else.
Choosing our material
We use LEED-certified woven polyester fabric for every Whales & Willows mural.
If polyester gives you pause, that instinct is fair. In clothing, it sheds microplastics every time it's washed, gets blended until it can't be recycled, and is treated as disposable. The fashion industry's reputation with polyester is a real issue.
The key word is "washed." The microplastic problem is a laundering problem, and it doesn't apply here. What does apply: this fabric holds fine art prints better than any alternative we tested. It stands up to real use, and recycles as dry waste when it's finally done.
That's the version of polyester we chose.
What our fabric choice means for your family
VOC-free | No volatile organic compounds in the fabric or inks
PFAS-free & phthalate-free | None of the "forever chemicals" linked to hormone disruption
No off-gassing | Unlike PVC, it doesn't release gases into your child's room over time
Works with low & no-VOC paints | If you've already gone low-VOC on your walls, this plays nicely with that
Class A fire rating | Slow to ignite; no harmful release in a fire
Built to last | Rated for 15+ years; recyclable as dry waste & biodegradable over time
Packaging & shipping
Cardboard tube. Made in the USA, which means a shorter trip to your door and a smaller footprint than most alternatives.
Here’s what I read
I'm not asking you to take my word for this, I’m no chemist. But I did do my research. These are the sources I looked at when making this decision.
US Green Building Council (LEED certification standards)
Questions? Email us at support@whaleswillows.com. We read every one.
I looked into this so you wouldn’t have to. Now you have.
— Chanelle