Bringing your lunch to school or work is green: You might prefer to tote...

Products involved in refinishing are often powerful enough to knock your socks off, which is why these jobs are best done outdoors or with every window thrown open wide. This thin, clear, typically oil-based liquid coating, applied to wood and other hard surfaces for a durable, protective finish, is one good example. Solvents found in most varnishes emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can cause skin and lung irritation, and even long-term illness and cancer. Fortunately, it's possible to find solvent-free natural varnishes such those based on linseed oil.

The two most important things to consider when shopping for "green" furniture are: What is the...