Responsible Chemistry at The Home Depot

Home improvement projects can improve comfort and performance, and some projects naturally involve products that release temporary odors or residues during use. Responsible Chemistry means making informed choices, using products correctly and staying mindful of ventilation, storage and cleanup from start to finish.

At The Home Depot, we make it easier to compare products in categories where indoor air quality and material transparency matter most. From lower-emitting paint options and certified flooring to EPA Safer Choice–labeled cleaners and targeted pest control solutions, you can take a more thoughtful approach to what you bring into your home.

You’ll also see the term VOCs, or volatile organic compounds. These are gases emitted from some solids and liquids, and certain indoor projects can temporarily raise VOC levels. That’s why choosing the right products, ensuring proper ventilation and allowing for adequate cure time all play an important role when painting, installing materials or deep cleaning your home.

We created this guide to help you make more informed choices about the products you bring into your home, and how you use them. Whether you’re comparing paint, flooring, cleaning products or pest control solutions, the goal is to help you take practical next steps with confidence.

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Universal Principles for Responsible Chemistry

Before you start, these principles apply to most product categories:

• Match the product to the project. Use the most targeted, effective solution that will do the job well.
• Use certifications and labels as comparison tools. They help you narrow your options, but they do not replace reading product directions.
• Ventilate during use and after application when conditions allow. Fresh air can make a meaningful difference during painting, cleaning and installation projects.
• Store and dispose of products responsibly. Keep products in original containers and follow label directions for storage and cleanup.

Certifications to Know

Use these as comparison tools within a category so you can make more informed decisions based on the type of project you are tackling.

• EPA Safer Choice: Identifies products that meet EPA’s Safer Choice Standard for safer chemical ingredients while still performing well
• UL GREENGUARD and GREENGUARD Gold: Indicates products with low chemical emissions that contribute to healthier indoor environments
• FloorScore: Evaluates hard surface flooring and associated products for VOC emissions using California Section 01350
• Cradle to Cradle-Certified: Evaluates products across categories such as material health, product circularity, clean air and climate protection, water and soil stewardship, and social fairness

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Progress Toward Healthier Products

Over the years, we’ve made meaningful progress in removing chemicals of concern from products across our store. Here are some of the milestones we’ve reached:

2016	Removed ortho-phthalates from vinyl flooring
2017	Reduced formaldehyde levels in laminate/engineered flooring
2018	Eliminated certain chemicals in carpet and insulation
2019	Eliminated neonicotinoids from live goods, except where legally required
2020	Eliminated certain chemicals in paint
2022	Eliminated certain intentionally added chemicals from residential household cleaning products
2023	Excluded expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film from private-brand packaging
Ongoing	Exclude expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film from private-brand packaging

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Indoor Air Quality Basics

Even with careful product selection, indoor air quality depends on daily habits and home conditions. It can be influenced by the materials in your home, how well your space is ventilated and the products you use every day. A few foundational steps can help support better air quality year-round.

What to Look for

• Air purifiers with HEPA filtration when you want added support for capturing airborne particles
• Dehumidifiers or moisture-control products in spaces that tend to feel damp or hold humidity

What to Do

• Ventilate when you can by increasing outdoor air flow during projects and after product use when weather and outdoor air quality permit.
• Use filtration and air cleaning tools such as HEPA air purifiers to help capture airborne particles in spaces with limited ventilation or ongoing air quality concerns.
• Replace HVAC filters on a regular schedule. A clean filter is one of the most effective and low-effort ways to maintain air quality in your home year-round. Check manufacturer guidance for how often to swap yours out and treat it as routine upkeep, independent of any project.
• Control moisture and dust with dehumidifiers in damp spaces and HEPA vacuums where dust buildup is a concern.

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Household Cleaning Products

Cleaning products are used frequently, so the formulas you choose and the way you use them can add up over time. Products that are nontoxic, biodegradable, free from certain harmful chemicals, plant-based or not tested on animals can help support a clean home while also aligning with a more thoughtful approach to responsible chemistry. This is one of the easiest categories for making changes without altering your routine dramatically.

What to Look for

• Products with the EPA Safer Choice label for everyday cleaning – this label can help you identify options that are designed to perform well while using ingredients that meet the program’s criteria
• If fragrance is a concern, look for qualifying fragrance-free options when available

What to Do

• Use the smallest effective amount and only let the product sit for as long as the label recommends.
• Do not mix products unless the label explicitly says it’s safe. Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaners.

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Paint and Primers

Painting is one of the quickest home updates, and it’s also one of the most common sources of noticeable indoor odors during application. Choosing lower-emitting options and giving painted spaces time to air out can help improve the overall experience of the project.

What to Look for

• UL GREENGUARD- and GREENGUARD Gold-certified options when you want third-party verification for low chemical emissions that support healthier indoor environments
• Product descriptions that call out low-emitting performance or low-VOC options when available for the finish you need

What to Do

• Ventilate while painting and for a few days after. Opening windows and doors, using fans, or increasing fresh air can help when weather and outdoor conditions allow.
• Close containers between coats and store leftovers in a cool, secure spot away from kids and pets.

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Flooring

Flooring materials, adhesives and underlayments can affect indoor air quality after installation, especially in rooms that remain closed for extended periods. This is why certifications, material choices and installation planning matter.

Carpet

Carpet can affect how a room feels both underfoot and in terms of indoor air quality, especially right after installation. Look for carpet with certifications or product documentation that can help you better understand its material profile and low-emission characteristics. That can give you added confidence when choosing carpet for bedrooms, family rooms and other frequently used spaces.

What to Look for

• Certifications or documentation such as the DECLARE Label, Environmental Product Declarations, Cradle to Cradle-Certified, or CRI Green Label Plus when you want more transparency into material health or indoor air quality
• Product details that help you compare fiber type, backing and installation materials

What to Do

• Ask about installation materials, including adhesives or padding, if you want to take a more complete approach to indoor air quality.
• Keep HVAC running with a clean filter after installation and ventilate when you can.

Hard Surface Flooring

Hard surface flooring includes a range of durable, non-carpet options used throughout the home, including vinyl and laminate. These products can vary in material composition, durability, emissions and long-term performance, which is why thoughtful selection and proper installation matter. Whether you’re focused on style, indoor air quality, moisture resistance or ease of maintenance, it helps to compare products based on how the space will be used, and what matters most to your household.

What to Look for

• FloorScore or GREENGUARD Gold certifications when you want third-party verification for low emissions and indoor air quality
• Product information that helps explain material composition, performance features and indoor use considerations
• Flooring options that fit the needs of the space, such as moisture resistance for bathrooms or durability for high-traffic areas
• Installation details and product recommendations that can help you choose the right fit for your project

What to Do

• Review product details carefully and compare categories before making a final decision.
• Follow installation instructions closely and ventilate the space after installation when possible.
• Give the room time to air out before heavy use, especially in bedrooms or frequently occupied spaces.

Underlayment

Underlayment is the layer that sits between your subfloor and your finished flooring. It may not be visible once the floor is installed, but it can still play an important role in comfort, sound control, installation performance and indoor air quality. 

What to Look for

• Product information that explains what the underlayment is made of, and whether it’s designed for the type of flooring you’re installing
• Low-emission certifications or supporting product details when available
• Compatibility with your flooring type and installation method

What to Do

• Ask whether the recommended underlayment, pad, or adhesive supports your goals for indoor air quality and overall flooring performance.
• Review the full flooring system together before buying so the surface material and what goes underneath work well as a complete installation.

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Pest Control and Prevention

A more responsible approach to pest control starts with prevention, then moves to targeted solutions as needed. That can apply to common household pests like ants, roaches, spiders or flies. Starting with prevention and using more targeted solutions can help reduce overuse while still addressing the issue effectively.

What to Look for

• Prevention tools such as caulk, weatherstripping, door sweeps and screens that help seal entry points
• Plant-based or naturally derived repellents that discourage pests without harsh chemicals
• The EPA Safer Choice label when ingredient safety matters to you, especially in homes with kids or pets

What to Do

• Start with exclusion and cleanliness, then treat early and locally instead of using broad solutions before they are needed.
• Keep products stored securely and always follow label directions, especially around kids and pets.

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A Simple Starter Plan

1. Today: Read labels before you buy and identify one category where lower-emitting or certified options matter most for your next project.
2. This weekend: Swap in one EPA Safer Choice cleaner or compare GREENGUARD-certified paint options for an upcoming room refresh.
3. This season: Look at flooring, paint or pest control products through the lens of ventilation, cure time and targeted product use.

Once you start with one or two categories, it becomes easier to build better habits across the rest of the home. The goal is not perfection – it’s making more informed decisions about what comes into your home, and how you use it.

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Additional Resources

Keep these resources handy as you plan future projects or compare product options:

• EPA Safer Choice: Learn how the label works and explore product categories that qualify.
• UL GREENGUARD: Review what the certification means for low chemical emissions.
• Cradle to Cradle: Learn how this certification evaluates products across areas like material health, product circularity, clean air and climate protection, water and soil stewardship, and social fairness.
• FloorScore: Learn what this certification means for indoor air quality and find flooring products that meet recognized standards for low VOC emissions.