The Unique TikTok Home Decor DIY Trend You Should Avoid At All Costs

If you're a connoisseur of TikTok home décor DIYs, you've probably managed to save yourself some money while creating super unique pieces for your home. While going the DIY décor route is admirable, it does have its potential downsides. One of those drawbacks is safety concerns. Since most DIY hacks and tutorials are posted by everyday people, there is no guarantee that their advice has been reviewed for safety by any sort of qualified individual. An excellent example of why this is a concern is tutorials encouraging people to melt vinyl records to create unique décor items like shelves and bowls. While these projects certainly look unique and interesting, the process of making them can expose DIYers to hazardous materials. 

Once a DIY video goes viral on social media, there is no telling how many people might view or be influenced by it. This means that when a video suggests unsafe practices, there is no limit to the number of people who could potentially be harmed. If you've ever considered applying heat to records in the name of DIY, please first consider the following risks posed by this method. 

Vinyl records are crafted out of plastic polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is made from byproducts of fossil fuels and contains chemical additives like phthalates and heavy metals such as lead. Plastic polyvinyl chloride and its additives are associated with several health concerns in humans. Vinyl chloride has been classified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a Group A human carcinogen. Inhalation of this substance is associated with the development of liver cancer in both humans and rats.

Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors that have been associated with breast cancer, infertility, obesity, and asthma in humans (via Breast Cancer Prevention Partners). Once you've become aware of the components contained within a vinyl record, it is easy to see why heating and manipulating these items into DIY décor items is not recommended. Heating a vinyl record to the point of pliability greatly increases your chances of inhaling harmful chemicals that could negatively affect your health. 

If you have your heart set on filling your home with music-themed décor, many available options don't require you to melt vinyl records and risk your health. If you'd prefer to stick to the DIY genre, create a gallery wall by framing your records' covers, or use your old records to craft a clock, mirror, or simple end table. You can even paint directly on a record to create a unique piece of art for your walls.

Absolutely set on the idea of owning a décor piece made of melted vinyl records? Consider purchasing one that has already been made, so you can enjoy the finished product without being exposed to the fumes emitted from hot PVC. You can currently purchase a recycled vinyl record bowl by It's Our Earth on Amazon, for instance, for just $9. Decorating your home in a way that expresses your personal style is important, but so is protecting your health and the well-being of others within your household.