Do you wish to know what the safest garden hose material is? Polyurethane is regarded as the safest garden hose material.

It is free from lead, phthalates, and other heavy metals.

The common garden hose materials are polyurethane, rubber, and PVC.

While at the local bulk supply store one day to pick a garden hose, I was confused about which one to choose because they almost looked the same but performed different tasks due to the material from which they were made.

Yet, some garden hoses also release toxins through the water they supply to the plants in the garden.

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The Safest Garden Hose Material

The earth’s surface is covered by more than 40% dry land, facing water scarcity.

Unfortunately, this dry land is habitation to more than 02 billion people! 02 billion people who have to produce food to eat desire flower and vegetable gardens and love beautiful scenes of green grass around them!

This means their water scarcity cannot allow all this to happen except if a solution is sought.

Irrigation is one system that supplies water to these dry lands to help plants grow well.

The garden hose is a simple tool used in the irrigation system to disperse water.

Every serious gardener or farmer is well-versed in the importance of a garden hose, especially those in dry regions.

However, even in areas where water is not so scarce, drought seasons are experienced occasionally.

Therefore, a lively garden requires a good soak of water almost daily.

This alone means that if your garden is not established near a water source, you will have to find a way of making the essential water available for your plants to grow correctly.

A good, safe, and ideally working garden hose must be your first requirement to achieve this goal.

Truthfully, a garden hose that forms kinks and leaks is very stiff, will not unwind easily, or is too heavy to drag around the garden, and is such a bother to every gardener.

In the same way, a poorly performing garden hose is clearly annoying as far as watering your plants in the garden is concerned.

However, apart from the performance of a garden hose, there is another essential aspect to consider: safety!

Garden hoses are not made equal because they are not from the same materials.

The characteristics of a garden hose will always depend on the material from which it is made.

For instance, we have garden hoses made from Flexible vinyl, rubber (synthetic and natural), polyurethane, and Stainless steel.

Garden hoses made from flexible vinyl are cheap, light, low burst pressure, very toxic, easily attached to sprinklers, stiff, hard to coil, easily left in one position, prone to kink formation, and easily broken.

Garden hoses made from rubber are durable, pliable, easy to coil, non-toxic, kink easily but quickly unravel, expensive, and have high burst pressure.

They are heavy to carry around (especially while carrying water), flexible, leave easy-to-remove colored scuff marks on the hands, concrete, and clothes if they rub too hard, and can withstand extreme conditions of temperatures (synthetic rubber).

Garden hoses made from polyurethane are the safest, a bit stiff, not bendable (while pulling in the garden), are so fussy to coil, and are light and easy to haul around.

They are costly, not a good attachment on sprinklers, stretchy, and suitable to use regularly for quick watering (especially the pre-coiled polyurethane hoses), and they are not prone to the formation of kinks.

Garden hoses made from metals like steel and lead are very expensive, lightweight, quickly coil, can be dragged around easily, cool quickly, stick on the corners or pavement cracks, are toxic, do not form kinks quickly, and do not feel sturdy.

Polymer hoses are also safe (usually drinking water safe), very light, soft, and flexible, curl gently around pots, corners, and garden plants, coil quickly for proper storage, and are prone to kinking but unkink with a quick twirl.

Expandable garden hoses (a rubber tube encased by a durable and stretch fabric) are light, easy to store, burst under pressure, and cannot withstand extreme heat or cold conditions, although they seem gimmicky.

Safety Of a Garden Hose

A safe garden hose is defined as one that is drinking water safe.

This means that it does not contain contaminants like bacteria, mold, metals (lead, Bromine, tin, antimony), plasticizers (phthalates and BPA), and fire retardants either in the hose wall or in the fixtures at the end.

Surprisingly, many garden hoses pose serious health hazards to man, animals, plants, and the environment.

The toxicity of a garden hose is determined by the material from which it is made and the metal couplings (chrome, brass, aluminium, and nickel-plated brass) attached for connection (brass couplings are a lead source).

Although on the packets of most garden hoses, tiny warnings (“this product contains chemicals known to cause cancer, congenital disabilities, and affect reproduction”) are indicated, this does not mean that all of them are dangerous to life.

Garden hoses made from flexible vinyl (PVC garden hoses) are the most toxic type because they are the significant carriers of lead (a potent neurotoxin), which creates public health risks, especially for children (causing brain damage and developmental disabilities).

Polyurethane Garden Hose Material

Let’s explore why polyurethane is considered the safest garden hose material!

Polyurethane garden hose material is considered the safest type.

This is because it does not contain contaminants, bacteria, mold, metals (lead, Bromine, tin, antimony), plasticizers (phthalates and BPA), and fire retardants in the hose wall or the metal couplings at the end.

Polyurethane is eco-friendly, high-quality, lasts long, is not made of recycled electronic waste, and most garden hoses are authentically labelled as phthalate-free, lead-free, and 100% FDA-grade polyurethane.

Water Right Hose, Earth Easy Premium Drinking Water Safe Garden Hose, Flexzilla Garden Hose, and the Eley Polyurethane Garden Hose are some examples of garden hoses made from polyurethane.

They are safe, durable, resistant to kinking, lightweight, easy to haul around the garden, and fitted with crush-proof and lead-free brass.

Having purchased the safest, highest-quality, and most expensive garden hose for yourself, it is logical that you take care of it in the best way possible.

It should be stored appropriately, drained of all the water after each use, and kept neatly on a hose reel to prevent kinks from forming, which shortens the hose’s life.

Is PVC Good For Garden Hoses material? 

No! PVC material is terrible for a garden hose because it leaches toxic chemicals into the soil.

It is not a safe garden hose to water plants and/or drink.

PVC garden hoses contain harmful chemicals, heavy metals like lead (neurotoxin) and Bromine, plasticizers (phthalates and BPA), contaminants, bacteria, and molds that greatly leach into the soil to affect plant growth.

If the water coming through a PVC garden hose is orally consumed by children, the lead therein will cause harm to their bodies in many ways.

The animals (pets and livestock) are also affected when they drink water supplied through a PVC garden hose.

Due to reduced flexibility, PVC garden hoses are also rendered ineffective in cold conditions.

However, garden hoses made from PVC are the most popular and very convenient way of watering plants in the garden, washing cars, and cleaning outdoor spaces.

PVC garden hoses are cheap, lightweight, easy to haul around the garden, resistant to tangles and kinks, and widely available.

How Long Do PVC Hoses Last?

It is not so clear how long a PVC hose will last!

Previously, PVC hoses were thought to last between 25 and 40 years.

However, with the advancement in technology, PVC hoses are now known to be durable, long-lasting, and estimated to last about 100 years.

Although they are not as durable as their metallic counterparts, they are preferred because they do not corrode or rust.

The lifespan of a PVC hose greatly depends on its use.

Chemical usage is one factor affecting the lifespan of PVC hoses because some chemicals accelerate the deterioration of their material.

However, certain conditions must be met to ensure the PVC hose lasts long.

For instance, the gardener needs to ensure that the PVC hose is not exposed to extreme weather conditions of heat or coldness.

This is because the UV rays from the sun break down the PVC material, making it brittle and breakable.

The PVC hoses buried underground are affected by soil movement and freezing temperatures through shifting, contraction, and expansion, which lead to failure.

The storage of a PVC hose must also be proper to avoid the formation of kinks, which may result in leakages.

What Type Of Material is Best For a Water Hose?

Rubber is the best material for a water hose.

However, there is not one single garden hose that is perfect for everybody.

One type may work best for you, considering the activities you use it for, the size of the area it serves, its storage facility, and the material from which it is made.

However, the things to consider when selecting the best garden hose include its safety, durability, ability to withstand extreme conditions of heat or coldness, kinking, and tolerance to pressure.

Garden hoses made from rubber are the strongest, most long-lasting, most expensive, and heavy.

Rubber can withstand hot water (primarily synthetic rubber), is likely to form kinks, is resistant to cracking and ozone deterioration, is used for heavy-duty purposes, and lasts through many seasons.

Like polyurethane, rubber is suitable for making water garden hoses because it does not contain harmful toxins (lead, tin, plasticizers) that cause health problems (incredibly natural rubber) to plants and animals.

Are Metal Hoses Better Than Rubber Garden Hose Material?

 

Yes, depending on the application, metal hoses are better than rubber. A metal hose is more durable and efficient than a non-metal type.

This is why metal hoses are the number one choice in industrial applications, chemical plants, and factories.

A stainless steel hose, for instance, is highly resistant to corrosion, while its rubber counterpart is more susceptible to damage from chemicals and other corrosive substances.

Stainless steel hoses withstand higher temperatures than rubber hoses.

Metal hoses are flexible pipes in two basic types according to design and application. The two types of metal hose are strip wound and corrugated hose.

Metal hoses have existed for over 100 years, giving rise to numerous flexible line elements and metal pipes.

Metal hoses are used in many industries for their durability and ease of connecting gas lines and transferring oil, steam, or water.

Job safety is crucial to consider in any industry and an important task to handle. Therefore, a metallic hose must be chosen to provide efficiency and safety.

Are Silicone Hoses Better Than Rubber Garden Hose Material?

Silicone is another example of a metallic hose.

And as already discussed, metal hoses are better than rubber hoses in many ways.

Silicone hoses are considered better than rubber because of several reasons.

For instance, silicone hoses are more flexible than rubber ones, last practically longer than rubber ones, and are relatively cheaper than rubber in the long run.

Silicone hoses carry fluids at much higher temperatures than rubber hoses.

Silicone hoses can keep a quiet and stable profile, while rubber produces a lot of noise due to friction.

The silicone material provides a valuable performance enhancement.

Because silicone has a superior tolerance for heat than rubber, it is the number one choice in enhanced-performance vehicles.

Silicone is a very stable material that acts almost like new, even when old, and rubber is prone to cracking and stiffness and becomes dry-rotted over time.

Do Garden Hoses Contain BPA?

BPA is Bisphenol A, a chemical produced in large amounts for polycarbonate plastics.

BPA is found in numerous products, including windows, eyewear, water bottles, epoxy resins, bottle tops, and hoses.

Unfortunately, exposure to levels of BPA is a significant concern because it poses possible health risks, especially to the prostate gland of fetuses, brains, infants, and children.

It is also thought to cause high blood pressure, adverse effects on children’s behaviour, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes!

Among the toxins in the garden are Bromine, lead, phthalates, antimony, and BPA, typically found in plastic ware.

It has been established through testing that the BPA found in gardens is introduced mainly through the water supplied by the garden hoses.

Many PVC garden hoses have been found to contain high levels of PBA that constantly leaches out into the soil with the water supplied.

Which Is Better, Rubber Or Stainless Water Hose?

Although preference for either steel or rubber depends on the specific application and requirements, a Stainless steel hose is better than a rubber hose because it is highly resistant to corrosion, can withstand high temperatures, is durable, and is safe.

Rubber, on the other hand, is susceptible to damage from chemicals and other corrosive materials.

Rubber hose is generally more flexible than stainless steel and is used to work in tight spaces.

Conclusion

Having exhaustively discussed the different materials from where garden hoses are made and how these materials determine the characteristics and safety of the garden hose, you are now concerned about how safe drinking directly from a garden hose can be!

Well, it must not be only about you, the children, pets, or livestock provided water by a toxic garden hose but also the various harmful chemicals that leach into the soil.

It is where these chemicals find their way into the plants via the roots.

Although science still debates the possibility of these chemicals accruing in high quantities in the soil, they are not denying it either!

I advise you to choose the best garden hose that is safe for you, your household, animals, plants, and the environment.

Selecting the safest garden hose material is a crucial step in this process.

It will not help you to risk your life and that of everyone in the world.

The widespread global sustainability notion should start with you before it spreads to the world.

I am taking my responsibility. If you accept yours, we can make it together!