Those avoiding chemicals may want to avoid area rugs with synthetic latex backing, glues, synthetic moth treatment which is a pesticide (usually permethrin), and other topical treatments such as stain guard treatments which are often per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS).
For those very sensitive to chemicals, you may even want to avoid rugs treated with detergents, bleach, or dyes (possibly even the eco dyes).
These are the top companies making healthy area rugs safe for those avoiding toxins in the home, as well as safe for nurseries with crawling babies, and sensitive pets.
This post contains affiliate links, upon purchase, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
1. Earth Weave (Wool)
Earth Weave – Earth Weave rugs are made out of wool, with no mothproofing and no other chemical treatments. The dyes are organic.
They come in different styles – Catskill is pictured, they also have a low pile earth-toned Dolomite, low pile two-toned Pyrenees, medium pile with some darker tones Rainier, and a medium pile with warm and grey earth-toned options McKinley.
The rugs do contain natural latex. Custom sizes are possible.
A 4 x 6 rug starts at $294
You can order them through Green Design Center.
2. DMI (Seagrass)
DMI makes rugs out of their carpet material. These are seagrass rugs with no dyes, insecticides, or chemical treatments. They do contain natural latex in the backing.
They also make wool rugs.
Contact Green Design Center to choose the custom size.
3. Hook and Loom (Wool or Cotton)
Hook and Loom – is a great choice because of how forthcoming they are, and the fact that they used untreated wool.
The wool rugs are made from undyed natural wool, no dyes, no pesticides, no flame retardants, and no latex.
A 4 x 6 wool rug is around $245.
They also have organic cotton rugs that are made from 100% GOTS-certified cotton. The organic rugs are made with no dyes and no adhesives. They hand-bind their rugs, so there’s no latex and no offgassing. They are washable and affordable.
A sensitive reader reviewed the cotton rug here (it’s not sponsored).
A 4 x 6 is around $148
Order them online from Hook and Loom.
4. Lorena Canals (Cotton)
Lorena Canals – What I like about these rugs is that they are washable. That might suit some people more than the other options. They are 97% cotton and made with “eco dyes”.
They do not use any chemical treatments of any kind on the rugs. They are washed and dried with biodegradable detergents and no added softeners.
A 4 x 5 rug is $230.
Buy on Amazon.
5. Organic Weave (Wool & Cotton)
Organic Weave makes GOTS Certified organic rugs. Their hand-tufted rugs are made from wool and cotton and dyed with all-natural GOTS-certified dyes.
They claim no chemicals are used in the cleaning of the raw material and the dyeing of the yarn or in the final cleaning of the rugs.
No synthetic moth treatments or chemical flame retardants are used. Neem is used for mothproofing.
The wool rugs do have latex. They deliver to Canada and the US without import duties.
A 5 x 8 rug is around $2,400
Buy through Organic Weave.
6. Home of Wool
Home of Wool makes 100% natural wool rugs that are undyed and unbleached with a 100% cotton base. They are not treated with Permethrin or other mothproofing. They are VOC-free.
They come in three natural colors and one striped option.
A 5 x 8 rug is $567 and you can use code mychemicalfreehouse for 10% off.
7. Rawganique (Hemp or Hemp/Wool)
Rawganique – makes wool and hemp mix rugs out of 50% wool and 50% hemp. They are 100% natural and organic. They contain no rubber, no synthetics, and they are not treated with any chemicals including pesticides.
The hemp is unbleached and dye-free, and the wool is natural and eco-dyed.
A 4 x 6 rug is $229.
Buy through Rawganique.
8. Novica (Wool)
Novica – has a number of Mexican Zapotec 100% wool rugs dyed with natural dyes. They do not contain any other treatment, they claim, such as mothproofing, stain-resistant coatings, and natural latex.
A 4 x 6 wool rug is about $390.
Buy through Novica.
9. Loloi Rugs (Wool/Mixed)
Urban Natural – carries Loloi rugs that are 100% wool as well as ones that are wool/jute. They use vegetable dyes and do not use adhesives.
You can buy samples of the Loloi rugs from Urban Natural.
A 4 x 6 rug is about $220.
Buy through Urban Natural.
What About Conventional Jute Rugs?
I like IKEA because they go much further than most companies to create healthy products in many areas. I would certainly consider IKEA’s jute and other natural rugs to be the most non-toxic conventional rugs. IKEA does not use PFAS or permithrins and they don’t fumigate the rugs or shipping containers with hazardous pesticides. My full review of IKEA’s non-toxic rugs can be found here.
Safavieh’s sisal and jute rugs and cotton and wool rugs could also be considered. The company has stated that they don’t treat the rugs with any insect repellents, stain repellents, or flame retardant chemicals, nor permethrin for the wool. Their natural rugs are OEKO-TEX Certified (which as of 2024 also means free of PFAS). See my firsthand review here.
10. Under the Nile (Cotton)
Under the Nile makes simple 100% organic cotton (GOTS Certified) rugs.
The dyes are low impact – no harmful effluents or toxins are used, and no azo dyes. Everything that goes into the making of the colored fabric is biodegradable.
They use no bleach, no chemical fabric treatments, and no flame retardants. They are machine washable.
A 4 x 6 rug is $125.
Buy from Under the Nile.
11. Willaby
Willaby rugs are also GOTS Certified. This highest level of certification covers all parts of the rug from the dyes to what it can be treated with. They use safe non-toxic dyes and do not add chemical treatments or harmful stain-resistant coatings.
GOTS prohibits toxic heavy metals, formaldehyde, aromatic solvents, functional nanoparticles, chlorine bleach, azo dyes, synthetic sizing agents, PFAS, and PFCs.
A 4 x 8 rug is $570
Buy from their website.
12. Parachute
Parachute rugs are Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified. Oeko-Tex is not quite as strict as GOTS, but it’s the next best thing.
Oeko-Tex means they do limit heavy metals, pesticide residue, chlorinated phenols, phthalates, organic tin, other harmful chemical residues, harmful dyes, PAHs, solvent residues, PFOAs, and PFOS. (And by 2024 Oeko-Tex 100 will essentially eliminate all PFAS).
They have cotton, wool, and jute rugs.
A 2 x 3 cotton rug is $55.
13. Burrow
I wanted to include Burrow because it’s difficult to find wool rugs without mothproofing or polyester rugs without PFAS. Burrow checks both of these boxes. These are the two biggest chemicals of concern to avoid in my opinion.
A 5 x 8 rug is $495.
Get $75 off with this link (if you spend $300 or more)
14. Anou
Anou Rugs is an artisan group in Morocco that goes to great extents to use environmentally friendly and human-friendly practices and materials. They make wool rugs.
They don’t use sodium metabisulphite and sodium hydrosulphite which are used to create vintage looks, bleach, mothproofing, stain guard treatments, latex, adhesives, softeners, or formaldehyde.
Dyes used are as natural and low-impact as you can get. They use full exhaust dyes. Natural dyes can bring their own set of chemicals via mordants and have their own environmental impact. They are working on reintroducing some natural dyes by finding ways to make them less impactful.
A 4×3 rug is $370.
15. Rugs by Roo
Rugs by Roo offers two organic cotton rugs pictured. They are both OEKO-TEX 100 and GOTs certified organic. These means they are free of PFAS as well as any other major chemicals of concern. They are machine washable.
Cost: A 4 x 6 is $1,186.00
Bonus, Plastic Rugs
For folks who are highly sensitive to mold, dust, and allergens often plastic woven rugs and washable rugs are preferred.
Though there is a concern with microplastics here.
These are some brands that mold sensitive folks have done well with:
1. Ruggable – Washable Rugs
Ruggable rugs are washable polyester or polyester/acrylic rugs with a polyurethane top coat and a backing pad that is made from polyester and thermoplastic rubber (TPE foam).
The rugs are free of PFAS and flame retardants.
They do have a Prop 65 warning for trace methylene chloride and the ortho-phthalate DEHP (probably in the plastic TPE layer, and this is the most concerning part for me and the reason I would not go with this brand myself), and according to Tamara Rubin, they tend to test positive for trace-Antimony, which is very common for polyester.
I do a full review of the materials in Ruggable here.
2. Tumble – Washable Rugs
Tumble rugs are also made of polyester.
The backing is made from EVA foam (that is free of formamide) and thermoplastic resin (unspecified plastic).
They say it’s free of latex, rubber, and phthalates and that it has no offgassing. It does have a stain guard treatment but they claim it’s free of PFC and PFAS coatings.
It does not contain any Prop 65 chemicals like methylene chloride or phthalates.
I would go with this brand myself.
3. Polypropylene Indoor/Outdoor Rugs
It’s the indoor/outdoor flatweave rugs that are more likely to be very low in offgassing.
Polypropylene rugs from The Company Store have been reported good by chemically sensitive folks.
100% polypropylene rugs, or recycled water bottle rugs from World Market (some have said they also like their natural fiber rugs, even though the company does not divulge a lot about how they are treated).
I also sampled UV Stabilized Royaltron Polypropylene from Stanton Carpet which did have a low new carpet odor.
4. Nylon Indoor/Outdoor Rugs (Not Woven)
Nylon washable indoor/outdoor rugs from Pottery Barn have been recommended by some sensitive folks (which do have a rubber on the backing).
Staton Carpet LION indoor/outdoor nylon was low in odor & off-gassing, definitely quite good for a nylon rug. The company said in an email they are free of PFAS/PFCs.
- Notes:
- Those with severe chemical sensitivities generally do well with polypropylene (PP). PP does not have added BPA or added phthalates (though some PP contains trace phthalates).
- Like other plastics, it can leach chemicals into food/drinks with heat, prolonged contact, and acidity but I would not expect these conditions to be met with a rug. (Source, 1, 2, 3, 4) Though phthalates do leach out.
- Polyurethane when made into a flexible plastic (not a foam) is also highly tolerable for chemically sensitive folks with minimal off-gassing that doesn’t go on for long.
- Recycled PET can contain metals and phthalates.
- Polyester usually contains trace antimony.
- Nylon can contain bisphenols.
- All plastic rugs – nylon, polyester, polypropylene etc create microplastics, so they are not the absolute best option for overall health and environmental concerns. But this is a separate concern from what chemically sensitive people do well with.
Corinne Segura is an InterNACHI-certified Healthy Homes Inspector with certifications in Building Biology, Healthier Materials and Sustainable Buildings, and more. She has 10 years of experience helping others create healthy homes. You can book a consult here.
Did you find this post helpful? If so you can buy me a coffee to support the research behind this blog. Thank you!
Margaret M O'Connor
Corrine, I appreciae your website very much and consult it often. Thanks for your work.
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
thank you so much and you’re welcome
Kat
Thank you so much for the information you share! I’m extremely chemically sensitive and as I’ve been house hunting (and signed on the house today!), your suggestions are so valuable to me and others like me. I’ll happily click through your links for purchases so it might benefit you, but really just wanted to say thank you so much! I’m also a healthcare provider and work with a lot of sensitive patients, so love this resource for them as well! You are making a positive impact with this work!
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
thank you so much for the kind words
KK
Do you have any reviews of Revival Rugs, the washable rugs are Oeko Tex recycled polyester and truly have no smell. and I plan to use without any additional rug pad in nursery.
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
potential risk with recycled polyester
laura
this is copied from the hook and loom website.:
Look at the end.. claim is to be woven from 100% recycled cotton but at the bottom says it contains 12 percent polyester and 3 percent something not mentioned.
Our exclusive Loom Hooked Eco Cotton Rugs are hand woven from freshly spun 100% recycled cotton fiber. We weave them on a specially designed loom, so we don’t need to use the smelly, unhealthy latex backing found on all other hooked rugs.
Our Loom Hooked Eco Cotton Rugs are thick, plush, and springy. They’re born for bare feet.
Like with all Hook & Loom Rugs, we use NO chemicals or dyes to make our Loom Hooked Rugs.
(85% cotton; 12% polyester; 3% other)
Hand-woven in India
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
yes and they also have 100% organic cotton rugs, and 100% wool rugs which is what I’m talking about in the article
Dani
I really enjoyed this post! With a new toddler, I am looking for washable rugs for high traffic areas and need two matching ones in 5×7 and 6×6. I’m having trouble finding the square rug or a company that will do a custom size. I love Tumble designs so I’m super bummed. Any ideas?
Thanks!
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
I don’t know the sizes that they all come in but there another article on rugs for a nursery that is slightly different
R
Thank you for all the helpful info! Would a synthetic Loloi rug like this, which has no added PFAs, be toxic? I’m not sure what regulations would control, but it’s not Oeko Tex certified. Company isn’t forthright with questions other than as to PFAs. What do you think concerns would be?
https://riflepaperco.com/products/eden-mughal-rose-printed-rug-blush?variant=44571893203138&frt=19&g_acctid=793-129-5971&g_adgroupid=172453946868&g_adid=703867447594&g_adtype=pla&g_campaign=ECI+-+Shopping_NB+%5BCONS%5D+%28Non-Brand%29&g_campaignid=20713126735&g_ifcreative=&g_ifproduct=product&g_keyword=&g_keywordid=pla-2308697388932&g_merchantid=143400751&g_network=g&g_partition=2308697388932&g_productchannel=online&g_productid=RUG158-2.0×5.0&google_shopify_campaign_id=20713126735&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADmXAfGUA-lhDXFWxHpjCbaqsUlA9&gclid=Cj0KCQiA4fi7BhC5ARIsAEV1YiYkXLQmt0YACwaAMpJ0MEhjcPEMJjQqax72-l8zJGan33YSQ4crV9waAlvxEALw_wcB
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
there are lots of chemicals added to conventional rugs, you can see the most concerning ones in the Oeko Tex 100 certification document (not ALL of those will apply to rugs but a great many could). Many of them are insignificant to people who are not chemically sensitive
Aahil
I thoroughly enjoyed this post! The way you’ve broken down the topic makes it so easy to understand, and the actionable advice is incredibly helpful. Thank you for creating such a high-quality resource. Your blog is quickly becoming one of my favorites, and I always look forward to your updates. Keep up the fantastic work—you’re doing an outstanding job, and your dedication to your readers is truly commendable!
DKI
What are folks using for rug grippers so that their rugs don’t slip and slide on hard floors? Are there ones made of rubber? Just curious as one I saw at Home Depot or Target contained PVC, I believe.
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
A lot of them are natural latex
DKI
Thanks. I just learned latex might not work for my flooring type (LVP)–seems like some people have issues with it staining their floors, but others don’t. I emailed the LVP manufacturer about it but I am almost at the point where I put silicone beads down on the rugs so they don’t slide and call it a day.
DKI
Actually I am really going to try the silicone thing on a cheap rug just to see, since I have extra cartridges of durasil lying around and I know it won’t interact with vinyl. I’m not sure if you have an article on this but I will report back if it actually works. I am not sure how well it will adhere to cotton and wool rugs, so I may just make small flat silicone pads and put them between the floor and rug to see what happens. It would be a LOT cheaper this way too.
DKI
This is the only thing I could find that isnt rubber, latex or PVC:
West Elm’s Eco-Stay Rug Pad (https://www.westelm.com/products/eco-rug-pad-r784/
Made with 100% soybean oil.
For use under any type of rug or mat.
Thickness: 0.1″.
Easily cut to fit any rug.
Naturally mold- and mildew-resistant.
Indoor use only.
20-year warranty.
Imported.
Pleasantly surprised that it isnt that it is relatively cheap!
There’s a similar product at Home Depot that is 40% soybean oil so not the same thing.
I may order these as the silicone idea will likely fail with wool, cotton, jute either immediately or eventually.
I have read up a bit more on some other forums and I’d say 9 out of 10 people have not had problems with rubber backed mats staining their LVP. At this point, I am willing to go with a 100% natural rubber or latex backed mats if the west elm eco one fails. A good grip is better than a broken hip!
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
thanks! That is probably a polyurethane though usually polyurethane is only partially made with soybean inputs.
dominique loder
Hello Corinne,
I came across your site recently after I had already purchased a rug from Etsy.com.
It’s a red Turkish washable rug which material is cotton, made by “Boho Vintage Rug”, they advertise it as ‘produced using most advanced carpet production technology. It has non-flammability certificates.”
Should I be concerned about the offgassing, if so what could I do to mitigate it?
I really appreciate your assistance that you provide to us. The work you do is so crucial these days.
Thank you,
Dominique
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
washing it a few times will help or airing it out
australia
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free.
Simone
I’m confused and concerned. Some of The rugs listed here contain EVA foam core with TPR (thermoplastic resin) surfaces – isn’t that toxic ?
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
this blog is for people with mold illness as well as MCS, and many prefer washable rugs and like this type of rug like Tumble that you are referring to. I would not consider Tumble to be toxic. Though if you have extreme MCS that type of rug wont be for you.
Lou
I am not understanding how rugs can get oeko-tex certified and still have polyester and polypropylene. I see several on Target’s website like this.
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
polyester and polypropylene are good enough in my books though they can have traces of contaminants. They are not perfect. Oeko-tex is not the most stringent certification. GOTs would be the most stringent.
Simone
But don’t they off gas toxins ?
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
PP does not offgas generally and offgassing from polyester is very minimal
Bri H
Hi Corrine, Have you looked into Revival Rugs? What do you think? This is what their website says:
“The rugs that are salable on our site have been tested and confirmed to be free of any harmful chemicals, herbicides, or pesticides. Both our Studio Revival and vintage collections are not treated with any harmful chemicals such as flame-resistant coatings, and according to our tests, do not contain PFAs.
Vintage rugs: Some of our collections have undergone a second dyeing process which can utilize synthetic and natural dyes. We can confirm that any dyes used are always AZO-free and are lab-tested for safety.
Studio Revival rugs: Many of our Studio Revival rugs are Oeko-Tex Standard 100 approved, which means every component has been rigorously tested against a list of up to 350 toxic chemicals, including PFAs (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl compounds). We do professional quality control with an accredited international testing agency on the rugs we design. We use low-impact dyes for our designs which involve color. This means that our dyes are azo-free with no heavy metals, and higher absorption rates than conventional dyes, creating less gray water run-off and reduced water consumption.”
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
yes looks quite good. they could still offgas some VOCs, and wool might have permithrin.
Oumaima
Berber Creations makes Moroccan rugs without harmful chemicals like bleach. They care about people and the Earth, so they skip those bad stuff. Their rugs use natural dyes and good practices. Check out their rugs. They’re safe and eco-friendly!
wendy
Safavieh says they dont use permethrin or stain guards. So their wool rugs seem like a good choice. Is there anything else I should explicitly ask them? What do you think of safavieh?
Loiloi sent me a pdf of compliance. I don’t see any mention of vegetable dyes.
Corinne Segura
I mention them in the post because I think they are a decent choice. They don’t go as far as some of the other brands on the list based on what’s in the article.
Paty Arias
This is so helpful – thank you! I’m hoping to get your take here….moved into an older home with carpet that is likely 15-20 yrs old. I have small children and would like to install a healthier carpet in the living/play area.
Ideally, I would go with wool. However, it’s possible we’ll only be here for another 2-3 years. For this reason, I’m considering Mohawk Smartstrand carpet with their synthetic felt pad. I’m not very familiar with felt, would you go with this option or spend more and do a wool pad?
Thank you!
Paty
Corinne Segura
see the article on carpet
Liz
I contacted Willaby to request a copy of their GOTS certification and all info was blacked out. How were you able to verify they are GOTS certified? When I did a search on GOTS, they did not come up and they wouldn’t provide a list of materials.
Raymond Smith
These non toxic rugs sound like a fantastic addition to any home. It is refreshing to see a focus on eco-friendly and health-conscious options for something as fundamental as a rug. choosing products that contribute to a safer and greener environment is a step in the right direction. Thanks for sharing these recommendations as they are surely to help people make more conscious choices for their homes!
Ashley Crownover
Hello,
You listed loloi rugs as an option. Do you know if these are mothproofed? Or have any added chemicals?
Thank you in advance
David
Hello, I was surprised to see that you didn’t discuss silk rugs. Are silk rugs good? I imagine it depends on the manufacturing process and the particular dyes used. What do you think about silk rugs?
Corinne
Silk can be highly treated with chemicals, so it’s not really about the base material as much as the treatments.
David
I wonder which treatments are best and whether there is a way to properly test a rug?
Andrew Fast
My family is has significant chemical sensitivities due to mold in our old house. I just wanted to share a resource for standing mats that I tagged for future reference. Full disclaimer, I do not own this, but noticed the materials might actually work for us. And you pay for the privilege of being clean.
https://fluidstance.com/products/springboard
David Ladd
Hello. I was also looking for an anti-fatigue mat for the kitchen and my wife was very interested in the House of Noa brand. Do you have any experience with or thoughts on this brand?
They claim that their EVA foam kitchen mats are free of “harmful” phthalates, PVC, formaldehyde and latex.
I emailed them to ask about PFAS and the woman who responded avoided the question – gave a pre-packaged response. I emailed again and she finally said that their products were tested and did not contain PFAS.
I’d really appreciate your thoughts on if this seems like a trustworthy and safe company/product. Sounds like Sarah might as well.
Thanks!
Sarah
Any recommendations for a anti-fatique mat that isn’t toxic? I’ve been unable to find any alternatives out there. Even the cork products stink.
Corinne
cork really stinks, there is an article on anti-fatigue mats.
Sarah
I think cork probably smells from the cork itself, but mostly, perhaps, from all the glue they use to hold it together. Not as “green” as advertised, that’s for sure. Trying to think creatively about repurposing something, It’s also been shocking to see how many play mats for young children that are advertised as non-toxic and nothing more than PVC or some other horrid plastic in various colors! I really need at least one if not several anti-fatique mats but have come up empty-handed. Everything is rubber or PVC, including yoga mats. If you have any ideas, I’ll keep checking back to see if you post anything. Thank you so much!
Corinne
Cork is usually made with a very strong smelling glue. The cork itself has a pretty mild smell that goes down. See the post on gym flooring for ideas, bc that is where I have yoga mats and exercise mats.
Sarah
Thank you so much, Corrine. I just combed through your very extensive research on gym flooring and opened up some links to see if I can re-purpose something to use as an anti-fatigue mat. Like you, I avoid rubber and PVC like the plague and, unfortunately, those materials dominate these kinds of applications, but I was happy to see some alternatives and will dive into those now. Thank you, again!
Rachel
Do you have any experience or advice regarding https://ecowoolrugs.com? Are they safe?
Corinne
I’d be cautious with that company – their email bounced, their contact form goes nowhere, their chat feature goes nowhere….
Corinne
and the phone number went to what seemed like not a business, and the person hung up on me when I asked if it was eco wool rugs
Danielle
Hi Corinne! First off, I just want to compliment you on your incredibly thorough article and website overall! It’s a little daunting to get into this kind of research, and I’m really grateful for the work you’ve done and provided so freely. Thank you!
My question actually is about pre-owned rugs… I am very drawn to Turkish and Persian rugs and I’m wondering what your take is on purchasing one and having it professionally cleaned. What kind of cleaning process would you recommend?
Also, what are your thoughts on Turkish and Persian rugs as a whole? I have read that they are traditionally made of wool, cotton, and/or silk so would assume they are relatively low-toxin. However, I’m not sure what kind of dyes could be used or if the materials were sprayed with pesticides before harvested.
Thanks so much for your help!
Lisa
Good day Corinne!
We purchased a Safavieh Hudson Shag Collection 8′ x 10′ Ivory/Grey SGH330A Chevron Non-Shedding Plush 2-inch Thick Area Rug. The off gassing smell, since day one, after unrolling it and vacuuming it is very offensive. It smells the entire house up and causes me to have a sore throat. It is made of Polypropylene. Is this rug supposed to be non toxic? How do you rid the rug from this smell? Will it ever go away or should we return it? Are we jeopardizing our health from this rug?
What 8×10 area rugs in this price tag should we consider if not this one? Others have stated theirs does not have a smell but this one is out of the park very terrible! We can not live with this smell, nor is it safe for our kitties either.
Your advice is appreciated.
Corinne
In general this type of rug with a pile, made from synthetic fibres has chemical offgassing. That’s why I made this list of better (non-toxic) options. You can take a look through to see if any of the ones on the list suit you.
S
Hello, thank you so much for all the information and research! I am wondering if you looked into Nordic Knots before, and if you have any thought about their products? Thank you!
Bigg Nutrition
Very interesting and informative article. Thanks for sharing such type of precious article.
K Store
Great article you shared, Thanks for sharing such type of precious article.
Bri
Hi! I’m interested in the Tumble rugs. Website says no PFCs… is this the same as PFAs? It doesn’t mention being free of PFAs but lists PFOA and PFOS. I’m confused as to whether these terms-PFC and PFAs are interchangeable and if they are indeed also free of PFAs.
Corinne
They said in an email it’s free of PFAS which is the category that includes PFOA and PFOS. They say they are also free of PFCS.
Katherine Jantzen
Hello. Have you heard of Weavergreen rugs? They make rugs out of recycled PET plastic bottles. They are UK based. Would you consider them safe to use? Thank you in advance.
Corinne
I consider PET for rugs safe. I don’t know UK options.
Sarah
Flooring, and rugs in particular, pose a major challenge from a toxin perspective. One downside to a lot of “natural” rugs is that the material of the rug and/or the backing often absorbs moisture very easily (jute is one example) which can create a mold problem. It’s hard to have everything, but it is a consideration worth having on one’s radar.
Corinne
Only really a concern on a slab or basement floor.
nal
Thank you for this. I am on concrete slab, albeit elevated above subterrain parking but wouldn’t have thought of this with Jute/natural and I am super sensitive to mold!
Even though I am elevated, I have huge temp variations in the floor. I wonder what my work around would be for this no matter which type of flooring I choose. Thank you again for commenting as it helps me consider the options
and puts this on my radar.. Are there ANY air/ breathe friendly rugs at target or home depot? It is my bedroom…..So really concerned with it.
Rachael
Hello Corrine, hope this message finds you well. My husband and I stumbled upon your website while looking for non-toxic flooring options in our home. Thanks for having a great website with lots of helpful information. We ended up purchasing a Ruggable for each of our kids’ rooms. However, as the rugs were on their way to us, we began having second thoughts. The Prop 65 warning is the cause of our concern. Would airing the rugs outside and washing them before placing them in the rooms eliminate the trace amounts of methylene chloride?
Kind regards!
Rachael
Corinne* I meant Hello Corinne. : Sorry about that.
Corinne
I would guess that it is used on the machinery as a solvent though it’s possible it’s used as a blowing agent for polyurethane foam. It’s a volatile solvent so it only needs exposure to air to volatilize and dissipate. Washing with a strong degreaser and airing things out is a help to almost every new furnishing/clothing item that has any odor or VOCs coming off of it. But if it’s a blowing agent I suppose it’s a little more trapped though technically only trace should be left. I haven’t talked to the company about it as I wouldn’t worry about it too much but if you want to avoid that go with Tumble.
Corinne
the pottery barn link works, at least from North America IP address location. I would not consider green guard gold useful for a rug, more info in the post on certifications. there are certainly other polypropylene rugs that will be good, especially the indoor/outdoor kind.
Alexey
Hello, CORINNE! Could you help me, please!?
I’m searching for Non-Toxic rug (withour common chemicals and no-odor) + Durable (for heavy chair 30 lg + 70 kg human weight = 100 kg at chair roll spots, I can’t replace broken rug every few months) + Without-Geometry-Pattern (I can’t tolerate tileable patterns like squaresrhombsetc).
1) Is Triexta durable enought? I have found users complains about non-durability of Mohaw SmartStrand (some users wrile it broken after a few months, some what lasts a few years, but I have heavy chair).
2) Can you recommend any compliant Nylon rug? As I unserstand toxins is common.
(“Nylon washable indoor/outdoor rugs from Pottery Barn (which do have rubber latex on the backing)” – is no longer available when follow the link)
3) Can you recommend any other Polypropylene rugs, except with tileable patterns (like squaresrhombs)? For example from The Company Store World Market Safavieh. Currently I’m waiting for response from The Company Store about chemicals treatments.
4) Qestions about certifications:
Rug for example https://www.wayfair.com/rugs/pdp/dakota-fields-sachiko-geometric-ivoryblue-area-rug-w001803701.html?piid=341480173
– You write “Greenguard is rarely used to certify carpets”. When Greenguard is exists, does it means what carpet is low-toxic or non-toxic?
.. I have found a few rugs with Greenguard:
https://www.wayfair.com/filters/rugs/sb4/area-rugs-c215386-a1244~442062-a77704~286637-a77704~286638-a153762~507688.html
– Also I have found some rugs with specification “CPSC – 16 CFR 1631 Compliant” does it means what flame retardant is used? 16 CFR 1631 states what letter “T” should be used on tabel if rug is flame retardant treated, but can’t find any “T” letter in names of rugs.
Allie
Hi Corinne! Thanks for all your research. This is super helpful! I would like to put a rug in our basement. It currently is just an untreated concrete slab. We want the floor to remain breathable. Would a small area rug be a problem with moisture? If not, are there any certain kinds of rugs or even rug pads you’d recommend to make it as breathable as possible? Thanks so much!
Barbara
I just purchased an organic cotton hook & loom rug through your website. I’m so glad I was finally able to support you at least a little bit. You’ve been extraordinarily helpful over the past year since I moved and needed to do some refurnishing. I’m chemically sensitive and I really need this help. You are awesome. Thanks!
Corinne
that’s nice, thank you. I’ve had them on this list for years but they only recently became an affiliate. so I do make a small percent on that product now.
JMR
Thank you for sharing all of this excellent information, Corinne. I wanted to share my conversation with Hook and Loom following my purchase of a rug and rug pad. I asked about flame retardants in the rug pad. Here is what they said —
~~ Yes – as we state on our website, our non-skid natural rubber rug pads have a FDA approved odorless flame retardant in them. ~~
I couldn’t find that information on their website at all.
Corinne
thank you
Lisa Wagner
I am a little puzzled that there is no mention, especially in the day of wanting to use sustainable, long life production, no mention of hand knotted wool rugs. A quality weaving, of hand knotted wool, with proper care can last for a century or longer. Considering that every choice on your list has used “chemicals” in creating or processing the fibers, the focus here seems to be rugs that are not releasing issues into the indoor living environment. If that is indeed the focus, then all natural fiber hand-knotted rugs that are years, or decades, or a few centuries, would earn a spot on this list.
There are a few productions today weaving in old world quality but with new world focus on sustainability and chemical-free workplaces. The Anou in Morocco is one of these companies in a region where many harsh chemicals are causing harm to people and the planet, they have built a company around safe, clean wool production, and natural dye processing. However, they do not provide affiliate link partnerships, so they tend to not be on websites that “educate” when there is a desire to only share a link to rugs that give a percentage back. (Which, by the way, I have no problem with, as that is only fair.)
I do have a problem with the plastic rugs on your lists from a sustainability standpoint, in these these are short life rugs. They will last a few years and then go to the landfill, where they will fall apart as the rubber breaks down, but the plastics will never fully decompose, they just break into microplastics and add to more of the issue in our lands and water. Polyester fabric releases issues in washing, as do these rugs. And they are all petroleum based fibers, which of course we are all trying to have less of in our world.
Machine woven synthetic rugs serve a purpose. They offer cheap decorative rugs for $5 or less per square foot to buy new. They will last a few years, and then they will go to the landfill, along with the pad. If you focus on a natural fiber commodity rugs, as you have listed in your main section, rugs that are latex-backed (tufted rugs) create problems for some floors and can void their warranties. Some of these made in India have wool that is heavily bleached and chemically processed, which is why they shed so easily. The wool that is not strong enough to be hand knotted with goes to the hand-tufted and low-cost “handmade” wool rugs – and these can sometimes be more of an indoor air quality, or chemical sensitivity, issue than the plastic rugs are. These are rugs that will be – or should be – $10 or less a square foot to buy new, and they are rugs that last generally 5-10 years with proper care.
Then you have hand-knotted wool rugs which can range from $15-80 per square foot (depending on the knot count and labor, weave quality, design quality) new – The Anou falls on to the low end of that range, as a tribal weave is a good knot count but not a super high one. A room size hand knotted rug would take 3-4 weavers about 6 months to weave, so hand knotted rugs, the quality ones, of which none on your list represent, is a lot of labor. And that is why these rugs can last 50-100 or more years. And you cannot say that about much these days, as all things seem to be disposable and plastic.
Just wanted to speak up for the best rug group that is glaringly missing on your list. I appreciate your education here on the indoor environment. I love the depth that you share. I just thought I would add a little depth from the rug world, since that is where I live. 🙂
Thank you, Lisa
Corinne
First of all, I NEVER only list affiliates. Most blogs do that but if you looked through the links on this page you would see that almost half of the list is non-affiliate.
Second, there are good quality wool rugs here with absolutely minimal processing, like they need to be washed, but some are not dyed at all etc.
I’m not sure if you actually looked through the links or if this was just promotional. I have removed the link that was posted.
MG
Hello, I am looking for a carpet/ area rugs but I have major chemical and mold allergies. I cant seam to filter through these manufacturers to find a rug that does not smell at any time.
Would appreciate your help.
P.S. Thank you for your research and hard work with getting info out to individuals like me.
MG Walsh
Corinne
Well the natural fibers have their own natural odors so you will have to experiment to see what you are sensitive to.
Christie
Hi Corrine,
What do you think about Tumble rugs? They’re similar to Ruggable without the prop 65 warnings.
I had a Ruggable, but then found prop 65 warnings for both DEHP and methylene chloride. They say the materials are safe enough to wear as clothing, but I returned it.
Christie Donnelly
Also, Corrine, are polyester rugs touted as stain-resistant because polyester is inherently stain-resistant? Or are polyester rugs treated with PFAS? I’m beside myself that my son has been exposed to PFAS from the crappy Target polyester rugs we had when he was first born.
Corinne
polyester carpets have stain-resistant coatings (PFAS most common) so I would assume rugs to do unless clearly stated otherwise.
Jessie
Hi Corinne,
Thank you for the great info/research! You mentioned Safavieh… I purchased one of its rug for a kid’s room….it says “Hand Tufted in China,Cotton backing,
100% Polyester Pile” How toxic is this? Should I just return this rug?
Thank you in advance!
Lisa
Tufted rugs use a lot of adhesive to hold the fibers together. We always recommend to our clients to NOT use tufted rugs in kids rooms. They do not disclose what is in the adhesives and this type of rug production has many shortcuts and usually shortcuts in rugs means unsafe choices.
Liza
I really appreciate your recommendations and all of the work you put into this site.
I tried my hand at a synthetic entry way rug by buying one from Soceity6. The website says the following about its rugs:
-Made from a woven, polyester chenille
-Only topside is printed with a design
-Backing made from a durable cotton/poly canvas
I noticed it off-gassed a lot when I first used it, so I put it outside for two weeks, including during a few summer rain storms. The smell greatly diminished, but even a year later I could still smell it every time I came through the door.
Do you have any tips for how to figure out which synthetic rugs may off-gas?
Thanks for all of your help!
Corinne
It depends on the materials and I can make a guess from seeing the materials. Otherwise you need to see it yourself. I keep track of brands that sensitive folks like in this post since I’m not able to see most of them myself.
Lisa
The interior fibers are usually not disclosed on label, so the outer fibers being polyester are plastic wrapped around a cotton or jute foundation, and sometimes using adhesives. So when these rugs are sealed in plastic and shipped in containers to the US, they often develop fungal odor issues. So the odors are coming from the interior fibers. Also the chemicals that countries like China and especially India use in their low price rug productions often also get absorbed into the foundation fibers of these rugs,
If the off-gassing odor is musty, or if it is chemical, and it is a new rug, you should return it. Especially if from a country that is not disclosing what they are using. Some popular rugs today, such as viscose rugs, are made with extremely toxic chemicals. Yet they are sold as “eco-friendly.”
With new wool rugs you have to seek out the higher quality grades because the lower quality is heavily chemically processed – this is wwhy wool tufted rugs from Pottery Barn, and other online rug stores shed so badly, and have odor issues. Chemically damaged wool breaks and sheds, it is an indicator of chemical damage. It’s like when shopping for wool sweaters, you can tell the difference between the scratchy wool that pills and sheds, versus the soft strong feel of merino wool.
Cole Byrne
Thanks for sharing this! All the best!
Corinne
You’re welcome
Kingbet138
Hello, Can you tell me your thoughts on vintage rugs? Wool rugs? Any help if those are ok to use or anything I should look for? Thanks in advance!
Corinne
For vintage wool you could ask if they have re-sprayed with permithrin.
Lisa
If you are looking at rugs that are made to appear “vintage” (like the Moroccan rugs on Etsy) – often these are faded using a bleach bath that heavily damages the wool and strips away the dyes, and this residue is a common complaint of odors and chemical reactions that many rug cleaners are asked to try to improve. It is a serious issue.
This also is the case with rugs called “distressed” – also chemically damaged to make rugs look older than they really are.
Traditionally hand-knotted wool rugs require strong wool and will last 50-100 years with proper care. Unless someone has added additional treatments to the rugs, there is not going to be any issues with old rugs regarding VOC’s and chemicals. But with new rugs, most are heavily chemically treated and processed, so it’s best to get a sample and make sure you are not going to have any issues.
Most of today’s rugs are plastic, and most are heading into the landfills to never decompose. It is amazing how many Ruggables are thrown away, the idea of decorative disposable rugs is heart-breaking when it’s possible to have rugs that can last decades and centuries of natural fibers instead of petroleum fibers.
Kaelyn Mulligan
Have you taken a look at Nuloom wool rugs? I purchased a very colorful (Ofelia/Tikal) one and then realized that not all wool rugs are safe. There are bright colors so also worried about the dye. The website says they don’t use anything harmful to children or pets but I’m leary.
Alicia Kelly
Hi! I have pretty successfully done our baby’s whole nursery without chemicals. I just left out a rug pad because I could not find a nontoxic one. Now that she is starting to crawl and pull up I feel like I should get one so it isn’t so hard when she falls back. Any suggestions?? Thanks so much for your help and work! It’s a full time job trying to build a nontoxic home and it is not my full time job ha
Corinne
It depends on the type of rug and size of rug. I list the options in the carpet post.
Ellie
I bought a large Hook and Loom rug, and while it is very nice quality and the company was wonderful to work with, I wouldn’t necessarily buy one again. This rug is still shedding fibers after 6+ months of daily vacuuming as instructed. Every time my toddler touches the ground, he stands up and is covered in fibers and fuzz. The rugs are made of recycled clothing, so small metallic strands from whatever was recycled also found their way into the weave. My rug sparkles in the light, and I constantly worry that a metallic fiber is going to wind up in my son’s eye. In addition, the rugs are from India and arrived with a definite smoky incense smell, which the manufacturer mentioned would dissipate quickly. We can still smell it 6 months later. It is a pleasant light smell though, which are words I never thought I would write since we are an otherwise strictly fragrance free household due to allergies. Just a heads up in case you go with this company. Wonderful thick natural rugs but you’re gonna be cleaning up nonstop. I also wonder what the clothing they used in this rug was treated with prior to being recycled, given the presence of metallic fibers!
Corinne
Thank you for sharing, this is very helpful to know.
Lisa
You should complain to Hook and Loom about that. They are very conscious of quality control and I bet they would halt that production.
The Anou will produce custom colors in their rugs and they have natural dyes and they have their own wool mill and are very ecologically aware and perhaps the only Moroccan production not using the chemicals that are a problem in many other Moroccan lines of rugs. It is artisan run and they are very aware of protecting their weavers and their lands from pollution and harm.
You will find more durable rug choices through them. They are at http://www.theanou.com. Great co-op where most of the money goes directly to the weavers, most are moms. 🙂
Corinne
That company looks good Im going to add them to my list.
Patricia J Ferris
Hi There, I was wondering if you looked at the natural grass rug collection from Natural Area Rugs. They claim no chemicals. They state stain-resistant, but I think that is a natural property as I asked via email if any thing was applied for stain protection or mold resistance, and they said no, there no chemicals in their rugs. I am wondering what would be a concern with natural grass in case I am missing something? Thanks,
Norah
Thanks for all of this. I have the hardest time trying to navigate all of this. Any thoughts on this company “rug collective” that offer a stain resistant/washable rug that is treated, which I usually would avoid, but looks to be certified to be free of harmful chemicals. I try to balance being as natural as possible while also trying to survive life with three young kids (getting a crypton fabric on my couch but making sure green guard certified , etc). Trying to find something that can survive under a frequented used dining table (where spills and food will be constant). Thanks!
Corinne
I haven’t looked at that company. I would ask them if they are free of PFAS.
MF
Hello, Can you tell me your thoughts on vintage rugs? Wool rugs? Any help if those are ok to use or anything I should look for? Thanks in advance!
Briana
Hi! Do you know if West Elm does permethrin or other pesticide treatments in their wool rugs? The one I am considering is 100% wool with recycled Cotton Backing.
Hand tufted in India.
If so, is there a way to off gas or clean off the pesticides before putting in my home? It would be in a bedroom. Or will it always have pesticide residue and smell?
Corinne
I would definitely expect it to have permethrin. It does wear off with time and comes out with enough washing.
Corinne
I found this study today that showed that after 50 washes there was still 26% permethrin left https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK231561/
Briana
Ok thank you for digging deeper into this! Yikes It takes a lot to wash it out!
Sandy
I love this site and quite surprised to find so much valuable information. We are in our 80’s and want to carpet two bedrooms without Flame Retardant and feel we find the answer here. Thank you very much and hopefully we can buy you a coffee. God Bless hou
Corinne
Thanks Sandy
Sue
Hi! Great information. Thank you.
Just a quick comment. I recently bought an all cotton rug, washable and was supposed to be organic. However, I reacted and it had an odor. I learned that while it was untreated, no dye (and it was beautiful) it was stored in a warehouse in NJ. So, I hope that merchandisers of such wonderful products may think about what conditions they might have in their storage areas. It can easily destroy the items which would otherwise be bio-“perfect”.
Corinne
Thanks Sue. yes i agree pesticides, mold and cleaning products in storage or transport can really be a problem for some very sensitive folks. This got worse during covid (the cleaning product part).
Stefany
Hello Corinne! I’m still having difficulty finding some good rug pads for my basement wool and jute rugs that cushions falls other than natural rubber (which as told are mold prone :(. Do you recommend any brands? Thank you!!!
Jill
I would love to hear any thoughts on this too!
Natalie S
Are Flor tiles (mostly nylon with vinyl backing) safe, non-toxic, low-VOC?
I have a set of their tiles nearly 10yo and was considering another purchase, but then read we should really avoid vinyl at home.
Thanks so much.
Corinne
FLOR is covered here https://www.mychemicalfreehouse.net/2020/07/the-healthiest-non-toxic-carpet-brands.html
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Lindsey Conklin
Hi Everyone – First off, THANK YOU so much for this incredible site! Second, I wanted to provide some information re: purchasing rugs from Cali Bamboo to save others some heartache. I purchased a jute rug from them (looked *very* different in person). It also smells – STRONGLY. For anyone else dealing with MCS, I’d avoid purchasing their rugs. They also don’t allow returns so now I’m out a lot of money. They also don’t post reviews on their website, so I’m hoping this is helpful to someone else.
Corinne
Thank you so much for sharing. Was it a strong natural jute smell or something else?
Stefany
Where you able to find another non toxic seller for jute rugs? Do you mind sharing? Thank you!!!
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Sharyn G Hahn
How safe is chenille for a rug?
Corinne
That’s a cotton, so it’s not the fabric that is the problem but chemical treatments all the way from crop to final fabric treatments that need to be looked at.
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Nancy
I keep getting mixed reviews. Is polypropylene toxic or non toxic in rugs?
Julie Cooper
We had two polypropylene rugs we purchased from LL Bean Home series. I left them outside for two weeks, hanging on my fence. Then brought them in and sprayed them with a natural deodorizer. They were great. Very durable and easy to vacuum. When they got dirty, I took them outside, hung them on the fence and turned the hose on them (wait for a really hot day). They looked the same after washing.
Jennie
Corinne, thank you this is very useful! Could you weigh in on nylon rugs? Some websites I have seen say yes, absolutely safe and others have said no absolutely not safe. You’re the expert, what do you think?
Jennie
Sorry, I’m thinking specifically for a nursery/playroom
Corinne
It’s not the nylon itself that is the problem, but nylon carpets (the most common kind) are highly treated compared to other ones made of other materials like wool, cotton, jute and PET.
Amanda Coleman
Hi! I am trying to understand why all wool rugs are not non-toxic. What makes some wool rugs toxic vs. non-toxic? Thanks!
Corinne
Not all wool rugs are good. Most conventional ones would be treated with Permethrin for moths. If they are not treated with pesticides they tend to have minimal chemical treatments so they make a good natural option. Certainly not the only option. However it’s more likely that a company dedicated to non toxic dyes and other additives to the rug will use natural fibers as that is what consumers are asking for. It’s not because you can’t have a safe synthetic rug.
Shonya
All plastic is toxic. Consumers are being hugely misled being told polypropylene rugs are “natural.” It’s sad to see so many people falling for this. It’s like the bpa-free lie. Many bpa-free materials have been shown to be even more toxic. Use your common sense. Do you really think ANY plastic could be non-toxic? Well then…use at your own risk.
Corinne
Yes many plastics are non-toxic for people with chemical sensitivities. Especially hard plastics like ABS. Every plastic as it’s in a harder form is less toxic. PP and PE are also considered non-toxic. Of course it depends what you are doing with them. I look for offgassing and leaching and which conditions lead to leaching and offgassing (ie. do you have to cook it or drink from it to ingest chemicals). Some plastics need time to offgas and then are safe for people who are sensitive. Microplastics are another issue.
Ann
Sorryyyy ! All plastic is made from petroleum by products ! Not only are they toxic their manufacturing process is highly hazardous and give way to pollution via air and into water! We must educate people to identify what “ingredients” are harmful to all living things ! You are being poisoned everyday by many many things you come in contact with – your life is worth being educated -isn’t it?
Corinne
This blog takes into account the effects of materials on the occupants though I do think it’s admirable to be thinking of the manufacturing and post-consumer processes as well. I only focus on the health on the occupants, mainly for folks highly sensitive to VOCs and other chemicals as well as those sensitive to mold. Many plastics are safe for use in home decor for chemically sensitive people, especially polypropylene.
Megan
Hi Jes – thanks for the reply! Ugh, nothing like buyer’s remorse!!
I just went to the site as you described and still can’t find the warning. Maybe they have recently changed things up or maybe it’s not on all rugs? Orrrr maybe I need glasses! In the meantime I did email them asking about chemicals and if they have any certifications and this is their reply:
“Here are Ruggable, we do not chemically treat our rugs in any way and our products do not expel harmful gasses like other rugs might.
Our rug cover consists of 3 layers: the top surface is 100% woven polyester chenille, the internal waterproof barrier is 100% polyurethane, and the bottom is 100% polyester knit.”
I’m still not sold, so I will keep up the good search.
Susan
I am also having trouble deciding about a Ruggable rug due to the methylene chloride warning-though trace amounts, I haven’t seen prop 65 warnings on any other area rugs I’ve looked at, so it makes me wonder why they have added this chemical at all. We need washable rugs between our pets, toddler, and elderly family visitors. I was so excited about Ruggable until I saw the warning.
Yuki
I was wondering the exact same thing when I pulled this article up…
Nina
Also wondering about Ruggables!
Nina
Just realized that there is a conversation about Ruggables further down the page.
Stefani Canin Mullen
I have a question…I am interested in some rugs from “Magnolia” that are made by Loloi. The first one is Power Loomed, Polypropylene | Polyester Pile, Made in Turkey with a cotton canvas backing. The second is Power-Loomed of 100% Polyester Pile. Can you let me know if you think these are toxic or unhealthful for my home? My son is very allergic to wool, and I love the style of these rugs, as the non-toxic ones I have been looking at don’t have a large selection. Thank you:)
R.F.
Aren’t polypropylene and polyurethane highly toxic?
Corinne
Polypropelene is a very safe plastic for people with chemical sensitivity. Polyurethane – depends on the form that it is in, it will have different chemicals added.
Sara
So are you not concerned about microplastic exposure with the polypropylene rugs?
Corinne
Microplastics are a concern and mostly come from the long term breakdown of products like these if they are not recycled. This website is about the health of the materials for chemically sensitive folks for the most part. I would ask the companies if the rugs could be realistically recycled, which might partly depend on where you live.
Ursula Jakabos
Would you consider polyester rugs safe or toxic. West elm claims their rugs are organic or low VOC. Some of them are polyester
Corinne
It’s not the fabric itself but polyester always comes with some kind of chemical treatment or residue on it. But usually, with a wash or an air out it will be acceptable. Whether they add extra chemicals to it like stain guard chemicals I’m not sure. West Elm is not very forthcoming about this however they don’t mention any particular stain resistance on the website either.
Sunny
Polyester is known to contain formaldehyde. Some of these writers need to do a lot more research
Corinne
I am the writer. Here are some test results of clothing (on page 42-51) the clothing (cotton/polyester mixes) with non detectable formaldehyde https://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10875.pdf
There are polyester (PET) carpets that are 0 VOC in my carpet post.
There are Oeko-tex® 100 Class 1 polyester fabrics (class 1 means no formaldehyde allowed).
So there is plenty of evidence that polyester itself does not contain formaldhdye.
C
So which are the brands that do sell high quality hand woven rugs ?(the one that was not included on the list ?)
Corinne
everything I’ve seen that is good is on this list. Most synthetic rugs have considerable treatments and have offgassing. Only a few synthetics made the list.
John
https://enviroklenz.com/is-polypropylene-toxic-in-rugs-carpets/
Corinne
Wow this is horrible information. They took a study about nylon carpet which is treated with lots of chemicals and falsely implied that a polypropylene rug must have offgassing. I have not tested all polypropylene rugs but many have no offgassing.
Lauren
So are the ruggable rugs non-toxic? I like the fact you can wash these but wanted to make sure they are non-toxic.
Corinne
They are not as good as some other options
CK
Any chance you could say more? (We have a baby so I’m overthinking the rug situation, but we really like some of their designs.)
Laura
Ruggable rugs are toxic. There is a warning hidden in the website that states the rugs contain chemicals known to cause cancer.
Corinne
Where does it say that? Did you see it yourself?
Corinne
The company replied to me: “Currently, there is a trace amount of a chemical commonly used in manufacturing products in our regular rug covers and rug pads (not found in shag covers), called Methylene Chloride. We are actively taking steps to remove all traces to keep our products as clean as possible.”
Megan
I’m curious about this too – just searched through the Ruggable website and didn’t find anything. Laura, can you paste the link to the page where it is stated? I’m about to buy one but….yikes!
Megan
PS – Corrine thank you for this awesome blog post! I have also consulted your site in the past for furniture and paint suggestions 🙂
Synthia
Hey Megan! You’ll be able to find the warning if you scroll down from the rug of your choosing. Right in between “About (rug of choosing” and “You May Also Like” you’ll see a “How It Works”, next to that there is “Our Rugs.” If you click that, under “Made to Order” there is a very small “warning” button in blue. There is a link encrypted into that. Click and the warning that whatever is used is known to cause cancer in the state of California will come up. I am on the edge on deciding whether to buy or not, though. There are many other products you can find that will have warnings stating that there is some kind of ingredient that is known to the state of California to cause cancer. My question is. why just California? Why aren’t any of the other states doing the same? Have you decided on buying?
Jes
I bought a RUGGABLE for my baby’s room. It’s so beautiful, great quality and I love that it’s machine washable. I was so happy until I went back to the website and noticed a VERY tiny warning ⚠️ on the page that I didn’t notice before. My fault for missing it but I am disappointed that they made it so small. You have to click on the rug, then scroll down to ‘our rugs’ and look at the very bottom and you will see in blue font a tiny ‘warning’. Click on that and it gives you a prop 65 warning.
David
Hello. I was also looking for an anti-fatigue mat for the kitchen and my wife was very interested in the House of Noa brand. Do you have any experience with or thoughts on this brand?
They claim that their EVA foam kitchen mats are free of “harmful” phthalates, PVC, formaldehyde and latex.
I emailed them to ask about PFAS and the woman who responded avoided the question – gave a pre-packaged response. I emailed again and she finally said that their products were tested and did not contain PFAS.
I’d really appreciate your thoughts on if this seems like a trustworthy and safe company/product. Sounds like Sarah might as well.
Thanks!
Corinne
I don’t see where it says it’s made of EVA. It says vegan leather which is either polyurethane or vinyl cover over something. With EVA you have to ask about Formamide.