In a healthy home, I personally would not consider shelf and drawer liners made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride aka vinyl) including fabric backed with PVC, or paper coated in PVC, SBR rubber (which is high in VOCs), or cork (which is usually pressed together with a polyurethane or formaldehyde adhesive that offgasses as well).
I consider EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate), polyethylene, and polypropylene to be safe eco-friendly plastics, especially for this application.
Other non-toxic or natural options include paper, fabric, acrylic-coated wallpaper, and wood veneer.
The following options are made for shelves, drawers (kitchen and other rooms), dressers, and wire carts. Some can be used in the refrigerator.
I would consider all of these options safe for kitchens, kids’ rooms, and nurseries.
All of the options here are unscented.
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1. EVA Plastic Liners
I like non-PVC plastic with no adhesive on the back best for shelf liners.
You can also get a solid color heavy-duty EVA Drawer Liner (also non-adhesive).
IKEA also makes EVA liners.
I like EVA because it doesn’t contain phthalates or bisphenols like BPA. EVA foam does have a slight odor but non-foam EVA has practically no odor or offgassing.
EVA is used in medical and food packaging applications.
The only plastics that contain bisphenols are polycarbonate and epoxy (and about 3/4 of polycarbonate contains bisphenols, source).
Silicone is not made with bisphenols or phthalates. Silicone does usually contain trace amounts of Cadmium which is a contaminant of the colorants or manufacturing process, according to Tamara Rubin who has tested silicone. However, when used as a shelf liner I would not be concerned about this.
Polyethylene, including PET (polyethylene terephthalate/polyest), HDPE (high density polyethylene), and LDPE (low density polyethylene) are not known to contain BPA or phthalates (source). PE generally does not have an odor or offgas VOCs.
PE is widely used in applications where a food-safe, or food contact safe, plastic is needed.
PP plastics are not known to contain BPA or phthalates (source). Rigid PP is odorless and does not offgas VOCs. It’s used in many food storage applications.
You can also find wire shelf liners made of EVA & PE (two plastics I mention in the above sections), like the Duck Brand Clear Classic Easy Liner Shelf Liner.
Buy polypropylene shelf liner from Amazon. Buy Elfa liners from the Container Store.
5. Paper, Cloth & Wallpaper
When I was a child we used paper to line our kitchen cabinet shelves and drawers, so I’m partial to this plastic-free look.
Some of the old-school ones are actual paper (this one is not coated with PVC) and they are harder to find. Many of the paper ones are now backed or coated with PVC. And many are scented now, so be sure to check.
You can use an actual wallpaper, and a non-toxic wallpaper glue if you prefer that look.
Spoonflower (pictured) makes a PVC-free peel-and-stick wallpaper that is available on Amazon. Their acrylic wallpapers have cute designs and work as shelf liners on many surfaces.
You can also use fabric to line shelves but you normally find this backed with PVC to make it stay in place. I would use a non-woven or cloth wallpaper (that is PVC-free) instead.
Buy non-PVC peel and stick wallpaper from Spoonflower.
(In terms of “contact paper”, usually used to line the exterior of cabinets or countertops, I have only seen that come in PVC vinyl. And that does offgas VOCs as well as contain plasticizers of concern – likely phthalates).
6. Wood
For bedroom shelves or drawers you can use a wood veneer liner.
This cedar liner is only wood, though the reviews describe it as finicky.
I would not use cork shelf liners as the glue used to press the cork together offgasses too much, in my opinion, to make it a truly non-toxic option.
Just when I think there is something I am searching for in my home that you probably have not covered, you did! Thank you so much…you truly are amazing and have been a huge help making decisions for a healthier / less toxic home.
Will any of the recommended shelf liners NOT offgas in glass door kitchen cabinets? We currently have ribbed clear shelf liners and the cabinets with wood doors that don’t have sun shining through them have no smell but the cabinets with glass doors smell pretty strong. Can you recommend a non toxic product that won’t smell when exposed to sun through the glass doors?
Thank you
Hi there! I am trying to find a nontoxic, reasonably priced shelf and drawer liner. I love all of the wallpaper options from Spoonflower, but it’s a little too pricey for how much I need to buy. I came across Clear Classic Easy Liner from Duck Brand. They state it is made of 80% Ethyl Vinyl Acetate (EVA) and 20% PE. Is this a safe choice? Thanks so much!
Do you have any recommendations for shelf liners that would go on a shelf where there are kitchen lights underneath? My lights are creating quite a bit of heat on this shelf where I plan to store some freeze dried or dehydrated food in glass jars for easy access, so it’s just one shelf. I really don’t want the heat transfer on my food. I thought of those garden knee pads as they are thick, but I’m not sure what they are made of and the jars wouldn’t slide over them. Any ideas? Thank you!
The thicker polypropylene options made for wire carts might be enough of a thermal break. But if that’s not enough put down something insulative like cork or foam.
I lean toward the silicone liner but not many choices and it’s spendy which I can’t do right now. Do you think it would be ok to use parchment paper? I have in the past. Things do slide around and it has to be replaced eventually because it’s paper and will wrinkle with the slightest amount of moisture which also means you can’t wipe it down. But it’s very inexpensive!
Hello , I am actually looking for a shelf liner , and though I read that you prefer EVA and PET . I searched up about PET and EVA and seems like they both are toxic and specially EVA when exposed to heat . Could you pls elaborate how these options are really safe
The PET products like the Con-tact brand also don’t seem to be environmentally friendly. At least most of their products, aside from their EviroLiner range.
I have Con-tact brand paper in various spots in my house. I recently tested it for lead and the white Con-tact paper has more leachable lead than I’ve ever seen on any product ever and I’ve been testing lead for several years. I plan on replacing with something more environmentally friendly, but I need to get the word out as this is a serious problem. I’ve contacted the EPA and the CEH in the past, but do you have any suggestions how to quickly notify consumers to test their Con-Tact paper & remove and replace it if lead is present?
Wow interesting. What did you test it with? You might see if Tamara Ruben can post about the results. The problem is we have a liability issue if we didn’t test ourelseves.
Kat
Wow, I suspected there might be lead in older ConTact paper but shocked you found it in a newer plain white one. I now use wax paper for lining pantry shelves, drawers etc. Wax paper turns out to be the easiest and best non toxic liner for every room in my home.
TRACEY HOUSER
Just when I think there is something I am searching for in my home that you probably have not covered, you did! Thank you so much…you truly are amazing and have been a huge help making decisions for a healthier / less toxic home.
Myra
IS THIS ALUMINUM FREE ??Con-Tact Brand Metal FX Creative
Covering, Self-Adhesive Drawer Liner,
Silver(stainless steel look)
Debra
Is there an option that’s not made in China?
Christy G
Thank you for this post! Saves me time on researching which liners off gas, etc. Also, the links to products are very helpful!
Duffy
Will any of the recommended shelf liners NOT offgas in glass door kitchen cabinets? We currently have ribbed clear shelf liners and the cabinets with wood doors that don’t have sun shining through them have no smell but the cabinets with glass doors smell pretty strong. Can you recommend a non toxic product that won’t smell when exposed to sun through the glass doors?
Thank you
Meisha
Hi there! I am trying to find a nontoxic, reasonably priced shelf and drawer liner. I love all of the wallpaper options from Spoonflower, but it’s a little too pricey for how much I need to buy. I came across Clear Classic Easy Liner from Duck Brand. They state it is made of 80% Ethyl Vinyl Acetate (EVA) and 20% PE. Is this a safe choice? Thanks so much!
Corinne
Yes, I mention both EVA and PE in the post.
Meisha
Thank you!!!
Kathy
Do you have any recommendations for shelf liners that would go on a shelf where there are kitchen lights underneath? My lights are creating quite a bit of heat on this shelf where I plan to store some freeze dried or dehydrated food in glass jars for easy access, so it’s just one shelf. I really don’t want the heat transfer on my food. I thought of those garden knee pads as they are thick, but I’m not sure what they are made of and the jars wouldn’t slide over them. Any ideas? Thank you!
Corinne
The thicker polypropylene options made for wire carts might be enough of a thermal break. But if that’s not enough put down something insulative like cork or foam.
Debbie M
I lean toward the silicone liner but not many choices and it’s spendy which I can’t do right now. Do you think it would be ok to use parchment paper? I have in the past. Things do slide around and it has to be replaced eventually because it’s paper and will wrinkle with the slightest amount of moisture which also means you can’t wipe it down. But it’s very inexpensive!
Corinne
I have no problem using parchment paper which is coated in silicone in drawers or on kitchen shelves
anonymous
Hello , I am actually looking for a shelf liner , and though I read that you prefer EVA and PET . I searched up about PET and EVA and seems like they both are toxic and specially EVA when exposed to heat . Could you pls elaborate how these options are really safe
JEN
I bought some PET shelf liners and they have a strong plastic smell, which also makes me think they are off gassing.
JEN
The PET products like the Con-tact brand also don’t seem to be environmentally friendly. At least most of their products, aside from their EviroLiner range.
Corinne
Con-tact brand is PVC that is why it smells and is offgasing.
meredith stacy
I have Con-tact brand paper in various spots in my house. I recently tested it for lead and the white Con-tact paper has more leachable lead than I’ve ever seen on any product ever and I’ve been testing lead for several years. I plan on replacing with something more environmentally friendly, but I need to get the word out as this is a serious problem. I’ve contacted the EPA and the CEH in the past, but do you have any suggestions how to quickly notify consumers to test their Con-Tact paper & remove and replace it if lead is present?
Corinne
Wow interesting. What did you test it with? You might see if Tamara Ruben can post about the results. The problem is we have a liability issue if we didn’t test ourelseves.
Kat
Wow, I suspected there might be lead in older ConTact paper but shocked you found it in a newer plain white one. I now use wax paper for lining pantry shelves, drawers etc. Wax paper turns out to be the easiest and best non toxic liner for every room in my home.