There are not many options for a truly non-toxic recliner. Only one company makes one with materials that go above and beyond the conventional polyurethane and polyester materials.
I then follow with the “next best” options, these are at least free of Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS), the “forever chemicals” used in stain guard treatments.
Next, I have a couple of options that are non-toxic but don’t have the reclining function.
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Non-Toxic Recliner
Pure Upholstery
The only truly non-toxic recliner in my books (that goes above and beyond what is conventional) is the Reynolds Organic Recliner from Pure Upholstery.
Pure recliners are made with GOLS-certified organic latex, solid maple wood for the framing (no engineered wood whatsoever), organic wool for batting around the latex, Greenguard-certified water-based glue, and Rubio Monocoat wood finish on the legs. No flame retardants are used.
Fabrics are either Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified, Oeko-tex 100 and/or EU Ecolabel certified. No topical treatments, PFAS, or flame retardants are used.
You can mention My Chemical-Free House for 5% off.
Next Best Options:
1. Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn has some recliners tagged under Greenguard Gold in their non-toxic line. The Ayden recliner is one option in this line and it is made from solid wood and engineered wood (meaning plywood, MDF, or particleboard). They use polyurethane foam wrapped in polyester batting.
Crypton fabrics might be free of PFAS (there is conflicting info on the website but the latest email from them does seem to support it being free of PFAS). They also have Greenguard Gold certified fabrics but this certification does not address PFAS.
At West Elm (which is owned by the same company as Pottery Barn) you might check out some of their Sunbrella fabrics as well.
2. IKEA
The standard IKEA recliners are made with particleboard, though we don’t know what glues are used for that since they say they got rid of formaldehyde; regular polyester fabric not treated with perfluorinated chemicals (including PFAS like PFOS, PFOA, PFOSA); and polyurethane foam cushions which are low in offgassing and free of flame retardants in the US. (In other countries that require flame retardants IKEA does have to use them).
3. Crate and Barrel
Crate and Barrel eliminated PFAS and flame retardants from their upholstery. They use hardwood and engineered wood frames (could mean plywood, MDF and/or particleboard). They use polyester, acrylic and linen fabrics.
The cushions are feather and polyester filled. It’s possible that there is no foam here (at least in this recliner).
4. Room and Board
Room and Board has also eliminated PFAS from their fabrics according to an industry document and this was confirmed in writing by their product reps.
Some of the fabrics are Greenguard Gold certified but I couldn’t pick up any major difference between those and their regular fabrics in terms of perceptible offgassing.
The Hayden recliner is made from a hardwood frame they say (no mention of engineered wood). The cushions are made from CertiPUR-certified polyurethane foam and “fiber” (presumedly polyester).
Other options:
If you want to take a look at non-toxic upholstered chairs that have an angled back, but don’t actually recline, here are the two best options.
1. Medley
The Kayden chair by Medley is made from non-toxic materials. They offer a version made from natural latex foam (instead of polyurethane) with wool or down batting (instead of polyester).
Their frames are constructed with a blend of solid wood and engineered hardwood.
They use no-VOC glues, no flame retardants, and fabric options that are all-natural or organic (none contain PFAS).
2. Cisco
Cisco offers an “Inside Green” option. This option is made from FSC woods, organic latex, jute, hemp, wool, organic feathers, and down.
You can choose from various fabrics, including organic cotton without chemical treatments.
No flame retardants are used.
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Corinne Segura holds certificates in Building Biology, Healthier Materials and Sustainable Buildings, and more. She has 10 years of experience helping others create healthy homes.
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