When choosing products for your baby’s nursery, it’s so important to find safe and chemical-free products! Glider chairs are no exception.
These chairs, designed for parents and their little ones, offer a comfortable spot for feeding, cuddling, story-time, and relaxing – which is why it’s crucial for the glider chair you choose to be free of harmful chemicals.
In this guide, I will help you through selecting the best non-toxic gliders for your baby’s nursery, focusing on materials and safety standards of each manufacturer.
By sharing my insights, I aim to make this important decision easier for you, ensuring your nursery is a safe, cozy corner for your little one.
What Are The Main Chemicals To Avoid In Nursery Gliders?
When looking for a nursery glider chair, there are certain chemicals that you’ll want to avoid, due to their impact on both your baby and the environment overall. Here are the main chemicals of concern:
PFAS
Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances are a large group of chemicals that include PFOA, PFOS, GenX, and many other fluorinated chemicals – and are some of the most problematic when it comes to nursery furniture.
These substances are known for their ability to resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water, which makes them useful in a wide range of consumer products – you can find them in non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothing, stain-resistant fabrics and carpets, and more.
Unfortunately, PFAS are also known as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down in the environment and can accumulate over time in the human body. There is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse health outcomes in humans.
Flame Retardants
Used to meet fire safety standards, flame retardants can accumulate in the body over time and have been associated with health issues.
VOCs
VOC stands for volatile organic compounds. VOCs can off-gas from foam, fabrics, stains, and glues used in furniture.
Phthalates
Used to make plastics more flexible, phthalates can be found in some vinyl or PVC components, including PVC-based faux leather. It can also be found in the coating on real (non-aniline) leather. Some polypropylene fabrics could contain trace phthalates (source).
Non-Toxic Gliders: What To Look For
When selecting the best non-toxic glider for your baby’s nursery, you’ll want to look for certain certifications and standards to help ensure the chair you pick is the safest choice – for your baby and everyone in the home.
GOTS: Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is the leader in global processing standards for organic fibers. It certifies that the fabric is organic and also prohibits certain chemicals used in the cleaning and dying of the textile. GOTS prohibits toxic heavy metals, formaldehyde, aromatic solvents, functional nanoparticles, chlorine bleach, azo dyes, synthetic sizing agents, PFAS, and PFCs.
OEKO-TEX 100: This is not an organic certification, but they limit chemicals used to treat the textiles. They limit heavy metals, pesticide residue, chlorinated phenols, phthalates, organic tin, other harmful chemical residues, harmful dyes, PAHs, and solvent residues. As of 2024, they essentially ban all PFAS/PFCS due to the limits on total fluorine.
PFAS-Free: While this isn’t a certification, you can get this information just by calling the company itself (or by looking at my list below – which are all PFAS-free glider chairs.)
Free of Chemical Flame Retardants: These flame retardants are typically used on foam and fabric, which is one of the core “ingredients” to making a chair! This isn’t a certification, but you’ll want to look for a glider that explicitly states that no flame retardants were used. CertiPUR certified foam does not prohibit all chemical flame retardants, only the worst two, one of which is already outlawed.
CertiPUR foam is certified to be made without the most harmful flame retardants like PBDE (already banned) or Tris flame retardants, they limit heavy metals (they have a 90 ppm limit on lead for example), they limit formaldehyde, have a limit on total VOCs, and certain prohibited phthalates.
GreenGuard Gold Certified: GreenGuard Gold allows 220 μg/m3 total VOCs, so that means that products with this certification have been tested and verified to emit lower levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). (Learn More: What Green Certifications Mean). Unfortunately, I believe that every glider can likely meet this level of certification.
The Best Non-Toxic Gliders
#1 | Babyletto Kiwi
They sell the Kiwi Swivel Glider Recliner & Ottoman through Pottery Barn Kids. Here’s what makes the Kiwi special:
Certifications
Greenguard Gold Certified: Tested to ensure it’s low-VOC.
CertiPUR-US Certified foam.
Made With FSC®-Certified Wood: This means that the Forest Stewardship Council guarantees that the wood used in this glider is harvested from responsibly managed, socially beneficial, environmentally conscious, and economically viable forests. It does not certify that the wood is solid wood; the wood can still be engineered.
Materials
Solid Wood Frame: According to Pottery Barn Kids’ website, this glider is made with a solid wood frame. It also contains plywood (which has almost no offgassing) but no MDF, HDF, or particleboard (which would offgas), Babyletto said in an email.
No Flame Retardants: The polyurethane foam used in the chair also meets all CA TB117-2013 flammability requirements without added chemical flame retardants.
Free of PFAS as of 2023: As of 2023, the Livesmart website says they are free of PFAS.
Eco-Performance Fabric: They offer microsuede or polyester-blend fabrics. For the polyester, recycled plastic bottles are used in the making of the fabric. The fabric also uses LiveSmart performance yarn and 30% REPREVE recycled yarn. It is possible, unfortunately, for recycled water bottles (PET) to contain higher levels of contaminants than virgin plastic, including phthalates and metals. Though we don’t have quantitative data (source).
3rd Party Tested For Lead: These gliders are extensively tested for lead at both surface and substrate levels to ensure that they exceed safety standards. This is good because polyurethane foam, mechanical parts, and recycled plastic bottles could potentially introduce lead.
Comfort & Functionality
This chair features a 270-degree swivel and a gliding mechanism, making it easy to rock your baby to sleep or reach for items without getting up. It has a control panel in one of the armrests to raise and lower your footrest as needed. It also comes with a USB A/C charging port and a matching ottoman for more anchored support.
The Babyletto Kiwi Glider can match any nursery decor – as it comes in numerous colors and finishes – so you can customize it to best fit your nursery.
#2 | DaVinci Piper Glider
The Davinci Gliders, including the Piper Glider, have many of the same benefits as the Kiwi Glider above, but at less than half the cost, making it a great budget-friendly option.
Certifications
Greenguard Gold Certified: Tested to confirm low-VOC.
FSC ® Certified Wood: Wood used for this glider comes from FSC-certified forests. The FSC label means that wood has been harvested from well-managed forests to benefit communities, wildlife, and the environment. This doesn’t mean that all the wood is solid wood.
CertiPUR-US® Certified foam.
Materials
Solid Wood: Similar to the Kiwi above, this glider is also made with a solid wood eucalyptus frame. However, some chairs have MDF or fiberboard in some of their parts, they said in an email.
No Flame Retardants: No chemical flame retardants are added, they said in an email.
Durable: The material for this chair is made of soft and durable heathered polyester fabric, which means it’s guaranteed to last and hold up even with years of daily use.
PFAS-free: Free of all PFAS and all topical stain guard treatments, they said in an email.
Comfort & Functionality
This glider has a metal base that allows for a smooth and gentle 360 degree swivel motion, as well as forward and backward gliding – for the ultimate experience in comfort while you feed or rock your baby to sleep.
It’s also super easy to set up – only 1-step assembly (no tools needed!)
Lastly, it has a hidden reclining mechanism for a more streamlined look, but you can easily use the pop-up leg rest for an even more lounge-like feel.
You can find more design options on Amazon.
#3 | Rowe Gliders
Urban Natural carries two gliders specifically for eco-conscious nurseries. They have the Kara Swivel Chair and the Lilah Swivel Glider by Rowe. Both are very similar, but with the Kara, you can choose whether or not to have the ottoman, and the Lilah automatically comes with the ottoman. The Kara is also slightly less expensive than the Lilah. Both are great options for your baby.
Certifications
Greenguard Gold Certified: Low-VOC.
Materials
Eco-Friendly Fabric: Both of these gliders come in Crypton or other Rowe fabrics. The latest info on the Crypton website does seem to say this fabric brand is free of PFAS. Rowe says the fabrics are produced from natural and renewable fibers, with 97% of the cotton coming from recycled materials.
Sustainable Wood: The wood used in these gliders is harvested from replenished, domestic forests that adhere to the high standards of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.
Flame-Retardant Free: The foam used in the cushions is flame-retardant-free and partially plant-based (containing partial plant-based inputs does not change the chemical composition of the final polyurethane foam).
PFAS-Free: I called Urban Natural who said that all the lines they carry for gliders do not treat their fabrics with forever chemicals, making them free of PFAS.
Comfort & Functionality
Whether you choose to add the ottoman or not, these gliders are comfortable! They are the ideal place to enjoy your time with your little one.
You can find them through Urban Natural and through their website.
#4 | Monte Design Luca Glider
The Monte Glider chairs are moderately priced and highly customizable – from the fabric, to the piping, to the pillow and the base. It’s comfortable, practical, and chemical-free, and has the option to come with a matching ottoman as well.
Certifications
Greenguard Gold Certified: This glider is low-VOC.
Okeo Tex Certified: All of the fabrics used for this glider are made according to Oeko-Tex Standard 100, which eliminates many hazardous chemicals including PFAS as of 2024.
CertiPUR-US Certified foam.
Materials
Flame-Retardant Free: The foam used in this glider is free of any flame-retardant chemicals. You can learn more about Monte Design’s Responsible manufacturing practices here.
Sustainable Wood: Sustainable plywood is used in this glider’s frame; both solid hardwood and plywood.
No Toxic Glues: No urea formaldehyde is added to any of the adhesives used in this chair. The glue used in frame construction is water-based, biodegradable, and made in Canada.
Chemical-Free Fabrics: Monte Design’s fabrics do not contain any highly fluorinated chemicals (PFAS) and are free from any solvents or VOCs, formaldehyde, heavy metals, or phthalates.
Not only are all of the fabrics Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified, they are also REACH compliant.
Comfort & Functionality
All of the customer reviews for this glider rave about how comfortable it is! People also love the reclining functionality and how elegant it looks in the space. Other benefits include a supportive lumbar pillow, smooth gliding motion, and that the chair comes fully assembled for ease of use.
They have a number of other styles to choose from at Crate & Barrel.
#5 | Como Pure Latex Swivel Glider
The Como Latex Glider is the only glider that uses organic GOLS-certified natural latex as the foam instead of polyurethane foam for those who like a more natural option.
Certifications
GreenGuard Gold: Certifies low VOCs.
Oeko-Tex fabrics: Free of PFAS and many other chemicals of concern.
GOLS: Organic certification for natural latex.
Materials
GOLS-certified natural latex: This is the top-of-the-line organic certification for natural latex. This one is Dunlop which is more durable and firm than Talalay. Natural latex does offgas some low levels of VOCs, though I expect that many of them are naturally occurring.
Performance fabrics: All are free of PFAS. Microfiber is a 100% polyester performance fabric. Natural Cotton/Linen blend is 100% natural & untreated: 63% cotton, 37% linen. Italian Wool is 70% wool, 25% nylon, and 5% recycled fibers.
Polyester wadding: Used around the latex (this is standard, that all brands are likely using to wrap foam).
Chemical-Free Fabric Options For Nursery Gliders
Oftentimes, you might find a glider that allows you to customize the fabric – which can be a great option if you want a specific pattern or color! For those instances, here are my recommendations for the best fabrics to use for nursery gliders that are both eco-friendly and chemical-free.
- Sunbrella Fabric is free of PFAS. You can find these fabrics at West Elm and Pottery Barn.
- Crypton is also free of PFAS as of 2022.
- Room And Board Fabric no longer has PFAS – I found this information on both an industry document and was able to verify it in writing by their product reps. You can also see on their website that they don’t say they are stain-resistant.
- Oeko Tex 100 Fabrics are free of PFAS as of 2024
- GOTS-certified fabrics are free of PFAS.
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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