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What Are the Best Non Toxic Rugs for Your Home?
In this article, we’ll look at the best non toxic rugs made from natural materials such as sisal, jute, wool, and cotton. We’ve chosen non-toxic rug brands focused on sustainability and helping their customers create chemical-free homes. Take a look at our list of natural rugs you will love:
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Best Jute Rugs
Jute is a soft choice as far as natural fibers go. In fact, it’s one of the softest natural fibers out there because it’s made from green stalks instead of leaves. After it’s soaked, stripped, spun, and woven, it even resembles wool.
The softness makes it a bit less durable though, so be careful to use it in low to medium-traffic areas of the house. It can also shed a little, so be prepared to vacuum regularly. Check our list of the best nontoxic jute rugs:
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Jute Area Rugs by Natural Area Rugs
This company has been making organic rugs from natural fibers for the last 50 years and they are known for high quality and craftsmanship. This Jute Area Rug is handwoven from 100% jute following traditional artisanal techniques.
This jute rug is medium thick and heavy (0.5-inch pile height) and it’s a great natural rug for a large area. As all-natural fiber rugs, this one may come in a little bit different color than in the photo.
Whitmer Jute Area Rugs by Boutique Rugs
Boutique Rugs is a rug company established 15 years ago and they offer an incredibly wide variety of materials, sizes, and specific styles of chemical-free rugs. They make eco-friendly rugs from natural fibers and synthetic materials. Their hand-tufted Whitmer Area Rugs are made from 100% jute.
This medium pile rug has got 0.4 inch height and it’s made in India. This natural non toxic area rug is available in 4 different colors and 5 different sizes. The geometric pattern will add an interesting contrast to your hardwood or tile floor. Boutique Rugs offer free shipping on all products their products.
Safavieh Round Jute Rug
Safavieh has over 100 years of excellence in rugs and home decor. Safavieh uses premium and natural fibers that are durable and sustainable. Their Round Jute Rug is handwoven and handmade. It’s available in nine different sizes and nine different color combinations.
The pile height is 0.5 inches, and coloring to the reviews, it’s not as soft as most jute rugs. Some reviewers complain that they received a darker/lighter color than expected, but this is common for natural fiber rugs due to their unique nature.
Best Sisal Rugs
Sisal is durable, fully biodegradable, and requires no harmful chemicals to treat or produce. It’s a fantastic non-toxic material for eco-friendly rugs, but watch out for where you keep it in the house. It can become slippery after wear, so avoid putting it on the stairs.
It is also a naturally coarse material, so it’s probably not the best material for the baby’s room! Or the playroom for that matter, it’s absorbent so tough stains can be tricky to remove. Choose from the best non toxic rugs made of sisal:
Sisal Runner Rug by Natural Area Rugs
This Sisal Runner Rug is handcrafted by artisans and made from 100% natural sisal. This eco-friendly rug is stain-resistant, so it’s easy to maintain and keep clean just by wiping it up with a damp cloth. It’s made especially for high traffic areas as it’s a double-stranded rug, much more durable than standard sisal rugs.
This natural rug is self-bound and it’s got a natural latex backing to prevent slipping. It’s available in 5 sizes and 16 different colors but bear in mind that as it’s a natural fiber rug, the color you get may differ slightly from the color you ordered.
nuLOOM Cindy Natural Sisal Jute Area Rug
For 20 years, nuLoom has been working to make affordable, brilliantly designed rugs for everyone. They source artisans from around the world to make handmade natural fiber area rugs that carry their own personal styles and individual touches but they also use power-looming, which involves machines.
NuLoom Cindy Sisal Rug is a power-loomed natural rug made of 70% sisal and 30% jute and the pile height is 0.5 inches. The Cindy Rug is available in one size (60 x 36 x 0.33 inches) and a beautiful shade of beige. NuLoom rugs are designed to be safe for children and pets. This means you won’t have to worry about toxic chemicals or flame retardants.
Myoyay Natural Sisal Area Rug
Myoyay Natural Sisal Rug is made from 100% natural sisal with a cotton edge. It’s got natural latex lining to prevent skidding and felt backing to make it thicker and more stable.
You can use this durable natural rug in high traffic areas such as your living room kitchen, playroom, bedroom, and even the entrance. It’s a foldable rug, so you can easily move it around your house or store it away. The dimensions of this eco-friendly rug are 40 x 28 inches.
Best Wool Rugs
Wool is the most common material used for rugs. Wool rugs are usually made from sheep, goat, or camel wool. It’s biodegradable and hypoallergenic.
It’s also naturally fire-resistant so there’s no need for harmful chemical treatment. Wool is a very tough material, and if it’s well cared for, it will last for years. But it can be expensive to find the right organically certified wool source.
Wool rugs can be heavily treated with pesticides and insecticides, so it’s essential to find an organic certified wool provider. When you bring a wool rug to your home, avoid putting it in areas of moisture, because although it’s naturally water-repellent, it will be prone to mildew in constant humidity.
NuLoom Kelle Contemporary Wool Area Rug
NuLoom Kelle Rug is hand-tufted in India from 100% wool. It features a modern simplistic diamond graphic, available in seven different colors, bound to stand out in any room. You can also choose from a large variety of shapes and sizes.
Thanks to its textured organic weave, it will feel soft and comfortable under your feet, but it’s also very durable so you can place it in high traffic areas of your home. Wool rugs tend to shed, so make sure you vacuum your rug and the space underneath it regularly and use a damp cloth to clean spills and stains.
Asha Rug by The Citizenry
The Citizenry rugs blend modern style with the artisan’s time-tested techniques. Asha Area Rugs are meticulously handwoven from best-quality New Zealand Wool. The delicate, grey, Indian pattern makes it suitable for many kinds of interiors, adding warmth and coziness.
Each of these wool rugs is handwoven by 14 master artisans in India. This process takes 5 days to complete, and the company makes sure that fair trade standards are always followed. This eco-friendly wool rug is available in 4 sizes. To reduce the risk of slipping, you can purchase an eco-friendly rug pad separately.
Safavieh Moroccan Boho Wool & Cotton Area Rug
This beautiful wool and cotton rug has a high-quality wool pile, making it durable and strong. Safavieh Moroccan Wool and Cotton rugs have 60% wool and 40% cotton, so they don’t shed as much as other 100% wool rugs may.
This hand-tufted natural rug has got contrasting textures, with oversized loops and flat surfaces that add dimension and coziness to the interiors. These non toxic area rugs are available in a variety of sizes and shapes, including rectangular and runner, and the color is ivory.
Read More: Wool Rugs vs Polypropylene Rugs
Best Hemp Rugs
Hemp doesn’t attract dirt or dust like some other materials may, which makes hemp great for people who suffer from allergies or asthma. Another perk of hemp is that it’s very strong and durable. It’s good in high-traffic areas and is naturally mildew resistant.
The downside of hemp is that it does tend to shed, so a weekly vacuum clean will be necessary to keep your hemp rug fresh and prolong its lifespan. Check our review of the best non toxic rugs made of hemp:
No. 9 Hemp Rug by Tanuvi
No. 9 Hemp Rug by Tanuvi is made from 100% hemp by artisans in India using traditional hand-weaving and hand-dyeing techniques. This natural rug is naturally antibacterial and can be used indoors as well as outdoors. This hemp rug, with beautiful geometric patterns and neutral colors, is available in 4 sizes.
Tanuvi is a natural rug company established in 2010 to promote and support hand-weaving traditions from South India, so by buying their products you’re supporting local artisans and their families.
Havana Natural Hemp Beige Rug
This neutral, relaxed Havana Hemp Rug is made from 100% hemp in India. The beautiful natural color will add a nice, cozy touch to any interior and this hemp rug is available in 4 sizes, so you’re bound to find the right size to cover the area you want. You can vacuum this non toxic rug regularly to keep it clean, but if it gets soiled, professional cleaning is recommended.
Best Cotton Rugs
Most cotton is genetically modified and heavily sprayed with pesticides. That’s why it’s essential to buy a non toxic rug made of organic cotton. You need to be careful about stains because it is absorbent. But one plus is that these machine-washable rugs are generally easy to maintain.
It’s also quite soft. This makes it comfortable, but also less durable than other natural materials. You’ll have to use cotton rugs only in low-traffic areas. Cotton is an affordable, soft material that dyes very easily, so you’ll be able to find cotton rugs that are a perfect match for your home.
nuLOOM Tammara Boho Cotton Rugs
nuLOOM Tammara Boho Cotton Area Rug is a 100% cotton, multi-color rug handmade in India. Apart from being comfortable and soft to walk on, it will add a splash of color and organic weave to your interiors making them more stylish and cozy.
This cotton rug should be hand washed in cold water to make sure the colors don’t fade. As it doesn’t have anti-slip padding, you should buy a separate rug pad to help keep it in place.
Safavieh Handmade Cotton Rugs
Safavieh Handmade Cotton Rugs are hand-woven from 100% premium-quality cotton for lasting comfort, softness, and durability. They feature beautiful neutral colors and a delicate pattern, making them suitable for any kind of interior and style. The pile height of this eco-friendly rug is 0.25 inches.
It’s available in many different shapes and sizes, and you can choose from 5 color combinations. As it’s got no padding, buying a separate rug pad is recommended to avoid slipping and due to its delicate nature, it should be used in low-traffic areas.
Read More: NuLoom Rugs vs Safavieh Rugs
Brownhills Rug by Boutique Rugs
Brownhills Area Rugs are hand-loomed 70% cotton and 30% wool rugs made in India. It’s available in six different color combinations and seven sizes. This cotton rug has a fringe and a geometric pattern that gives it an original, artisan look.
As it contains only 30% wool, it will not shed as much as 100% wool rugs and the manufacturer claims that it may take up to 25 vacuums to curtail shedding. To maintain it, vacuum regularly using a low setting and high elevation.
Best Seagrass Rugs
Seagrass is an affordable, eco-friendly option for a rug because it grows fast and it’s easy to harvest. It’s non-porous and thus water-resistant and naturally stain-resistant too. This makes seagrass rugs suitable for kitchens and bathrooms. It’s a slippery fiber with wear, so it’s not good for stairs. Seagrass doesn’t dye easily, so your color choices are limited.
Safavieh Basketweave Seagrass Runner
Safavieh’s Basketweave Seagrass Rug is a power-loomed rug with neutral-colored seagrass fibers and cotton border available in different colors. The sustainably sourced seagrass fiber will add an organic, warm touch to any interior, and it will look great in a beach house or a bohemian-style house.
The tight organic weave makes it a durable rug and thanks to its low pile, you can easily place it under furniture and its propylene backing helps prevent slipping. To maintain this seagrass rug in great shape, vacuum regularly, spot clean and use professional cleaning if it gets soiled.
Sisal Rug by Natural Area Rugs
Sisal Rug by Natural Area Rugs is a 100% sisal rug handmade in the USA. It’s got a 1/2-inch pile height, so it’s thick and durable enough to be placed in high-traffic areas. This natural fiber rug has a latex non-slip backing and a cotton canvas boundary. This non toxic rug is available in a wide selection of sizes, shapes, and colors and its classic looks will make it look good in any kind of interior.
What’s the Difference between Eco-Friendly Rugs and Non-Toxic Rugs?
The main difference between eco-friendly and non-toxic rugs is that “green” rugs are made using materials that focus on the planet’s future. The word “eco” in eco-friendly means an awareness of the health of the Earth as a whole. Eco-friendly materials are sustainable, renewable, and reused materials.
For example, an eco-friendly rug may be made of jute, which is not only renewable but can also regrow quickly. Natural fibers are often used in natural rugs since they are plant-based, regenerative materials that can be sustainably harvested from the earth to create a truly diverse product. However, these rugs may still be using toxic dyes that may affect indoor air quality as well as your health.
Non-toxic rugs focus on the safety of everyone who comes into contact with the rug, including the people making it and processing it, as well as those who live in a home with a non-toxic rug. Non-toxic is a subset of eco-friendly because toxicity directly threatens the Earth’s health, its inhabitants, and everyone who comes into contact with it.
For example, in non-toxic rugs, the fibers are often sourced from natural materials like cotton or wool in order to reduce chemical use in processing. They also use natural dyes that are typically non-toxic themselves because they don’t include harmful chemicals.
What Are the Main Toxic Chemicals in Conventional Rugs?
Synthetic rugs are made from materials that can release potentially harmful chemicals. They are usually treated with toxic substances to make them more durable, attractive and stain-resistant. The main offenders in synthetic rugs are:
Rug Backing
Sometimes called the “rug pad” or “underpad”, this is the waterproof material underneath an area rug that sits between your floor and your rug. Conventional synthetic materials often contain PFCs linked to cancer and endocrine disruption. Additional chemical irritants like formaldehyde (a carcinogen) are also sometimes added to synthetic rug backings.
Flame Retardants
When choosing an area rug, the most toxic chemicals you’re likely to encounter are flame retardants. Manufacturers often include flame retardants in the material of area rugs to make it more difficult for fire to reach the rug itself. These chemical flame retardants are often Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), pentabromodiphenylether (PDBEs), or hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD).
While flame retardants in clothing, upholstery, and electronics have been banned in Europe for nearly a decade, they are still widely used in US-manufactured rugs.
Heavy Metals
Building materials like carpet tiles, area rugs, and adhesives can contain lead or mercury at levels that could be harmful to adults, pregnant women, infants and children. Mercury exposure can affect the brain and nervous system, while lead exposure can lead to reproductive problems, impaired neurological development in children, high blood pressure and kidney damage.
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a chemical used in rugs to bind the dyes to the fibers. It’s also found in wood flooring, cabinetry, carpeting, fresh-pressed wood products, foam insulation and wall paneling. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen – exposure can cause respiratory problems and allergies, among other things.
Symptoms of formaldehyde exposure eye irritation; burning sensations in or around the nose, throat, and lungs; tightness of the chest; nausea; difficulty breathing; wheezing.
Toxic Dyes and Pigments
Pigments and dyes can contain heavy metals such as chromium, mercury and lead. These chemical pigments are often used in red dye colors because they have very stable molecules that resist fading. But some of these chemicals can be harmful if they are released from the dying process and transferred to your skin.
Synthetic Materials
Usually polypropylene or polyester. These two materials are most popular for rugs. They can be harmful to human health and the environment. They are petroleum-based, meaning they emit air pollution during production and create an environmental hazard during disposal.
Read More: Are Polyester Rugs Toxic?
Stain and Water Repellent Treatments
Many companies use stain-resistant treatments for carpets to make them easier to clean. The downside of this is that the chemicals used to make carpets stain-resistant may contain perfluorinated compounds (PFCs).
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) are two chemicals that have been shown to cause cancer in humans.
Why Choose Natural Rugs for Your Home?
Some conventional polypropylene rugs on the market are so alluring with their beautiful patterns and soft material that you may be asking yourself, do I really need to worry about buying non-toxic rugs? What’s the point of having a natural rug if it’s probably going to cost even more too?
These are fair questions, but the monetary cost is minimal in comparison to the cost that a conventional rug may have on your health. These are some reasons to go buy a natural rug instead of that deceptively alluring conventional one:
- No harmful chemicals and synthetic fibers. Conventional polypropylene rugs are made of synthetic fibers that leave manufacturing residues to emit freely into your home and transfer to your skin.
- No pesticides or chemical treatments will be on your rug because a natural rug uses organic materials. Even if a conventional rug is made of a natural product, like cotton or wool, it may still have been heavily affected by chemicals.
- If your handwoven rug needs a backing, it will be made of natural latex or other natural materials. Conventional rugs usually use synthetic rubber “latex” or some other kind of toxic plastic to make their backing.
As you can see, there are dangerous risks with having a conventional rug in your home. The best choice for you and your family’s health is to buy a natural rug instead.
Ready to Buy Natural Fiber Rugs?
Most people decide to buy a rug for a few practical reasons. Your motivation could be for warmth in winter, the aesthetic appeal, to protect your floor from scraping furniture, or just because of the comforting feeling of sinking your feet into a plushy rug.
The best non toxic area rugs made from sustainable materials can offer all of that and the peace of mind of a non toxic product for your chemical-free home.
The benefits of using natural non toxic area rugs go beyond your health. Non toxic rugs are also better for the planet because synthetic materials (hence all the harsh chemicals) create a large carbon footprint during manufacturing and can potentially pollute our environment with its end-of-life.
Read More: How to Remove Toxins from Carpets?
About the Author Kamila Flieger
My name is Kamila, and I'm passionate about researching non-toxic, organic products for the home. I believe it's so important to create a safe and healthy environment for our families, and I enjoy helping others do the same.
