I hope this post helps answer the big question: Is there such thing as truly safe, non-toxic carpet?
What Makes Carpet Toxic?
Carpeting is problematic for a variety of reasons, including:
The chemicals and materialsused to make the carpets and pads beneath them, including plastics, wool that’s laden with fungicides, synthetic rubber that may contain endocrine-disrupting phthalates, toxic dyes, and "forever" chemicals that are meant to repel flame, water, and stains.
The materials used in the carpet installation process,including glues and other adhesives that contain formaldehyde and a range of VOCs that off-gas into the home environment.
Carpet’s tendency that to accumulate dust mites, dirt, pesticides, and other toxinsbrought into our homes on our feet (and our pets’ feet!).
So Are All Carpet Bad Stuff?
The older the carpets, the more likely they are to contain toxic chemicals and pounds of accumulated junk. So I’d say that yes, old carpets are categorically bad news.
But because we have some really safe options available these days, newer brands are making truly non-toxic carpet.
How to Clean Your Carpet
In addition to choosing a non-toxic carpet, you should clean your carpets according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This usually involves frequent vacuuming (make sure you use a HEPA-sealed vacuum that’s RoHS certified, like the ones from Miele) and occasional steam cleaning. You also might consider investing in a robust electronic air filter.
Non-Toxic Carpeting Brands
We’ve done the research on natural, non-toxic carpeting, and we found three safe brands to recommend:
Best Stuff
Earth Weave
Earth Weave'snatural, non-toxic carpeting is made in the United States from carefully selected European wool, hemp, cotton, natural latex, and jute.
Earth Weave uses only safe dying methods for some of their colors; the other colors are natural wool hues. Even better, they don’t treat their carpets with any worrisome chemicals.
We used Earth Weave on the staircases and landings in our home in Lancaster, PA, and I’m someone who has never had a carpet (I’ve never much cared for it). I have to say that our Earth Weave carpet is beautiful, cozy, and great for my peace of mind when little kids are running up and down stairs! I’m considering carpeting the bedrooms next.
Nature’s Carpet’s Everest carpet from their “Dark Green” collections is made from a blend of European and New Zealand wool. It’s chemical-free with a cotton and jute backing as well as a natural rubber latex adhesive. The Aberdeen and Element carpets, also from the Dark Green collection, are made with 98% natural materials. These ones have a woven polypropylene backing. (I consider polypropylene to be an non-toxic plastic). All three carpet styles in the Dark Green category from Nature’s Carpet use un-dyed wool and do not contain any moth-proofing or flame-retardant chemicals.
Nature’s Carpet’s Everest carpet from their “Dark Green” collections is made from a blend of European and New Zealand wool. It’s chemical-free with a cotton and jute backing as well as a natural rubber latex adhesive. The Aberdeen and Element carpets, also from the Dark Green collection, are made with 98% natural materials. These ones have a woven polypropylene backing. (I consider polypropylene to be an non-toxic plastic). All three carpet styles in the Dark Green category from Nature’s Carpet use un-dyed wool and do not contain any moth-proofing or flame-retardant chemicals.
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