Choosing a Non-Toxic Carpet
Written by:
Maia James
Recently, I’ve had a few private consulting clients ask about non-toxic carpeting. As a result, I’ve spent some time more deeply looking into this. I hope this post helps answer the big question: Is there such thing as truly safe, non-toxic carpeting?
What Makes Carpeting Toxic?
As my dad wrote in the flooring post about our non-toxic renovation undertaking, Project One-Eleven, carpeting is problematic for a variety of reasons, including:
- The chemicals and materials used 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 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 toxins brought into our homes on our feet (and our pets’ feet!).
So Are All Carpet Bad News?
The older the carpets, the more likely they are to contain bad 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 carpets can be a good choice for your home.
This is important:
In addition to choosing safe carpets, you should clean them 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 is the gold standard among non-toxic carpeting. They simply make the very best stuff.
Earth Weave’s natural, 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.
If you’d like to order Earth Weave through Gimme the Good Stuff, email suzanne@gimmethegoodstuff.org or click here. (We also offer our customers Earth Weave area rugs.)
Nature’s Carpet
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.
Unique Carpet
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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Do you have experience with any of these–or other–carpet brands, or have other questions about non-toxic carpeting? Please post below!
Stay sane,
Maia, Founder & CEO
P.S. Here’s our post on choosing a non-toxic area rug.
Note: This article contains affiliate links or sponsored content, which means that if you make a purchase, we may earn a commission. We only recommend products that meet our strict standards for non-toxicity and that we use (or want to use!) ourselves. Thank you so much for supporting the brands that make Good Stuff!
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Do you know anything about Godfrey Hirst wool carpets and if they are toxic?
Hi, I live in the UK and am allergic to lots of chemicals in carpets such as moth and fire proofing so am really interested in your carpets. However, I live in a village and we do have a problem with moths. I have been told that moths really like wool carpets so am worried that if I put a wool carpet down it will quickly become infested with moths. Do you know of any non wool carpet which is non toxic and safe.
Many thanks
Yes, we sell Earth Weave carpet which is safe. Not sure about what might be available in the UK.
What is the safest carpet for people who are highly allergic to wool?
I called Unique Carpets and they told me that the Four Seasons line of wool carpeting is treated with Permethrin to keep insects from infesting the carpet.
What would you recommend in a basement that has a tiled floor? In the summer the floor isn’t bone dry. Everything I read says to use non-natural fibers in a basement – but I don’t want the off gassing/toxins as it will be our daughter’s bedroom. Really want to use wool or cotton but don’t want mildew/mold. Thanks in advance!
I’d get a dehumidifier and use a natural material with backing and mop underneath it with vinegar water regularly.
Hello,
Can anyone comment on the Couristan Purity Line,, namely the purity plus collection which indicates 100% non dyed wool and natural backing? …Curious if they treat with pesticides as well? ThxInformative article, thanks for sharing! We are Dri-Masters, a carpet cleaning company, and we loved your blog. Most people these days are looking for non-toxic carpets, cleaners, and almost everything else. Using products from your kitchen such as vinegar and baking soda can also do your carpet good on a budget.
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