When choosing a rug for a nursery I would go further into non-toxic credentials than I would for a rug for adults. The top priority chemicals to avoid would be PFAS/PFCS (Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances aka “Forever Chemicals”) and permethrin mothproofing on wool.
It’s ideal if a company holds a certification like GOTS or OEKO-TEX 100, but there are small companies going to great lengths to reduce toxic chemicals that do not hold these certifications.
Helpful Certifications
- GOTS 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 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.
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1. Parachute
Parachute rugs are OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified. OEKO-TEX does now (as of 2024) certify that the rugs are free of PFAS.
OEKO-TEX also limits heavy metals, pesticide residue, chlorinated phenols, phthalates, organic tin, other harmful chemical residues, harmful dyes, PAHs, and solvent residues.
Cost: A 5 x 8 is $650-700
Colors: Beige and deep earth tones.
2. Hook and Loom
Hook and Loom is a great choice because of how forthcoming they are, and the fact that they used untreated wool and organic cotton.
The wool rugs are made from undyed natural wool, no dyes, no pesticides, no flame retardants, and no latex.
Cost: A 4 x 6 wool rug is around $245
They also have organic cotton rugs that are made from 100% GOTS-Certified cotton. The organic rugs are made with no dyes and no adhesives. They hand-bind their rugs, so there’s no latex and no offgassing. They are washable and affordable.
A reader reviewed the cotton rug here (it’s not sponsored).
For a nursery I would go with all white (so that you can bleach it with hydrogen peroxide), or a dark color, to protect it from stains.
D
Cost: A 4 x 6 is around $148
Colors: Neutrals, pinks, blues, and bright colors.
3. Lorena Canals
What I like about Lorena Canals rugs is that they are washable. That might suit some people more than the other options.
They are 97% cotton and made with “eco dyes”. They do not use any chemical treatments of any kind on the rugs. They are washed and dried with biodegradable detergents and no added softeners.
Cost: A 5 x 7 can run from the 100s to 400s
Colors: They offer some cute kids’ designs as well as strips, tribal looks, and checkerboard.
You can find them on Amazon or through their website.
4. Earthweave
Earth Weave rugs are made out of wool with no mothproofing and no other chemical treatments. The dyes are “organic”.
They come in different styles – Catskill a very textured wool, they also have a low pile earth-toned Dolomite, low pile two-toned Pyrenees, medium pile with some darker tones Rainier, and a medium pile with warm and gray earth-toned options McKinley.
Cost: A 4 x 6 rug starts at $294. Custom sizes are possible.
Colors: Natural brown and gray earth tones.
5. Home of Wool
Home of Wool makes 100% natural wool rugs that are undyed and unbleached with a 100% cotton base. They are not treated with Permethrin or other mothproofing chemicals. They are VOC-free.
Cost: A 5 x 8 rug is $567 and you can use code mychemicalfreehouse for 10% off.
Colors: Beige, gray, brown, and stripes of those colors.
6. Organic Weave
Organic Weave makes GOTS-Certified organic rugs. Their hand-tufted rugs are made from wool and cotton and dyed with all-natural GOTS-Certified dyes.
They claim no chemicals are used in the cleaning of the raw material and the dyeing of the yarn or in the final cleaning of the rugs.
No synthetic moth treatments or chemical flame retardants are used. Neem is used for mothproofing.
They deliver to Canada and the US without import duties.
Cost: A 5 x 8 rug is around $2,400
Colors: The Children’s Collection has a great selection of stripes, polka dots, plaids, abstract designs, traditional designs, and tribal designs in blues, pinks, greens, beige, gray, and some multicolor options.
7. Rugs by Roo
Rugs by Roo offers two organic cotton rugs (pictured). They are both OEKO-TEX 100 and GOTS-Certified organic. These certifications mean they are free of PFAS as well as any other major chemical of concern.
They are machine washable.
Cost: A 4 x 6 is $1,186
Colors: White or White with black dots
8. Loloi
Urban Natural carries Loloi rugs that are 100% wool as well as ones that are wool/jute. They use vegetable dyes and do not use adhesives.
Cost: A 4 x 6 rug is about $220.
Colors: Neutrals and earthy tones.
9. Rawganique
Rawganique offers hemp and wool rugs, pictured, made from organic hemp and cruelty-free wool. They are unbleached, not treated with any topical chemicals, and VOC-free. The hemp is unbleached and dye-free, and the wool is natural and eco-dyed. They are not machine washable.
Cost: A 4 x 6 rug is $229.
Colors: Natural hemp (unbleached & dye-free); wool natural & dyed Earth Brown, Indigo, Forest Green, Dark Gray, Alpine Meadow Blue, Light Green, Light Gray, Russet Orange.
10. Willaby
Willaby rugs are another GOTS-Certified option. This highest level of certification covers all parts of the rug from the dyes to what it can be treated with. They use safe non-toxic dyes and do not add chemical treatments or harmful stain-resistant coatings.
GOTS prohibits toxic heavy metals, formaldehyde, aromatic solvents, functional nanoparticles, chlorine bleach, azo dyes, synthetic sizing agents, PFAS, and PFCs.
Cost: A 4 x 8 rug is $570
Colors: They offer all the colors in the striped rug above plus white.
11. Burrow
It’s difficult to find polyester rugs without PFAS and wool rugs without mothproofing. Burrow checks both of these boxes. These are the two biggest chemicals of concern to avoid in my opinion. They do have a stain guard coating on them, however.
Cost: A 5 x 8 rug is $495.
Colors: They have some neutrals which can be nursery-appropriate.
Get $75 off with this link (if you spend $300 or more)
PS. You can find more non-toxic rugs here.
Corinne Segura is an InterNACHI-certified Healthy Homes Inspector with certifications in Building Biology, Healthier Materials and Sustainable Buildings, and more. She has 10 years of experience helping others create healthy homes. You can book a consult here.
Melissa
Hi Corinne,
What’s your opinion on TPU foam baby playmats, like those from Wander and Roam or the Little Bot Ofie Mat?
They claim they are non-toxic. Wander and roam for example says the following:
“Non-toxic, hypoallergenic & certified safe – Free from latex, BPA, formamide, PVC, EVA, and over 28 known harmful chemicals, this playmat prioritizes your child’s health and safety. It’s hypoallergenic, non-flammable, and rigorously tested to exceed all U.S. and European toy safety standards, including California Prop 65, CPSIA, and EN71 certifications. A mat you can trust, every step of the way.”
https://littlebotbaby.com/products/ofie-mat-zen-line-triangle-large-soft-baby-play-mat-by-little-bot?variant=18976630374469&country=US¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17182547995&gbraid=0AAAAADAZsoF4XMPuvcxpeVgim3ez5obQh&gclid=CjwKCAiAjojLBhAlEiwAcjhrDp2z1cWwJvlHxNPbBo-h246D6CtaadmWzr28wTUw7l54ZW3FLZQclxoCZV0QAvD_BwE
https://wander-and-roam.com/collections/signature-soft-foam-playmats-non-toxic-safe-seamless/products/copy-of-emerson-ikat-jack-stripe-in-rose-pink
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
ask about phthalates
Suzanne
Hi— I’m wondering if any company makes a wool wall-to-wall carpet without chemicals. I have infants who put everything in their mouths as all kids do, and I don’t want anything toxic. I have to have wall-to-wall as it’s on cement and I need new carpet as I was close to the fires in Los Angeles. I read wool was safe, then found it all was mothproofed with permethrin. Also don’t want moths but is there a solution? Thank you.
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
yes in the article on non-toxic carpet I go over the brands
Megan
Hi Corinne! Thank you so much for all of your helpful information! Have you looked at Revival rugs? I’m wondering your thoughts of them. Thank you!
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
looks quite good. they could still offgas some VOCs, and wool might have permethrin.
Megan
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you so much for the response! I appreciate it!
Teknik Telekomunikasi
What are the key considerations when choosing a non-toxic rug for a nursery, especially in terms of avoiding specific chemicals, and what certifications, such as GOTS and OEKO-TEX 100, can help ensure the rug meets non-toxic standards?