![]() Rugs and carpets can be made exclusively or primarily from natural and safe materials, while still being gorgeous and durable. ![]() 8 Companies That Make Non-Toxic Rugsįortunately, there are a handful of truly non-toxic rug options out there. Wool also emits far less smoke and toxic gasses than those formed during the combustion of synthetic fibers.Ĥ) Wool is a great acoustic insulator. Sound waves penetrate deep into the pile, rather than being reflected back in the room multiple times as they would from a smooth hard surface. Wool is difficult to ignite and forms an insulating char when it burns. A wool rugs functions as a natural air conditioner that absorbs moisture in periods of high humidity and releases it when conditions are dry.ģ) Wool is the most fire-safe textile material used in interior refinishing. This can result in energy savings.Ģ) Wool can absorb up to 30% of its own weight in moisture from the air without feeling damp. Wool floor covering can reduce the heat transfer between floor and air space by a factor of 50% compared to other floor coverings. Here are a few reasons:ġ) Wool holds heat while also being breathable. Rugs that boast about being stain-resistant and water-repellent often get those properties from yet another class of worrisome chemical known as PAFS.Īs you consider what type of rug to buy, I want to give a special shout-out to wool rugs.(You can read lots more about flame retardants in our Mattress Guide.) For instance, nylon, polypropylene and viscose aren’t toxic in and of themselves, but they are almost always treated with fire retardants that ARE toxic. ![]() Flame-retardant chemicals are also typical in synthetic rugs.Toxic pesticides and fungicides are commonly used to keep rugs free of bugs and mold.Glues and adhesives often can contain formaldehyde and other chemicals that off-gas into the home environment.(Note: Companies like Earth Weave have created innovative ways of coloring wool without the worrisome chemicals.) This is particularly true for conventional wool products wool naturally resists color and has to be treated to extra-harsh chemicals to achieve different colors. Toxic dyes and other chemicals used in the dying process give area rugs their good looks.Some rugs from West Elm (like this one) are made of 100% wool, which is great, but then the backing contains synthetic latex. This can include synthetic latex that contains endocrine-disrupting phthalates. In addition to the primary materials, rugs usually also include materials that are hidden from the eye but integral to the product.When you have the option, choose natural fibers (silk, wool, jute, hemp, cotton) as in most cases this is going to be a rug that’s both safer for you and less harmful to the planet. For instance, Ruggable rugs are untreated and should not off-gas in your home, despite being synthetic. What can be confusing is that not all synthetic materials are toxic (even if they tend to be less Earth friendly). And “natural” materials - like cotton and wool - that are not carefully sourced can be laden with pesticides and other agricultural chemicals. Synthetic primary materials, including plastics like polypropylene and nylon.The variety of sketchy materials and chemicals that go into most rugs and related products is actually kind of crazy, and includes: (If you’re looking for non-toxic wall-to-wall carpeting, we wrote about that here, and you can shop our top pick here). We’ve done the research to help you find safe area rugs. There are some safe and beautiful non-toxic rugs out there. Worse, the international rug industry is notorious for its use of child labor.ĭon’t despair (and/or hate me for being the messenger of bad news!). Even if you don’t have pets or little kids who are face-down in your rugs regularly, the toxins in rugs can migrate into household dust and be inhaled everyone who lives there. These toxins are of special concern if you have babies and young children who spend a lot of time rolling, crawling, and playing on the floor. You may already know that rugs can bring a lot of unwanted toxins into your home.
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