Question from HEG
I am looking for some nontoxic rugs in a new apartment and I am being extra careful to select nontoxic ones due to the fact that I have an infant. I have found that the ones sold specifically as nontoxic by the sites that are recommended here are VERY expensive, and we simply don’t have the budget now for those. I noticed that IKEA sells 100% wool rugs. Are these toxic? What questions could I ask them about the rugs to determine if there is anything toxic about them? Are there are widely available stores that I should check out? Because we have an infant who is just starting to crawl it is important to me to have a very thick well-cusioned rug in case she falls because the flooring underneath is marble.
Thank you.
Debra’s Answer
The main things you want to look for are backing materials and mothproofing. Often latex and jute backings have strong odors. Mothproofing is usually sprayed on wool carpets.
That said, I once found a totally nontoxic wool area rug at Home Depot, of all places. I still have it in my hallway and it has never had an odor, and I’ve never experienced ill effects.
I wish I could send you to “The Nontoxic Rug Store” at a mall near you, but unfortunately they don’t exist.
My 3 children have bedding, rugs and curtains from Pottery Barn Kids. Thanks to your website, I called Pottery Barn and inquired about flame retardants. Yes, they add them to curtains and rugs, even though my rugs are 100% wool and don’t have a fame retardant tags on them. This is crazy. Of course I have now realized too that those adorable sheets they sell that look so darling have an “easy care” finish. I can’t believe how much money I have spent on bedding that will soon be eliminated from my house. What an utter waste, I might even call it a crime.