9 Best Nontoxic Rugs From Sustainable Brands (2024)
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Whether you’re looking to protect your flooring or simply find that missing decor piece to tie your space together, a rug can make or break the appeal of your living space. On top of finding the perfect rug that fits far enough under the couch or that’s the right shade to compliment that accent chair — many rugs are made with synthetic materials that can do more harm than good to our health and the environment.
Why is a nontoxic rug important?
When looking to reduce the footprint of your humble abode, look first under your feet! Many rugs contain harmful toxins from VOCs, dyes, glues, and flame retardants (no thanks). Even when safe materials are used to make rugs, they are often treated with harsh chemicals to repel water and stains. The list of toxins found in rugs is often long and dangerous. Luckily though, there are plenty of natural and nontoxic rug alternatives.
When shopping for an eco-friendly rug, look for natural and sustainable fibers like wool, jute, sisal, and organic cotton. Pay close attention to the rug backing and the underlay pads as well, which are often cheaply produced. Natural latex, jute, and wool are great alternatives.
Our criteria:
Our team has tested the following list in our own homes, researched the product materials, and scoured thousands of customer reviews to finalize our list of the best nontoxic rugs for a healthy and sustainable home. We update this list regularly with emerging favorites that meet the below criteria.
- SUSTAINABLE/NONTOXIC | No toxins in sight! Each of these listed brands refrains from using hazardous chemicals in their production of rugs, and opts for natural and sustainable materials like organic cotton and wool for safety and softness. We also prioritize brands that do not use PFAS in their production.
- EASY TO CLEAN | Washing rugs is not on the top of our to-do list, so we’ve made sure to include rugs that are easy to clean with a simple wipe down or machine wash.
- WIDE RANGE OF STYLES & SIZES | Whether you’re looking for a runner, playmat, or an area rug, we’ve got you covered in all those areas and more!
If you want more sustainable interior inspiration, check out our guides to organic mattresses, eco-friendly furniture, and sustainable home decor!
Best Overall | Most Affordable | Best For Area Rugs | Best Washable
1. Lorena Canals
Best For | Kid-friendly rugs
Materials | Recycled materials, cotton, wool
Prices Starting At | $45 for 2’x 2′
A gorgeous line of nontoxic area rugs (with many designed specifically for children!), Lorena Canals rugs are a safe option to brighten up any small space. Plus, they’re machine washable! The rugs are handmade by artisans using only recycled and natural fibers (like cotton and wool) and nontoxic dyes in a no-waste production. In collaboration with a school in Haryana serving 100+ children, the company donates a portion of proceeds to support their education. We also love their Rugcycled line, which is made entirely from recycled materials from their own factory! Check out our full Lorena Canals review here.
Lorena Canals Review | “This rug is gorgeous! So soft! This is in our daughter playroom and every single person who sees or walks on this rug comments on how amazing it is. Do not hesitate to by this rug!” – Shannon [See all reviews]
2. The Citizenry
Best For | Artisan-made patterned rugs
Materials | OEKO-TEX certified materials, 100% New Zealand wool, natural jute fiber, cotton
Prices Starting At | $149 for 2′ x 3′
The Citizenry makes globally inspired and ethical home decor, including a line of nontoxic rugs. Working in partnership with artists worldwide, the company produces a small batch of timeless rugs in bold, modern patterns. The handwoven quality is a testament to the talent and care of the artists and designers alike, and The Citizenry works to provide fair wages (normally twice the fair trade requirement!), sustaining grants, and safe conditions to each partner.
The Citizenry Review | “This rug is so thick and beautiful. Its simple style amps up the luxurious quality and beautiful design. It’s always out of stock probably for a reason.” – Sarah P. [See all reviews]
3. Parachute
Best For | Minimalist woven rugs
Materials | OEKO-TEX Standard certified wool and cotton
Prices Starting At| $129 for 2’ x 3’
Parachute’s simple, stunning rugs are perfect for the minimalist home. Featuring OEKO-TEX certified cotton, jute, and wool, you can be sure these rugs are free from harmful chemicals and synthetics. The rugs are also Craftmark certified, which means they are handmade in India by sustainably employed traditional artisans in partnership with an 80-year-old heritage textiles factory. A neutral rug for every room? Yes, please!
Parachute Review | “This rug is everything! Soft, thick, aesthetically pleasing. Bought it for the master bedroom and have not had a problem with shedding. Seems really durable and bonus that it is non-toxic. Shipping was very fast, can’t complain.” – Anonymous [See all reviews]
4. West Elm
Best For | Modern styles
Materials | Wool, jute, hemp, cotton, natural fibers, recycled materials
Prices Starting At | $30 for 2′ x 2′
While not all of the rugs at West Elm are organic or fair trade, it’s one of our favorites for nontoxic, natural fiber rugs — made of materials like jute, hemp, and seagrass. We love the company’s commitment to its artisans and the wide variety of ethically made rugs for every room in the house. If you’re looking for a modern take on a natural classic, West Elm has you — and your living room floor — covered.
5. Armadillo
Best For | Indo Nepali hand-knotted Tibetan weave styles
Materials | Jute, wool, silk, cotton, linen, recycled felt, natural fiber
Prices Starting At | $45 for 2’4″ x 4’11”
American/Australian brand Armadillo makes beautiful handwoven rugs that elevate any room. The B Corp is committed to ethical production through slow production and working with fairly paid artisans who use traditional techniques to create their timeless rugs. We especially love the new Mojave collection of 100% jute rugs, which is inspired by ephemeral desert landscapes. Armadillo’s rugs are made with an Indo-Nepali hand-knotted Tibetan weave and a meticulously handspun pile that endows each piece with a uniquely variegated finish. All rugs come with a Declare Label, so you can know the story of every piece.
Armadillo Review | “Jute material can be rough, but Armadillo’s jute is soft, thick, tightly woven, and absolutely gorgeous. I am currently considering other various rugs for our living space—they’re all just so good!” – megankarp.com [Read more]
6. Sabai
Best For | Made-to-order rugs
Materials | Responsibly sourced jute & wool
Prices Starting At | $495 for 5’ x 8’
Proudly made in the USA, Sabai’s Field Rug is an essential for a cozy corner. Made from sustainably harvested jute from Bangladesh and ethically sourced wool from New Zealand, the two materials come together to make a naturally soft rug that’ll adjust to changes in body temperature. (Meaning your feet will stay cool in the summer and cozy in the winters!) Each Sabai Field Rug is made-to-order using a closed-loop process that’s designed with circularity in mind.
Sabai Review | “This rug is such a nice combination of natural materials. It feels sturdy but soft at the same time and looks amazing. It’s really hard to find natural or solid rugs that also have some personality and color to them. I would definitely recommend getting a rug pad with it.” – Phantila [See all reviews]
7. Cold Picnic
Best For | Colorful abstract rugs
Materials | TEX New Zealand wool yarn, bamboo silk yarn, hem yarn, deadstock materials, organic cotton, cotton woven backing
Prices Starting At | $192 for 2’ x 3’
Cold Picnic is here to help bring art to life in your home through their eclectic collection of abstract rugs. Inspired by national parks, films, interior design, and more — each rug tells a unique story and will be the focus point in each room. Their rugs are designed in-house by the Cold Picnic founders in a Brooklyn studio, and then handmade by artisans in India where the finishing touches are put together. If you prefer something a bit more unique or in your style, Cold Picnic also offers made-to-order rugs in custom colors of your choice!
8. Ferm Living
Best For | Monochromatic asymmetrical rugs
Materials | New Zealand wool, organic cotton, recycled yarn, jute
Prices Starting At | $55 for a 100cm circular rug
Ferm Living has every corner of your home covered with an extensive collection of natural and sustainably made rugs and mats. Available in several sizes and colorways, these rugs use organic geometric shapes to bring together both furniture and decor in a space. Ferm Living employs skilled artisans in Bhadohi, India to produce each handmade rug using heritage techniques in an ethical work environment. Try the Way Runner to add visual interest to either an indoor or outdoor space (not to mention it’s also made from 100% recycled plastic).
9. Nordic Knots
Best For | Scandinavian designs
Materials | New Zealand wool, jute, recycled PET
Prices Starting At | $295 for 2.5’ x 9’
Stockholm-based brand Nordic Knots makes it easy and accessible to bring Scandinavian designs into your own home. Handwoven using fine European wool, these minimalist designs are just what we’ve been looking for to keep our living space looking crisp and modern! Nordic Knots is GoodWeave™ certified, ensuring their rugs are made solely by adult artisans — and that children receive robust education opportunities in communities centralized around carpet weaving. Not sure which style to go for? Order a sample size before you commit! USA shipping is free, with delivery in 3–6 business days.
Nordic Knots Review | “We spent months trying to find the right rug for our bedroom, and when we received our sample of the Park rug in Dusty White, we knew we’d found the perfect one. The color brings warmth to our space, and we love that it’s made from natural fibers—the wool is so soft! The experience was seamless from start to finish and delivery was fast.” – MD, Trustpilot [See all reviews]
Bonus: Ruggable
Best For | Made-to-order washable rugs
Materials | Some post-consumer recycled materials
Prices Starting At | $89 for 2’ x 3’
Whether you’ve got furry friends who shed or are just stain-prone (we’re not judging!), Ruggable is our favorite for machine-washable rugs. Made-to-order with minimal waste using water-based dyes, these rugs are not treated with harsh chemicals, so our pets can feel safe, too. There are hundreds of styles and sizes to choose from, ranging from bohemian chic to geometric patterns. Ruggable gives back to causes including One Tree Planted, the Best Friends Animal Society, and Baby2Baby. Our editor gave these rugs a try — read our Ruggable review here!
Ruggale Review | “I place my orders (note the plural) and my rugs are delivered within a few days… not weeks. Perfectly packed and ready to enjoy. Worry free service. What a concept!!” – Lorraine [See all reviews]
Featured image from Parachute
