When looking to reduce the footprint of your humble abode, look first under your feet! Many rugs contain harmful toxins from 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.
All that said, we know research can be time-consuming, and often frustrating—which is why our editors have rolled up their sleeves to do the hard work: Here is a list of high quality, nontoxic, and sustainable rugs that you can trust to be safe in your home and for the environment. Whether you’re looking for runners, area rugs, or just a beautiful organic rug to accent a corner of your home, this guide is a solid start!
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 | Most Organic
1. Lorena Canals
Best For | Kid-friendly rugs
Materials | Recycled materials, cotton, wool
Starting At | $40 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 made entirely from recycled materials from their own factory! Check out our full Lorena Canals review here.
2. The Citizenry
Best For | Artisan-made patterned rugs
Materials | Oeko-Tex® certified materials, 100% New Zealand wool, natural jute fiber, cotton
Starting At | $279 for 4’ round
The Citizenry is a beautiful source for 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.
3. Parachute
Best For | Minimalist woven rugs
Materials | Oeko-Tex Standard certified wool and cotton
Starting At | $289 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!
4. West Elm
Best For | Modern styles
Materials | Wool, jute, hemp, cotton, natural fibers, recycled materials
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 and natural fiber
Starting At | $130 for 2’x 3’3″
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. The 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 each and every piece.
Bonus: Ruggable
Best For | Made-to-order washable rugs
Materials | Some post consumer recycled materials
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. These are made-to-order to minimize waste using water-based dyes and they’re 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!
Featured image from Parachute
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