Best Organic Rugs for Nursery

There is a wide range of area rugs on the market these days.

Not all rugs are good for a baby nursery though.

Are rugs safe for babies?

If you want something completely safe for your baby, you should narrow your search down to organic non-toxic nursery rugs.

Rug safety is crucial for babies because they must grow up safely while being protected from harmful substances. Potential dangers toxins from rugs can affect children by exposing them to a variety of chemicals. You want something toxic-free and soft underneath your little ones, as they spend much time playing and crawling on the floor.

Today, we will pay special attention to organic rugs for nursery and review the best options available.

Read on to learn more!

What Makes an Area Rug Toxic?

It's not that easy to find non-toxic rug for nursery.

Synthetic Primary Materials

Toxic rugs are usually made of synthetic materials such as:

  • Polypropylene, nylon, or PET fabric – They all emit VOC (volatile organic compounds) into the air.
  • Chemical materials like Styrene and PVC
  • Synthetic dyes

Make sure your nursery rug doesn’t contain the above-mentioned synthetic materials and chemicals.

Toxic Backing

Rugs with latex backing are popular because they are slip-resistant. Nevertheless, they are not good for babies. That’s because these rugs often contain toxic compounds like PVC, Styrene, and 4-phenyl cyclohexane. The last thing you want is to get your baby exposed to dangerous chemicals.

Toxic Dyes

Check if a rug contains any toxic dye before buying it. If yes, it’s a big no to baby rugs. Let’s face it. Most rugs on the market are treated with dyes. That’s because they allow mats to come in various patterns and colors, and thus make them more beautiful. No dye or paint is 100% natural and safe today.

Glues and Other Adhesives

Avoid rugs that use an adhesive in their production. It should be noted that rug adhesives and glues oftentimes contain toxic benzene. This is not a good choice for babies and kids.

Flame Retardant Chemicals

Steer clear of rugs that come with flame retardants. These toxic chemicals can easily find their way into the baby’s body through the dust. In addition to the rugs, flame retardant chemicals are also often used in mattresses, sofas, carpets, and many household products.

Other chemicals: PFCs, PBDEs, pesticides, and fungicides

The list of harmful and toxic chemicals in area rugs goes on and on. Besides the compounds mentioned above, other chemicals to beware of include:

  • PFCs and PBDEs
  • Pesticides
  • Fungicides
  • Stain and moth repellents

Things to Avoid in Rugs for Babies

When searching for safe nursery rugs for babies, there are certain things to avoid. Read on to discover them.

  • Avoid machine-made rugs. They are made using synthetic materials and chemical dyes that are harmful to babies. You should look for hand-knotted alternatives because they are woven in natural materials.
  • Latex or plastic backing that gives off harmful VOCs. Rugs often have latex backing with plastic dots to prevent slipping. That’s great, but not good for babies.
  • Synthetic rug fibers. Polypropylene, polyester, viscose, and other synthetic fibers aren’t a safe option, so you need to avoid them when buying a nursery rug.
  • Toxic dyes. If you decide to buy a nursery rug using a dye, make sure it is non-toxic and low-impact too.

8 Best Non-Toxic Rugs for Babies by Rugcritic

Safavieh Handmade Traditional Oriental Ivory Wool Area Rug

Safavieh Handmade Traditional Oriental Ivory Wool Area Rug

This wool area rug is aimed at customers who love traditional old-fashioned things. While this rug brings traditional sophistication, it also employs hand-tufting modern techniques. It’s designed as a Persian rug from the 19th century. Made of hand-spun wool, it uses an old pot-dying technique with a lot of open fields and soft palettes.

What I like about this handmade rug is that it features a soft pile. That’s something your baby will like. Its construction is hand-tufted for improved durability. It can be used for different types of surfaces like hardwood floors, concrete, carpet, pavers, tiles, and so on.

Key Features

  • Material: Wool
  • Pattern: Oriental
  • Shape: Rectangular
  • Dimensions: 6 x 9 feet (108 x 72 x 0.5 inches)

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Safavieh Handmade Flatweave Grey and Ivory Organic Cotton Area Rug

Safavieh Handmade Flatweave Grey and Ivory Organic Cotton Area Rug

Here’s another Safavieh area rug that can be used for the nursery. However, this one is made of cotton. You can also put it in the living room or bedroom. Your room or nursery will get an elegant look with this beautiful handwoven rug.

It comes in vibrant colors and transitional patterns to match almost any décor. The superior design and premium high-quality materials add to the comfort and durability of the rug. It is very durable and lightweight as well. This ensures that it can hold up to heavy usage while serving you for many years to come.

Key Features

  • Material: Cotton
  • Pattern: Geometric
  • Shape: Rectangular
  • 25-inch pile height
  • Dimensions: 6 x 9 feet

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nuLOOM Raina Flatweave Area Rug

Safavieh Handmade Flatweave Grey and Ivory Organic Cotton Area Rug

This awesome area rug comes from India. As you may already know, nuLOOM is a reputable manufacturer of floor coverings. They offer a whole host of mats, rugs, and other floor coverings. If you’re looking for a baby rug from this company, then I suggest buying Raina Flatweave Area Rug.

It is designed as a power-loomed rug. The contemporary style adds to its appeal and makes it suitable for modern nurseries. This rectangular mat is made of 100% cotton and it comes in a grey-white color. There are several pattern and size options to choose from, but I like this one in particular. Hopefully, your little one(s) will like it too.

Key Features

  • Material: Cotton
  • Weave Type: Power-Loomed
  • Shape: Rectangular
  • Pile height: 0.33 inches
  • Dimensions: 7′ 6″ x 9′ 6″

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Safavieh Cambridge Collection Handmade Wool Area Rug

Safavieh Cambridge Collection Handmade Wool Area Rug

Let’s get back to Safavieh’s rugs, and there is a good reason for this. I want to showcase another area rug from this company that your baby will appreciate. Its name is Cambridge Moroccan Rug. This handmade rug features a geometric eye-catching design as well as a geometric high-low pattern that gives it an elegant look and feel.

It is made of premium wool and comes with a durable cotton backing to be suitable for any type of flooring. The rug is beautifully textured and it works great with both modern and traditional decor styles. That makes it easy to pair it with just about any home décor.

Key Features

  • Material: Wool
  • Cotton canvas backing
  • Shape: Rectangular
  • Pile height: 0.5 inches
  • Dimensions: 7’6″ x 9’6″

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nuLOOM Caryatid Handwoven Solid Wool Area Rug

nuLOOM Caryatid Handwoven Solid Wool Area Rug

The combination of natural materials — 20% cotton and 80% wool — makes this area rug ideal for the nursery. This top-quality and safe floor covering by nuLOOM is crafted with care and love. Each piece is unique in terms of design, shape, color, and pattern. This particular model comes in a rectangular shape, white color, and contemporary pattern.

However, there are also other options to choose from. Be sure to pick something that will go with the rest of your room. They are all handwoven and non-toxic, which makes these rugs perfect for babies. What’s more, nuLOOM caryatid handwoven area rugs are stylish, durable, and comfortable. It should be pointed out that these handmade rugs are treated carefully with safety in mind.

Key Features

  • Material: Wool
  • Pattern: Contemporary
  • Shape: Rectangular
  • Dimensions: 8′ x 10′

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nuLOOM Emmeline Wool Modern Trellis Area Rug

nuLOOM Emmeline Wool Modern Trellis Area Rug

The next area rug you need to consider putting in your room is nuLOOM Ismeny Wool Modern Trellis Rug. It can do a great job of adding warmth to your space and making your floor more baby-friendly. You may use it not only in the nursery but also in your dining room, living room, kitchen, or bedroom. The rug is extremely soft to touch, so your baby will love crawling on it.

Made of high-quality wool, this mat is very durable and safe. It’s also easy to maintain and clean. Dry cleaning is only suggested for larger, stubborn stains. Spot treating and vacuuming should be done on regular basis to get rid of smaller and mild stains.

Key Features

  • Material: Wool
  • Pattern: Trellis
  • Shape: Rectangular
  • Dimensions: 4′ x 6′

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Eco-Friendly Nursery Area Rugs

Hand Woven Flat Weave Kilim Wool Area Rug

Kilim Area rugs have been around for decades on the market. They offer a wide variety of flooring coverings, each of which is specific and unique. Each has a distinct design, pattern, style, and combination of colors. However, all of these rugs share one common trait: They are all designed as wool handwoven area rugs.

Additionally, Kilim Area rugs are all flatweave and eco-friendly. Most important of all, they are safe for children and great for the nursery. No toxic compounds. No glues and other adhesives that are harmful to the health of babies. Handmade by experienced artisans, these area rugs use soft wool yarns made of natural materials. They are weaved by hand weaved flatweave technique and designed contemporary.

Key Features

  • Material: Wool
  • Pattern: Contemporary design
  • Shape: Rectangle
  • Weave: Hand Woven
  • Multiple size options

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Multi-Color Kilim Area Rug

Multi-Color Kilim Area Rug

Do you like natural multi-color things? If so, you will certainly like this Kilim wool area rug too. It comes in numerous pastel colors, including pink, yellow, blue, and orange. These vibrant colors are combined beautifully in this flatweave handwoven rug. It features a colorful diamond design. While it’s rustic and vintage, it still looks great on the hardwood floor.

Being made of 100% wool, this large rug offers a spacious and safe area for children to have a fun time on the floor. It is suited for larger rooms, so make sure you have enough space. The rug can make your house feel cozy, update your space, and create insulation from cold flooring.

Key Features

  • Material: Wool
  • Construction: Handwoven
  • Lightweight yet very durable
  • Dimensions: 6′ 5″ x 9′ 6″

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What to Look for in Non-Toxic Rugs for Babies?

What to look for in organic rugs for nursery?

Material

The best rugs for babies are made out of 100% natural materials like cotton and wool. It’s best to choose a handwoven rug made by hand. What about jute and sisal? While these are also natural fibers, they are not a good choice for babies since sisal and jute rugs have rough surfaces and they are tough to crawl on.

Backing

If you see latex or plastic backing, my advice is to stay away from it. The backings made of synthetic or toxic materials off-gas substances into the air. Handwoven area rugs that don’t have a latex backing are the safe bet. It is recommended to put safety pads under these rugs to avoid slipping. If possible, place the edges of the rugs under the furniture. That will help prevent the rugs from moving while your baby plays or crawls on them.

Price and Size

Size is an important factor when buying a rug for a nursery. It needs to let kids crawl and move around comfortably while fitting the size of the nursery. Avoid cheap synthetic rugs. Go for wool and cotton options. While these organic rugs are more costly, they are also safer.

Style

Nursery rugs come in different design options and styles, such as flatweave, kilim, handwoven, etc. Be sure to choose a color, shade, and pattern that will blend in with the nursery or a room you will put the rug in. You can pick an oriental, geometric, or another pattern based on your preferences. There are also a variety of styles like vintage, contemporary, boho-chic, and transitional styles of decor.

Durability

Just as with any other product, you want to buy something durable that will serve you well for many years. The same is true for nursery rugs. You are advised to buy a rug that can withstand many years of daily use as well as a lot of foot traffic.

What Else Can You Do for Baby Safety

Floors

Instead of vinyl study, flooring in the nursery, go with safer flooring options like cork and wood. If you have young kids or babies, it is highly recommended that you cover your hardwood floors with safe and soft rugs because little ones spend much of their time crawling on the floor. This way you will place an additional layer underneath them and improve their safety.

Walls

If you are living in an older home or apartment, chances are good your walls have lead paint. Consider replacing wall-to-wall carpets or wallpapers as they are a haven for dust and mold, which are capable of triggering asthma in babies and kids.

Look Into an ERV (Fresh Air Recirculation for Your HVAC)

Look into your ERV if you have it installed in your house. Check the places where your HVAC sits. It’s usually in the attic. Maybe you have a VOC detector installed too. Besides, it is worth investing in EMF protection in places with high exposure to electromagnetic radiation. All of this plays an important role in improving the quality of indoor air and the health of your baby.

Avoid Plastic Toys

Infants like to put toys in the mouth. Soft plastic toys are fun. Yep, but keep in mind that they may contain phthalates, lead, and other harmful substances. Therefore, avoid them for the safety of your child(ren).

Popular Questions

Are Polyester Rugs Safe for Babies?

No, they are not safe – not only for babies but also for adults. The polyester rugs use harmful chemicals like carcinogens in their production.

Are Polypropylene Rugs Safe for Babies?

No, they are not safe for babies and children. These rugs off-gas dangerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air.

I’ve wrote the whole article about it.

Are Rugs Bad for Babies?It depends on their design and the materials used. The rugs that use synthetic materials and contain toxic compounds like polypropylene, nylon, styrene, and synthetic dyes are bad for babies.

Are Area Rugs Toxic?Not all. Certified area rugs made of organic natural materials like wool, jute, and cotton are not toxic. So you can use them for nursery without worrying about your baby’s safety.

Do All Rugs Have Formaldehyde?The glues that have been used by some rug manufacturers contained a certain amount of formaldehyde that is very dangerous. Formaldehyde has often been used in carpets since the 1970s. It is now rarely used in rugs, but you need to avoid products that have this harmful compound.

What Is the Difference Between Polypropylene and Polyester Rugs?Polypropylene (also known as olefin) is a material that features excellent stain resistance. Polyester is not only stain-resistant but it’s also fade-resistant. These compounds are added to increase the resistance and durability of rugs. There’s no considerable difference between polypropylene and polyester rugs. They are both bad for babies.

Are Nuloom Rugs Toxic?No! This company is well known for handwoven environmentally-friendly rugs. They are made of 100% natural non-toxic materials such as wool, jute, sisal, and bamboo.

Final Word

As you can see, it’s very important to find a natural non-toxic rug for the nursery. Your baby must be safe while sitting, playing, and crawling on it.

Always chose organic rugs over synthetic ones. Make sure it doesn’t have toxic backing and dyes as well as flame retardant chemicals, glues, and adhesives.

The safety of your child should be your top priority in life!

author Hello, I'm Christine and I am the rug critic! My husband and I used to run a local rug cleaning business for 9 years but recently we had to sell out of the business due to the ill health of my husband. I have now decided to start the rugcritic.com as a blog to share my tips, tricks and how to's when it comes to buying rugs, rug cleaning and care tips and ensuring you buy the right rug for you, your house, your family and your pets.

Categories Rug Buying Guide

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