Eco-Friendly Rugs For A Nontoxic Home
When looking to reduce the footprint of your humble abode, look first under your feet! The same rugs that are bad for the environment can be dangerous to be around—luckily, there are plenty of natural alternatives.
When shopping for nontoxic rugs, look for natural fibers like wool, jute, sisal, and organic cotton. Pay close attention, too, to the backing and the underlay pads which are often cheaply produced with toxic materials. Natural latex, jute, and wool are great alternatives.
Of course, it’s often more complicated than that. Even when safe materials are used, they are often treated in harsh chemicals to repel water and stains. Toxic dyes, glues, and flame retardants are commonly used and very dangerous. It’s a long list.
So here’s our shortcut for when you don’t have time to do all the digging on your own: a list of high-quality rugs you can trust to be safe in your home and less destructive to the environment.
If you want more sustainable interior inspiration, check out our guides to eco-friendly furniture and sustainable home decor!
1. West Elm
Best For | Fair trade natural fiber rugs
Starting At | $25 for 2' x 3'
West Elm is already our go-to for responsibly made rugs so, of course, it’s one of our favorites for nontoxic, natural fiber rugs, too—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.
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2. Ruggable
Best For | Made-to-order washable rugs
Starting At | $109 for 3’ x 5’
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 and they’re not treated with chemicals, so there’s no off-gassing. There are hundreds of styles and sizes to choose from, ranging from bohemian chic to fun geometric patterns. Ruggable gives back to causes supporting people, planet, and pets, including COVID-relief efforts.
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3. Burrow
Best For | Artisan-made rugs using natural & recycled materials
Starting At | $395 for 5’ x 8’
Burrow keeps it simple with just two rug sizes—both of which are proportionally designed to complement its most popular furniture. Using natural and recycled materials, Burrow offers ultra-plush, low-pile, and pet-friendly options. And the company works with artisans at weaving houses in India to ensure traditional techniques and ethically sourced materials. Like everything from Burrow, all the rugs ship for free within a week, and financing is available.
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4. Parachute
Best For | Minimalist woven rugs
Starting At | $89 for 2’ x 3’
Parachute’s simple, stunning rugs are perfect for the minimalist home. Featuring undyed wool rugs that are OEKO-TEX certified, you can be sure these rugs are free from harmful chemicals and synthetics. The rugs are also Craftmark certified, which means that they are handmade in India by sustainably employed traditional artisans, in partnership with an 80-year-old heritage textiles factory.
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5. The Citizenry
Best For | Artisan-made patterned rugs
Starting At | $125 for 2’ x 3’
The Citizenry is a beautiful source for globally inspired and ethical home decor, including a line of nontoxic rugs. Working in partnership with artists around the world, 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, sustaining grants, and safe conditions to each of its partners.
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6. Loomy
Best For | Pet-friendly rugs
Starting At | $248 for 3’ x 5’
A durable rug that stands up to shoes and paw prints? Yes, please. Loomy’s handmade-to-order rugs are ethically crafted with 100 percent biodegradable and natural materials, a necessity considering a large part of the world’s landfill is from rugs alone. Expertly loomed by certified artisan weavers using jute, banana silk, recycled fiber, and more, you’ll receive endless compliments—and reassurance that your rug is going to last.
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7. 54Kibo
Best For | African-inspired rugs
Starting At | $225 for 3’ x 5’
54kibo founder Nana Quagraine wanted to offer African-inspired goods from Ghana, South Africa, and beyond. Today, this brand works across the African diaspora from Egyptian Kilim-style rugs to handmade silk-wool blend rugs. Most are made-to-order and crafted by artisans in Nepal before arriving to your door. Because the patterns are bold in the best way, we recommend trying out the 54kibo samples in your space prior to placing a custom order.
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8. Hook & Loom
Best For | Affordable natural fiber rugs
Starting At | $22 for 2' x 3'
Safe, environmentally friendly, and affordable, Hook & Loom is a great place to start. The brand boasts a line of colorful rugs made from either undyed wool or recovered textile cotton, and each ships with minimal packaging to further reduce its environmental footprint. The company is committed to producing rugs without any chemicals, latex, or dyes. Best yet, there are nearly 200 rugs to choose from.
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9. Lorena Canals
Best For | Kid-friendly rugs
Starting At | $89 for 2’ 4” x 3’ 3”
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 artists in northern India, using only natural fibers (like cotton and wool) and dyes. And in collaboration with a public school in Haryana serving over 100 children, the company donates a portion of proceeds to support their education.
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10. Bolé Road Textiles
Best For | Artisan-made colorful rugs
Starting At | $155 for 2’ x 3’
Bolé Road Textiles was launched by Hana Getachew, a NYC-based designer inspired by her Ethiopian background. Today, all items are hand-loomed by small artisan co-ops and women-led studios in Ethiopia, where workers are paid fair wages. Rugs are made in small batches with 100 percent locally sourced wool and re-stocked often. They’re as colorful as they are beautiful, and a perfect addition to any space, large or small.
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11. Nordic Knots
Best For | Checkered rugs
Starting At | $95 for 2’ x 3’
Inspired by Scandinavian aesthetics, Nordic Knots is a Swedish brand making timeless rugs we love. Rugs are designed in Stockholm and then ethically made by Goodweave Certified weavers in India, most in small batches. Shipping is free across the USA, and come with a 30-day return policy; payment plans are available via Klarna. Get the long-lasting rug of your minimalist dreams in just three to six business days and add Nordic vibes to your home.
Shop Nordic Knots
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