What about chemical-free carpeting/rugs?

[steph117]

I've been looking for chemical-free/non-smelly area rugs for our apt in advance of baby's arrival. I don't like the idea of our baby's face close to an off-gassing new carpet (not to mention, I DO NOT LIKE that smell myself)! All I've found so far is a sort of nubby wool carpet - which I'm guessing would NOT feel good on a baby's soft little knees. The only other thing we've thought of so far is a flokati, maybe?

Does anyone out there have any suggestions for "natural" carpeting/area rugs?

Thanks...

[rachaeljohnson]

we were having this same issue. We broke down and bought a regular rug about 5 months before the baby is due and steam cleaned the crap out of it with bac-out and then just hot water and vinegar...we are also going to hang it in the sun and let it air out. Hopefully most of the new chemicals will be long gone.

[kati_kati]

Some stores are now into jute rugs, which are natural as far as I know. They are usually pretty rough but we got one at Crate and Barrel and one from Pier One that are as soft as a typical wool rug. Another option is pure cotton rugs without the backing (which often smells the worst to me). There are some really soft ones out there. Also chenille perhaps (it's polyester, but I assume no worse than polyester clothes?). You can get a non-smelly no-slip pad from Crate and Barrel (not the pure yellow latex kind). The hardest thing is the limitation on color and styles... Sometimes if you wait a few months they bring in something new.