[wawoof]

We have hardwood floors, which I normally love. However, our baby is starting to wiggle and crawl, and we want to have a softer surface for him to play on, so he doesn't hit his head on the hardwood! However, we've been very frustrated looking for a carpet/rug that's non-toxic. All of the new carpets and rugs we've looked at have a horrible chemical smell (even ones that are 100% wool or cotton/wool). And I know that carpet pads are a notorious source of toxic fire retardants that have recently been found in breastmilk. We want a nice soft surface where our son can play, but obviously don't want to introduce toxics into our home, especially with a baby spending a lot of time playing on that surface. Please LMK if you have any suggestions of how to find non-toxic carpeting or rugs!!

Thanks

 

[mamaBlue]

i have been spending hours researching this ver same thing. Hemp, sisal, jute... all great. But they are not very soft. Im afraid of the maintenance involved with wool rugs. Plus i read that not all 100% wool rugs are untreated.

Sigh...i need advice, too.

bak

 

[Sustainer]

http://www.ecobydesign.com/shop/carpet/index.html

http://www.naturalhomeproducts.com/

 

[wawoof]

Thanks very much for these suggestions!

We ended up finding a 100% wool rug at a used furniture store; a bit dirty but no chemical smell!! We're having it cleaned by a place that uses only soap and water. Turns out we only paid about 1/10 what the rug is worth, according to the rug expert at the cleaning place - COOL!! The guy at the cleaning store asked me if I wanted any stain protection (read: Scotchgard, very toxic), and I said NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! So, I can't wait to get the rug when it's clean in a week or so!! I suppose it's possible that a used rug could have been staintreated before, but oh well, it didn't seem to be outgassing

Amara

 

[beanma]

here's a site that might have something for y'all. probably pretty spendy, but might be worth it in the long run...

http://www.environmentalhomecenter.c...10270_CARPETNG

it's a cool and very informative site even if you don't end up buying anything from them.

we have wool braided rugs on our hardwood floor. the big one my mom gave me ten years and two black dogs ago

: and the small ones i ordered from www.garnethill.com when they were on sale (the only time i order anything from them, but i love their sheets and some of their baby clothes). i didn't notice a chemically smell with the new ones. no rug pads. i think they're all capel brand.

the used rug sounds like a pretty good way to go.

hth

p.s. you can always spread out a big beach towel or soft blanket on the floor for baby to crawl on. easy to throw in the wash if it gets a little spit up or other accident on it, too.

 

[EmsMom]

vintage rugs may be an option. they are often in very good condition and may actually be cheaper than new. Try some cheaper antique stores or e-bay. I found a beautiful one at a uyard sale for $25.00. probably from the 20s or 30s. They don't seem to be excessively popular for homes, at least around here. Actually anything from that era tends to be reasonably priced, even at antique stores and the furniture is real wood and very attractive. Most of my house is now decorated in vintage stuff. Of course, I really like the look and it melds well with what I like to make myself!

 

[bubbles]

So glad you found a used one. I was going to suggest that. We have a wool one we bought before ds was born. It has been well used and we had it cleaned several times with safe processes. It only smells like wet wool when it is cleaned. I feel comfortable with it in the house. It is definitely a more economical way to go to buy used. Even though they may have gone through some less than environmentally friendly processes at one time at least you know they have off-gassed and you can get the back to their au natural state.

 

[wawoof]

Thanks for all the advice!! We are loving our used, fume free rug

 

[EmsMom]

So glad you found a used rug! Saving money AND getting a non-toxic rug. Perfect! Wanted to add one thing to this thread. If you happen to be even moderately "crafty," it is possible to make rugs out of rags. It isn't even that difficult (although it does take some time). You can crochet, knit, braid, weave or hook rugs. There is another rug called a prodded rug and many more techniques. I crocheted a mat for wet boots out of old t-shirts. It runs through the wash easily. I am planning a similar project for a new bathmat. If you knit blocks and then attach them, you can make a very large area rug. Anyway, I just thought I would put the thought out there! They are fun projects.

 

[wawoof]

Great idea! Unfortunately, I don't know how to knit or crochet. But thank goodness for our rug. My son was just sitting a few minutes ago and then unexpectedly whipped himself over backward. Fortunately, he just hit his head on the rug with (nontoxic) pad under it. I am SO GLAD he didn't do that on the hardwood floor!!