The Best Non-Toxic Rugs in Australia

When choosing a rug for your home, aesthetics and comfort are important, but so is health. Many conventional rugs contain harmful chemicals that can impact indoor air quality, releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and flame retardants, and are finished with stain-resistant treatments that continue off-gassing for years.

Luckily, Australia has several brands offering non-toxic, natural fibre rugs that create a healthier home environment.

Natural wool rugs with natural backing in a low-tox nursery

Potential Hazards in Rugs

Rugs can harbour pollutants and allergens, such as dust mites, pet dander, mould spores, and toxic chemicals from manufacturing. Some common concerns include:

• VOCs: Present in synthetic fibres, adhesives, and dyes, these chemicals can cause respiratory issues and contribute to poor indoor air quality (source).

• Flame Retardants: Found in many conventional rugs, these chemicals have been linked to endocrine disruption and other health concerns (source).

• Stain-Resistant Treatments (PFAS): Often added to synthetic rugs, PFAS chemicals are known as "forever chemicals" that persist in the environment and the human body (source).

• Synthetic Fibres: Polyester, nylon, and polypropylene rugs are petroleum-based and can release microplastics into your home (source).

• Pesticides & Mothproofing Agents: Wool rugs can sometimes be treated with permethrin, a pesticide used to prevent moth damage.

To avoid exposure to these harmful substances, it’s best to choose rugs made from natural, untreated materials.

What to Look for in a Non-Toxic Rug

The ideal rug should be made from natural fibres and free from chemical treatments. Key considerations include:

• Natural Fibres: Wool, cotton, jute, hemp, and sisal are excellent choices.

• Undyed or Naturally Dyed Fibres: Avoid rugs with synthetic dyes that may contain heavy metals.

• No Synthetic Backing: Opt for natural latex or cotton backing instead of synthetic rubber or PVC.

• No Chemical Treatments: Look for rugs free from flame retardants, stain-resistant coatings, and antimicrobial treatments.

• Certifications: GoodWeave, OEKO-TEX, and GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certifications can help confirm a rug’s safety.

  
  

Best Australian Brands for Non-Toxic Rugs

These Australian brands offer a range of natural fibre rugs with minimal or no harmful chemicals:

Wool Rugs

• Armadillo: Declare label, 100% Red List free, B-Corp certified.

• Benisouk: Moroccan rugs, 100% NZ wool, no mothproofing and fire retardants used.

• Blessed Earth: Certified organic wool, natural dyes.

• Bremworth: 100% NZ wool, no chemical treatments.

• Ground Control: GoodWeave certified, natural fibres.

• Kip & Co: Look for 100% wool, jute or coir with 10% cotton underside, ethically

  made in India. Proudly carbon neutral. Independent and female-founded. No

  chemical treatments or mothproofing.

• Lorena Canals: 97% cotton, eco dyes, no chemical treatments. Rugs

  are washed and dried with biodegradable detergents and no added softeners.

• Milk & Sugar: Australian-owned. OEKO-TEX Certified. Wool and jute options. NO

  chemical additives.

• Miss Amara: Offers a range of natural wool rugs with minimal treatments.

• Natural Rugs Australia: Australian-made. Goodweave Certified. All natural

  materials

• Pampa: Handmade, high-quality sheep’s wool with natural dyes.

• Pottery Barn Kids: Look for a wool range or recycled canvas fabric with odourless

  synthetic latex adhesive. No flame retard, stain-reducing, and/or mothproofing

  chemical treatments are not applied to any rugs.

• Wild Yarn: Filtered by wool and jute; no chemical treatments are used.

Jute, Seagrass, Coir & Sisal Rugs

• International Floor Coverings Australia – 100% jute, seagrass, and coir, acid-free dyes, sustainable production.

• Natural Rugs Australia – Australian-made, GoodWeave Certified, natural materials.

Cotton Rugs

• Oh Happy Home – 100% cotton, GoodWeave certified, free from toxic dyes and sprays.

• Under the Nile – GOTS-certified organic cotton, free of flame retardants and formaldehyde.

• Wild Throw Co. – Ethically handcrafted in India & Morocco, natural plant-based dyes.

• Willaby: GOTS-Certified. safe, non-toxic dyes, no chemical treatments or stain-

resistant coatings

Sheepskins and Hides

• Cowhide rugs online: sheepskins and hides, no chemical treatments.

• East Perry: USA-owned, Organic, chemical and heavy-metal-free, fair trade,

  naturally tanned, made in Europe, non-toxic, tanned with biobased lactic acid safe

  for babies.

• Ecowool: 100% NZ sheepskins; the tanning process is organic, chrome-free and no

  harmful chemicals, production follows the strictest NZ regulations to meet safety

  and sustainability standards. ‘tantech; sanitising concentrate is used on the wool,

  which is a blend of tea tree and lemon myrtle oils effective against dust mite and

  pet allergen. Meets the high standards of Merinomark.

• ELuxury Home: Icelandic wool sheepskin, tanned under strict EU regulations; no

  harsh and toxic chemicals

• Hahndorf Leather Smith: 100% Genuine, ethically sourced, sustainable animalhide by-product from Brazil, processed under strict environmentally friendly conditions free from harmful chemicals and dyes.

• Hides of Excellence: Sheepskins and hides both are 100% Genuine, ethically sourced, sustainable animal hide by-products, non-slip natural leather hideback, eco-friendly processed and tanned free from harmful chemicals.

• IKEA: All leather and skins are sourced as by-products from the food industry; no chemicals or heavy metals are used in the process of turning skins and hides. IKEA couldn’t tell me where the sheepskins and hides come from.

• Wilson & Dorset: Ethically sourced NZ wool, no chemical treatments.

• Wool Home: 100% Australian Sheep’s Wool on the front with genuine leather backing, OKEO-TEX© 100 and Woolmark Certified, no harsh chemicals or dyes

• Yellow Earth: Australian Merino sheepskin, no bleach, wool sourced only from

  certified suppliers that adhere to Australia’s strict animal welfare standards

Final Thoughts

A non-toxic rug can significantly improve your home’s indoor air quality while adding warmth and texture to your space. By choosing natural fibres, avoiding chemical treatments, and selecting trusted Australian brands, you can create a healthier living environment for your family.

If you’re renovating or furnishing a new home and want expert guidance in selecting low-tox materials, I’d love to help. Let’s create a space that’s beautiful, functional, and free from hidden toxins.