Conventional nursery rugs often contain chemical treatments, and adhesives that you probably wouldn’t want your baby exposed to. This list of carefully curated non-toxic nursery rugs should help you find a better alternative.
These safer rugs and nursery mats are made by brands who prioritize responsible, non-toxic materials and dyes that are backed by relevant certifications. We also looked for ethical manufacturing and other green business practices.
Our new Brand Rating System takes our assessment much further with 22 eco and safety-related criteria, from product safety certifications and testing to climate impact and chemical use. You can read more about it here and look out for the brands on this list that have opted in to be rated as they have gone the extra mile to share much more detailed information about their products and business with us.
We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.
Our Top Recommendations: Non-Toxic Nursery Rugs & Mats
Toki Mat’s offer soft nursery mats made with a GOTS-certified organic cotton cover and a natural, OEKO-TEX certified latex foam. The mats come in a mega size, perfect for filling up a nursey with a soft place to land. Toki Mats has been comprehensively rated and reviewed by us – see the rating.
Hook & Loom’s organic nursery rugs are made with GOTs-certified organic cotton and no dyes, ever (which means natural colors). They also have a range of rugs made from recycled cotton which come in a range of colors. Hook & Loom has been comprehensively rated and reviewed by us – see the rating.
Lorena Canals’ selection of wool and organic nursery rugs are rug-edly adorable and well crafted; our own toddler has given them a rather well-tested (read: many hours of play) stamp of approval.
Index: Non-Toxic Rugs For The Nursery
- Toki Mats Jump to brand
- Hook & Loom Jump to brand
- Lorena Canals Jump to brand
- Nestig Jump to brand
- Finch & Folk Jump to brand
- Makemake Organics Jump to brand
- Pillobebe Jump to brand
Toki Mats
Ethical Sourcing
Raw materials have been sourced ethically with people and planet in mind.Non-toxic
All products are made with ingredients or materials that are currently considered non-toxicOrganic
Products are made from organic materials.Vegan
This brand does not use any animal products or by-products in their productsWoman Owned
This brand is owned by a woman or a group of women.Toki Mats has been rated by Sustainable Jungle. Find the full rating here.
Toki Mats offer mega sized (55x 55″) play mats that make for soft landings across a wide area.
The nursery mats are made with a fabric cover featuring two zippers and two natural latex foam inserts. The covers are available in GOTS-certified organic Cotton, OEKO-TEX-certified vegan leather (water-based microfiber PU leather) or bamboo jersey. The natural Dunlop latex foam is GOLS certified.
All mats are hypoallergenic, self-ventilating, anti-bacterial, and biodegradable.
Watch or read our reviews of Toki Mats below.
Our Personal Review of Toki’s Bean Bag and Play Mat:
“We tried Toki’s bean bag and cotton play mat. My daughter absolutely loves the 70s floral print and clearly enjoyed how comfy the mat was to lounge on while doing puzzles, reading, playing dolls, colouring – the works! The bean bag is lightweight, so it’s easy for her to move it around which is nice. The washable (and changeable) covers make for an easy bedroom update and clean, and with the cotton lining, I don’t fear 1 trillion little beads spilling onto the floor. I’ll probably pass these onto my nephews and nieces when my daughter is too big for them.”
Review by Shelby Loeppky (and her daughter), SJ Writer & Product Tester
Hook & Loom
Ethical Sourcing
Raw materials have been sourced ethically with people and planet in mind.Handcrafted
Products have been made by hand, typically by an artisan or group of artisans.Non-toxic
All products are made with ingredients or materials that are currently considered non-toxicOrganic
Products are made from organic materials.Recycled materials
Some or all products are made with recycled materialsUpcycled
Products have been upcycled from an unusable or undesirable form into new products.Hook & Loom has been rated by Sustainable Jungle. Find the full rating here.
Chemical-free, zero dyes, eco-friendly materials—Hook & Loom is what rug love is made of.
This non-toxic rug brand has options for every room in the house, in many sizes, designs, and organic weave patterns, like loom-hooked, flatweave, and braided.
Their organic baby rugs all feature GOTS-certified organic cotton and the loom hooked ones, like the minimalist-chic Ripples Rug, are woven with little loops on the top, which yields a finished product that is extra thick, plush, and springy. In their words, “they’re born for bare feet”—and baby hands, knees, and tummies, of course.
One of Hook & Loom’s guiding principles is simple, “No dyes. Ever.” This value extends to vegetable-based natural dyes, as they do for harsh chemicals and detergents. The wool rugs get their color from naturally occurring color variations from different coats.
They don’t use flame-retardants, toxic detergents, pesticides, latex, plastic backings, or finishing sprays, either. None of the handwoven rugs contain backing or adhesives.
Lorena Canals
Price Range: $95–$395
One of our go-to sustainable rug brands for any room, Lorena Canals makes nursery rugs that are protective, safe, and decorative. The brand believes in using long-lasting, sustainable materials and production practices that don’t impinge on worker’s rights.
They have a wide range of washable play rugs, like the simple and heartfelt (literally) Puffy Agatha. Or the Veggie Garden featuring small pockets, allowing children to “plant” fabric vegetables, stimulating creative minds as well as adding a splash of color to the room.
Lorena use natural materials like wool and organic cotton. Both fibers are durable and comfortable, with several advantages.
The wool rugs are flexible, hypoallergenic, fire-resistant, and dirt-repellent. Lorena’s cotton rugs are lightweight and maneuverable, making them a practical option for a kid’s room.
The machine-washable rugs are dyed with azo-free, non-toxic dyes that are colorfast and backed by international standards, including GOTS and OEKO-TEX certifications. This means they’re free of harmful chemicals.
Their factory in India employs more than 170 Fair Trade artisans and advocates for fair trade business practices.
Our Personal Review Of A Lorena Canals Nursery Rug
“We opted for the Path Of Nature which features different textures and areas emulating nature and the outdoors. Our boy loves to explore the paths (admittedly turning them into car racing tracks), playing animal roleplay through the landscape, fully engaging his expansive imagination. It’s a versatile rug that can be used simply for decoration or deep, involved play.”
Review by Joy McConnochie, SJ Co-founder
Nestig
Price Range: $249–$499
We adore the organic cotton nursery rugs from Nestig.
The brand specializes in nursery supplies like non-toxic cribs, storage, sheets, and area rugs designed for for durability, safety, and comfort. Many options, like the Tiger Rug, have cute, washable designs perfect for growing children.
Nestig crafts its natural nursery rugs from organic cotton grown locally in Brazil. They don’t use toxic dyes or harsh chemicals.
Nestig partners with small, sustainable, family-owned businesses for their products. In addition to using Brazilian grown organic cotton, each rug is hand-loomed in Brazil by artisans who treat, trim, and ship it directly to you.
Finch & Folk
Price Range: $40–$160
Launched over a decade ago by founder Rachel McKenzie, Finch & Folk has grown to be one of Australia’s best baby and children’s brands. They have a vast catalog of toys, muslin wraps, bedding, accessories, blankets, cushions, apparel, jewelry, and organic rugs and mats for the nursery.
There are classic options in plain colors and more energetic designs, like the gender-neutral Rainbow Rug.
Finch & Folk’s rugs are ethically made from GOTS-certified organic cotton, linen and wool with an inner layer of washable OEKO-TEX-certified polyester (though some designs offer pure wool which is something we would recommend in place of the polyester).
Makemake Organics
About Makemake Organics
Price Range: $108
Makemake Organics boasts an extensive catalog of organic baby blankets, sleepwear, playwear, swaddles, bedding, and other nursery essentials.
Their non-toxic nursery rugs for babies are made mostly from certified organic materials with minimalist designs.
Makemake utilizes natural fibers certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard. The organic cotton shells use azo-free dyes with OEKO-TEX Certified polyfill batting.
The Florida-based brand partners with Fair Trade Certified™ manufacturers in India that have a primarily women team. This ensures their partners adhere to rigorous social, environmental, and economic standards.
Pillobebe
Price Range: $115–$329
Another maker of portable play rugs that allow parents to take their baby-safe nursery rug anywhere and everywhere, Pillobebe found its footing when founders Alex and Lauren learned that most play mats contain cancer-causing formamide foam.
The team became pillow-Picasso, inventing the CorkiMat® and a range of blankets, burping cloths, toys, and other baby essentials.
The CorkiMat® is an OEKO-TEX-certified natural nursery rug featuring a removable organic cotton cover and an anti-slip bottom. Some options aren’t dyed, but every unit contains easy-to-remove inserts made from hypoallergenic polyester.
Pillobebe also carries purely Organic Cotton play rug—machine washable rugs with a 100% organic cotton designer print cover and inner batting.
Pillobebe steers clear of any formamide, formaldehyde, flame retardants, PU, PVC, BPA, BPS, phthalates, lead, latex, or harmful VOCs. Everything is tested by independent laboratories and adheres to CPSC regulations.
They use GOTS-certified organic cotton and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certified Class 1 textiles—lab tested to be the safest around.
Why Choose Non Toxic & Organic Nursery Rugs?
Babies and young children spend significant time on the floor, playing, crawling, and exploring.
Yet, most conventional rugs contain plastic, synthetic materials, and dyes that release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. VOCs can pollute indoor air quality, leading to respiratory issues, allergies, skin irritation, and other health concerns.
Conventional play mats can also contain other chemicals, endocrine disruptors, flame retardants, harmful adhesives, and formaldehyde.
Non-toxic nursery rugs not only contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle but are also far healthier for you and your little one’s health.
They’re typically made with safer materials (minimizing exposure to harmful chemicals), like natural fibers that are less likely to hold allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, and pollen.
Many options are also durable and can withstand spills, tears, and the occasional accident. They’re easier to clean and maintain, providing a long-lasting accessory that will grow with your child.