And why, you might be wondering? Well, synthetic fibers—which are used in many upholstered fabrics and other home textiles—are often petroleum-based and made with chemical flame retardants and stain treatments that give off the gas, even when they’re not in use. Since rugs are often placed in high-traffic areas of your home, it’s important to make sure that they stand up to the wear and tear without emitting harsh chemicals. If this all sounds overwhelming, fear not! A few simple tweaks to your purchasing patterns can make the whole process easier and help make your home a safe, relaxing space. As you browse, check to make sure that your rug’s backing or mat is eco-friendly as well. Look for the Carpet and Rug Institute’s Green Label Plus certification, or simply skip synthetic latex, plastic, and foam rubber in favor of natural latex. If you’re shopping for something secondhand (first of all, great idea!), try local thrift stores, swap sites, or Craigslist. Or check sites like Chairish or eBay for kilim for dhurrie rugs, which tend to be made of natural fibers like cotton or wool and are often one-of-a-kind patterns. And finally, as with all items you bring into your home, consider the entire life cycle of the rug and the resources it takes to get it to you. Having a new rug shipped from halfway around the world uses up precious energy, while buying something pre-owned from a local shop or neighbor will have a lower environmental impact in the end. Now that you know what you’re looking for, it’s time to shop! Here are a few of our top underfoot picks. Emma received her B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy with a specialty in environmental communications from Duke University. In addition to penning over 1,000 mbg articles on topics from the water crisis in California to the rise of urban beekeeping, her work has appeared on Grist, Bloomberg News, Bustle, and Forbes. She’s spoken about the intersection of self-care and sustainability on podcasts and live events alongside environmental thought leaders like Marci Zaroff, Gay Browne, and Summer Rayne Oakes.
