How many decorative rugs do you have around the house? Are any of them made from sustainable materials? Rugs are essential in any home, especially when you don’t have much carpeting. When people walk in and out of the house, it’s the rug at the doorway that traps dirt and debris. However, some if not all of your rugs, might already have toxins built into them.

Now it’s not eco-friendly to start throwing out all of your rugs and replace them with more sustainable ones. But you can at least be more conscious of the ones you buy from now on. Organic rugs are safe and durable in comparison to traditional ones, and if you want to reduce the number of toxins your family is exposed to, natural rugs are the way to go.

What makes an eco-friendly rug? First, the fabric matters, and green rugs are made from various materials such as bamboo, hemp, organic wool, organic cotton, seagrass, sisal, cork and jute. These materials don’t contain dyes, chemical treatments, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other harmful byproducts such as 4-phenylcyclohexene (4-PCH). 4-PCH is a byproduct of latex (used to bond the rug to its base), which gives off unhealthy gases. Rugs that release toxic gases are not friendly to the environment or your family.

With so many fabrics to choose from, it can be challenging to determine what type of material is best where. Cork floors and rugs give off a natural, rugged feel, because they are made from the shavings of bark trees (the trees don’t even have to be cut down). This material is best in a nursery or sitting area, because it’s spongy and soft.

Doorways require special rugs, because they need to be effective at trapping the dust, debris and dirt that enters your home. Organic wool rugs are tough and durable enough to prevent the outside from coming in, and wool is the perfect option if you have pets.

Other fibers such as sisal, seagrass and jute are usually woven into rugs, and they can handle spills and abuse. So if you have children, pets or enjoy hosting parties, these might be more appropriate materials for your lifestyle. Hemp is also a hardy fiber.

Eco-friendly rugs can make your house functional, comfortable and sustainable. Regardless of your style, you’re sure to find a material that makes sense in your home.