Ben Vorlich Tartan Axminster Carpet | Wool Plaid vs Shaw Timeless Appeal I 15' Residential Carpet: which is safer?
Ben Vorlich Tartan Axminster Carpet | Wool Plaid is the clear pick. Shaw Timeless Appeal I 15' Residential Carpet carries a failing PFAS grade, and we never recommend buying a failing product.
Our pick
Axminster
Ben Vorlich Tartan Axminster Carpet | Wool Plaid
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleFormaldehyde and VOC off-gassing
PossibleAzo dyes and heavy metals in colorants
ReportedDust and dust mite allergens
Shaw Industries
Shaw Timeless Appeal I 15' Residential Carpet
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
LikelyUndisclosed stain/soil treatment chemistry
PossibleFlame retardant residues
PossibleVolatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Formaldehyde and VOC off-gassing, Azo dyes and heavy metals in colorants, Dust and dust mite allergens and Moth and insect infestation risk on the Axminster and not on the Shaw Industries.
- We flag Undisclosed stain/soil treatment chemistry, Flame retardant residues, Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing and Microfiber shedding and inhalation on the Shaw Industries and not on the Axminster.
- The Axminster is wool plaid, Axminster weave where the Shaw Industries is Nylon/polyester blend carpet with unknown stain/soil treatment, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
- The gap is 45 points, wide enough that this is not a close call, and the Axminster is the one to buy.
- We are less certain about the Shaw Industries grade, at 45% confidence against 72%, because it discloses less.
Both products run through the same public rubric, which covers materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →
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