Carpets & Rugs, ranked by PFAS safety
39 products graded from Bad to Excellent, safest first. 9 grade Good or better and are worth buying.
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Shaw Industries
Shaw Huntington Vapor Plush Carpet 15' Wide
Avoid or ask Shaw for PFAS-free proof; carpet stain finishes typically contain fluorochemicals.
Rug Doctor
Rug Doctor Max Advanced Deep Carpet Cleaner
Liquid cleaner with no known PFAS risk.
Worth buying Good or Excellent, safest first
Rug Doctor
Max Advanced Deep Carpet Cleaner
Aqueous cleaning solution, surfactants, water
Surfactant skin and eye irritation
Limited concern
Residue buildup on carpet fibers
Limited concern
Liquid cleaner with no known PFAS risk.
⚠Risky category by default
Rug Doctor
X3 Commercial Carpet Cleaner Pro Oxy Pack
Enzymatic and oxygen-based carpet cleaning solution
Enzyme sensitization and respiratory irritation
Limited concern
Surfactant irritation (skin and mucous membrane)
Limited concern
Residual buildup with repeated use
Limited concern
Liquid cleaner with no known PFAS risk factors identified.
⚠Risky category by default
Rug Doctor
Pet TruDeep Cleaner
Carpet cleaning machine, plastic/metal/motor components
Bacterial and mold growth in water systems
Limited concern
Motor emissions and particulate inhalation
Limited concern
Plasticizer migration from hose or seal degradation
Limited concern
Limited PFAS risk as cleaning machine, but brand discloses nothing.
⚠Risky category by default
Rug Doctor
Carpet Cleaner
Water-based cleaning formula, plastic/metal machine components
VOC off-gassing from formula and machine plastics
Limited concern
Bacterial or mold growth in water tanks and internal passages
Moderate concern
Surfactant or cleaning-agent residue in carpet and air
Limited concern
Allergic reactions or skin irritation from undisclosed ingredients
Limited concern
Carpet cleaner formula unlikely to contain PFAS; insufficient disclosure.
⚠Risky category by default
Victoria Carpets
Victoria Rug Classic / 2x4 / Hearth Rust
wool blend / natural fiber rug
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Synthetic fiber off-gassing (VOCs from polyester/nylon blend)
Limited concern
Dust and mold accumulation from inadequate maintenance
Limited concern
Lower concern. Wool rugs rarely use PFAS, but dyes unknown.
⚠Risky category by default
Daltile
ProSeries Loften 20 mil Spa Fabric - 24 x 24
Ceramic tile, porcelain
Grout-related chemical exposure
Limited concern
Bacterial or mold growth in grout lines
Limited concern
Ceramic tile is inherently lower PFAS concern.
⚠Risky category by default
Daltile
Flooring
Ceramic tile, porcelain, or stone composite
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from installation adhesives and grout
Limited concern
Resin off-gassing from stone composite products
Limited concern
Grout moisture retention and mold growth
Limited concern
Crystalline silica dust during cutting or grinding (installation phase)
Limited concern
Ceramic tile is inherently lower PFAS concern.
⚠Risky category by default
CRI (Carpet and Rug Institute)
Style Selections Timeless Brown Polyester Textured Indoor Carpet
polyester fiber, untreated
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) off-gassing
Limited concern
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Dust and fiber shedding inhalation
Limited concern
Lower concern; standard polyester carpet unlikely to contain PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Mohawk
Basics 24 x 24 Carpet Tile EnviroStrand PET Fiber
PET (polyethylene terephthalate) fiber
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from adhesives and sizing agents
Limited concern
Flame retardants
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern. Standard PET fiber unlikely to require PFAS treatments.
⚠Risky category by default
Graded and flagged Poor and Bad, we’d swap these
Victoria Carpets
Victoria Buckingham - Bucki Blue/Ivory
Wool/synthetic blend carpet with stain resistance treatment
Flame retardants
Limited concern
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from stain treatment and backing
Moderate concern
PFAS
High concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Wool carpet with unknown stain treatment, PFAS disclosure unclear.
⚠Stain-resistant finish
Daltile
TrafficMaster Willow Kirkdale Beige Residential 18 x 18 in. Peel and Stick Carpet Tile Square
Synthetic carpet tile with adhesive backing
Flame retardants
High concern
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from adhesive and fibers
Moderate concern
Adhesive degradation and leachables over time
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Skip until PFAS status disclosed; stain resistance suggests possible treatment.
⚠Stain-resistant finish
CRI (Carpet and Rug Institute)
Style Selections Believer Shadow Gray Polyester Textured Indoor Carpet 7l91300502
polyester textured carpet
PFAS
High concern
VOC off-gassing from backing and dyes
Limited concern
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Microplastic fiber shedding and accumulation
Moderate concern
Polyester carpet, stain-resistant treated.
⚠Stain-resistant finish
Stainmaster
8-in x 8-in Ready 2 Play II 58.5-oz sq yard Nylon Textured Indoor Carpet 7L879 - 769 - SAMP
Nylon with stain-resistant treatment
Flame retardants
Limited concern
Volatile organic compounds (VOC) from stain treatment and dyes
Moderate concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
PFAS
High concern
Stain-treated nylon carpet; PFAS risk unclear without disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Mohawk
SmartStrand Silk Luxuriant Space 3M17 Residential Carpet | 3M17-906 Flute
Nylon carpet with stain/soil treatment (proprietary)
Undisclosed stain treatment composition (likely fluorochemicals)
High concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Flame retardants
Limited concern
Microparticle and dust accumulation from fiber shedding and treatment degradation
Moderate concern
High uncertainty. Mohawk uses stain treatments but doesn't disclose PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Victoria Carpets
Sure Enough Victoria Carpet
Wool blend carpet with stain/water resistance treatment
Undisclosed stain/water resistance treatment chemistry
Limited concern
Synthetic backing or blend component VOC off-gassing
Limited concern
Dust and fiber shedding over time
Moderate concern
Stain-resistant carpet likely treated; PFAS risk unclear without disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Victoria Carpets
Lowe's Style Selections Dark Night Gray Textured Indoor Carpet
Nylon or polyester blend with unspecified stain/water treatment
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from stain/water treatment
Limited concern
Flame retardants
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Microfiber shedding and respiratory exposure
Moderate concern
Skip until manufacturer discloses stain treatment chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Daltile
Foss Floors Couture Peel & Stick Carpet Tiles
Vinyl composition tile (VCT) with adhesive backing and protective coating
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from vinyl, adhesive, and coating
Limited concern
Phthalates
Limited concern
Adhesive degradation and leaching over time
Limited concern
Skip until manufacturer discloses waterproofing chemistry details.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Interface
Dark Pattern Carpet Tile Pallet – 1000 Sq Ft Commercial Grade
Nylon/polyester blend carpet tile with stain/soil treatment
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from stain/soil treatment
Limited concern
Flame retardants
Limited concern
Fiber shedding and inhalation of treated nylon/polyester particles
High concern
Degradation of stain coating over time and chemical leaching
Moderate concern
Skip. Stain-resistant carpet tile without PFAS disclosure raises concern.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Interface
Style Selections Select Elements Home & Office Crestline Granite Needlebond Carpet Indoor or Outdoor polyester
polyester needlebond with stain/water resistance treatment
PFAS
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Coating degradation and microfiber shedding
Moderate concern
Needlebond carpet with stain treatment; PFAS risk unclear without disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Interface
TrafficMASTER Truly Coffee Brown 12 ft. 16 oz. SD Polyester Texture Full Roll Carpet
polyester carpet with stain/moisture resistant treatment
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from stain/moisture treatment
High concern
Flame retardants
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from wear and vacuum damage
Moderate concern
Stain-resistant carpet likely treated with PFAS; no brand disclosure or third-party testing.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Stainmaster
8-in x 8-in Ready 2 Play III 73.1-oz sq yard Nylon Textured Indoor Carpet 7L880 -
nylon carpet with stain-resist treatment
PFAS
High concern
Microfiber shedding
Moderate concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Volatile organic compound off-gassing
Limited concern
Stain-treated carpet likely contains PFAS; brand silent on chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Stainmaster
8-in x 8-in Ready 2 Play 45.8-oz sq yard Nylon Textured Indoor Carpet
Nylon fiber with stain-resistant treatment
Flame retardants
Limited concern
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and off-gassing
High concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from fiber breakdown
Moderate concern
Nylon carpet with stain treatment; PFAS risk unclear without disclosure.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Stainmaster
8-in x 8-in Impassioned II 68.3-oz sq yard Polyester Textured Indoor Carpet
polyester carpet with stain-resist treatment
Flame retardants
High concern
VOC and aldehyde off-gassing from adhesives and finishing treatments
Limited concern
Dust and particulate trapping from dense pile
Moderate concern
Degradation of stain coating and recontamination under heat or aggressive cleaning
Limited concern
Stainmaster carpets likely treated; brand silent on PFAS composition.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
CRI (Carpet and Rug Institute)
Home Decorators Collection Clareview Color Eastglen Texture 12 ft. Carpet
Nylon/polyester blend carpet with stain and soil treatment
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and off-gassing from synthetic fibers
High concern
Synthetic fiber shedding and microparticle inhalation
High concern
Flame retardants
Limited concern
Degradation of carpet backing and adhesives over time
Moderate concern
Stain-resistant carpet likely treated with PFAS; no disclosure from brand.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
LifeProof
Plush Retreat-Ivory 12 ft. Wide x Cut to Length 65 oz. SD Polyester Texture Carpet 1 Sq. yrd.
Polyester with unknown stain/water-resistant treatment
Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing from treatments and adhesives
Limited concern
Coating degradation and microfiber/treatment particle shedding over time
Limited concern
Skip until treatment ingredients disclosed; carpet stain treatments often contain PFAS.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Stainmaster
Asher Toasted Oat Brown 39-oz sq yard Solution-dyed polyester Textured Indoor Carpet one_size
Solution-dyed polyester with stain resistance treatment
PFAS
High concern
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from backing and adhesives
Limited concern
Stain-resistant carpet likely treated with PFAS; brand silent on chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Mohawk
Pet Premier Canine Comfort 3N78 Residential Carpet | 3N78-769 Frosty Spice
Nylon/synthetic fiber blend with stain/soil treatment
Stain treatment chemical identity (unspecified)
Limited concern
Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing
Limited concern
Microfiber shedding and dust accumulation
High concern
Pet carpet with unspecified stain treatment.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Stainmaster
Compelling Choice II Textured Indoor Carpet Polyester SS020-12-L
Polyester with unspecified stain-resistant treatment
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from stain-treatment finish and off-gassing
High concern
PFAS
High concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Flame retardants
Limited concern
Skip until Stainmaster discloses stain-treatment chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Stainmaster
PetProtect with LeakDefense Comforting Coat III CROSSROADS Brown 70-oz sq yard Polyester Textured Indoor Carpet one_size | SS070-12-L010
Polyester textile with proprietary stain/leak defense treatment
PFAS
High concern
VOC and aldehyde off-gassing
Limited concern
Antimony in polyester resin
Limited concern
Azo dyes and colorant stability
Limited concern
Skip unless the brand discloses treatment chemistry.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patcraft
Skill Savvy Carpet Tiles
Nylon/polyester blend with unspecified stain/water treatments
PFAS
High concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from synthetic fibers and treatments
Moderate concern
Azo dyes in polyester component
Limited concern
Avoid unless Patcraft confirms what chemicals treat these tiles for stain resistance.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patcraft
Shaw Patcraft Streamline Carpet Tile Strie Green 18" x 36" Premium (63 sq ft/ctn)
Polypropylene carpet tile with unknown stain/water treatment
PFAS
High concern
Flame retardants
Limited concern
Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding from pile wear
Limited concern
Avoid until Patcraft reveals its stain-treatment formula or provides independent PFAS testing.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Patcraft
Shaw / Grey/Black Patcraft Streamline Carpet Tile
Nylon/polyester carpet tile with stain-resistant treatment
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from stain finish and adhesive
Limited concern
Microplastics
Limited concern
PFAS
Limited concern
Avoid unless Patcraft reveals its stain-resistant treatment or proves it's PFAS-free.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
Shaw Industries
Shaw Timeless Appeal I 15' Residential Carpet | Q4311-00301 Mojave
Nylon/polyester blend carpet with unknown stain/soil treatment
Undisclosed stain/soil treatment chemistry
High concern
Flame retardants
Limited concern
Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing
Limited concern
Microfiber shedding and inhalation
Moderate concern
Avoid until Shaw explains what chemicals it uses to make this carpet stain-resistant.
⚠Waterproof or stain-proof treatment
- 30Shaw Industries Shaw Cornerstone Batter Up Ii 12-Ft W X Cut-To-Length Textured Interior Carpet
- 30Shaw Industries Shaw Sample Carbon Copy Carpet Tile SP704
- 30Shaw Industries Shaw Sample Dynamo 24x24 Carpet Tile 54857
- 30Shaw Industries Shaw Ultimate Expression 12' Residential Carpet | 19698-301 Mojave
- 30Shaw Industries Shaw Bear Creek 24 in. W x 24 in. L Distressed Gray Carpet Floor Tile
- 30Shaw Industries Shaw Huntington Vapor Plush Carpet 15' Wide
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