Home Textiles Non Toxic Shopping Guide

Creating a healthier home environment includes making thoughtful choices about the textiles and furniture you bring into your space. Many conventional options contain chemicals like flame retardants, PFAS coatings, or formaldehyde, which can off-gas harmful toxins into your indoor air. Here’s how to shop smarter and make your home a safer, more comfortable haven. This category can get expensive, so we'll be sure to make some budget-friendly suggestions at the end.

For all of our buying guides, check out our Ultimate Toxin-Free Shopping Guide.

We don’t stock everything listed here, so you’ll find links to Amazon or other stores. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you (affiliate disclosure).

How to Shop for Non-Toxic Home Textiles and Furniture

Choose Safe Materials

Whenever possible, opt for organic materials like organic cotton, linen, or wool for bed sheets, upholstery, and mattresses. Fabric frequencies refer to the vibrational energy emitted by different materials, with natural fibers like organic cotton, wool, and linen believed to have higher, more harmonious frequencies compared to synthetic fabrics like polyester or nylon. These higher frequencies are thought to promote better energy flow, comfort, and well-being, making natural fabrics a preferred choice for those seeking a holistic lifestyle.

When purchasing furniture, look for solid wood options rather than particleboard which often contain formaldehyde-based adhesives. Solid wood will also last much longer and can be repaired more easily. Even better if the solid wood is untreated, although most woods are treated for insect, water or fire resistance.

Steer clear of items labeled as “waterproof” or “stain-resistant”, as these often include PFAS coatings. Look for untreated fabrics or naturally water-resistant materials like wool instead.

You may also come across organic latex and might be wondering if it's a toxin-free choice. Organic latex is derived from the sap of rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) and is processed without harsh chemicals such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), synthetic flame retardants, or petroleum-based materials commonly found in synthetic latex, and requires no off-gassing. It's also naturally resistant to dust mites, mold, and bacteria.

We generally avoid Bamboo because of how toxic the process is to convert Bamboo trees into fabric. However, if you are set on Bamboo, look for Bamboo Linen or Lyocell instead of Bamboo Viscose or Rayon, which uses less chemicals and a more environmentally friendly production process. 

Look for Safety Certifications

Certifications can help you identify products made with safer materials and fewer harmful chemicals. Here are some to prioritize:

• GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard): Ensures that textiles like mattresses, bed sheets, and upholstery are made from certified organic fibers and processed with minimal chemicals.
• GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard): If buying latex, this label ensures the latex is at least 95% organic.
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100: Tests for harmful substances in fabrics, ensuring they meet stringent safety criteria.
• Greenguard or Greenguard Gold: Certifies that furniture and mattresses emit low levels of VOCs, contributing to healthier indoor air quality.
• FSC (Forest Stewardship Council): Ensures wood is sourced sustainably and is free from toxic treatments.
• Made Safe: Indicates that a product has been independently vetted for safety and contains no known harmful chemicals.

Off-Gas New Items

Even the safest furniture and textiles can release residual odors or chemicals when new. Off-gassing helps minimize these exposures:

• How to Off-Gas Furniture:
  1. Unbox the item outdoors or in a well-ventilated garage.
  2. Let it sit outside on a dry, sunny day for at least 24–48 hours.
  3. If outdoor space isn’t available, place it in a room with open windows or use an air purifier to help clear VOCs.
• For Textiles: Wash new bedding or curtains in a toxin-free laundry detergent before use to remove residual chemicals from the manufacturing process.

Prioritize a Low Budget

Replacing everything in your home with toxin-free alternatives isn’t always financially feasible. We suggest prioritizing items that come into direct contact with your skin which makes the biggest difference.

• Bed Sheets and Pillows: Your skin spends hours each night against your bedding, so opt for organic cotton or linen sheets as a first step.
• Bath Towels: The pores on your skin are the most open after a warm shower. Drape them in clean fabrics by opting for natural fiber, organic bath towels.
• Drape your Sofa: Couldn't afford a certified sofa? Something as simple as draping an organic cotton blanket over the seat can limit what comes into contact with your skin.
• Upgrade Gradually: Even if you can’t replace a mattress or sofa immediately, consider using an organic mattress topper or a natural slipcover as a stopgap. When you buy new furniture, opt for quality items.

Brands and Products to Consider

This is certainly not an exhaustive list. This is why we spent some time educating you on what to look for. However, I do share some suggestions to get you started on your search!

Bedding

• Lane Linen 100% Organic Cotton Sheets (GOTS certified, budget option)
• DAPU Linen Sheets (OEKO-TEX certified)
• California Den 100% Organic Sheets (GOTS certified, budget option)
• Simple & Opulence Linen Sheets (OEKO-TEX certified)
• Boll & Branch Bedding (Luxury brand, 100% organic)
• Delara Organic Cotton Sheets (GOTS certified)

Pillows

Beware: I once tried the trendy non-toxic buckwheat pillow and... unless you like sleeping on a pile of walnut shells, it's a pass!! 😆 Needless to say, it was returned immediately and you won't find any buckwheat pillows here!

• Naturepedic Organic Latex Pillow (GOTS and GOLS certified)
• Avocado 100% Organic Pillow (shell is Organic Cotton, Fill is Organic latex and Kapok, GOTS and GOLS certified)
• Turmerry Organic Pillows (they have both GOLS certified organic latex and shredded latex pillows with Organic cotton cover)
• Organic Textiles Contour Latex Pillow (GOTS and GOLS certified; they have Natural Latex pillows too that are less expensive but those are not GOLS certified)
• Puredown Goose Feathers Down Pillow (goose feather filling and 100% cotton cover; affordable option)
• KeaBabies Toddler Pillow (budget choice; Cover is cotton but not GOTS certified, however the pillow is OEKO-TEX certified)
• Bioweaves 100% Organic Cotton Pillow Protector (great affordable option if you want to cover your current pillows with better fabric! GOTS certified)

Bath

If you are local to a TJ Maxx, Homegoods or Ross, I have been pleasantly surprised with some of their affordable organic options. However, their stock is random and never guaranteed. Here are some great online options. Be wary of many Amazon-only Chinese brands when shopping on Amazon.

• Delara 100% Organic Cotton Bath Towels (GOTS, OEKO-TEX certified)
• Puskul Organic Turkish Cotton Towels (OEKO-TEX certified, made in Turkey)
• California Den 100% Cotton Towels (not organic, budget choice)

Mattresses

• Naturepedic Organic Mattresses (Baby, Kids, Adult) (this brand basically has all the certifications: GOLS, GOTS, MadeSafe, Greenguard, etc. - however, make sure to check every individual product as it varies)
• Naturepedic Organic Mattress Protector (two layers of organic cotton jersey on top and bottom and a GOTS approved waterproof polyurethane layer)
• Avocado Organic Mattress (GOTS, GOLS, FSC-certified)
• Happsy (GOTS, Greenguard - Organic Cotton, Organic Wool, Organic Latex, Organic Cotton Filling; made without glues; bed in a box delivery; made in the USA)
• My Green Mattress (GOTS, GOLS, organic wool, cotton and latex)

Mattress Protectors

Most mattress protectors are going to have some kind of plastic or polyester lining. The closest you can get to waterproof without synthetic fibers would be a wool-based one, but these are usually water resistant and not completely waterproof. Here are some options that may work for you:

• Naturepedic Organic Waterproof Mattress Protector (GOTS approved waterproof polyurethane layer encased by 2 layers of organic cotton jersey)
• Happsy Organic Waterproof Mattress Protector (Greenguard, GOTS-certified organic cotton, Made Safe; organic cotton jersey with waterproof layer)
• Whisper Organics Mattress Protector (Fair-Trade, GOTS, Unbleached cotton sourced from India; cover is organic cotton, filling is cotton batting)
• Mattshield Original Waterproof Organic Mattress Protector (OEKO-TEX, organic cotton on top, waterproof TPU layer on bottom; Wyoming company, budget buy)
• My Green Mattress Waterproof Cover (Greenguard, GOTS certified organic cotton; the waterproof layer makes up 5% made of thermoplastic polyurethane from renewable resources; sewn in Illinois)

Furniture

Many of the popular furniture stores will have some collections that are Greenguard, GOTS, GOLS or boast some other type of non toxic certification. Here are a few links to get you started:

• West Elm Greenguard Collection
• Crate & Barrel Greenguard Collection 
• Pottery Barn Greenguard Collection 
• Storkcraft - many of their pieces are Greenguard Gold certified. Mostly nursery furniture.
• Delta Children - many baby and kids furniture pieces, most of which are Greenguard certified.
• Graco - Greenguard certified nursery furniture.
• DaVinci - Greenguard certified nursery furniture.
• Medley Home - this is an online brand; they have some FSC and OEKO-TEX certified options. Made to order in LA.

Budget "Better" but not "Best" Picks

It's no surprise that furniture is expensive. If you cannot afford the above options, I recommend at least seeking out solid wood furniture. Without certifications, you won't know if they are using toxic glues or VOC-emitting paint. However, at the very least you are making a better choice material-wise and quality-wise.

Avoid particle board furniture at all costs! They known to use toxic glues, formaldehyde and they just don't last very long, which is a quick trip to the landfill. 

Always remember to let any new furniture off-gas outside before settling in your home.

• Walker Edison - This brand does not boast any certifications or make any non toxic claims other than compliance, however, they are an affordable brand that carries lots of solid wood options at "particle board" prices. You can shop direct or on Amazon.
• Plank+Beam - another affordable brand with a great selection of solid wood pieces. You can shop direct or on Amazon.
• Wayfair, Overstock and Bed, Bath & Beyond do sell some solid wood and quality pieces, you just need to go looking for them. Even though they may not be certified, it is better than cheap, toxic furniture, and at a more affordable price.