Say Goodbye to “Forever Chemicals”: Choose PFAS-Free Carpets and Rugs

Have you ever thought about what might be hiding in your carpets and rugs? Something you can’t see but could be affecting your health? One thing could be PFAS, or "forever chemicals." These chemicals are in a lot of products, including many carpets and rugs, but we’re here to help you learn how to avoid them and make healthier choices for your home or office.

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These chemicals have been used since the 1940s to make products resistant to water, grease, and stains. That sounds useful, but there’s a big problem.

These chemicals don’t break down in the environment or in your body, which is why they’re called "forever chemicals." They are linked to serious health problems for all living creatures (think humans to pets to wildlife), such as:

These chemicals can stay in the air and dust in your home or office, and you can breathe them in without even knowing it. This is why it’s so important to choose carpets and rugs that don’t contain PFAS.

Have you ever spilled something on your carpet and been thankful it didn’t leave a stain? Many carpets and rugs are treated with PFAS to make them water- and stain-resistant. However, this treatment comes at a cost.

Every time you walk, sit, or vacuum these carpets, tiny particles of PFAS can get into the air and onto surfaces. Over time, these particles can enter your body and build up, which is bad for your health.

The good news is that you don’t have to settle for carpets and rugs with PFAS. There are many options available that are healthier for you and the environment.

Some states are already taking steps to restrict manufacturing and sales of carpets and rugs with PFAS. The following states have passed laws against these chemicals: California, Connecticut, Colorado, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Washington, and Vermont.

Regardless of which state you live in, now is a great time to ditch & switch to PFAS-free carpets and rugs, while we wait for compliance to fully catches up with policy changes.

In the Seattle-metro area, Floor Coverings International Seattle-Shoreline franchise owner Mark Baldwin is proud to almost exclusively carry PFAS-free carpets and rugs.

"As a father of two small children, I’m very mindful of what they are putting in their bodies. I take that approach with the floors we sell and install. Just like my family, our customers deserve products that are safe for their families and the environment," says Baldwin.

Mark's Floor Coverings International Seattle team offers stellar, in-home flooring service that includes measurements, material selection and installation, but if you are more of a D.I.Y. type, Home Depot and Lowe's stopped carrying PFAS carpets and rugs in 2020. 

If you’re in the Seattle Metro area and need help keeping your carpets and furniture clean without PFAS coatings, I recommend All Building Services. They have great customer service and use eco-friendly cleaning methods that are safe for your home and family.

Here are some easy steps to choose healthier carpets and rugs:

Choosing PFAS-free carpets and rugs isn’t just about following the rules in states with restrictions—it’s about protecting your health, the health of those around you and Earth's ecosystem.

By Ditching PFAS flooring and making the Switch, you’re also supporting companies that care about safety and sustainability.

Environmental health research & advocacy group that is one of my go-to resources for all things low-toxin living.

If you are wondering what the government is doing to restrict forever chemicals, check out the EPA's PFAS info page. Hope is in the air because Safer States are stepping up to fill the gap in action.

Environmental Working Group created an easy to follow guide for purchasing healthier carpets. I use EWG's healthy living app every day!