A Complete Guide to Non-Toxic Sofa Brands

This is a complete list of eco-friendly non-toxic sofa brands.

I start with the best of the best non-toxic sofas, digging into what’s really in them, this is followed by a “next best” list, and then a look at some simpler and more affordable options.

Non-Toxic Sofas and Couches – What to Look For:

Natural cushion fill such as natural latex, cotton, down, and wool.

No chemical/formaldehyde treatments on the fabric (such as stain and water-resistant coatings, especially PFAS) .

. Eco Leather – Conventional leather is made with toxic dyes and treatments. Some folks may prefer leather due to the ability to wipe it down. Brands that use safer leather are covered in a dedicated post.

– Conventional leather is made with toxic dyes and treatments. Brands that use safer leather are covered in a dedicated post. Solid wood construction, not formaldehyde filled pressed wood products .

. Zero or low-VOC glues, stains, and varnishes

Flame retardant free ( my post on flame retardants goes into detail on which ones we want to avoid)

Polyurethane does offgas at low levels, but I don’t rule it out completely. Make sure it is flame retardant free (“Soy Foam” is still polyurethane with some soy) . I avoid memory foam which is higher in offgassing.

. I avoid memory foam which is higher in offgassing. GOTS certified fabrics and GOLS certified latex are best – which are explained in this post on certifications

Many of the companies below also offer upholstered chairs, recliners, and non-toxic sofa beds/sleeper sofas. You will have to choose between polyurethane or natural latex in the beds.

I recommend all of the products here, some products have affiliate programs and some do not. Upon purchase, I earn a small commission through affiliate links at no extra cost to you.

The 8 Top Non-Toxic Sofa Brands You Can Buy Online

1. Medley

Medley sofas are made with either polyurethane or organic natural latex, no-VOC glues, no flame retardants, fabric options that are all-natural or organic, solid alder frames with natural or zero-VOC finishes, and organic cotton internal frame lining.

They offer a sample kit which is really helpful for those who want to check out the materials first.

If you are looking for a hypoallergenic option this sample box will help to narrow in on what you are allergic to. Medley is a top pick for most people with allergies and sensitivities.

They carry loveseats, standard size sofas, sectionals, and sleeper sofas.

They offer leather as an upholstery option. It’s semi-aniline leather with a water-based coating on top, which I talk more about in the leather furniture post.

Made in the USA. Delivery to the US, Canada, and beyond.

Start at $1500

You can use code MyChemFreeHouse5 for 5% off.

2. The Futon Shop

The Futon Shop has a sofa called Daisy Organic Natural Sofa.

It’s made with solid pine (no glues) and has various options for the fill.

The seat cushion fill options include wool with coils, wool, and latex, or all three. You can change the main fill to PLA or upgrade to organic wool and latex.

The base arms and back of the sofa are made with natural latex, coconut coir, and natural wool encased in fabric.

The fabric options include organic cotton, linen, and wool.

They make chairs, loveseats, sofas, and sectionals.

Made in the USA they can provide you with a quote if you are shipping outside of the contiguous 48 states.

Start at $1800 for the sofas.

4. EcoBalanza

These handmade, customized sofas are high quality and made with traditional methods – and that means less glue and more material options.

They use organic wool, organic cotton, GOLS certified organic natural Dunlop latex, and GOTS certified fabrics. No flame retardants are used anywhere. Kapok and down are offered in some configurations.

They use non-toxic zero-VOC glues and Rubio Monocoat stains. They can use a different finish if the customer is sensitive to Rubio, or they can leave it unfinished. Solid wood frames are made of alder and beech, ash is usually used for the legs.

They can also accommodate a latex allergy by completely leaving out and replacing the latex.

They make 3 seaters, loveseats, and sectionals. (They also make chairs, ottomans, bed frames, and headboards).

They make leather sofas with EcoPell leather which is unsealed, vegetable-tanned, and free of heavy metals. It’s the only truly safe leather on the list – I go into detail on why that is here.

This is the most customizable brand on the list. The Essential Collection is more of option than a collection, and is a more affordable option.

Handmade in Seattle, they ship to all states and to Canada.

Start at $3800

5. Sabai

Sabai sofas are made with recycled fabrics (some from polyethylene water bottles), and the fabric contains no stain guard treatments like PFAS.

They use solid wood inside the sofa, no glues are used in the sofa, and the stain on the legs is low-VOC.

A nice bonus is that 90% of the materials are sourced within 100 miles of production.

They do not use any flame retardants.

Prices start at $1300, use this link for $60 off.

6. PURE

Pure sofas are made with organic latex with a feather and down wrap, solid maple wood, organic wool, GOTS certified organic cotton, Greenguard certified water-based glue, and Rubio Monocoat wood finish on legs. No flame retardants are used.

They offer sofas, loveseats, sectionals, some sleeper sofas, and a recliner. (Out of the top tier eco companies this is the only one that makes a non-toxic recliner).

Made in America. They ship to the 48 contiguous states. It’s possible to order one to Canada but you need a customs broker.

Start at $1400

You can mention My Chemical-Free House for 5% off.

3. Cisco Brothers

Cisco Brothers sofas are either the Essentials Collection or they can be made with the Inside Green option. The base line is called Essentials Collection which contains hardwood (no plywood), typically alder or maple, polyurethane foam, and cushions with goose feathers & down. Fabrics are washed to remove any residual dust or chemicals.

The Inside Green option contains organic natural latex instead of polyurethane, wrapped in either eco wool or feathers & down. They use certified solid woods, organic cotton fabrics with no toxic treatments, jute and hemp instead of springs, and WOCA natural stains.

No flame retardants are used.

They make sofas, loveseats, and sectionals.

Made in the USA. Sold at locations throughout the US and Canada and online through Urban Natural.

Starts at $2300. The “Inside Green” option starts at $3400

7. Carolina Morning

The wooden structure is made from regionally harvested Appalachian poplar wood, finished with Vermont Natural Coatings finish.

The futon covers are an organic 100% cotton canvas (in eight colors), and they are filled with kapok fiber. The kapok is grown without herbicides and pesticides.

Carolina Morning sofas are made with the chemically sensitive in mind, and they go to good lengths to keep out added chemicals.

$2,350

8. Savvy Rest Couch

Made with solid maple (no plywood or particleboard), GOTS-certified organic upholstery (hemp and/or cotton), natural latex wrapped in organic wool, and the option of linseed oil finished or unfinished feet.

No flame retardants are used. They make sofas, loveseats, and upholstered chairs.

Made in America they ship to all states and Canada. I have not been happy with their customer service personally.

Next Best Options

The next best options are sofas free of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These are my criteria:

No use of per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances is a top priority in terms of avoiding persistent chemicals. Only a few sofa brands, apart from the above 8 options, are free of PFAS.

Solid wood or plywood inside the sofa are preferred. Particleboard can be considered but has more offgassing.

No flame retardants.

No memory foam (that is higher in offgassing than regular foam).

1. Pottery Barn Eco Sofa

Pottery Barn has options that I would consider in their green line. The down blend is 50% polyester fiber, 45% duck feather, and 5% duck down. After emailing the company, it sounds like the down option has no foam. Some of their other sofas are made with polyurethane.

They use solid wood inside the construction and some of the fabric options are GOTS certified organic cotton. (This sets them apart from most other large national big brands). GOTS certified fabrics and their Crypton fabric are both free of PFAS.

Priced from $1000 – $2900

2. Burrow Sofas

Burrow sofas are free of PFAS, the olefin fabrics are inherently stain resistant. They use solid wood inside the sofa.

Starting at $1500, you can get $75 off with this link.

3. IKEA Sofas

The standard IKEA sofas not the futons) are made with particleboard, which offgasses some formaldehyde; regular polyester fabric not treated with perfluorinated chemicals (PFAS including PFOS, PFOA, PFOSA); and polyurethane foam cushions which are low in offgassing and free of flame retardants.

The main difference between IKEA and the “greener” brands above is the use of particleboard.

IKEA sells loveseats, sofas, sectionals, sofa beds, upholstered chairs, and recliners.

Prices start from $250

4. Crate and Barrel

Crate and Barrel eliminated PFAS and flame retardants from their upholstery. However, I did hear from one of the fabric makers that they do use PFAS in 2021: Babyletto’s fabric company Livesmart by Culp confirmed that the Crate and Kids Babyletto Kiwi is made with .15% PFAS.

Some of the sofas I looked at had engineered wood (plywood probably) and some had solid wood inside.

There was standard polyurethane foam on the ones I reviewed with no flame retardants.

The fabric swatches had an odor that was hard to describe, something similar to a very light rubber smell.

They sell sofas, loveseats, sectionals, sleeper sofas, upholstered chairs, and recliners.

Prices start at about $1000

5. Room and Board

Room and Board has also eliminated PFAS from their fabrics. This was written in an industry document and confirmed in writing by their products reps.

Some of the fabrics are GreenGuard Gold certified but I couldn’t pick up any major difference between those and their regular fabrics.

The frames are made from solid wood. The foam is regular polyurethane that is free of flame retardants, I did not see any memory foam options.

They sell sofas, loveseats, sectionals, day beds, sofa beds, upholstered chairs, and recliners.

Prices start at $1200

6. Vegan Polyurethane Leather Couches

This is not a brand, but a type of sofa to look for that I consider non-toxic and safe is a polyurethane (PU) faux leather sofa.

Whenever looking at faux leather check to see what kind of plastic it is. It could be PVC, PU, or nylon. I avoid PVC faux leather.

I like PU because it doesn’t contain plasticizers, PFAS, or other stain guard chemicals, it’s low odor – and even that will pass. It also is quite a good block of VOCs or semi-VOCs that could be coming from inside the couch.

Elodie Finch makes a cute PU leather sofa for about $1000.

Pottery Barn Teen makes a really cool lounger chair out of PU for $300.

7. Crypton Fabric (no PFAS)

Pottery Barn has some sofas made with Crypton fabric which we know is free of PFAS/PFCS these are still performance fabrics that have a bit of a higher odor than non-performance fabrics from PB.

The Pearce Roll Arm sofa has the Crypton fabric option. The frame is solid wood and the cushions are a mix of regular polyurethane (no flame retardants) and polyester batting.

(Other: by 2022 Target will have eliminated PFAs from textiles).

Alternative Sofa Options: Simple and Affordable

Daybeds and Futons

Metal Daybeds

If you are highly chemically sensitive or you just want something simpler and cheaper, you could try a metal daybed from Walmart, IKEA, or Amazon and put a non-toxic mattress of your choosing on it.

Some of the metal daybed frames will accommodate a MondoKing Thermarest.

Futons

An option from Amazon

You can buy simple futons with a wood or metal base from Amazon or IKEA.

IKEA makes a futon and simple metal-based sofa that contains polyurethane foam (no flame retardants). This option cuts back on other toxic materials used in regular sofas.

A simple sofa with a washable cover can be an asset to those with sensitivities and allergies who need to launder items often.

An even simpler option from IKEA is the Hammarn little futon for $129. This has a metal frame, and only a small amount of polyurethane (no flame retardants).

A simple option like this can be quite non-toxic and offgas rather quickly, especially after a little time airing out.

The more polyurethane, the more you have to offgas. Not all futons have foam though. You have to check what the fill is.

The more components you have inside a typical sofa, the more offgassing you have from pressed wood products, stains, and glues. Futons eliminate pressed wood products and cut down on glues used. They often don’t have stains.

Metal frames eliminate all offgassing of both stains and wood glues.

If you want a proper futon bed for sleeping made of truly safe or natural materials check out my post on mattresses where I outline a number of options in this category.

Outdoor Furniture

You could also look at outdoor furniture to be used either outside or inside.

The benefit here would be the simplicity of the design. Metal, plastic or solid wood as the base. Cushions that can be left outside to offgas or replaced with a cushion of your choice.

Outdoor cushions are made with either polyurethane or polyester fill and the covers can have waterproofing on them, but because of the ability to remove them from the sofa and offgas them, this could be a simple, affordable and healthy option for many.

IKEA outdoor furniture is free of PFOAs/PFCs. Crypton fabric is also free of these highly fluorinated chemicals.

There are three options you might find on Amazon: solid wood outdoor sofas, metal-framed outdoor sofas, and plastic-based outdoor sofas.

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Corinne Segura is a Building Biologist Practitioner with 7 years of experience helping others create healthy homes

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