Thanks Mark, You are right. I guess i am looking for both. I would appreciate opinions on this carpet treatment and other alternatives.

The only information I can find online is vague and the carpet stores we have visited haven't had the answers either. We will try contacting Shaw directly tomorrow.

The manufacturer will not disclose toxic contents. Try to get a MSDS (material safety data sheet) disclosing compound analysis and health risks. If they will not cooperate move on.

Thank you, fixer! That helps a lot. We will ask for a MSDS.

Along with the MSDS(companies are required by Federal law to produce them), allergists(doctors) and web sites like WebMD can offer information/help.

Thank you, HandyMac! That is a great tip!!

Just now, we were able to find an msds for the r2x carpet cleaner. My husband who is a chemical engineer was very concerned about what he read in terms of chemicals used and toxicity of the product. Hopefully we find tomorrow when we call that the cleaner and the treatment are different, but it doesn't look good.

I am finding wool carpet and a few other alternatives but they are all quite expensive, especially considering we need to get flooring for the entire house.

Angela. If your husband is a chemical engineer then you already know the answer.

Fixer, you are right. There are 2 different products tho. His concern was about the stain remover, not the carpet treatment. We couldn't find an msds on the carpet treatment but have requested it.

My husband talked to Shaw this morning and the representative said the ingredients of the r2x stain treatment are proprietary but that the carpet is non-toxic and safe. She also said the treatment is embedded and not sprayed or dipped on like many other carpets and she touted their green label plus certification. We are still a little skeptical so we did email asking for the msds.

One last thing... we realized even the stain remover is listed specifically on the msds as NOT having a California Prop 65 warning. I really thought everything under the sun got this warning.

Maybe you'd be better off putting wood floors down and just getting wool area rugs.

Cork. Some of the LOWEST VOC CONTENT FLOORING in the world. Even the click together cork floors sitting on HDF have extremely low VOC content. I know of some that are better than finished hardwood. The HDF out of Europe is MILES ahead of CARB II requirements. In fact, they've been passing CARB II requirements for a decade BEFORE CARB II came into existence. The most off-gassing for cork floating floors = ascetic acid (aka vinegar).

If you have a baby with chemical sensitivities, carpet isn't going to do what you need. The fibre shedding and the allergens associated with carpet are also issues. Often when people have chemical sensitivities they have other issues (allergies being the main one).

Stick with something that is natural (as can be) and with LOW VOC content. Solid hardwood with UV cured factory finish will do it. Cork flooring (either click or solid) will be the best "carpet replacement" option on the market.

Be aware though that cork can't be refinished. While some people say its softer on the feet than hardwood, I didn't find it to be any better after standing on it for several hours at a friends Christmas party.

If considering wool carpet, be aware that pests LOVE wool. Carpet beetles and silverfish will happily eat it - THEN what do you do to kill them off?

We used floating hardwood floors for our build, since DH cant have carpet due to pet allergies. We used synthetic rugs in some areas for warmth.

Actually, cork can be REFRESHED. That is something that the other click together floors out there. A glue down cork floor = 150 years of life! I kid you not. It won't need a "full sand and refinish". It will require refreshing every decade or so. A single coat of finish applied to add to the existing finish. When done properly, a cork glue down floor will out last a solid hardwood.

Thank you for the great ideas!

We went out tonight looking and found a couple cork options but much more bamboo. We will keep looking.

Has anyone had experience with bamboo? Specifically Cali Bamboo? And if so, how hard is it to install the clicking system planks yourself?

FWIW - I was at a flooring store yesterday and warned about Bamboo (which he sold) and moisture. It is less dimensionally stable with high moisture levels than wood, and especially compared to engineered flooring. Obviously this depends where you are and what you are building on.

I think the best answer for now is prefinished hard wood with wool carpets where you have to have them. Best answer including a material that is reasonable cost, looks good, is fine for resale, and limits toxins. That, and of course, adequate venitalation.

In our last house, we had a wool area rug in our son's room. I think it was about $800 (13x14 room). We still have it - no pests every bothered it. 8 years old. If you compare to the cost of BPA free containers and organic foods over time, it isn't bad.

Angela I would love to know what you ended up going with! We have a toddler and are in the same boat. We need to replace our carpeting and are wondering what the best option is.

Yes, Angela. What did you end up with. I bought shaw carpet, and the sales person did not really inform us of the r2x. Only after I paid the deposit (about $2k), did I realize that this carpet could be dangerous. I'm freaked out. If you're able to share any of your findings and the MSDS, please let me know. We have a toddler as well who's new play area will be all carpet.

I know this is an older post but I did see a more recent comment from March. I actually have a copy of the MSDS. I will snap a photo of the ingredient list in a little while and post it.

Thank you! We would like to see as well.

Pretty please, Liz! I am getting ready to purchase something! This house is prone to pests....

Ugh. I just took the time to look over the msds again and realized it’s for their floor cleaning product. I’m wondering if they aren’t willing to say what it is.. sorry guys.

Aw man. Thanks for trying! I seriously freak out about it all the time. I really wish we didn’t buy this carpet. I had no clue until it was too late.

I had Shaw carpet for 13 months. I became very sick. After 3 weeks of installation, I developed a red spot on my cheek. The spot turned into my entire face. My face would turn bright red, then almost hard and dark, and eventually peel off. I also had a slight cough, no sleep, and intense itching on my face. I went to 3 derms and one allergist. None of them thought it was the carpet. My last episode, my daughter took me to the derm. She told me to move out of my house immediately. I did. It has taken about six weeks and I'm almost clear. I am the only one who reacted. We have pulled up my carpet, hired air cleaner machines, and mopped and cleaned. I also bought 2 air cleaners of my own. I must say this was the worst year of my life. I am 70 years old, active and fit, but I have never been through anything like this. We have now ordered new wool carpet and pad that is not dyed or sprayed with any pesticides or repellants. This has been an expensive adventure, but I could not live how was. Wish I knew how to add photos of what I've been through.

Don't do cork if you are worried about chemicals. I could not find a single cork floor that wasn't coated with polyurethane. The EPA lists polyurethane as a significant source of indoor air pollution AND an irritant as the outgassing is breathed in. Wool carpet is a nightmare if you have pets. Something abut it makes them want to pee all over it!

Thanks, dottt1. Yes, I am sure that it was my carpet that caused my problem. The carpet was made out of plastic bottles....one of Shaw's better carpet. It's gone now. Unfortunately, my new wool carpet will be here Wednesday. I no longer have any pets, but I sure will make sure NO dogs come to visit! Thanks, Nanette

From the Shaw website:

Sounds like it is better than scotchguard that has pfas

For more on scotcguard, see here https://www.ewg.org/guides/cleaners/5571-ScotchGardby3MFabricUpholsteryProtectorSpray/

Ten days ago we had new carpet we bought at Home Depot installed. It is from their Queen line and manufactured by Shaw which we just found out today. We have a 2-story house, 4 bedrooms upstairs, hallway, and downstairs we carpeted the dining room. Rest of downstairs is laminate. Well, since installation which took 2 days, the horrible smell and off gassing hasn't stopped or diminished. I have five 20" box fans in the windows reversed to push air out and the windows open to get cross ventilation. It is the end of Oct. and it is getting cold now here in Oregon and keeping all the windows open is not an option. My wife has a hyper sense of smell caused by Eosinophilic asthma which is a rare asthma. She is having a hard time with the smell and coughing more. I am starting to feel it as well and we both have red eyes. I got a hold of the person at Home Depot who is first in line to bring complaints to. He came to the house quickly, and I took him around and he too said the smell was very strong and he would look into it. He called the next day and told me it was either Shaw or Mohawk carpet and he was trying to get in contact with the vendors. Well, I had written an honest review about the carpet on the Home Depot site of the particular carpet we bought. I got a reply from the manufacturer, Shaw who did express concern and gave me a number to call and talk to someone. I called and spoke to a nice Shaw Rep. who listened to me and my complaints about the carpet smell. She told me that it has R2X as their stain resistance material and that their VOC's in the carpet were not toxic. Aside from that, I still said something was wrong with the carpet, it has such an intense stinking smell that is not going away. The installer even said it had a stronger smell than most carpets he installs. I am 72 yrs. old and have had homes with new carpet and have never smelled anything like this. Something is wrong with the carpet I told the Shaw Rep, probably something in the treatment process. Who knows, machinery failure, employee error, but something is wrong with this carpet to "Stink" and not diminish any off gassing whatsoever. The carpet color is almost white which is what we wanted, maybe they gave it an "extra shot" of stain resistance because it is white? I gave her the phone number of the Home Depot person who is supposed to be helping us and I am going to start pushing buttons tomorrow. I have the top-of-the-line Bissel carpet cleaner and I cleaned the master bedroom closet carpet with hot water only and put the dehumidifier in afterwards. No difference in the smell. We paid $5,200 for the carpet and I hope to get it removed and a refund. Good luck right? But, our health is more important than money and I will rip it out myself if we can't get anywhere with Home Depot or Shaw. It is a real nightmare. We are sleeping on a mattress in the living room, everything upstairs is still not arranged or put back. We are keeping our dog downstairs for her health. My wife is crying because she had put her clothes back in the closet a few days ago and now they stink like the smell, had to take them all out again & bring them downstairs. She is really having a hard time trying to deal with the smell. We were so looking forward to new carpet, instead our life is turned upside down and no idea of when or how we will get this all resolved short of removing it.