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Car seats without flame retardants are growing in popularity. Here’s a complete list of all car seats that are made with naturally flame-resistant fabrics.
Since the Ecology Center began studying toxic chemicals in car seats, car seat manufacturers have begun listening to parents who are concerned about the use of toxic flame retardant chemicals in car seats. At this time, there are four manufacturers who have introduced car seats without flame retardants. This is great news because it means that our voices are being heard, and there are safer options on the market.
When it comes to choosing a car seat for your baby, you should always prioritize physical safety above anything else. That means choosing a car seat that you can easily and safely install in your car – every time. But with a growing number of car seats without flame retardants, we have more options than ever to also make chemical safety a priority.
For an item that your baby will make regular contact with, I believe it’s important – when possible and reasonable – to invest in a car seat that meets government flammability standards without the use of flame retardant chemicals.
Why are Flame Retardants Dangerous in Car Seats?
Flame retardant chemicals are added to car seats to meet auto flammability standards to slow or prevent the spread of fire.
However, there are two major problems with flame retardants in car seats: flame retardant chemicals are ineffective and they are highly toxic.
In fact, not only do flame retardant chemicals not sufficiently prevent fires, but flame retardant chemicals are associated with serious health hazards.
Some of these health hazards include:
- endocrine disruption
- reproductive toxicity
- impaired neurological development
- impaired fetal and child development
And, the worst part? They accumulate in the body and in the environment over time. [1] Read more about the hazards of flame retardants in car seats.
Why Should You Avoid Perfluorinated Chemicals?
Additionally, thanks once again to the Ecology Center, there is more transparency regarding the use of perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs/PFOAs) in car seats. These chemicals are stain, water, and grease repellant treatments that are used as fabric treatments on many car seats. They’re also used to make non-stick cookware.
These chemicals have been linked to human health hazards and have been shown to have the following effects in animal studies:
- disrupt normal endocrine activity
- reduce immune function
- cause adverse effects on multiple organs, including the liver and pancreas
- and cause developmental problems in rodent offspring exposed in the womb [2].
Ideally, we would want to avoid exposure to these chemicals whenever possible – especially direct contact.
Manufacturers Are Starting to Make Car Seats Without Flame Retardants and PFOAs
Chemical flame retardants are unnecessary but inexpensive. That’s why most car seat manufacturers use them. But, there’s a better way: by using inherently flame-resistant fabrics such as wool and polyester, manufacturers can still meet flammability standards without the use of chemical flame retardants.
In fact, since the Ecology Center first began studying car seat toxicity, four manufacturers have introduced car seats without flame retardants. This is a huge advancement and I am so happy to see that manufacturers are responding to the wishes of parents and doing better for our babies.
This list below is a complete list of all car seats without flame retardant chemicals that are available in the United States. And if the seats have been tested by the Ecology Center in the December 2018 study, I’ve also included whether or not they were found to contain PFOA chemicals. I will update this list whenever new car seats without flame retardants are introduced.
Please note that while these car seats do not contain flame retardant chemicals, they still contain polyurethane foam used as padding. At this time to my knowledge, no manufacturer is using an alternative to polyurethane foam or even Certi-Pur foam.
To be certain that you are buying a car seat without flame retardant chemicals, please note the exact car seat model, fabric, and colors listed below. The links should take you directly to the right model, but please double-check before you order your car seat.
Infant Car Seats Without Flame Retardants
An infant car seat can be used from birth until your baby exceeds the height or weight limits for the seat. All infant car seats are rear-facing and can be installed using a car seat base. Portability is the main advantage of using an infant car seat while your baby is little since you can easily carry your baby in the car seat if they have fallen asleep.
UPPAbaby Mesa Merino Wool Car Seats
Buy on Amazon | Albee Baby | Nordstrom | PishPoshBaby
UPPAbaby was the first to market with their Merino wool-poly blend car seats that are naturally flame resistant. Both the Henry and Jordan models contain no flame retardant chemicals, and the wool used is OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified.
UPPAbaby’s SmartSecure installation system and tightness indicator help simplify the installation process, making this a top choice for an infant car seat. (Basically, if any of the settings are showing as red, you’ll know that the car seat isn’t aligned correctly or the install isn’t tight enough. I found this seat very easy to install, especially with the LATCH functionality.)
If you have two cars, you can simply install a second UPPAbaby Mesa car seat base in your other car. The only major downside to this seat is that it doesn’t offer an anti-rebound bar like the other infant car seats on this list.
UPPAbaby Mesa Specifications:
- Seat Limits: 4-35 lbs. and 32″ rear-facing only
- Seat Material: Outer covering: 65% Merino wool, 35% polyester. Filling: 100% polyester.
- Car Seat Dimensions: 9.9 lbs. and 25.8”L x 17”W x 23”H; Car Seat on Base: 28”L x 17”W x 25”H
- Perfluorinated Chemicals: none found in either fabric
- NHTSA Rating: 5 stars across the board for ease of use
- Side-Impact Protection: Yes
- Stroller Compatibility: Compatible with UPPAbaby Cruz and Vista strollers
- Expiration: 7 years from the date of manufacture
Nuna Pipa Lite Infant Car Seat
Buy on Albee Baby | Nordstrom | Pottery Barn Kids
Weighing in at less than 6 lbs., the Nuna Pipa Lite is the lightest infant car seat on the market. The seat fabric is a cushy combination of Merino wool and TENCEL made from wood pulp. The TENCEL material is biodegradable, anti-bacterial, and moisture absorbent. It is also machine washable (though it should only be line-dried).
The infant insert is made with GOTS-certified organic cotton, and the Pipa Lite features a UPF 50 canopy with Nuna’s amazing Dream Drape (a canopy with serious coverage).
Unlike the UPPAbaby Mesa, the Pipa Lite requires the use of its car seat base; the base features a steel stability leg that helps minimize impact by up to 90%. The Pipa Lite also makes installation easy with colored installation indicators, leaving the guesswork out of the installation process.
Nuna Pipa Lite Specifications:
- Seat Limits: 4-32 lbs. and up to 32″ rear facing only
- Seat Material: Merino wool and TENCEL
- Car Seat Dimensions: 5.7 lbs. and 17.5″ wide x 27.25″ long x 22.5″ high
- Perfluorinated Chemicals: none found
- NHTSA Rating: The Pipa regular seat received 4 stars for overall ease of use
- Side-Impact Protection: Yes
- Stroller Compatibility: Nuna strollers, plus some Baby Jogger, Babyzen, Bugaboo, Stokke, Mountain Buggy, Inglesina, Joolz, Silvercross, and Veer strollers (adapters are required and not included)
- Expiration: 7 years from original date of purchase
Britax Endeavors in Otto SafeWash
Buy on Amazon | Albee Baby
Britax makes sturdy car seats, and so I was very happy to see that they introduced their SafeWash line of fabrics. Fully machine washable, the SafeWash fabrics also contain no flame retardant chemicals.
The Endeavours car seat comes with an anti-rebound bar, which reduces rebound rotation by up to 30% in the event of a collision. While a base is included, the seat can also be installed using the European belt path, making it convenient for travel purposes.
Parents rave about how easy it is to remove and wash the seat cover. Overall, it is a comfortable and well-designed car seat that has no flame retardant chemicals. Definitely consider this seat!
Britax Endeavors Specifications:
- Seat Limits: 4-35 lbs. and up to 32″ rear facing only
- Seat Material: Polyester blend
- Car Seat Dimensions: 5.7 lbs. and 17.5″ wide x 27.25″ long x 22.5″ high
- Perfluorinated Chemicals: not tested, but the Britax Advocate was found to not contain any PFOAs
- NHTSA Rating: 5 stars for overall ease of use
- Side-Impact Protection: Yes
- Stroller Compatibility: All Britax strollers
- Expiration: 7 years from original date of purchase
Clek Liing Infant Car Seat
Buy on Albee Baby | Nordstrom
Just launched in April 2019, the Clek Liing Infant Car Seat is a much-awaited addition to the Clek family of car seats. Clek is a Canadian company that is known for producing high-quality, eco-minded, safe car seats. This is Clek’s first infant car seat, but the company has a long history of success.
The Liing comes in a variety of fabrics, but only the 100% Merino wool fashion is free of chemical flame retardants. The canopy offers SPF 100 protection. For added safety, the Liing features a metal load leg that provides anti-rotation and energy absorption features in a collision, reducing collision forces by more than 40%.
One unique thing about the Clek Liing is that seat recline can be repositioned even after the base has been installed. This also simplifies the installation. However, the Liing can be installed using the European belt path, making it extra convenient for travel or use on airplanes and cabs.
The Liing does not currently have Clek’s crumple technology (see the Foonf and Fllo reviews below for details).
Clek Liing Specifications:
- Seat Limits: 4-35 lbs. and up to 32″
- Seat Material: 100% Merino wool
- Car Seat Dimensions: 9 lbs. and 26.8 in. H x 27.7 in. D x 16.9 in. W without the base
- Perfluorinated Chemicals: Seat not tested yet; other seats in this fabric were found to not contain any perfluorinated chemicals
- NHTSA Rating: Not tested yet
- Side-Impact Protection: Yes
- Stroller Compatibility: Compatible with all strollers using the Maxi-Cosi adapters, including Baby Jogger, Bugaboo, Baby Zen, Bumbleride, Joolz, Mamas & Papas, Peg Perego, Silvercross, Stokke, Thule, and UPPAbaby.
- Expiration: 9 years from the date of manufacture
Convertible Car Seats Without Flame Retardants
Whether or not you decide to use a convertible car seat from birth, you can rest assured knowing that there are a growing number of convertible car seats without flame retardants. Please note that a convertible car seat is not portable, and cannot be attached to your car seat.
Most families begin using a convertible car seat between 6-12 months of age, but some will use one from birth and others will make the switch a little after the age of 1. Consider your budget and lifestyle when choosing between an infant and convertible car seat for a newborn. Personally, I recommend starting with an infant car seat and switching to a rear-facing convertible car seat by about 9 months of age.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children remain rear-facing as long as possible until they exceed the car seat’s rear-facing height and/or weight limits. [3]
Clek Foonf in Mammoth Wool
Buy on Albee Baby | PishPoshBaby
The Foonf is Clek’s heavy-duty convertible car seat. Built with a steel and magnesium sub-structure, the Clek Foonf is a sturdy car seat that exceeds government safety standards. As far as which version of this car seat is free of flame retardants, you’ll only want to purchase the Foonf in Mammoth Wool. All other versions of this car seat will contain phosphate-based flame retardant chemicals.
It comes with an anti-rebound bar for rear-facing use, which reduces the movement of the car seat in the event of an accident. Clek has also begun using Energy-Absorbing Crumple Technology (EACT) in their convertible car seats. EACT technology uses “crumple zones” to absorb the energy of an impact and prevent it from being transferred to the child. The crumple zones used are aluminum honeycomb deformable cores located in the base of the car seat. [4]
Perhaps one of the top selling points of the Foonf is that it accommodates extended rear-facing until 50 lbs. For most children, this is roughly around 4-5 years old. The Foonf also offers Rigid-LATCH installation, which offers a secure and easy install.
We have and love this car seat! It was a little tough to install right out of the box, but we eventually got the hang of it. The NHTSA gave the Foonf a very low rating of two stars; I thought it was tough at first but I don’t know if I’d give it a 2 rating myself. I recommend hiring a CPST to help with the installation if necessary. If you are in the Los Angeles area, I recommend Adam from ITY Safety.
Clek Foonf Specifications:
- Seat Limits
- Rear-facing: for use from 14-50 lbs. and 25-43″. Can be used from 5 lbs. and 19″ with the Infant Thingy.
- Forward-facing: for use from 22-65 lbs. or 30–49 in.
- Seat Material: 100% Merino Wool
- Car Seat Dimensions: 33-38 lbs. and 16.9″ W x 32.5″ max H x 33″ L
- Perfluorinated Chemicals: None found
- NHTSA Rating: 2 stars for ease of use
- Side-Impact Protection: Yes – two layers of impact-absorbing foam
- Expiration: 9 years from the date of manufacture
Clek Fllo in Mammoth Wool
Buy on Albee Baby | PishPoshBaby
Clek’s Fllo car seat is a slightly more compact version of the Foonf. It’s known as a great option for seating three kids “3-across” in the back seat of your car.
For rear-facing use, the Fllo also comes with a steel anti-rebound bar for added safety (though using it is optional). Like the Foonf, the seat can also be used extended rear-facing up to 50 lbs. The main difference between the two seats is that the Fllo does not offer a Rigid-LATCH connector for forward-facing use. Instead, it uses a belt path installation. And the Fllo sits a bit lower in the car than the Foonf (though my son really enjoyed seeing himself in the mirror when we first transferred him to the Foonf).
Like the Foonf, the Fllo also features Energy-Absorbing Crumple Technology to reduce the impact transferred to the child in the event of a collision. Since the Fllo car seat base doesn’t include the Rigid LATCH connectors or the recline features that the Foonf has, the Fllo is about 10 lb lighter than the Foonf.
Clek Fllo Specifications:
- Seat Limits
- Rear-facing: for use from 14-50 lbs. and 25-43″. Can be used from 5 lbs. and 19″ with the Infant Thingy.
- Forward-facing: for use 22-65 lbs. or 30–49 in.
- Seat Materials: 100% Merino Wool
- Car Seat Dimensions: 25-28 lbs. and 16.9″ W x 31″ max H x 32.5″ L
- Perfluorinated Chemicals: None found
- NHTSA Rating: 3 stars for ease of use
- Side-Impact Protection: Yes – two layers of impact-absorbing foam
- Expiration: 9 years from the date of manufacture
Britax Advocate ClickTight ARB in Otto Safewash
Buy on Amazon | Albee Baby
I’m a huge fan of Britax. We have an Advocate ClickTight and it has been an amazing car seat, so I am thrilled that they have introduced their Safewash fabric, which is machine washable and contains no flame retardant chemicals.
The Advocate is Britax’s top of the line convertible car seat, featuring three levels of side-impact protection. Britax’s SafeCell Impact Protection includes a steel frame, energy-absorbing base, and patented V-shaped tether to minimize seat rotation.
The ClickTight feature makes installing the car seat a breeze – every single time. Just open the seat bottom, thread the seatbelt through the seat, and click the seat closed for a secure installation. It’s definitely the simplest car seat to install, in my experience.
Overall, you will be happy with this car seat as long as you don’t have a small car or need to sit 3-across. If so, it may be too bulky for you. I had a compact SUV and wasn’t able to use the passenger seat because our Advocate was so bulky. It fits perfectly in my larger SUV (Infiniti QX60).
Make sure that your seat comes with the anti-rebound bar; if not, you can purchase it separately here (or here) and install it with the seat. It’s an easy install and SO worth it for the added safety.
The bottom line with the Britax Advocate ClickTight is that you can feel confident knowing that it is made well and is extremely easy to install.
Britax Advocate Specifications:
- Seat Limits
- Rear-facing: for use from 5-40 lbs. and up to 49″
- Forward-facing: for use 20-65 lbs. or up to 49″
- Seat Material: Polyester
- Car Seat Dimensions: 30.6 lbs. and 20.5″ W x 23.5″ H x 23″ D
- Perfluorinated Chemicals: Not tested, but another Britax Advocate was tested and was found to not contain any PFOAs
- NHTSA Rating: 4 stars for ease of use
- Side-Impact Protection: Yes – three layers of impact-absorbing foam
- Expiration: 10 years from the date of manufacture
Nuna Rava (Except in Verona)
Buy on Albee Baby | Nordstrom | Pottery Barn Kids
After testing poorly in the Ecology Center’s studies, Nuna upped their game by introducing their flame retardant-free car seats which went on to test clean of brominated and chlorinated flame retardants. To be sure that you are buying a seat that is free of flame retardants, make sure to buy a 2019 Rava in any color except “Verona”.
Like the Britax ClickTight (but not as heavy duty), the Rava has the “Simply Secure” installation feature that allows you to thread the car’s seat belt through the seat and close the seat back up to tighten the install.
The Rava has an easy-to-use recline feature and can be used rear-facing up to 50 lbs. It also has a seat extension to provide added leg room while rear-facing. It has an all-steel frame but it does not have an anti-rebound bar.
Nuna Rava Specifications:
- Seat Limits
- Rear-facing: for use from 5-50 lbs. and up to 49″
- Forward-facing: for use 25-65 lbs. or up to 49″
- Seat Material: Polyester
- Car Seat Dimensions: 27.2 lbs. and 25″ H x 19″ W x 16″ L
- Perfluorinated Chemicals: Not tested
- NHTSA Rating: 4 stars for ease of use
- Side-Impact Protection: Yes
- Expiration: 10 years from the date of manufacture
Coming Soon: UPPAbaby Knox
UPPAbaby will be introducing the UPPAbaby Knox, their first convertible car seat, in 2020. It will be available in four fashions, one of which will be Jordan, a charcoal gray wool/poly blend that is naturally flame resistant.
Like the Mesa car seat, the Knox will feature UPPAbaby’s SmartSecure installation system that gives you the confidence you need that the car seat is leveled and installed safely. It has a 9-position no-rethread harness, energy-absorbing headrest,
- Seat Limits
- Rear-facing: for use from 14-40 lbs.
- Forward-facing: for use 25-65 lbs. or up to 49″
- Seat Material: Outer covering: 65% Merino wool, 35% polyester. Filling: 100% polyester.
- Perfluorinated Chemicals: Not tested, but the Mesa in the same fabric was found to not contain any PFOAs
- NHTSA Rating: Not tested
- Side-Impact Protection: Yes
- Expiration: 7 years from the date of manufacture
That’s the full list of car seats without flame retardants that are available in the United States. Which one did you choose? What’s the most important thing to you when it comes to choosing a car seat?
Sources: [1] National Institute of Environment Health Sciences: Flame Retardants [2] National Institute of Environmental Health: Perfluorinated Chemicals (PFCs) [3] American Academy of Pediatrics Updates Rear-Facing Car Seat Safety Recommendations [4] How Stuff Works: Crumple Zones [4] Polyflourinated compounds: past, present, future [6] Endocrine disrupting properties of perfluorooctanoic acid [7] Consumer Reports
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