Non Toxic Cribs
The healthiest cribs are made of solid wood with a natural oil finish (or no finish at all), and minimal zero-VOC glues holding it all together. Finding a truly non toxic crib means looking at every part of it, not just the marketing alone, since they’re really several materials put together: the frame, the mattress support underneath, the paint, stain, or finish on the wood, and the glue. A GreenGuard GOLD certification is good for confirming low VOC emissions, but it doesn't tell you about any chemicals that don’t volatilize into air, so it’s not always enough information. I rate each component separately and rank these cribs from healthiest to least healthy. Every rating uses the same consistent scales, explained in my full methodology.
By Dr. Meg Christensen | Physician-founder of Interior Medicine, a non-toxic home resource built on her background in medicine, biochemistry, epidemiology, and clinical research.
Updated September 30, 2026
Completely Organic Cribs
Green Cradle Non Toxic Solid Wood Cribs
Green Cradle makes the healthiest organic solid wood cribs because they are made entirely of hard wood without veneers, MDF, or plywood, have the safest plant-oil finish, and use water-based wood glue. Very few crib brands do all three. They have a non-toxic crib that changes from a bassinet to a crib to a toddler bed. They use flaxseed oil as a finish, but you can choose an unfinished version, too. They use a small amount of non-toxic water-based wood glue to hold joints together and even though these materials would suggest automatically being zero or low VOC, I appreciate that they even have GreenGuard GOLD certification to ensure it. Super transparent and completely safe for babies.
Product rating
See the rating scales
Kalon Solid Wood Cribs
Kalon’s Caravan crib is made with solid ash wood and finished with a hand-rubbed organic plant-based oil, and besides Green Cradle is the only other crib brand I know doing this under $2,000. Others meet low-VOC criteria but there is more going on in stains and finishes than just VOCs. You can also choose its unfinished form, if you prefer raw wood. Converts to a 3-walled version, and then to a toddler bed, as your child grows. These are also a super healthy option and they don’t engage in tricky healthwashing or use mysterious stains or paints. Kalon uses water-based, non-toxic glues on all of their furniture, and while they don’t have GreenGuard GOLD certification, their natural materials suggest VOCs will not be an issue.
Product rating
See the rating scalesNon-Toxic Cribs
Newton Cribs
Newton makes two of its own cribs, the Nest and Galileo, and also sells a handful of other brands’ cribs through its site. Their own cribs are made with solid wood, and while they don’t disclose the exact finish they use, it meets VOC limits for GreenGuard GOLD certification. This combination kicks off a theme: the Non-Toxic Cribs section of this page has cribs that are all about equal in terms of material health and transparency. Basically all of them have some solid wood and GreenGuard GOLD certification, and none fully disclose what ingredients are in their paints or finishes. VOCs are only one piece of the health concern (paints and stains can contain concerning chemicals that don’t smell or off-gas, too, and plant oils or no finish at all are better.) That said, being certified low-VOC is still progress, and these are much much more affordable cribs. A fitted organic cotton teething rail cover limits mouth contact with the finish if you’re looking for a balance.
Product rating
See the rating scales
Graco and Storkcraft Cribs
Another theme emerges in this section: many crib brands share the same manufacturer. Graco and Storkcraft are the first example. That’s important and useful when looking for a non-toxic crib because even though they have different brand names, they almost always use the same or very similar materials. In this case, both Storkcraft and Graco use a mixture of solid pine and manufactured wood for the frame and mattress support. They all have GreenGuard GOLD certification ensuring that the manufactured wood’s resins, the glues, and paint applied all off-gas under strict limits. These are affordable and come in lots of different aesthetics and with various practicalities like built-in bookshelves and crib storage drawers. Check prices through Birch Ln, Wayfair, Target, or Ashley Furniture.
Product rating
See the rating scales
Babyletto, Namesake, daVinci, and NurseryWorks
All four of these brands use the same manufacturer, Million Dollar Baby, and many of their materials overlap. The first three, Babyletto, Namesake, and daVinci, are very similar in terms of price, aesthetic, and materials. Some models are even made with solid wood and metal, without engineered wood or plastic whatsoever. The only hesitation here is that wood and metal are only as healthy as what they are coated with, and they stated via email that all of their products are manufactured overseas so they don’t have specific information about the paint or adhesives. I don’t love the lack of transparency. They do have GreenGuard GOLD status so my best guess is that they’re water-based and low VOC. NurseryWorks is the high-end version of the brand collection (up to $10,000 for a crib). Aside from the options made with acrylic plastic rails, most of their options are healthier than average and won’t off-gas excessively. Check prices and styles for Babyletto, Namesake, daVinci, and NurseryWorks.
Product rating
See the rating scales
Delta Children, babyGap, and Simmons Kids Cribs
These crib brands all share a manufacturer as well, and are very similar to the other crib groups in terms of material health: a mixture of solid and engineered wood, and undisclosed but low-VOC glues and paints. While a lot of budget/mid-range non-toxic cribs sell the Newton crib mattress to go along with their cribs, or something very similar material-wise, I actually really like the Delta Children crib mattress, which I review well on my Crib Mattresses page. It’s truly mostly organic and more affordable. That would be my recommendation for the best non-toxic crib and mattress combination. See styles on Delta Children, babyGap, and Simmons Kids.
Product rating
See the rating scales
Oeuf Cribs
Are Oeuf cribs non-toxic? Like others in this category, they’re pretty good because they are made with at least some solid wood and have GreenGuard GOLD certification meaning any MDF, glues, and stains meet strict limits for off-gassing. They do use an MDF mattress support, and they state via email that their manufacturer uses proprietary paints and finishes, and water-based adhesives that allow the finished crib to meet GreenGuard GOLD standards.
Product rating
See the rating scales
Nestig Crib
Are Nestig cribs non-toxic? From a material health perspective, they are on par with the others in this category but are their own company. They also use solid wood frames, and eco-engineered wood for the mattress support. I appreciated their disclosure that their cribs are painted and glued together with the Sayerlack brand of paints and adhesives, which are water-based. The finished crib meets GreenGuard GOLD standards, so it won’t off-gas excessively.
Product rating
See the rating scales
HALO Cribs
HALO Sleep makes cribs out of solid wood, engineered wood, and polyester mesh. They have GreenGuard GOLD certification as well. The polyester mesh is a standard synthetic fabric, and from a material health point of view, is probably about on par in terms of transparency and material health as an undisclosed stain on a wooden slat. I appreciate that these are a unique design that can reduce some anxiety about rails for parents. They’re their own company, too.
Product rating
See the rating scales
Stokke Sleepi
Is Stokke non toxic? Their crib is made with a combination of woods and “woods”: solid beechwood for the frame, which is great. Beech plywood for the mattress support, which is one of the best kinds of “wood”, and beech laminate for the curved elements, which is most likely many strips of very thin beechwood stacked and glued together and formed into shape. In an email, they state they use water-based lacquer and glues, and since they have GreenGuard GOLD certification, likely their paints are water-based and low VOC, too. Their curved design and wheels are nice from a practical perspective.
Product rating
See the rating scales
Simply Nursery Solid Wood Cribs
Both frame and mattress support in all of Simply Nursery’s crib styles are made of solid wood. No MDF, veneers, or particle board anywhere. That’s rare at their mid-range price point. They have several wood stains you can choose from; all contain 2% or less of solvent. While they do not have GreenGuard GOLD certification to confirm the stains meet strict off-gassing limits, these do have the advantage of being made with better wood than other cribs in this price range. They use a water-based adhesive, and I really appreciated how transparent and friendly they were about materials over email.
Product rating
See the rating scales
dadada baby Cribs
Are dadada cribs non-toxic? dadada makes cribs entirely of solid wood, even the mattress support. They’re GreenGuard GOLD certified, too. Another relatively non-toxic choice in this category.
Product rating
See the rating scales
IKEA Affordable Non-Toxic Crib
Are IKEA cribs non-toxic? Yes, they are quite good and are overall an ultra-simple, affordable, and very safe crib option. Made of unfinished solid beechwood instead of MDF or particleboard. The wood glue is still standard, though IKEA has been formaldehyde-free for a long time and they are switching over to bio-based glues by the year 2030. Luckily, even for now, there is low contact potential with glued areas and without a stain or paint to worry about hand/mouth contact with, after any off-gassing from the glue, it’s truly a very solidly overall healthy option. They do use a piece of nylon fabric on the wood slats to protect a mattress; this is a very minor component but if its synthetic nature bothers you, could probably be removed.
Product rating
See the rating scalesDon’t see what you’re looking for? Request a review, or check it yourself in seconds with the Second Opinion Product Checker. Spot something outdated? Let me know and I’ll update it. Join the spam-free newsletter for interesting info and to hear when new reviews are up.
FYI, “non-toxic” has no official definition, so I rate every product with the same method. It’s built on third-party certifications and published test data, not brand claims. For a deeper dive, my free course walks you through it.
Everything on Interior Medicine is educational information, not medical advice. Read my full disclaimer.
More Healthy Design For You
How Interior Medicine Rates Cribs
"Non-toxic" has no legal or scientific definition, so it's become a marketing word. I still think a healthier home is worth working toward, and the way to get there is with a consistent system. Every product on Interior Medicine is rated with the same method, based on its materials, ingredients, and third-party certifications. This makes it easier to compare products fairly, spot healthwashing, and make informed decisions.
The rating card under each product shows its Material Health. Every material is rated on its own scale, from Healthiest to Harmful, and each brand is rated on the healthiest option it offers. Differences between models are noted in the description.
The guides show what qualifies for each tier, what to look for, and what to ask a brand.
FAQ: More About Non-Toxic Cribs
How do you choose a non-toxic crib?
Most cribs have solid wood frames, but wood is only as healthy as what holds it together and what's on it. Look for a crib that is either unfinished, finished with plant oil, or is GreenGuard Gold certified, which tests emissions from the wood, finish, and glues together. Then check the mattress support base, where engineered wood usually shows up, and the mattress the crib comes with or fits. Solid wood, disclosed materials, and third-party emissions testing are the clearest signs of a healthier crib.
There are five parts to evaluate:
Frame material: Many crib frames and rails are actually solid wood, often pine, beech, or rubberwood. Some have engineered wood pieces, like MDF, plywood, or veneers, all of which are held together with glue, though these are more often found in the mattress support.
Mattress support material: This is where engineered wood like MDF, particleboard, or plywood usually appears, often inside a solid wood frame. These are wood fibers or layers bound with resins, and some contain formaldehyde. "TSCA compliant" is the US legal baseline, not a sign of formaldehyde-free wood. No-added-formaldehyde engineered wood on a GreenGuard Gold certified crib is a reasonable, lower-cost option. If you can’t tell, buy early and air the crib out in a ventilated room before your baby arrives, since emissions are highest in the first weeks. Read more in my free Wood Guide.
Paint, stain, and finish: GreenGuard Gold tests what a crib releases into the air, not what ingredients are actually in the paints, stains, and finishes applied to the crib. It’s a good start, and low VOC emissions matter. But, a fully disclosed ingredients list for the paint, stain, or finish matters because babies chew on crib rails, and water-based finishes often contain preservatives, dyes, surfactants, silicone defoamers, PFAS, and UV absorbers. An unfinished crib or a fitted organic cotton teething rail cover limits mouth contact with the finish.
Adhesives: Most cribs use wood glue alongside screws. Glue sits inside the joints, so there's less direct contact than with finishes and here, GreenGuard GOLD really does cover the concern, which primarily just off-gassing. Look for water-based, zero-VOC glues and even better, brands that disclose which one they use. Read more in my Adhesive Guide.
Mattress: Some cribs come with a mattress. Choose one that includes or fits an organic crib mattress over one bundled with polyurethane foam. There's a lot of healthwashing in this category, so see my brand-by-brand analysis on the Crib Mattress page.
Are GreenGuard GOLD certified cribs non-toxic?
In general, they are better than average.
However, I also see GreenGuard GOLD used in crib marketing as a substitute for actual transparency, and I'm particularly prickly about this for baby furniture. Not only are babies more vulnerable to chemical exposures than adults, but new parents are often overwhelmed when shopping for nursery furniture and supplies, making vague certifications especially misleading.
GreenGuard GOLD only measures VOC off-gassing under specific limits. It doesn't test for chemicals that don't volatilize into air, including PFAS, heavy metals, and solvents in paint, engineered wood, and adhesives. I'd rather know exactly what's in a crib than trust a company's (or their overseas manufacturer's) definition of "non-toxic."
That said, choosing a crib with GreenGuard GOLD certification and "non-toxic" finishes is still far better than a high-VOC standard crib, and can absolutely be part of a healthy nursery for your baby. My issue is with manufacturers' lack of transparency, never with what you choose.
Are wood stains on cribs toxic?
Wood stains on cribs can be safe depending on the type, and this matters more for cribs than other furniture because babies mouth and teeth on crib rails.
Completely natural stains like coffee are completely safe (though very uncommon or non-existent in purchased furniture).
Water-based wood stains are far more common in health-minded cribs and are relatively non-toxic, especially ones with certifications like GreenSeal-11 that ensure the most harmful additives are avoided, not just what volatilizes into the air as VOCs. Look for stains without antimicrobials, chemical drying agents, or heavy metals.
Oil-based wood stains with standard chemicals, including solvents that release high VOCs—are very common in conventional cribs and are quite harmful, particularly since babies spend hours with their faces close to stained spindles during sleep.
Learn more about stains on my Wood Guide.
What are plant-based oil finishes on cribs, and why are they safer?
Plant-based oil finishes are natural wood treatments derived from plants rather than petroleum, and they're the safest option for crib rails that babies will teeth on. The most common are:
Linseed oil: extracted from flax seeds, food-safe when fully cured
Hemp oil: derived from cannabis plant seeds, naturally antimicrobial. Not psychoactive; that’s a different part of the plant.
Tung oil: pressed from seeds of the Tung tree (Vernicia fordii), highly water-resistant
These provide protection while remaining very low in VOCs compared to synthetic finishes. Once fully cured (typically 30 days), these oils are all considered food-safe.
What are solvent-based finishes, and why should you avoid them on cribs?
Solvent-based finishes include varnish, acrylic, synthetic lacquer, and urethane-based products. All require much higher solvent concentrations than water-based finishes, resulting in high VOC emissions that off-gas into nursery air. They also can contain carcinogenic chemicals including benzene, toluene, and formaldehyde.