Hello. That is a great question.

Traditionally synthetic carpet is made of 100% petroleum based products. However, Smartstrand is 30% corn oil and the balance is petroleum based. It also is inherently stainproof, so no topical treatment is added to it for stain protection. All synthetic competitors have a Scotchguard or Stainmaster treatment (or equivalent) added to them. So no, it is not as environmentally friendly as wool, but it is more environmentally friendly than its synthetic competitors. It is also third party tested by Oeko-tex in order to ensure that it is free of all harmful chemicals. It is also as stainproof as it gets with carpet and you can dump coffee, bleach, wine or mustard on it and it will not stain. It cleans simply with water.

Wool on the other hand is 100% natural. However, some backings are synthetic and some backings are natural. You need to check this when shopping. Wool also cleans your air and balances the humidity. It is a good carpet for asthma sufferers. And the beauty of it is unsurpassed. It is easy to clean. However, acidic products such as wine and tea may stain a wool carpet.

I personally have Smartstrand in my own home as I have a very busy household with small children, a dog and cats. The stainproof aspect is important in this stage in my life. And I truly believe it to be the safest, most durable synthetic carpet on the market. However, when I get to a stage in my life that staining is not such an issue then wool would defiantly be on my radar.

Fantastic info thanks @ethical flooring

Thanks Ethical Flooring,

I really appreciate the time you have taken to explain this, and I certainly appreciate the logic that it is more environmentally friendly than the alternatives other than wool.

I also see your point about different carpet qualities mattering dependent upon which little feet are running across it!

I hadn't realised that some wool carpets had synthetic backing - now that defeats the purpose!

Thanks again,

Yvonne