It’s nearly impossible to find a non-toxic Christmas tree that isn’t doused in toxic flame retardants and made from PVC. I nearly lost hope in finding a non-toxic tree until I checked out Ikea’s line of Christmas trees.
Non-Toxic Christmas Tree
Ikea has 3 different size options of Christmas trees, 70.75″, 59″ and 55″. We bought the tallest one, which still is a little shorter than I’d like, but I’ll take that over flame retardants filling up my home. Ikea’s trees are made from PET plastic, instead of toxic PVC. I also called Ikea to verify that none of their Christmas trees contain flame retardants.
Ikea’s trees are unlit, so you’ll have to add your own Christmas lights.
I have chemical sensitivities, so anytime we put up our old tree, my health suffered, so it’s crucial for me to have a non-toxic tree. If you are looking for a more natural option or have chemical sensitivities, Ikea Christmas trees are a great non-toxic alternative.
Update: This year, 2021, Ikea is offering a taller Christmas tree, 82.75″. You can also get an 80.75″, 67″ or 59″.
Natural trees are also an alternative, but be careful as most contain toxic pesticides. Find an organic tree but be sure to treat it naturally for bugs, so you don’t end up bringing a bunch of beetles, mites and spiders which are commonly found on spruce, pine and fir trees.
Thank you for your post. I notice that the tree descriptions do not mention flame retardant free. How where you able to find this information?
I called Ikea directly and they confirmed that their Christmas trees do not have flame retardants. Hope that helps!
Great! Thank you again!!
You’re welcome!
I called and they told me the same! (I called twice LOL I wanted to make sure I got the same answer twice!) I also found this on their site, so it seems trees are definitely safe!:
Does IKEA use flame retardants?
The IKEA approach to chemicals is to only add them if necessary. IKEA strives to totally refrain from the
use of chemical flame retardants in the products and instead use techniques and materials with flame retardant properties e.g. wool. However, in some countries, chemical flame retardants are needed in specific
products in order to pass a local legal requirement. The products treated with chemical flame retardants
need to fulfil strict emission requirements as well for all flame retardants added to the product.
Chemicals are not the only way to improve fire safety. For instance, IKEA has developed a solution based
on an interlinear that provides fire proof products. By further investing in innovations and product development we are convinced that we can increase fire safety in our products, without using unwanted chemicals.
Why does IKEA use flame retardants in some
countries but not in others?
In some countries, chemical flame retardants are needed in specific products in order to pass a local legal
requirement.
In which countries and in which products does IKEA use flame retardants?
• In US: Mattresses/mattresses sets have a fibre fire barrier made of rayon/polyester batting with an
inherently fire-resistant property. Flame retardant chemicals (non-halogenated phosphorous-based
inorganic salts) are only used for some stitch bonds, piping and zippers on spring mattresses in the US.
• In UK and Ireland: Mattresses and upholstered furniture contain flame retardant chemicals. This
is needed for passing the UK legal requirements where each material in the mattress shall be tested
separately.
• Tents, play tunnels and other products you can enter: Flame retardants (non-halogenated) are
applied on the fabric to meet the legal requirements for tents in a few countries.
• Electrical and electronic products: Flame retardants are used in electrical and electronic products
globally in order to comply with applicable flammability requirements.
Great, thanks for the update!
Where are you finding pvc and lead free lights?
Ikea has some string lights https://www.ikea.com/us/en/search/products/?q=string%20lights
Are these trees still lead free, PVC free and flame retardant free as of 2019. Is the new taller tree the 86.5 inch tree also free of lead, PVC and flame retardant?
Yes, according to their website, the materials are the same as originally posted. I actually just bought the taller tree to replace the smaller one I have.
If you’re able to confirm this information with IKEA (that the 2019 Vinterfest tree is still free of lead, PVC, and flame retardant) I’d be SO appreciative! I’ve called, emailed and contacted IKEA via Facebook and haven’t gotten any information other than what is listed online. I’d love to know if it carries a Prop 65 warning, too.
This is very helpful, explaining that they have no lead and no PVC in their products. They also address flame retardants. https://www.ikea.com/ms/en_KR/pdf/chemicals_and_Substances_en.pdf
Thank you so much for your prompt answer to my question! I wish IKEA had directed me to this document…it’s great information!
You’re welcome!
Hello,
Great article! I am curious too about these trees as the ingredients for the foot of the tree are different in some IKEA xmas trees over others. For instance, the 69″ tree shows the foot of the tree as containing “Polyester powder coating”, as does the 82″ tree, but the other sizes only contain “polypropylene”. So does this mean that the 82″ and 69″ trees are more toxic? Also the 82″ and 69″ trees also contain “PET Plastic”, while the ingredients of all other trees do not contain PET plastic. Does this mean these ones are more toxic or simply a different type of plastic added that is totally safe?
P.S. Thanks again for writing this article. I also have chemical sensitivities and am eager to find the ‘perfect’ Christmas tree! 🙂
This year there are two different styles of trees, even though they are all called “Vinter 2020”. One has a plastic stand and one has a metal stand. The branches are also made of different materials. The more expensive trees have thicker branches that look like Polyethylene. The cheaper version has branches that look more like traditional PVC trees. I contacted IKEA to ask a few questions about the newer version of the tree, but I have not yet received a response. I’ll post here if I receive any helpful information.
Thanks for the update. I checked the materials and care section and both Christmas trees are still PVC-free.
The fuller 82 inch one has a few additional materials (polyester powder coating and PET plastic). Are those concerning ? It’s a better looking tree, but I’m worried about the additional materials being safe.
taken off the IKEA site
Plant:
Polyethylene, Steel, Polypropylene, Paint
Foot:
Polypropylene
Right, so it’s PVC free.
Thank you SO much for writing this article!! I wanted to get a mini artificial tree for my daughter’s room because I know it would bring her a lot of joy to decorate it for Christmas, but I was having serious misgivings about introducing harmful chemicals into her bedroom where I always try so hard to purchase the most non-toxic options we can afford. This was a lifesaver. I appreciate that you contacted IKEA to confirm about the flame retardants as well. I did try to click on that document you linked in regard to flame retardants, as I was curious to read it. However, it looks like it’s no longer at that address. Do you happen to know how to find it? Thanks again for saving me hours of time trying to research this!!
Hi Suzanne, I’m so glad this was helpful for you. I understand, I try to be so careful with what goes in my children’s bedrooms. The Ikea Christmas trees are a great option for a small bedroom tree. Here is the update link on Ikea’s flame retardant policy. https://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/pdf/reports-downloads/product_safety/IKEA_FAQ_flame_retardants.pdf
I would love to know if anyone has purchased this tree in California and if the box has a Prop 65 warning. IKEA would not respond to my question about this.
Good question. I am curious about this too.
I can’t get ahold of one!!! Can anyone help or make a recommendation?? I would gladly pay for shipping but they are out of stock in the warehouse and the locations they are available at store level is a few CA locations, Atlanta and Brooklyn! I’m in Indiana! They won’t ship from the store location across states ….so you have to go to the store in person and then take to have it shipped yourself. I don’t have anyone who can do this for me and I fear my children are going to be so sad without a tree:(. Ideas??
Keep checking, Ikea’s stock goes in and out, so they may replenish it near you.
I found one on Ebay, new in the box. Hope you find one!
Hello I’m so glad I found this article but I see the new Vinter 2021 trees have polyester powder coating is this more toxic than previous models? Are they still flame retardant free? Any update would be greatly appreciated!
Their policy has not changed on flame retardants: https://www.ikea.com/us/en/files/pdf/5c/df/5cdf003d/ikea_faq_flame_retardants.pdf I’m unsure about any info on the polyester powder coating.
Hi Jose – I believe the polyester powder coating is referring to the “Foot” or base stand (metal) of the tree, so not the artificial plant itself. It would make sense that there would be a powder coating, otherwise if it were left uncoated you’d have bare metal that would rust. Since the coating is dry and it’s a low contact point, I wouldn’t worry about. I do however have a concern that’s kind of unrelated that I’m posting.
Hi, thanks for the very useful info!
I have an Ikea tree that I got 2nd-hand last year
According to the tag, it was made in 2014
Last year and this year when we took out for display, we noticed strong-smelling fumes from the tree
Hard to describe, but it’s some kind of plastic smell
Would you have any idea if the fumes are toxic, and whether if we could hold on to the tree or if it would be better to dispose of this tree?
Also wondering if your Ikea tree emits any smell…
Thank you!
Hi there, the Christmas trees I have from Ikea don’t have a smell to it at all. I’m not sure what their standards were back in 2014, so I can’t say for sure, but I do believe they’ve always been better about avoiding chemicals than others. Is there anything else on the tree like lights that could be giving off the smell?
Hi All – This is a great post and like many others bought an ikea Christmas tree to protect my family from all the harmful chemicals normally found on artificial trees. I bought the Vinter 2021 82.75” tree a few weeks and finally got around to setting it up yesterday. I was very happy to get my hands on one, especially since this tree is taller and fuller than the other options. With that said, while setting up the tree, I noticed that a yellow/slightly green residue was building up on my finger tips while assembling the tree, specifically, while I was spreading the branches/needles to fill the tree out. I noticed the color on my finger tips half-way through and washed my hands. I came back to finishing filling out the top section of the tree and by the time I was done, my finger tips were again yellow/slight green with a residue/mucky feeling. I wish I would have taken pictures. Nonetheless, this made me feel uneasy, but went ahead and decorated the tree with my wife and young son as there was no way to “pull back” and disrupt the festive mood. I did make them wash their hands afterwards. Does anyone have any idea what this is? I called the ikea store and, as expected, they didn’t know and said I could return it. That’s not what I’m looking for, I’m just trying to get peace of mind that there isn’t a toxic substance that would cause this to happen to my fingers.
As a side note, I have noticed that the 82.75” tree has PET Plastic, whereas the smaller ones do not, but PET Plastic is quiet safe from what I understand.
Let me know if any of you guys have encountered this or know what this substance might be.
I’m sorry that happened, I’m not sure, I have two of their trees and never noticed any residue.