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Natural Linoleum

Linseed oil + jute + wood flour — invented in 1855, still the cleanest resilient flooring on the market.

Natural Linoleum — a natural material we specify on every Earth Bound Homes project

Toxicity Screening — All Clear

This material screens clear across all seven independent toxicology authorities we use on every project.

LBC Red List

Not Listed

Prop 65

Not Listed

IARC

Not Listed

NTP RoC

Not Listed

GSPI

Not Listed

REACH SVHC

Not Listed

TSCA

Not Listed

Material Type

Plant-Based Resilient Flooring

Material Description

Natural linoleum is a wholly different product from vinyl flooring despite the visual similarity. It's made from oxidized linseed oil (from flax seed) blended with pine rosin, ground cork, wood flour, limestone, mineral pigments, and a jute backing. The mixture is calendered onto the backing and cured over weeks to develop its characteristic durability. The whole formulation is plant-mineral — no PVC, no phthalate plasticizers, no chlorine chemistry. Properly maintained natural linoleum lasts 40+ years and biodegrades at end of life. The initial off-gas is linseed-oil curing odor, which fades over weeks.

Composition & Origin

Oxidized linseed oil + pine rosin + ground cork/wood + limestone + mineral pigment on jute backing

Health Profile — All Endpoints Clear

Severity scored 0–10 against the same 10 hazard endpoints we use for the chemical families on the avoid list. Every score is 1–2 — essentially no signal across every endpoint.

Cancer

1/10

Endocrine

1/10

Reproductive

1/10

Developmental

1/10

Neurological

1/10

Respiratory

2/10

Cardiovascular

1/10

Liver/Kidney

1/10

Skin

1/10

Immune

1/10

Common Forms & Brands

Forbo Marmoleum (sheet and click-tile)
Armstrong Linoleum (legacy line)
Tarkett Linoleum
Common framing: sheet linoleum, click-lock tile, modular plank

Why We Use It

Antimicrobial naturally — linoxyn (oxidized linseed oil) is bacteriostatic
40+ year service life with proper maintenance
Biodegradable at end of life
Sequestered CO₂ in the linseed oil and cork/wood content
No PVC, no phthalates, no chlorine chemistry

Where It Performs Best

Kitchen and bath floors (resilient, water-tolerant)
Commercial and institutional flooring
Mudroom and laundry-room floors
Modular tile applications

Building Applications for Natural Linoleum

Listed alphabetically. Where in a home this material earns its keep.

Bathroom Floor
Hallway & Stair Tread Covering
Kitchen Floor (Sheet or Tile)
Laundry & Mudroom Flooring
Modular Click-Tile Flooring
Wall Base & Cove

Specifying a project? Drop the manufacturer's SDS into our SDS Toxic Chemical Screener to verify any specific product you're considering screens clear on all seven databases.