Homeware retailer Dunelm has issued an urgent recall on dozens of doorstops sold over the past several years, after the sand inside them was found to be potentially contaminated with asbestos.
What’s actually happened
Dunelm has pulled 35 different doorstops from sale and is asking customers to stop using them immediately, citing a risk to health. The affected products were sold both in stores and online between January 2019 and February 2026, which means a fairly large number of households across the UK could have one of these doorstops sitting somewhere by their front or back door right now.
The Office for Product Safety and Standards has also issued a formal product recall notice, advising owners to stop using the items, keep them out of the reach of children, and follow Dunelm’s return process. The reason for the recall is that the sand sealed inside the doorstops has been found to potentially contain a small amount of asbestos, which is a banned substance in the UK and poses a health risk even at low levels of exposure.
Why this matters
Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was widely used in construction and manufacturing until the late 1990s, when it was fully banned in the UK after years of evidence that it causes serious lung diseases including mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer. The danger comes from the fibres being released into the air and breathed in, where they can cause damage that doesn’t always show up for decades.
The doorstops in question contain sand that was sealed inside the fabric, which means the asbestos isn’t loose and floating about. The risk is mainly if the doorstop becomes damaged, splits, or wears down, allowing the sand to escape into the home environment. Most owners won’t have been exposed in any meaningful way, but the recall is being treated as a precaution.
What to do if you have one
If you’ve got one of the affected doorstops, the advice is to stop using it straight away. Don’t shake it, don’t squeeze it, and don’t open it up to look inside. Put it into a heavy-duty plastic bag, ideally double bagged, then seal it with strong tape and label it clearly. Then take it to your nearest Dunelm store for a full refund. If the doorstop has already been damaged and the sand has spilled out, the advice is more careful.
Wear gloves and a mask while you clean up, use a damp cloth to gather the sand rather than sweeping or hoovering, and avoid creating any dust. Double-bag everything, including the cloth and gloves, before disposing of it. Keep children, pets, and anyone else out of the area until you’ve cleaned it properly. If you genuinely can’t get to a Dunelm store, the sand can be disposed of through general household waste, but the in-store return is the recommended option.
Albert Doorstop
Barcode No: 5054077316156
Article No: 30198710
Fox Doorstop
Barcode No: 5054077316187
Article No: 30198713
Ralph the Schnauzer Doorstop
Barcode No: 5054077870788
Article No: 30453133
Llama Doorstop
Barcode No: 5057722038144
Article No: 30607179
Giraffe Doorstop
Barcode No: 5057722706111
Article No: 30725675
@shopsptlight What cuties!! All waiting for you in @Dunelm #dunelm #cutedoorstoppers #highstreetfinds #cutefinds♡ #homedecor #highstreethomeware #furryfriends #highlandcow #giraffe #cockapoolove #pug #shnauzer ♬ Funny – Gold-Tiger
Hamish the Highland Cow Doorstop
Barcode No: 5057722706128
Article No: 30725676
Velvet Cylinder Doorstop Grey
Barcode No: 5057722932473
Article No: 30767050
Velvet Cylinder Doorstop Emerald
Barcode No: 5057722932480
Article No: 30767111
Pom Pom Doorstop Grey
Barcode No: 5057722932497
Article No: 30767112
Pom Pom Doorstop Natural
Barcode No: 5057722933104
Article No: 30767113
Floral Jacquard Doorstop Natural
Barcode No: 5063003483022
Article No: 30891352
Honeycomb Doorstop
Barcode No: 5063003483046
Article No: 30891354
Floral Jacquard Doorstop Black
Barcode No: 5063003483053
Article No: 30891355
Cockapoo Doorstop
Barcode No: 5063003483060
Article No: 30891356
Elements Cord Ball Doorstop Navy
Barcode No: 5063003483077
Article No: 30891357
Geo Doorstop Natural
Barcode No: 5063003483084
Article No: 30891358
Hedgehog Doorstop
Barcode No: 5063003483091
Article No: 30891359
@_inspirationdecoration just look at these cute @Dunelm ♬ Simple Joys – kamar recording
Hare Doorstop
Barcode No: 5063003483213
Article No: 30891361
Pug Doorstop
Barcode No: 5063003483237
Article No: 30891363
Geo Doorstop Black
Barcode No: 5063003483268
Article No: 30891366
Elements Cord Ball Doorstop Ochre
Barcode No: 5063003483305
Article No: 30891370
Frog Doorstop
Barcode No: 5063003880296
Article No: 30966669
Cow Doorstop
Barcode No: 5063003880548
Article No: 30966707
Owl Doorstop
Barcode No: 5063003880555
Article No: 30966708
House Doorstop
Barcode No: 5063003880180
Article No: 30966712
Mushroom Doorstop
Barcode No: 5063003880197
Article No: 30966713
Pear Shaped Doorstop
Barcode No: 5063003894712
Article No: 30968990
Lenny the Labrador Doorstop
Barcode No: 5056851417301
Article No: 31000649
Sandy the Boucle Sausage Dog Doorstop
Barcode No: 5056851419183
Article No: 31000928
Gilly the Giraffe Doorstop
Barcode No: 5056851419404
Article No: 31000940
Churchgate Swithland Doorstop
Barcode No: 5056851419299
Article No: 31000949
Pearl the Pig Doorstop
Barcode No: 5056851419367
Article No: 31000955
Stevie the Schnauzer Doorstop
Barcode No: 5056851419374
Article No: 31000956
Sam the Sausage Dog Doorstop
Barcode No: 5056851419411
Article No: 31000961
Darcy Duck Doorstop
Barcode No: 5056851464251
Article No: 31011438
How to check what you’ve got
The easiest way to check is to find the original packaging or any tag still attached to the doorstop, which should have the barcode and article number printed on it. If you’ve thrown the packaging away, the article number can sometimes be sewn into the seam of the doorstop itself, or you can take the item into a Dunelm store, and they’ll be able to identify it for you.
If you bought yours online, you can also check your order history through your Dunelm account, which will list every item you’ve purchased along with its details. Dunelm has set up a customer service line specifically for the recall, and the company website has more information for anyone unsure about whether their doorstop is on the list.
Should you be worried?
If you’ve had one of these doorstops in your home for years, the honest answer is that the risk to you and your family is most likely very low, especially if the doorstop is still in good condition with no rips, splits, or sand leaking out. The danger from asbestos comes from breathing in the fibres, and a sealed doorstop tucked behind a door isn’t really creating that risk.
The reason for the recall isn’t because everyone is in immediate danger, it’s because the law and good practice say that products with any potential asbestos content shouldn’t be on sale or in homes, full stop. Following the recall instructions and returning your doorstop is the sensible thing to do, but there’s no need to panic about exposure if you’ve simply had one sitting by the door for a while.
Recalls like this can feel alarming, but they’re also a sign that the system is working. The contamination has been spotted, the products have been pulled, and Dunelm is offering refunds for anyone affected. If you’ve got one of the 35 doorstops on the list, follow the steps to bag it up properly and take it back, and you’ll be sorted.
If you’re not sure, check your packaging or get in touch with Dunelm’s customer service team. It’s a quick fix for what could otherwise have been a longer-term concern, and it’s worth dealing with sooner rather than later.
