Why should you buy an organic mattress? There are many reasons why people want to purchase the cleanest, least toxic bed possible. Maybe you are concerned about off-gassing and air quality in your home. Maybe you want to avoid the toxins present in many conventional mattresses like flame retardants. Perhaps you are concerned about your environmental footprint and want to buy a product that is sustainable and treats the environment with respect. Whatever your reasons, it can be difficult to find the best organic mattress based on your environmental values, budget and sleeping position.
Click here for a list of Sustainable Slumber’s favorite eco-friendly mattresses.
How do I know if a mattress is truly eco-friendly and non-toxic?
As key environmental values have become more mainstream, many mattress companies have tried to capitalize on this trend by labeling their products as eco-friendly. But how can you spot greenwashing, a practice that runs rampantly in the home furnishings market? Look for certifications! There are many certification programs that test the environmental claims of mattress companies. However, not all certifications are equal. Some certification programs only attest to the environmental 
qualities of one component of a mattress. For example, a conventional mattress can contain a small amount of organic cotton and that mattress company might tout that one component in its marketing. This does not make the entire mattress eco-friendly. Sustainable Slumber’s favorite seal is Greenguard Gold. This is a program that tests the entire mattress for a myriad of toxins that eco-minded people try to avoid. When you buy a bed that is Greenguard Gold certified, you are buying a product that has been rigorously tested for off-gassing.
There are many environmental certification programs and it is important to know what each of them mean. We have done that homework for you! Many of these certification programs can sound great but one question you should ask yourself is how many mattress companies have received this certification? Very few have achieved the Greenguard Gold certification and for good reason; their standards are extremely high. These are our favorite mattresses with the Greenguard Gold certification.
Types of Organic Mattresses: Natural Latex, Innerspring, Memory Foam and Hybrids
There is quite a selection of organic mattresses with the Greeenguard Gold certification. But they are not all the same! Most organic mattresses are made from natural latex, coils or are a hybrid.
Natural Latex
Eco-minded people have been often told to be wary of the word “natural” when reading the label of a product and for good reason; this word is not regulated and can 
be applied to any product. However, “natural latex” refers to the fact that this product began its life as the sap of a rubber tree. Rubber trees are tapped and the sap is collected, much like the process of collecting maple sap for syrup. This is a sustainable method because trees are not cut down in order to collect this valuable resource.
Dunlop and Talalay Latex
Natural latex is made into either dunlop or talalay latex. Dunlop latex is created through a simple process that is quite energy efficient. Liquid latex is foamed, poured into a mold and baked in a vulcanization oven. A vulcanization oven hardens the liquid latex into a solid substance. Then, the dunlop latex is thoroughly washed and dried. It produces a latex that is springy and quite dense.
Talalay latex is a newer method that is a more involved, energy intensive process. Liquid latex is poured into a mold but it is only partially filled. A vacuum makes the latex expand and fill the entire mold. The latex is then frozen and treated with carbon dioxide gas to make it gel. This gel is then baked in a vulcanization oven and creates a solid substance. The latex is then washed and dried. This creates a bouncy latex with a soft feeling.
There are differences between these two products but they are not necessarily as 
dramatic as some mattress companies claim. The dunlop creates a foam that is denser than talalay latex. This does not necessarily mean that this latex is firmer—denseness and firmness are two different things when it comes to mattresses. Dunlop latex is springy, which means that the surface of the bed recovered quickly when pressed. Talalay latex is a bouncier product and not as heavy as dunlop latex. Both processes create a latex that is very durable and long-lasting. Because of this, natural latex mattresses carry some of the longest warranties in the industry
Pros and Cons of Natural Latex Mattress
Pros:
- Natural latex is a sustainable product since sap continues to be created in rubber trees even after it is harvested
- It is very durable and long-lasting
- Excellent warranty
- Universally-loved by their owners due to their exceptional comfort
- Does not contain any metal
Cons:
- They are more expensive than other organic mattress options
- They can be heavy and can be difficult to move
Innerspring
Some organic mattresses are beds that are made with innersprings. They are a combination of padding, coils and a cover. These beds offer a tried-and-true feeling of comfort that many of us grew up with.
Pros:
- Organic innerspring mattresses are usually the least expensive
- They are light and easy to move
Cons
- They are not as long-lasting as latex
- Some eco-minded people are concerned about sleeping on metal due to electromagnetic interference
Hybrid
Some organic mattress companies have chosen to create a mattress with a combination of both natural latex and coils, which can give you the best of both worlds!
Can Memory Foam Mattresses be organic?
Memory foam is a very comfortable sleeping surface that has become wildly popular. 
However, there are many concerns about what toxins a memory foam mattress can contain. Are there organic memory foam beds? A new generation of memory foam beds have become popular and some of them are very good options for eco-minded consumers! Sustainable Slumber’s favorite memory foam mattress is non-toxic and just as comfortable as conventional memory foam.
Organic Mattresses are “Chemical-free”
People with any background in science often roll their eyes when they hear environmentally-minded people say that they don’t like “chemicals” in their cleaning products, foods or in their mattresses. The fact is that chemicals—good and bad—are everywhere! In fact, scientifically, water is a chemical! What we should be saying is that we do not want toxic chemicals in our homes and bodies. Organic mattresses do not contain the cocktail of toxins that many conventional mattresses contain. Many eco-minded customers are mostly concerned about the VOCs that off-gas into their bedrooms.
VOCs
Products that are labeled “low VOCs” are popping up everywhere! But what are they? “VOC” stands for volatile organic compounds. These organic compounds have a high vapor pressure at room temperature and we breathe them in. Some of the most dangerous VOCs are benzene and formaldehyde; they are known human carcinogens. Perchloroethylene and styrene are categorized as “reasonably anticipated human carcinogens”. There are a number of different products that off-gas VOCs into our homes. Paint, air fresheners, cleaners, and crafting supplies are all sources of VOCs. Home furnishings, like mattresses, are also a major source of VOCs in your home. Conventional mattresses are treated with a variety of substances that can be harmful to human health. Organic mattresses that have the Greenguard Gold seal have undergone rigorous testing for VOCs; when you purchase an organic mattress, you can be assured that you are buying a product that will not contribute to poor air quality in your home.
Flame Tests
If organic mattresses do not contain toxic flame retardants, how do they pass the rigorous flame tests mattresses are required by law to pass? Flame retardants and their effect on human health are some one of the biggest concerns eco-minded mattress shoppers have. In fact, PBDE, a controversial flame retardant, was banned in 2004 due to health concerns. Since then, barrier fabrics on mattresses can be treated with boric acid, antimony oxide and melamine resin, which contains formaldehyde. While mattress companies do not necessarily admit what is contained within their mattresses, Ryan Trainer, president of the International Sleep Products Association, tells us that mattresses can contain organophosphates, since PBDEs have been phased out. Organophosphates are identified as known carcinogens! These toxic substances migrate out of mattresses and collect in house dust, which is then aspirated by the people living in that home.
Organic mattresses, on the other hand, do not contain these controversial additions. So how do they pass flame tests? Mattresses are required to withstand direct flames without catching on fire. Organic mattresses do this by using materials that are naturally flame retardant. Kevlar is best known as a fabric used in bullet proof vests. However, they are also quite fire proof! Large Kevlar “socks” are used to cover many organic mattresses. This material is extremely dense and does not catch flame very easily. Many organic mattresses also use wool to create a fire-proof bed for their customers. New Zealand wool is especially popular. Wool is naturally fire retardant and in addition, it is also quite waterproof.
Not only fireproof but waterproof
A wool barrier helps your mattress not to absorb moisture, which is helpful due to the fact that moisture in a mattress can create a hospitable environment for dust mites and mold. Many people ask why we should be concerned about moisture in our beds. Have you ever breathed onto a mirror or a window and seen fog? We all expel moisture from our bodies as we exhale. When we lay in bed with our mouths close to our sleeping surface, we are exhaling moisture into our mattress. In addition, many people sweat in the night. This is why we often wake up so thirsty in the morning. Wool is not only fireproof but waterproof. People with a wool allergy should be careful when choosing an organic mattress that uses wool as a fire barrier. Many people who are sensitive to wool report that they have no problem sleeping on it, since the wool is under the mattress cover. Depending on your level of sensitivity, this is something you should be mindful of.
Electromagnetic Exposure: EMF
Our environment is full of electromagnetic waves; radio waves, Wi-fi signals and large appliances emit these waves constantly. Many people are concerned about electromagnetic waves and for good reason; they have been linked to a myriad of health issues.
There is still much to be learned about electromagnetic waves and their effect on human health. One fascinating study examined the question of why some countries have higher incidences of cancer on the left side of the body. A surprising clue comes from the examining the kinds of mattresses people sleep on in Japan. The most common mattress in Japan is a metal-free futon that is placed directly on the floor, as opposed to the widespread western practice of sleeping on a coil mattress placed on a box spring. Swedish researchers believe that there is a correlation between sleeping on metal and and the higher incidence of cancer on the left side of the body. Scientific American reports that:
“As we sleep on our coil-spring mattresses, we are in effect sleeping on an antenna that amplifies the intensity of the broadcast FM/TV radiation. Asleep on these antennas, our bodies are exposed to the amplified electromagnetic radiation for a third of our life spans.” https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/left-sided-cancer-blame-your-bed-and-tv/
If you are concerned about your exposure to electromagnetic waves while you are sleeping, there are steps you can take to protect yourself. First, consider how close your bedroom is to major appliances in your home? It is best to sleep away from these sources of EMFs. Turn off your Wi-Fi router at night or even better, use a hard-wire internet connection if possible. Lastly, do not panic about EMF waves that might be present in your home. You can buy an inexpensive EMF tester to figure out what your level of exposure is. If you determine that there is, in fact, a high amount of EMF in your bedroom, you can replace your mattress with an all latex mattress to reduce your exposure.
