Struggling to get a good night’s sleep? Your synthetic-latex mattress may be to blame. As comfortable as a memory foam mattresses may be, their chief component is polyurethane, a combustible petrochemical. That means to meet safety standards, companies need to add flame retardants—such as barrier materials made from synthetic fibers, which give off a distinct smell of chemicals. That comes from the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in those fibers giving off gas, or “off-gassing.” (Read more about how your mattress might be making you sick.) While it’s essentially impossible to get rid of synthetic chemicals in mattresses completely, organic latex mattresses are a good, affordable alternative. They’re sourced from responsibly grown rubber trees and cotton, and limit VOC off-gassing for a healthier night’s sleep. Read on for 4 ways to become a savvy organic mattress shopper. (Sign up for our FREE newsletter to get clever kitchen tricks, gardening secrets, and more delivered straight to your inbox!)
Know What Mattresses Are Made Of When shopping for a chemical-free mattress, it’s helpful to understand how mattresses are constructed, and what they’re typically made of: This is the thick, tightly woven fabric that covers your mattress and is the part that’s closest to your body. Look for certified organic and wool blends. Focus on this component when you’re looking for a particular feel in your mattress. This is what you will actually feel when you lay down. Go for a softer foam top layer or a quilted pillow top. Two layers of firmer foam that support the top layer and provide an overall structure for the mattress. You can mix up the firmness of these structural layers to obtain the desired feel. Using a soft foam layer on top, then a medium-firm, and then a firm layer is the “most common configuration for side sleepers,” says Deborah Benton, owner of DIY Natural Bedding. Understand the Difference Between Natural and Synthetic Latex Typically made from natural latex, which comes from rubber trees.
It can come in a variety of densities to adjust the firmness. Synthetic latex foam mattresses Made from a compound that’s very similar to natural rubber, styrene-butadiene, but which can cause irritation to the nose, eyes, throat, and lungs. Related: 11 Everyday Household Items You Aren't Buying Organic—But Should Look for These Labels A lot of companies throw around the terms “green” and “natural”. Look instead for these 3 labels, which are third-party regulated and represent the most stringent standards for organic, non-toxic mattresses. Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) One of the more stringent standards for mattresses, GOTS certification requires that at least 95 percent of the materials in the mattress are certified organic. Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) In GOLS certification, at least 95 percent of the mattress must be made from certified organic latex materials. This sets limits for chemical emissions such as formaldehyde and VOCs that could cause pollution and health problems.
Oeko-Tex Standard 100 also bans certain chemical flame retardants and dyes that could cause allergies. Check Out These Organic Mattress-Makers You can find third-party certified organic mattresses from a range of mattress companies, but may have to sort through a lot of competing, non-organic offerings. Get started on your search for chemical-free bedding with the companies below, who specialize in sustainable, non-toxic mattresses. GOLS-certified Dunlop latex is sourced from rubber plantations in Kerala, India, which are certified organic to USDA standards. Savvy Rest uses organic cotton and wool fabric and offers three-layer organic latex mattresses that can be customized for firmness preferences. Lifekind's Texas-grown organic cotton and GOTS and GOLS-certified fibers are assembled into mattresses in its Northern California Eco-Factory. In the process, they don’t use chemical flame-retardants, formaldehyde, or anti-fungicides. The company started with a quest for a healthier crib mattress.
Now, they’ve expanded to a full line of organic mattress sizes made from GOLS and GOTS-certified materials. The company produces both pure latex foam mattresses, and mattresses that combine encased coils with foam layers, all covered by organic cotton ticking. Listen to my interview with Naturepedic Founder Barry Cik. GOTS-certified “organic mattresses,” created by a concerned grandfather who is also an environmental engineer. Also certified by Greenguard to their highest standard, these mattresses feature organic cotton and natural materials, and nontoxic food-grade waterproofing. Meets all fire regulations without use of toxic chemicals. No harmful chemicals or known allergens. Proper firmness, comfort and fit. Made in the USA by a family who cares and understands the issues. “A revolutionary lightweight baby crib mattress that offers all the benefits you want in a crib mattress without any harmful chemicals or allergens. The mattress weighs only seven pounds, so it’s easy to lift when changing the sheets, which is particularly helpful with the newer Crib that no longer have the drop-side features.
And it’s also affordable (not one of those high-priced models). Made of food-grade PE and PETE and designed to be free from harmful chemicals and allergens. You can even recycle this mattress when it’s outgrown. The mattress contains no polyurethane foam (including “soybean” foam blends), vinyl/PVC, polyurethane coated nylon or damask, PFC water-resistant treatments, antibacterial biocides and the various chemicals associated with these materials. Made by the family who also created the Naturepedic mattresses. Tested by independent third-party laboratories and certified to meet the GREENGUARD® Children & Schools Certification standard and their even more stringent “Select” Certification standard. Just about everything you might need for your baby, chosen to be safe by a real mother for her baby. Crib and mattresses, bedding, glass bottles, cloth diapers, baby blankets and clothes, herbal products, dolls, teethers, toys, pactifiers, pillows, and more–all made from nontoxic, natural, and organic materials.
Even organic cotton baby carriers! Listen to my interview with Shepherd’s Dream Owner Sarah Sunshine Smith. Makes a complete crib set (mattress, bumper pads, etc out of organically grown wool and cotton). Family-owned by an experienced natural mother. This company is about wool–sleeping on it and under it, cuddling with it, and loving the wool and the sheep and the land. Founder Eliana Jantz has been working with wool as long as I’ve been writing about natural products (her daughter now runs the business). Eliana led the development of EcoDomestic Wool, “a collaboration which involves the sheep growers, wool processors, product makers and promoters in gradually developing an infrastructure which ensures environmentally friendly and sustainable practices and fair prices to the woolgrower.” All within a few miles distance, the sheep are pastured, the wool is milled, and the products are sewn by local women in a renovated storefront, all in site of majestic Mt. Shasta in northern California.
Be sure to tell them “Debra sent me.” line of sleep essentials for infants and toddlers made from organic linen fabrics and raw flax fibers. Selection includes a toddler car seat liner. “Our products are soft, hypo-allergenic, machine washable and long lasting. We make them with100% organic raw flax fibers, without adding any dyes or bleaches. We source our flax from certified organic farms in Europe where it has been grown the same way for generations. We turn it into high quality essential sleep products that we deliver to you from Denver, Colorado.” Organic toddler/preschool nap mats, made by a parent-owned company in New Hampshire. They also make a toddler comforter that doubles as a playmat, and toddler pillows. “We Make Modern, Stylish, Durable yet Super Comfy Organic Children’s Nap Mats from Certified Organic Cotton Fabric and Certified Organic Cotton Batting. Our Organic Nap Mats are Ideal for Toddlers, Daycare, Preschool and Rest Time at Kindergarten. They Can Also Be Used for Vacations and Sleep overs.
There are NO Harmful Chemicals or Pesticides in Our Products. We DO NOT use Polyester, Toxic Dyes or Chemical Washes of any kind. Our Organic Nap Mats are Safe, Eco Friendly and Non-Toxic.” Sturdy, simple bunk beds, loft beds and beds with drawers beneath, made from local Vermont hardwoods. Finished in your choice of colors with Natura Zero-VOC paint or Old-Fashioned Milk Paint with Vermont Natural Coatings finish. “In shopping for bunk beds for their own children, Scott & Amy realized the need for a safer product that would hold up to the every day demands of their active boys and yet still be affordable for the everyday family. So Scott and Amy began dreaming of devoting their skills and experience to building solid wood beds that would be safe for children and affordable for parents.” Sturdy, real hardwood bunk beds made from nontoxic materials with kid-friendly colors and designs. “While many furniture companies use softer, less durable woods like pine, we use poplar—a high-quality, sustainable, locally sourced, renewable hardwood…
Except for the architectural bolts used to attach the rails to the corner frames we don’t use any metal in our beds: no wood screws, no metal plates, and no braces or angles used to artificially reinforce inferior products. We never use particle board or composite material in our beds.” Finishes are my favorites: Old-Fashioned Milk Paint and Vermont Natural Coatings. All of their beds are made to meet your needs and aesthetics. They also sell natural mattresses. A whole collection of Crib and furniture for babies and kids (some suitable for adults too) made from all-natural materials (organic in the name refers to the materials being of nature–no petrochemicals are used). All pieces are made with FSC-certified solid wood, handmade by local Amish craftsmen. Stains and finishes are plant-based, food-safe, water-soluable, and VOC-free (the owner said to me “I’ve licked this finish off my hands.”). Construction waste is minimal as wood scraps and sawdust are used for heat;
wood chips and shredded paper are used for animal bedding. The only exception is a water-based glue, which is the least-toxic glue they could find. They have a good range of styles, both traditional and modern. Organic cotton baby bedding, blankets, mattresses, and clothing. Organic cotton and wool crib mattresses, organic cotton sheets, and solid-wood Crib and changing tables. Also imaginative children's bedroom furniture made from solid wood and veneers. Crib and "modern children's furniture" made from sustainable materials. "We are passionate about working as a family to craft furniture for other families. Their design aesthetic is "clean, simple, and tasteful. Our children are the inspiration for each new design and each piece is crafted to have that personal feel." Sustainability is expressed in both design and materials. "Our furniture is designed with longevity and reusability as an essential criterion. We offer adjustable seating that grows with your child, table tops that are reusable and also are adjustable, Crib that convert to toddler beds, space saving trundle beds, and storage solutions that are multifunctional and adaptable to a myriad of styles and conditions.