Organic mattress buying guide: Everything you need to know to choose the non-toxic, eco-friendly, organic mattress that’s right for you.
Our mattress was a wedding gift. It served us well but after 20 years, our backs were telling us it was time for something new. Since I know a little bit more about mattresses than I knew 20 years ago, I knew I wanted a non-toxic mattress that was safer to sleep on and healthier for the planet too.
It took a lot of research to finally find a natural, non-toxic mattress that we were comfortable with and that fit within our budget. As much as we wanted the best luxurious organic mattress on the market, we needed to find an affordable non-toxic mattress that wouldn’t break the bank.
After lots of research, we finally found an eco-friendly but affordable mattress that was a perfect addition to our non-toxic bedroom! Since we all have different criteria for purchasing mattresses, I put together this guide to help YOU find the non-toxic mattress that you’ve been dreaming of!
First, let’s talk about what’s wrong with most conventional mattresses you’ll find on the market today.
The problem with conventional mattresses
Most mattresses are made with synthetic, petroleum based foam, treated with chemical flame retardants and covered in PVC vinyl. Toxic formaldehyde is also found in synthetic foam, as well as in the adhesives used to make the mattress. Ultimately this means that your mattress is releasing toxic fumes while you sleep. Not good.
Those off-gassing fumes, known as VOCs have been associated with a whole host of health disorders including thyroid, reproductive and behavioral problems, as well as cancer.
It’s hard to rest easy knowing you are sleeping in a bed of toxic chemicals – especially since we sleep for approximately 1/3 of our lives.
Criteria for a non-toxic + organic mattress
If you’ve ever shopped for mattresses you’ve probably noticed that the mattress industry is complicated and confusing. The number of options and differences between products is overwhelming and every brand has their own “proprietary” way of doing things.
You’ll need to cut through the hype and the clutter to find the elements of a safe and healthy mattress that are important to you.
Here are some things to look for in a non-toxic mattress:
- Zero chemical flame retardant chemicals – this was my #1 criteria
- Made with certified organic materials including cotton, wool and latex, certified by GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) or GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard)
- If you want latex, make sure it is natural latex rubber, not synthetic
- Preferably no synthetic polyurethane foam at all
- Certifications like MADESAFE, GOTS, GOLS, Oeko-Tex or eco-INSTITUTE (learn more about certifications below)
- If you want waterproof protection, look for food grade polyethylene or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) instead of PVC vinyl
RELATED POST: 4 Good Reasons to Buy Natural, Non-Toxic Products for Your Home & Life
Natural & Organic Mattress Certifications
In a category as confusing as mattresses, certifications are an important guide to the safety, quality and eco-friendly attributes of the mattress.
Let’s take a closer look at the certifications:
GOTS – Global Organic Textile Standard
Internationally recognized organic standard for textiles including fabric used in clothes, home textiles, yarns, and in this case both the cotton and wool used in mattresses. GOTS ensures the organic status of textiles every step of the way – from the harvesting of raw materials to the processing, manufacturing and labeling of finished products. Known as the toughest organic textile standard.
Note: GOTS & GOLS certifications cover three levels – the factory, materials used, and finished product. Ideally both the factory and the finished product will be certified. You may have to do some digging on the company website to find this out.
GOLS – Global Organic Latex Standard
This standard monitors the natural rubber used to make organic latex and ensures that everything from the rubber plantation, to the manufacturing plant to the final product are in compliance with the standard. To be GOLS certified, a finished product must contain at least 95% certified organic raw material.
When you see the MADESAFE label you know it has met rigorous standards to make sure it does not harm human health, animals or the environment. All certified products are screened for known behavioral toxins, carcinogens, developmental toxins, endocrine disruptors, flame retardants, heavy metals, neurotoxins, high risk pesticides, reproductive toxins, toxic solvents, or harmful VOCs. Only a few mattress brands have met these strict standards.
An international, third-party certification program that tests for more than one hundred harmful substances, including formaldehyde, banned colorants and heavy metals.
This certification looks at air quality standards and assures that products designed for use in indoor spaces meet strict chemical emissions limits. Gold certification considers safety factors to account for sensitive individuals, such as children and the elderly.
An independent certification agency based in Germany that tests for pollutants and emissions. Products are evaluated for formaldehyde, VOCS (volatile organic compounds), heavy metals, pesticides, phthalates, and other potentially harmful chemicals.
CertiPUR-US is a certification for conventional polyurethane foam that ensures that it is low-VOC. It is free from the worst flame retardants (PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP- “Tris”) but not all flame retardants – so keep in mind that some chemical flame retardants may still be used. CertiPUR foam is also free from ozone depleters, formaldehyde, mercury, lead, and other heavy metals and phthalates. NOTE: This certification was developed by an association of foam manufacturers so it’s not perfect, but could be safer than traditional polyurethane foam.
Finding the non-toxic, organic mattress that works for you
Choosing the right non-toxic mattress is a big deal! To avoid information overload, I recommend starting with some online research and then visiting a small, local store that specializes in natural and organic mattresses, rather than heading to a mega mattress store.
Of course, purchasing a mattress online is becoming more and more common and with the happiness guarantees they offer, this could very well work for you! Mattress testing stores like Sleep Sherpa in the Twin Cities are popping up too. They stock popular brands so you can test them and then facilitate ordering online.
Determine your top priorities for a mattress, shop around and by all means test out the product if you can. That means taking off your shoes and getting comfy in a public space. Embarrassing but extremely helpful!
Some things to consider:
- Type – Latex, organic cotton, organic wool, innerspring or a combination
- Feel – Firm, medium or soft
- Price – Queen size prices start at $795 and go up to $5000 or more, with many options in the $1000 to $2000 range
- Shipping – Is there an extra shipping or delivery charge? Do you need a compact bed-in-a-box model in order to get it up the stairs?
- Happiness Guarantee – Will they take the mattress back if you are not 100% happy with it?
Affordable Non-Toxic Mattresses
We had a tight budget for our new mattress. While I was willing to spend extra to get a safe, organic mattress, I could not quite afford the ultimate green mattress I was dreaming of. We ended up buying a quilted, organic cotton innerspring mattress from Naturepedic. It is a super comfy, affordable, non-toxic, organic mattress and we love it! (Unfortunately, that model is no longer available in Queen size – only Full or Twin.) Naturepedic has many other more luxurious organic mattresses to choose from in a range of prices.
Happsy, Avocado, Sleep on Latex and My Green Mattress are other affordable organic mattress brands. I do not personally own them, but they have good reputations. Be sure to look closely at all the options for any given brand because sometimes they vary considerably.
Non-Toxic Mattress Brands
I may receive commissions from purchases made through links in this article. Full Disclosure
Here are a few non-toxic mattress brands that stand up to my green & healthy scrutiny. I’ve personally tried Naturepedic and Zen Haven and I’ve heard good reviews about the rest.
For detailed information about these brands and more, check out my post about Non-Toxic Mattress Brands.
Other options
If a natural or organic mattress is simply not in your budget, here are a few things you can do to lessen the negative effects of a conventional mattress:
- Let your new mattress off-gas in a well-ventilated area for awhile before using it.
- Cover your mattress with a natural latex mattress topper or an organic cotton mattress pad.
- Consider buying a less expensive natural futon instead of a regular mattress.
- Use organic pillows and organic bedding.
Your turn: Are you in the market for an organic mattress? What are your most important criteria?
Lisa says
Do you know, is Temperpedic that bad?
Betsy (Eco-novice) says
Great post, Micaela! So glad you have a good, local option. Great summary of what to look for in a mattress. I’m going to add a link to this post in my bed post. This is one of the toughest issues people deal with b/c of the cost.
Lori Popkewitz Alper says
I found, when looking for an organic mattress, that it was challenging to find a retail store to touch and feel the mattresses. After much searching, I finally found a local shop where we could test out the beds before buying. I’m glad you had the same option. Your criteria are very helpful-buying bedding is overwhelming in general. Unfortunately organic bedding can be cost prohibitive. Hopefully with more consumer demand the price will come down over time.
Micaela says
Hi Lisa – it is my understanding that Temperpedic mattresses are made from polyurethane foam – which unfortunately is highly flammable and must be treated with flame retardant chemicals.
Micaela says
Thanks Besty. I agree – deciding on a mattress is a tough decision to make. I had a hard time spending the money but justified it knowing it was an investment in our health!
Micaela says
Lori – good point – not everyone has a local store that carries natural mattresses. While you can certainly buy one online, it would be tough not to test it out first. Let's hope that prices come down – so more people can afford safe mattresses!
therobynnest says
We went on this journey in the spring, looking for a mattress for our toddler. I thought I knew it all and by the end of it I realized that no one knows it all. You have to ask, “Is this latex mattress 100% natural, chemical-free, free of petroleum, and non-blended? And is it made with the Talalay process?” Eventually with went with the Natura Starlight Organic for our toddler and the Naturepedic for our newborn. Luckily for us, the store Wildflower in Austin had mattresses to try out. If you don’t have a store to try out Naturepedic, your shipping is free. My write-up of everything is here, if you don’t mind me posting: http://therobynnest.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/my-head-is-going-to-explode/
SAHMmelier says
Great article! After researching mattresses for our children, I knew I needed to make a different choice for us when it was time to upgrade. Since I, too, live in Austin I will head to Wildflower. Thank you, TheRobynNest!
Once you educate yourself on such matters, you cannot ignore the facts about how you are poisoning yourself with those toxins. Sometimes I wish I could.
Lisa, I would challenge you do your research on the matter of Tempurpedic and the like. The headaches, endocrine disruption, etc. all seem pretty bad to me. Of course, you need to decide the pros and cons for yourself. The chemicals have more profound effects on some than on others.
Micaela says
Hi Robyn – thanks so much for your insightful comments! Yes, the whole latex thing is tricky. I looked at Natura and was confused by all of the different choices and combinations of materials. I'm so glad that you found mattresses for your kids that you feel comfortable with!
Micaela says
Hi SAHMmelier – you are so right that once you educate yourself about the problems with conventional mattresses, it's hard to go back. Good luck with your mattress shopping at Wildflower!
Micaela says
Thanks for mentioning the Sustainable Furnishings Council Mary – it's a great resource!
Mary says
The Sustainable Furnishings Council was formed many years ago to help people find the best of products nearest them.
I like that you listed a third party standard, GreenGuard, as one of the things to look for when making a decision.
LNewman says
I always love finding people’s personal exerts on buying an organic mattress. It can be a real process, what with all the researching and then shopping! Overall, it’s a pretty big purchase, so you want to make sure you’re happy and healthy in the end.
In regards to your “ultimate green mattress” – I’ve heard great things about the Savvy Rest Serenity organic mattress – http://www.savvyrest.com/products/organic-mattresses. It seems like the phrase “you get what you pay for” has never been more true!
Micaela says
Hi Lindsay – The Saavy Rest mattress wasn't in my budget, but lucky to those who can afford it! I'm sure it's awesome!
Jodi says
Great article! I recently decided on a Naturepedic for my son too. However, I also need a trundle and those are hard to find since they are shorter than a twin mattress. Would you ever buy a mattress that is GreenGuard certified, but not organic? I found one at PBK, but I’m not convinced it’s safe.
Micaela says
Hi Jodi – Good question- the GreenGuard certification helps because you know it has met certain criteria. I would recommend asking a lot of questions about the mattress you are considering. Is it 100% organic or partially organic? What type of flame retardant materials are used? Does it contain synthetic foam? I hope you enjoy your Naturepedic mattress for your son!
Theresa says
What about what happens to the old mattress? Do you know of an easy way to keep it out of the landfill? Companies that recycle them?
Micaela says
Theresa – Good question about recycling – it's an important part of the equation. Some mattress stores and manufacturers will take back old mattresses for recycling – ask about it when you visit the stores. Also you can check Earth911.com for recycling options in your zip code.
Julie says
We also got a Queen innerspring from Naturepedic and Moss Envy. Did you have any issues having yours arrive undamaged? Ours took 3 deliveries to come undamaged, we were wondering if we just had bad luck, or if that typically happens with Naturepedic’s shipping. I just wrote a post about our experience and linked to your site too. http://theurbanhomestaed.blogspot.com/2012/05/why-we-chose-to-purchase-organic.html
Micaela says
Julie – What a bummer you had so much trouble getting your mattress delivered! We didn't have any trouble at all. Ryan & Tina at Moss Envy are awesome, aren't they? I hope you are getting a good night's sleep on you new mattress!
Andy Aust says
Micaela,
My name is Andy and I work for a company called The Natural Sleep Store. I think you wrote a really great post that touches on a lot of things that are important when researching a new mattress purchase. I had a question for you, we just started carrying Naturepedic and it sounds like from your post that you really like your mattress. We value consumer feedback more than anything else and since Naturepedic is brand new for us I was wondering if you could give me any other feedback about your mattress.
Thanks in advance for your time
–Andy
Beddenzaak says
I agree with Andy Aust that you touch a lot of things that are important when researching a new matress purchase. We have our own store in the Netherlands and also want to introduce Naturepedic, maybe it’s an idea for a new article (your experiences with this brand?)
Stacy schwartz says
Good info to know! I didn’t know these were all things to consider when purchasing a new mattress!
Barbara says
What about a nector mattress ? Can you give me any info
Micaela says
Hi Barbara – I’m afraid I don’t know about that one yet! Thanks for the head’s up.
Nicole says
Hi, thanks so much for this post. Are you still satisfied with your naturepedic mattress? Thanks!
Micaela says
Yes! Our Naturepedic mattress has held up great! I highly recommend it!
Irene says
Hi Micaela, did you notice odor from Naturapedic Mattress? Almost smells like spices? Not sure whether that’s the cotton smell, but I can definitely notice it in the room? Does that eventually disappear? Thank you!
Micaela says
No we didn’t notice any odor at all. You should contact the company and ask them about it for sure!
Haili says
Hi are you still loving the naturepedic? What kind of boxspring do you use with this? We are looking for a full mattress for our 4 yr old! Please help. Any recommendations on exactly what mattress ..? They seem to have a few on naturepedic?! Also have you had a chance to checkout savvyrest yet? If so .. thoughts?! Great article.
Micaela says
Hi Haili – Yes, we still love our Naturpedic. Not sure what brand of boxspring we have but it’s not anything special. I did try a Savvyrest at a store and it seems very comfortable!
Brooke says
Have you heard of the Metta bed mattress? They are organic and use natural latex. Would they be good? Trying to decide between My Green Mattress and Metta bed. I like that Metta Bed uses latex instead of coils. Any thoughts would be very helpful!
Micaela says
I’ve never heard of Metta mattresses – there are so many new companies popping up! It sure looks like a good one to me – certified organic materials – and very affordable! I have a mattress with coils and love it – it is very substantial – but this type could be great too!