Non-Toxic Mattress Brands for Worry Free Sleep

Learn how to find the best non-toxic mattress brands including safe organic and natural materials, eco-friendly certifications, affordable non-toxic mattresses and more.

If you are reading this post I’m going to guess it’s for one of two reasons (or both).

1. You have a really old mattress and you would like to replace it with something comfortable, high-quality and eco-friendly.
2. You’re concerned with toxins in mattresses and want to make sure the next mattress you buy for yourself or someone in your family is as safe and non-toxic as possible.

And if you’re like me, you are overwhelmed by the extremely confusing and promotional mattress industry. You need facts but you don’t want to do research until you’re blue in the face. 

Worry not! I’ve done a ton of research on non-toxic mattress brands for you. This includes the most eco-friendly mattresses that are affordable, as well as the most luxurious mattresses available! I hope it helps!

Why You Need a Non-Toxic Mattress

Conventional mattresses are made with synthetic, petroleum-based foam, treated with chemical flame retardants and covered in PVC vinyl. While you are sleeping, those mattresses are off-gassing toxic fumes for you to breathe.

Those fumes are linked to negative health effects like cancer, reproductive problems and impaired brain functioning. This is not what we want happening while we are sleeping! A safe, non-toxic mattress is the first step to a non-toxic bedroom and a healthy night’s sleep!

Read more about mattress buying in my post about How to Buy an Organic, Eco-Friendly Mattress.

RELATED: 4 Good Reasons to Buy Natural, Non-Toxic Products for Your Home & Life

Types of Mattresses

While doing my research, I was surprised to find how many different types of non-toxic mattresses and eco-friendly mattresses are available. There’s something for everyone, which is part of what makes it so confusing!

Whether you prefer the firmness of steel coils or the luxury of pure foam; natural latex or eco-friendly foam; certifications for sustainability or low VOCs – there is a mattress that is perfect for you. It’s just a matter of understanding the facts and finding the non-toxic mattress brand that is the best fit for you!

Here is a basic overview of the types of non-toxic mattresses available:

Natural Latex

Natural latex is made with the liquid extracted from the Hevea-Brasilienis tree, or rubber tree. The trees are tapped in a similar way to maple trees being tapped for their syrup. The process of harvesting natural latex is highly sustainable and does not result in the death of the tree.

First, the latex is thickened and turned into foam, and then it is baked in a mold and cured (sort of like baking a cake!) There are two primary types of natural latex – Dunlop and Talalay. The Dunlop process results in a more dense foam and the Talalay process creates a lighter foam. Most natural latex is Dunlop but some companies use Talalay or a mix of both.

Low VOC Memory Foam

Traditional memory foams (like the popular Temperpedic bed) are prone to off-gassing the many chemicals they contain. Fortunately for people who love memory foam, there is a healthier version available – even though it is still a polyurethane foam. CertiPUR-US is a certification program that certifies foam to be low VOC and made without:

• PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP (”Tris”) flame retardants
• Ozone depleters
• Mercury, lead, and other heavy metals
• Formaldehyde
• Phthalates

CertiPUR-US is not a perfect solution but if you are convinced you want a foam mattress, this is a much better solution than conventional memory foam.

Eco Foam or Bio Foam

Some (but not all) of the low VOC foams mentioned above are a bit more eco friendly – using a minimum of 30% soy or corn oil as a substitute for part of the polyurethane. Look for the term eco foam or bio foam in the description.

Innerspring Coil Hybrids

Many mattresses use a combination of metal innerspring coils and either natural latex, eco foam or organic cotton and wool.

Use this chart to help you find the mattress type you are looking for:

Download a printable PDF of this chart to help with your mattress shopping when you sign up for my mailing list!

Non-Toxic Mattress Brands

I may receive commissions from purchases made through links in this article. Full Disclosure

Note: All of these mattress brands are free from chemical flame retardants – this is a key distinction between these mattresses and conventional mattress brands. The materials used for flame retardant properties vary by brand and include wool (which is naturally flame retardant) or a flame retardant “sock” that completely covers that mattress.

We own both a Naturepedic Quilted Cotton Deluxe Mattress and a Zen Haven mattress at home and I can personally say they are both wonderful, high-quality, non-toxic mattresses!

Best Non-Toxic Mattress Choice – Natural Latex

Natural latex is naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to mold, microbes and dust mites. But keep in mind that some people are allergic to latex.

Avocado

• Materials used: Dunlop latex, New Zealand wool, organic cotton, recycled steel coils, water based bonding agents
• Flame retardants: Wool and hydrated silica
• Entry price Queen size: $1399
• Certifications: Latex certified by eco-INSTITUT
• Where to buy: Online
• Learn more

Zen Haven

• Materials used: Talalay latex, organic New Zealand wool, organic cotton
• Flame retardants: Wool
• Entry price Queen size: $1899
• Certifications: Latex certified by Oeko-Tex Standard 100, GOTS for cotton and wool
• Where to buy: Online
• Learn more

Happsy

• Materials used: Organic natural latex, organic wool batting, organic cotton fabric, breathable pocketed springs
• Flame retardants: Naturally flame retardant wool
• Entry price Queen size: $1399
• Certifications: GOLS latex, GOTS cotton and wool, MADESAFE Certified
• Where to buy:  Online
• Learn more

Naturepedic

• Materials used: Natural latex, organic wool, organic cotton, PLA batting (from starchy plants), stainless steel coils
• Flame retardants: Wool and PLA
• Entry price Queen size: $1600
• Certifications: GOLS latex, GOTS cotton and wool, Greenguard Gold for emissions
• Where to buy: Naturepedic stores, specialty retailers and online
• Learn more

My Green Mattress

• Materials used: Dunlop latex, organic cotton, eco wool, some models have coils
• Flame retardants: Wool
• Entry price Queen size: $949
• Certifications: GOLS and EcoINSTITUT for latex, GOTS cotton and wool, Greenguard Gold for emissions
• Where to buy: Online
• Learn more

Sleep on Latex

• Materials used: Natural latex, organic New Zealand wool, organic cotton
• Flame retardants: wool
• Entry price Queen size: $799
• Certifications: Latex certified by Oeko-Tex and Eco-INSTITUT, GOTS for cotton and wool, Greenguard Gold for emissions
• Where to buy: Online
• Learn more

Savvy Rest

• Materials used: Natural latex (both Talalay & Dunlop), organic wool, organic cotton, recycled steel springs in some models
• Flame retardants: Wool
• Entry price Queen size: $1999
• Certifications: GOTS organic, Certified B-Corp
• Where to buy: Savvy Rest stores, independent dealers or online
• Learn more

Essentia

• Materials used: Natural latex mixed with essential oils, natural memory foam made using hevea milk (rubber tree sap), organic wool, organic cotton
• Flame retardants: Mattress is wrapped in flame resistant Kevlar fabric
• Entry price Queen size: $2345
• Certifications: GOLS latex, GOTS cotton and wool
• Where to buy: In Essentia stores or online
• Learn more

Next Best Non-Toxic Mattress Choice – Low VOC Eco Memory Foam

These mattresses are certified low VOC and the foam is part plant-based (about 30%) and part polyurethane. Some other organic and natural materials are also used in these mattresses.

Loom & Leaf

• Materials used: Eco foam made with at least 30% plant oil, non-toxic cooling gel, organic cotton
• Flame retardants: Natural thistle wood pulp and a small amount of polyester bonding agent, woven into a mesh
• Entry price Queen size: $1299
• Certifications: CertiPUR-US certified foam
• Where to buy: Online
• Learn more

Saatva

• Materials used: Eco foam made with at least 30% plant oil, recycled steel coils, organic cotton
• Flame retardants: Natural thistle wood pulp and a small amount of polyester bonding agent, woven into a mesh
• Entry price Queen size: $1099
• Certifications: CertiPUR-US certified foam
• Where to buy: Online
• Learn more

Another Option – Low VOC Regular Memory Foam

These mattresses are made from traditional polyurethane foam that is certified low VOC. Other organic materials are generally not used in these mattresses. Not quite as nice as the other options listed above, but better than most conventional mattresses, due to the CertiPUR-US certification.

Nectar

• Materials used: 3 layers of foam (adaptive memory foam, gel memory foam and quilted memory foam), plus a cooling cover made of tencel
• Flame retardants: Mattress is wrapped in a proprietary sock that in the event of a fire, would melt on itself and suffocate the oxygen needed for the fire to burn
• Entry price Queen size: $699
• Certifications: CertiPUR-US certified foam
• Where to buy: Online
• Learn more (Get $125 off + 2 free pillows using code SHOP125 with my link)

Leesa

• Materials used: 3 types of polyurethane foam (cooling, memory, support) all CertiPUR-US certified, but NOT eco foam
• Flame retardants: Mattress is wrapped in a fire retardant sock made of inherently fire retardant fabric
• Entry price Queen size: $940
• Certifications: CertiPUR-US certified foam
• Where to buy: Online
• Learn more

Learn lots more in this post: How to Buy a Natural or Organic Mattress

Your turn: What are you looking for in a non-toxic mattress?