Best Non Toxic Mattress Brands that are Organic, Eco Friendly & Flame Retardant Free

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Research on Healthy Mattresses

Worry not! I’ve done a ton of research on the best non-toxic mattress brands and mattress companies for you. This includes the affordable non-toxic mattresses, as well as the most luxurious, organic mattresses available! I hope you find this list of non toxic mattress recommendations helpful!

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Why You Need a Non Toxic Mattress

Are mattresses really toxic? What makes a mattress toxic? These are questions I have been asked many times. Here’s the deal – conventional mattresses are made with synthetic materials and petroleum-based foam that is treated with flame- retardant chemicals, assembled using formaldehyde producing adhesives and covered in polyester or PVC vinyl.

While you are sleeping, those mattresses are off-gassing toxic fumes for you to breathe.

Those chemicals in your mattress are linked to adverse 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 great night’s sleep!

(Source)

What Is A Non Toxic Mattress Made Of?

What is the healthiest material for a mattress? That’s the million dollar question! 

While doing my research, I was surprised to find how many different types of non-toxic mattresses and natural & organic materials for 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 natural and non-toxic materials used in a healthy mattress:

1.) Natural Latex

Natural latex is a popular alternative to traditional memory foam. Like memory foam, it is very supportive and provides cushion for pressure points. Unlike some memory foam, natural latex has good temperature regulation and is resistant to dust mites, mold and mildew. Keep in mind that some people are allergic to latex. 

Natural latex is made with the liquid extracted from the Hevea-Brasilienis tree, or rubber tree. The rubber 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. Production of Dunlop latex is said to be more eco-friendly than Talalay latex. 

The best brands use latex that is certified organic by GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard) and some brands use OEKO-Tex certification for non-organic latex.

Looking for a crib mattress? I’ve got an entire post about the best organic crib mattress brands!

2.) Organic Cotton

A good non-toxic mattress will be covered in certified organic cotton instead of polyester or conventional cotton. The gold standard is GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified because it ensures the organic status of textiles every step of the way, from farming to finished product. 

3.) Organic Wool

Wool is used in non-toxic mattresses as a chemical-free flame retardant. Natural wool does not easily ignite and meets Federal flammability standards. Wool also provides breathability and moisture-wicking properties. The best brands use organic wool that has been certified by GOTS.

4.) Low VOC Memory Foam or Eco Foam

Be aware of a type of traditional memory foam that is marketed as low-VOC or Eco Foam. This foam is traditional polyurethane foam that has been certified by CertiPUR-US to be low VOC and made without the worst of the flame retardants (PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP – ”Tris”). However, it may contain some other flame retardants. This foam is also certified to be made without ozone depleters, heavy metals, formaldehyde and phthalates. (see next section for more info on the CertiPUR-US certification)

Eco Foam is low-VOC foam made with a minimum of 30% soy or corn oil as a substitute for part of the polyurethane. This makes it a bit more eco-friendly than traditional foam.

5.) Innerspring Coils

Many companies use metal innerspring coils to provide firmness and spring to a mattress. Most springs are fabric encased (sometimes called pocket springs or pocketed coils) to help evenly distribute weight and reduce motion-transfer. Recycled metal coils are nice to see as well. A non-toxic innerspring mattress will also be made with organic cotton and wool and may or may not include natural latex.

6.) Adhesives

The best natural and organic mattress brands do not use any chemical adhesives in the assembly process. Some brands may use a minimal amount.

Natural & Organic Mattress Certifications to Look For

In a category as confusing as mattresses, third-party certifications, and especially organic certifications, are an important guide to the safety, quality and eco-friendly attributes of a mattress. 

Here are the most important non toxic mattress certifications to look for:

• GOTS – Global Organic Textile Standard – An internationally recognized and very stringent organic standard for textiles including fabric used in clothes, home textiles, yarns, and in this case both the cotton and wool used in mattresses.  
• GOLS – Global Organic Latex Standard – A strict standard for the natural rubber used to make organic latex used in mattresses and furntiture.
• MADESAFE – A highly respected standard to ensure that a product has met rigorous standards to make sure it does not harm human health, animals or the environment.
• EWG-Verified – This strict certification from the Environmental Working Group means that a mattress is free from flame retardants, PVC, PFAS, fiberglass and other harmful chemicals.
• Oeko-Tex Standard 100 – A third-party certification program that tests for more than one hundred harmful substances, including formaldehyde, banned colorants and heavy metals.
• GreenGuard Gold – A certification that considers air quality standards and ensures that products designed for use in indoor spaces meet strict chemical emissions limits.
• eco-INSTITUT – An independent certification agency that tests for pollutants and emissions such as formaldehyde, VOCS (volatile organic compounds), heavy metals and other more.
• CertiPUR-US – A certification for conventional polyurethane foam that ensures that it is low-VOC. However, it does NOT ensure that products are flame retardant free. Some consider this certification greenwashing or health washing but CertiPUR certified foam could be safer than traditional polyurethane foam.

Get more details about all of these certifications in my Mattress Certifications Guide

How to Find the Healthiest Mattress

We purchased a Naturepedic mattress many years ago and have loved every night’s sleep on it! So if someone asked me – What is the best non-toxic mattress? I would answer Naturepedic!

We also have a Happsy organic mattress and a Zen Haven mattress in our kid’s rooms and they are both extremely comfortable mattresses! My recommendation for the most affordable non-toxic mattress would be My Green Mattress or Avocado because they offer the lowest price points while still being 100% safe mattresses and very high quality.

I decided to break down my mattress recommendations into three parts: My very TOP picks, some next best choices, and some options for those of you who prefer a memory foam mattress but want a safer version. 

Note: All of the mattress brands listed in this post are free from the worst chemical flame retardants. This is a key distinction between these safe mattresses and conventional mattress brands.

The materials used for flame retardant properties vary by brand and include wool (which is naturally flame retardant), a flame retardant “sock” that completely covers that mattress, or in some cases less toxic chemical flame retardants (that are certified low-VOC) are used. 

Best Non Toxic Mattress Brands

Gold stars go to these mattress brands that have GOTS finished product certifications and/or factory certifications, as well as MADESAFE certification, and are made in the U.S.

If you want a mattress without flame retardants or chemical adhesives and that is a completely chemical free mattress, this is the section to shop from. These are THE BEST organic and natural mattresses you can find – and a couple of them are the most affordable non toxic mattress brands too!

Next Best Healthy Mattress Choices

These mattress brands may not have quite as many certifications, and may use some non-toxic chemical adhesives or bonding agents, but are still highly recommended and are a good choice for a safe mattress.

Mattresses with Low VOC Memory Foam

These mattresses are certified low VOC and the memory foam is part plant-based (about 30%) and part polyurethane (see my remarks about the CertiPUR-US certification in the materials section above). Other organic and natural materials like organic cotton and wool are also used in these mattresses. 

My personal preference would be for one of the certified nontoxic mattresses listed above, but these could be a good option if you prefer memory foam or are looking for specific comfort options for stomach sleepers or different types of sleepers. 

Organic Mattress FAQs

What is the difference between memory foam and latex?

Memory foam is a form of traditional polyurethane foam that is made from petroleum products, whereas natural latex is made from the sap from rubber trees. Memory foam is known for its ability to mold to your body, although it tends to hold heat, so it may make you sleep hot. Latex provides supportive cushioning, and also has good temperature regulation, helping you sleep cool.  

What is the best organic crib mattress?

When buying a crib mattress, it’s extra important to get a chemical-free mattress, because a baby’s tiny body can not detox harmful chemicals. The top crib mattresses include Naturepedic’s Classic Crib Mattress and the Emily Crib Mattress from My Green Mattress. Learn more about the importance of organic crib mattresses on the blog.

What is the best organic twin mattress?

All of the mattress brands reviewed in this post offer twin size mattresses and any of them would be fine. If you are buying a mattress for a kid, I recommend the Happsy mattress. We have one for our son and he loves how super soft and comfortable it is.

What is the best organic mattress for side sleepers?

A side sleeper needs a mattress that conforms to their body and relieves pressure from the hips and shoulders. A hybrid mattress that has a base of pocketed coils and a top layer of latex tends to be a good fit for side sleepers. The Avocado Green Mattress and the Naturepedic Serenade mattress are both good choices.

What is the best organic mattress for back pain?

If you are experiencing back pain, a new mattress can be a huge help. Typically a hybrid mattress that is medium firm is a good bet because it provides support but has comforting cushioning as well. Naturepedic’s EOS mattresses are a great choice because they are customizable, and layers can be swapped out at any time. Even the right and left sides are independently configurable.

What is the best affordable organic mattress?

The cheapest non-toxic mattress reviewed in this post is a basic latex mattress from Sleep on Latex. Keep in mind, it’s a thinner mattress with no springs or support coils. For a little bit more money, I recommend going with the affordable organic mattresses from Avocado or My Green Mattress. The Avocado Eco Organic mattress has fewer support coils than the Avocado Green Mattress, but is made with all the same certified organic materials and has a medium firmness rating. The Kiwi Mattress from My Green Mattress is similar and has even more coils and a 20 year warranty.

What is the best luxury organic mattress?

If you are looking for a top-of-the-line, luxury organic mattress, check out the Naturepedic Halcyon mattress line that features high-end organic materials and superior craftsmanship.

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