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In the past few years, people have made an effort to be environmentally conscious and buy healthier, organic products. People are concerned about spending their money on eco-friendly products, which is why even mattresses are going green.
Mattress manufacturers have responded to the demand, launching beds with natural, organic materials and changing manufacturing processes to reduce their environmental footprint.
However, finding the best organic mattress for your sleep needs isn’t always easy. Whether you’re looking for a memory foam, latex, or hybrid mattress, we have a recommendation for you. In this post, we’ll talk about our three favorite eco mattresses on the market, break down the materials used in each bed, and explain why we chose them for this list.
Eco Terra Hybrid Latex Mattress Overview
The Eco Terra Hybrid Latex is surely one of the best hybrid mattresses produced in the United States, and it combines the best features of the innerspring and the latex mattress to create a hybrid masterpiece. The most amazing thing about this mattress is that it is 100 percent handcrafted, and it is made with certified ecological and biological materials.
This mattress is 11-inches high and available in two firmness levels, the medium and medium firm. These two variations are rated 5 and 6 out of 10 on the firmness scale, respectively. The main difference between the two versions is that the comfort system (a term we will talk about later in this review) comprises different ILD grades of Talalay latex. First, let us take a better look at the composition and specification of this hybrid mattress.
Naturepedic Mattress
All of the Naturepedic mattresses are made with 100% organic materials, widely recognized as the industry gold standard for indoor air quality. We use chemical-free adhesives and tough, water-resistant natural fabrics. The ultra-breathable woven fabric pad on top is replaceable should an accident occur because it has no chemicals or fire retardants in its construction; unsnap the old cover gently from your mattress to get started!
Every modular component in our mattresses is certified by OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Class I—the world’s leading development.
The Naturepedic EOS Mattress features a split design that lets customers select the firmness of each half of their bed for personalized comfort even with a sleep partner.
Five firmness options are available: Plush (4 on 10 out of 10 for firmness), Medium (5), Cushion-Firm (6), Firm (7), and Extra-Firm (8).
The wide selection of firmness options available make this model a great choice for a wide range of body types and sleep positions.
EOS Mattress is wrapped in an organic cotton quilt made from GOTS-certified organic cotton fabric, organic wool batting, and a plant-based fiber comfort layer that wicks moisture away while staying soft to the touch.
Beneath the quilted top is a 3-inch organic latex layer that hugs the body and provides temperature control for added comfort throughout the night.
The mattress is constructed from an 8-inch pocketed coil with full perimeter edge support. Individually wrapped in organic cotton, the coils are designed to add a soft bounce for comfort while still contributing to heat dissipation and proper spinal alignment during sleep.
Each mattress is custom made in America and can be adapted to your needs and lifestyle preferences, including latex-free and vegan options.
Saatva Latex Hybrid
The Saatva Latex Hybrid organic mattress is completely free of chemical flame retardants, formaldehyde compounds, and ozone depleters. The hypoallergenic latex foam provides a supportive feel without pressure points while the specially designed core offers unsurpassed comfort and durability.
The foundation of this high-end mattress consists of individually wrapped coils made from low VOC laminated steel to provide highly responsive support for all sleeping positions without bottoming out.
They are also spaced far apart to minimize motion transfer so you can change sleeping positions as needed without disturbing your partner with every move you make
Saatva Latex Hybrid Organic Mattresses is made with a combination of natural latex foam and organic cotton.
The perfect balance for those who want the benefits of both classic latex foam with an organic cotton cover! Saatva offers one of the best mattresses out there by combining excellent sleep support, a reasonable price point, and sustainability all into one package.
Saatva mattresses are infused to have Allergen safe program – which will allow your mattress to remain free from household dust mites, pollen, mold spores, fungus spores, and pet dander.
Plush Beds
If you’re looking for a safe, eco-friendly, natural latex mattress, look no further than the Botanical Bliss® from Plushbeds. It has received certifications that guarantee its safety, even for babies.
Sleeping on latex offers several advantages, including its antimicrobial, hypoallergenic, dust mite-resistant, toxins-free, and antibacterial qualities, and it sleeps cooler than foam.
Plushbeds’ bed is made from organic cotton, organic wool, and Dunlop latex. The mattress doesn’t use heavy metals, mercury, lead, chlorofluorocarbons, chloroform, cyanide, or PBDE flame retardants.
On their website, they mention that both chiropractors and orthopedists have recommended the Botanical Bliss®. Customer reviews give this bed a 4.9-star rating. Below, we’ll look at the materials it’s made of and the specific certifications it has received.
The cover of this bed is made of GOTS and USDA organic certified cotton that is sourced from the USA. Next is GOTS and USDA organic certified New Zealand wool; this layer also acts as a natural fire barrier, eliminating other flame retardants’ need. Underneath are layers of latex. The number of layers depends on how high your mattress is.
These latex layers are GreenGuard Gold certified, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified and GOLS and USDA Organic certified. They are manufactured using Arpico latex and are the cleanest and purest available.
This mattress is also certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and Control Union. Control Union Certification ensures that Plushbeds only uses environmentally friendly materials, while Forest Stewardship Council verifies that they source their materials from sustainable forests.
When you purchase the Botanical Bliss® from Plushbeds, you receive free shipping, a 100-night sleep trial, and a 25-year warranty. You can choose between a medium and a medium-firm mattress. On Plushbeds’ latex layers, you can rearrange the layers to adjust how firm the bed feels.
Plushbeds offers free returns on Botanical Bliss® beds and will arrange for your mattress to be picked up at your home.
Avocado Mattress
Avocado Green mattresses combine innerspring coil bounce and latex foam comfort. Avocado is one of the most transparent brands in the bedding industry. Their support layer uses 100% organic latex, 100% organic wool, and 100% recycled steel.
The organic latex is sourced from Hevea Brasiliensis trees in Asia and made using the Dunlop method. Avocado’s latex is GOLS and Eco-Institute certified, ensuring that these beds are free of VOCs and unhealthy chemicals.
Wool and cotton used in these beds are both GOTS certified and safe. Additionally, the wool is certified to OEKO-TEX Standard 100. Both the wool and cotton in Avocado Green wick away moisture while you sleep, keeping you cool, and are also antimicrobial and dust mite resistant. In addition to this, wool is also a natural flame retardant.
This bed’s bottom layer is made of recycled steel pocket springs arranged in three zones to support your back and torso better. These coils also provide reinforced edge support for the other layers and the sleeper above. It’s important to note that these beds are also GreenGUARD Gold certified.
Each Avocado Green mattress is made in California and ships free of charge within the United States. In addition, these beds offer a 100-night sleep trial and a 25-year warranty. When you shop at Avocado, you can rest assured that your bed is made from state-of-the-art eco-friendly materials.
Bear Mattress
Currently, Bear carries three mattress models, but the company started with a 10-inch mattress. Due to its medium-firm feel, this memory foam mattress is perfect for most back sleepers.
Bear Mattress is made only from CertiPUR-US® certified foams and water-soluble adhesives. It is free of formaldehyde, toxic flame retardants, banned phthalates, mercury, lead, or other heavy metals. Bear sources its materials and manufactures its mattresses in the USA, with its corporate headquarters located in Hoboken, New Jersey.
The Bear Mattress has three layers of foam:
- A 2-inch layer of memory foam infused with graphite gel.
- 2 inches of responsive transitional foam to limit sinkage.
- 6 inches of high-density support foam to add structure to the bed and prevent sink-in.
The Bear Mattress is $840 for a queen-size mattress, with free shipping, a 100-night sleep trial, and a 10-year warranty. You can combine the mattress with two pillows and a mattress protector for additional savings.
Happsy Mattress
The Happsy mattress blends organic latex, organic wool, organic cotton and pocketed coils to create a bouncy hybrid mattress. The mattress’ materials are GOTS and GOLS certified, GreenGuard Gold certified, and certified formaldehyde-free by Underwriters Laboratories. The mattress does not contain adhesive or flame retardants.
The comfort layer consists of 2 inches of organic latex, which has a sewn-in organic wool insert. The bottom support layer consists of 8 inches of pocketed coils encased by an organic cotton filling. The mattress cover is made of organic cotton and has a zipper that allows you to adjust the latex layer inside.
Side sleepers may want to consider adding an organic latex pillow top to create a firmer mattress.
The Happsy Mattress costs $1,399 for a queen-size mattress and comes with a 120-night sleep trial and a 20-year warranty.
The mattress is ready for occupancy about 30 minutes after opening, although it can take a few days to reach full expansion.
Advantages of Organic Mattresses
Organic mattresses are biodegradable and sustainably made to reduce our ecological footprint. However, buying an organic bed is not only good for the environment, it can also be good for your health.
A mattress made from organic materials is..
Free of harmful chemicals: many are made without harmful chemicals such as flame retardant polyurethane and adhesives, which can cause skin irritation or respiratory problems.
Hypoallergenic: People who are allergic or sensitive to chemical dyes, odors and treatments can sleep well on an organic mattress.
Breathable: a mattress made of wool, cotton, latex or innerspring coils can keep a sleeper cool by wicking moisture away.
Customizable: many organic mattresses are made to order, allowing buyers to choose a mattress with different firmness levels or select an optional add-on such as a pillow.
Low level of volatile organic compounds: In new mattresses, there are volatile organic compounds or VOCs.
VOCs break down at room temperature and volatilize over time, but until they are gone, your mattress may have a chemical odor.
A sleeper may experience health problems such as headaches, nausea, difficulty breathing, and irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat in rare cases.
Why are regular mattresses not eco-friendly?
Traditional mattresses are made with a variety of chemicals and glues, which are not good for your health and the environment. Synthetic foam was created during a time when latex was confiscated for war purposes.
While synthetic foams are cheaper than innerspring mattresses and often more comfortable, they consume natural resources. A traditional foam mattress leaks dangerous glues and chemicals into your home, and some of them have been linked to everything from breathing problems, allergies, and cancer to endocrine disruption.
Here are the top reasons why traditional memory foam, synthetic latex, and innerspring mattresses NOT are environmentally friendly:
- Glues/Chemicals
- Synthetic Fabrics
- Non-Recyclable, Non-Biodegradable
- Uses Non-Renewable Resources
- Manufacturing Pollutes Environment
- Chemicals Pollute Indoor Air Quality
- Long-Distance & Inefficient Shipping
How to choose a Comfortable Eco-Friendly mattress
The benefits of a healthy mattress made from natural products and sustainable practices do not just benefit the sleeper, but also the environment.
Anyone looking for the best mattress knows how many products, brands and claims there are to sift through – so how can you really know if a bed is good for the environment or not?
Here, we’ll explore what factors make a mattress eco-friendly and the best green mattress options.
Organic Mattress Certifications
Mattress certifications ensure that you are getting a truly eco-friendly, organic bed. If you are looking for the best organic mattress, look out for these certifications as they should ensure that the product you are considering is safe for people of all ages:
CertiPUR-US®: To be CertiPUR-US® certified a bed must be free of formaldehyde, lead, mercury, phthalates, and PBDEs, with low volatile organic compounds.
GreenGuard: There are several types of GreenGuard certifications, including GreenGuard Gold (which is considered the best). GreenGuard ensures that products designed for indoor use have low levels of volatile organic compounds ( VOCs). The guidelines for a GreenGuard Gold certification are stricter than the standard GreenGuard requirements and allow even fewer VOCs. A mattress with one of these certifications is unlikely to off-gas or emit a chemical-like odor.
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): GOTS is the leading standard for organic textile processing. When you search for organic mattresses, you will often find that they contain GOTS certified cotton or wool. This standard requires that these textiles must contain at least 70% all-natural, organic fibers.
Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS): GOLS certification applies to latex products and requires that the latex used in these items contains at least 95% certified organic raw material. During the certification process, the latex is tested for contaminants, VOCs, and polymer/filler content. To take it a step further, GOLS also certifies the rubber plantations and manufacturing facilities where these products are made to ensure you are getting a truly organic, eco-friendly product. According to the GOLS website, “GOLS establishes a clear path and process on the way from field or farmer to certified organic latex product manufacturer. Among other things, producers who receive approval to manufacture organic products under the GOLS logo must comply with mandatory social and environmental regulations. This indirectly places responsibility for social and environmental issues on the end consumer.”
OEKO- TEX Standard 100: This certification applies to textiles. To receive the OEKO-TEX 100 certificate, your product (including all threads, buttons and other accessories) must be free of harmful substances and ecologically safe. During the testing process, OEKO-TEX looks for both regulated and non-regulated substances that may be harmful to the human body, so products that have this certification are safe for all sleepers.
Type of mattresses
Although there is no specific definition of eco-friendly, most of us understand it to mean that the product does not harm the environment or minimizes the impact compared to an alternative product. When it comes to natural mattresses, look for the following characteristics:
- No VOCs
- Emission-free production
- Made from renewable raw materials
- Natural and organic materials
- Durable to reduce waste
- Efficient shipping methods
There are currently a few eco-friendly mattress options on the market: 100% natural latex, plant-based memory foam, and upgraded innerspring mattresses. Cost, longevity, and price vary widely between the types. The fabrics and other materials used in the beds also have an impact, with natural-based textiles proving more desirable.
Natural Latex mattresses
Natural latex is extracted from the Hevea Brasiliensis tree and minimally treated to make the foam for latex mattresses. This type of bed remains a favorite among environmental enthusiasts, as manufacturers rely on renewable harvesting methods and eco-friendly manufacturing. Ideally, latex can be harvested for about 25 years while the tree grows and benefits the atmosphere. All the while, subsequent generations grow back and old trees become eco-friendly wood products. As long as the material is made without toxic additives and fillers, natural latex is very healthy, VOC free, very durable and biodegradable. Latex can be a bit more expensive than other types of beds, but the trade-off is that this material will hold its shape and last 20 or more years. Latex is healthy and very comfortable and is second only to memory foam with a satisfaction rating of around 80%.
Eco-Friendly Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam comes in second place among eco-friendly mattress options. Although not made from 100% sustainable ingredients, plant-based memory foam is considered eco-friendly because it replaces a large portion of oil-based products with sustainable plant-based ingredients. For those who don’t like the feel of latex or need a more affordable option, plant-based memory foam can be made with no VOCs and no emissions to further reduce its impact. These memory foam mattresses also last much longer than most types of beds, and their comfort benefits may entice people who are flirting with eco-friendly beds to make the switch.
Eco-Friendly Hybrid Mattresses
Hybrid mattresses combine layers of foam with innerspring coils. Hybrid mattresses are often called so because they combine different types of mattress material; however, to be a true hybrid, a bed must contain at least 2 inches of foam.
To be considered eco-friendly, this foam must be made either from organic latex or natural Dunlop. Often these mattresses have covers made of organic wool or cotton, but they always have natural flame retardants.
Some eco-friendly hybrid mattresses have recycled steel in their coil systems, but not always. If this is the case, it’s often clearly stated on the brand’s website or in the product description. If you’re unsure if a hybrid bed is eco-friendly, we recommend contacting the retailer and asking about the specific materials.
Eco-Friendly Innerspring mattresses
Innerspring mattresses can be made more eco-friendly by replacing the synthetic foams with latex or plant-based memory foam, and replacing the fabrics and chemical fire retardants with natural materials. Mattresses that would be biodegradable, can’t be compressed for shipping, and do not last as long as quality foam mattresses. In addition, eco-friendly innerspring mattresses can be hard to find and somewhat expensive.
Mattress Fabrics
There are also a variety of mattress covers that are sustainable and healthier than synthetic fabrics. Not only do they not release chemicals, but they also prove to be more breathable than synthetic products like polyester and can wick away moisture while you sleep.
Natural or Organic Cotton: This is probably one of the best fabrics for mattresses since it is highly breathable, hypoallergenic and sustainable. Standard cotton can contain a variety of toxic pesticides, so opt for certified organic cotton if possible.
Bamboo: Bamboo is a fast-growing, highly renewable plant resource that can be used to create luxurious fabrics.
Wool: Natural wool offers excellent heat- and moisture-wicking characteristics, and it is renewable since it comes from live sheep. Wool is also a natural flame retardant.
When looking for an eco-friendly mattress, don’t just look at the claims, look at what’s actually in the bed. Make sure that materials, manufacturing, and shipping are eco-friendly while providing comfort and value.
Local selections may be limited, but there are online suppliers that specialize in eco-friendly mattresses and offer better deals. When you choose an eco-friendly mattress for your bedroom, you can have peace of mind without sacrificing value or comfort.
Final thoughts.
We hope this guide can help you decide which bed is right for you. Be sure to read all the fine print about the materials and manufacturing processes of different beds, and ask questions if you need more information. Knowing the various eco-certifications can help you understand how safe your potential new bed is. Plus, choosing a bed that is free of unhealthy chemicals will be better for you in the short and long term. Investing in a better night’s sleep now can pay dividends in good health and restful sleep for years to come.
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