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Best Non-Toxic Mattress

Candace Osmond

Non-toxic mattresses are also known as green or organic mattresses. They are usually made without memory foam or chemical fire retardants, and contain materials such as wool, cotton, or organic latex. However, it is not uncommon for the mattress industry to exaggerate terms such as “green” because they want to advertise their products as being organic. Today, we’re going to take a look at some non-toxic organic mattresses and show you which is the best option for you.

RankProductHighlights
#1Mellow 12 Inch HAVN Memory Foam Mattress

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  • Available Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King
  • Height: 10/12/14 inches
  • Construction: fiber padding + foam
#2Brentwood Home Cypress Mattress

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  • Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King
  • Height: 9/11/13 inches
  • Construction: New Zealand wool + gel memory foam + base foam
#3Sunrising Bedding Mattress

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  • Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
  • Height: 8/10 inches
  • Construction: cashmere wool cover + Talalay latex + pocketed springs.
#4LUCID 5 Inch Mattress

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  • Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Short Queen, Queen
  • Height: 5 inches
  • Construction: all-foam
#5Vibe Mattress

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  • Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
  • Height: 12 inches
  • Construction: gel-infused memory foam + convoluted foam
#6Sweetnight Mattress

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  • Available Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King
  • Height: 10/12 inches
  • Construction: gel-infused memory foam + comfort foam + HD foam

Why Choose a Non-Toxic Mattress?

Whenever you’re looking to buy a product, regardless of the item in question, it’s important to analyze the benefits of drawbacks so that you can determine if it offers enough value for you. When it comes to green mattresses, some of the advantages of opting for an organic mattress include:

  • The potential health benefits that come from the fact that you are not buying a mattress that contains ingredients that might be detrimental to your health, including flame retardants, dyes, adhesives, or petrochemicals. If the mattress you’re thinking of buying is certified to meet the standards of what it considered to be an organic bed.
  • If you’re at all interested about the impact of consumerism on the environment and you’re looking to buy products from companies that take this matter seriously, then buying an organic mattress is something you should consider. Brands that make true green mattresses will do so with as little impact on the environment as possible.
  • Organic mattresses tend to have a longer lifespan compared to synthetic materials. Let’s consider latex for a minute. Latex is a natural material that has a really long lifespan, which is why latex mattresses are often more expensive compared to other options. A latex mattress usually lasts a little under a decade, whereas other mattresses last six to seven years.
  • Because they use natural materials in their construction, organic mattresses tend to be naturally cooling. Wool and cotton are both moisture-wicking materials whereas the aerated nature of latex makes it naturally cooling as well.

We would like to also point out the two major drawbacks of opting for non-toxic organic mattresses, and the first one is the price point. Natural materials tend to be more expensive compared to synthetic ones, so you can expect to pay a minimum of $1,500 for a Queen-size organic bed. The second drawback is the fact that non-toxic mattresses aren’t really that common, at least when you compare them with the offer for the alternative variety. For instance, if you have a latex allergy and want an organic mattress, your options will be very limited.

What Types of Non-Toxic Mattresses Are Available?

Let’s talk a bit more about what you can expect in terms of organic mattresses vs. the most common types existing on the market, just so you can get an idea of what to expect when looking to buy a non-toxic bed:

— Latex

Latex is one of the most common materials used to make organic mattresses. Since it’s the result of a substance processed from rubber tree sap, latex can be obtained through two different processes: the Dunlop process will create a type of latex that’s normally used to make a support core for an organic mattress, whereas the Talalay process create a latex variety that’s typically used in the comfort layer of a bed. Depending on the ratio between latex and synthetic components, there are three types of latex used to make a bed: natural latex (which has at least 95 percent natural latex), blended latex (combining natural and synthetic latex, and containing between 30 and 94 percent natural latex), and synthetic latex (doesn’t contain any natural latex and is made entirely from petroleum-based chemicals)

— Foam

Mattresses that are made from foam and polyfoam can never be 100 percent organic, even if they are usually tested to establish whether or not they pose a minimal risk to a person’s health. Memory foam, for example, is treated with petrochemicals to ensure that it has a soft and cradling surface, which is why it’s used in the comfort layers of many mattresses on the market. An alternative to foam mattresses are plant-based memory foam ones, as the material uses plant-based oils in its production instead of petroleum and other chemicals.

— Hybrids

Check our review for this mattress: Awara Mattress

Hybrid mattresses are typically designed with a coil-based support system on top of which rest at least a two-inch layer made from latex or memory foam (sometimes even both). Hybrid mattresses aren’t usually considered to be organic because the coil used in the core or the foam used in the comfort layers are obtained through industrial processes. Even so, some hybrid mattresses may use certified organic materials in their construction, especially when talking about models that have organic wool or cotton covers or latex comfort layers obtained through Dunlop or Talalay processes.

— Innerspring

Mattresses that are made mostly from a coil support system and have a little bit of polyfoam or memory foam on top are called innerspring beds (note that if the comfort layer measures more than two inches in thickness, the mattress is considered a hybrid bed). There are innerspring mattresses that can be considered organic because they are built using sustainable methods, but most of them aren’t because they are made through industrial processes.

What Certifications to Look Out For

You should never trust a mattress brand that advertises its products as being non-toxic if they don’t have at least one of the following certifications:

CertiPUR-US

This certification will test polyfoam mattresses for their chemical emissions or lead content. If a foam mattress has been CertiPUR-US tested, it does not contain polyurethane foam in its construction.

OEKO-TEX Standard 100

Whenever you see mattresses that meet this standard, it means that the product in question did not exceed the threshold for acceptable emission limits and, therefore, should not pose a threat to human health. The OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is a certification given out by the International Association for Research and Testing in the Field of Textile and Leather Ecology and it is represented by 18 Japanese and European independent testing and research institutes.

Eco-Institute

This is a German independent certification organization with the primary role of testing different building materials and textiles to see whether or not they release any chemical substances and harmful emissions. In the mattress industry, an Eco-Institute label is usually found in latex mattresses that meet the standards imposed by the institution’s testing benchmarks.

Best Non-Toxic Mattresses

1. Mellow 12 Inch HAVN Memory Foam Mattress

SPECS:

  • Available Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King
  • Height: 10/12/14 inches
  • Construction: fiber padding + foam

The Mellow mattress is quite the versatile product considering the fact that you have three different heights to choose from and multiple types of infusions, such as gel, green tea, and bamboo charcoal. The mattress is designed with a pillow top that combines a soft eco-cover, fiber padding for added softness, and air foam for superior contouring. The body of the mattress consists of three layers that work together to provide you with support and comfort. The top layer is made with memory foam that comes with a bamboo charcoal infusion that controls odor and mattress humidity, a transition layer made from comfort foam, and a high-density foam base.

ProsCons
  • 3 height options.
  • Different comfort layer configurations.
  • Superior body conforming.
  • Prone to sagging quite fast.

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2. Brentwood Home Cypress Mattress

SPECS:

  • Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King
  • Height: 9/11/13 inches
  • Construction: New Zealand wool + gel memory foam + base foam

The Brentwood Home Cypress mattress is truly a wonderful bed to consider because of its good price, multiple height options, and comfortable foam used in its construction. It comes with a removable cover made from bamboo-derived rayon for added comfort and doesn’t use any harmful toxins in its construction. The cover comes with a layer of New Zealand wool which is sustainable and natural, wicking away moisture and regulating body temperature. The comfort layer consists of two inches of gel-infused memory foam to prevent heat retention, while the base measures seven inches and is made from solid foam.

ProsCons
  • CertiPUR-US certified foam.
  • Free of toxic chemicals.
  • Removable and washable cover.
  • Questionable long-term durability.

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3. Sunrising Bedding Mattress

SPECS:

  • Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
  • Height: 8/10 inches
  • Construction: cashmere wool cover + Talalay latex + pocketed springs.

This Sunrising Bedding mattress is an innerspring model that combines the efficient support of a pocketed coil system with the comfort and durability of Talalay latex. You can choose between the 8 and the 10-inch mattress profiles, available in all the standard mattress sizes that range from Twin to Cal King. The mattress comes with a cashmere wool cover that’s OEKO-TEX certified and offers excellent moisture wicking and irreplaceable softness to the touch. It works together with the cotton fire-protective layer that’s underneath it, offering some extra cushioning. The comfort layer is made with Talalay latex which is supportive, naturally cooling, and one of the most durable materials out there. The support system is made from pocketed coils, further facilitating airflow. It is a firm mattress that offers 120 nights of free sleep trial, offering a full refund for those who aren’t satisfied with how the bed feels.

ProsCons
  • Highly breathable.
  • Durable construction.
  • Two thickness options.
  • Too firm for side sleepers.

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4. LUCID 5 Inch Mattress

SPECS:

  • Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Short Queen, Queen
  • Height: 5 inches
  • Construction: all-foam

Granted, this LUCID mattress measures only 5 inches in height, making it suitable for RV beds and guests rooms mostly, but those 5 inches are made from wisely-chosen materials that make up one of the best budget-oriented all-foam mattresses you’ll see in a while. It is a pretty firm bed that brings forth an upper layer made from one inch of gel-infused memory foam and a 4-inch base that’s made with foam of higher density and a bamboo charcoal infusion. Seeing as how this is a low profile bed, it can also work for bunks and trundle beds, and could serve as  a viable option to help children transition from their crib to a regular bed.

ProsCons
  • Made with ventilated gel memory foam.
  • CertiPUR-US certified memory foam.
  • Great for bunk beds.
  • Some customers claim it’s thinner than listed.

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5. Vibe Mattress

SPECS:

  • Available Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Cal King
  • Height: 12 inches
  • Construction: gel-infused memory foam + convoluted foam

The Vibe is a 12-inch mattress with an impressive all-foam construction that’s absolutely worth talking about. The comfort layer is made from memory foam with a gel infusion to prevent heat retention and to take the shape of your body for perfect cradling and pressure-point relief. The transitional layer is made from foam that further supports the weight of the sleepers and distributes it across the entire surface of the bed. It helps transition to the base of the mattress, consisting of two layers of foam of higher density and with a convoluted egg-crate shape that allows air to pass through, making this one of the most breathable all-foam beds within its price range.

ProsCons
  • Breathable compared to most all-foam beds.
  • Soft knit cover.
  • Great pressure point relief.
  • Prone to sagging.

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6. Sweetnight Mattress

SPECS:

  • Available Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King
  • Height: 10/12 inches
  • Construction: gel-infused memory foam + comfort foam + HD foam

Time to talk about a 10-inch mattress that’s made from 4 very clever foam layers, leading to an all-foam bed that’s excellent for its price. It all starts with a 2-inch layer of memory foam that’s gel-infused to help prevent some of that heat retention (as you all know, memory foam uses the heat drawn from your body to contour to your curves and offer that excellent contouring the material is famous for). Following that, you have one inch of ventilated comfort foam, 4 inches of open-cell comfort foam, and a high-density base that measures 3 inches. This is a medium-firm bed that’s looking to provide excellent pressure relief and to dissipate heat as much as possible.

ProsCons
  • Great motion isolation.
  • Breathable cover.
  • 2 thickness options.
  • Noticeable off-gassing.

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Conclusion

When you’re on the market looking to buy a non-toxic mattress, organic and natural beds are your best bet. A non-toxic mattress is considered to be a bed that doesn’t have petroleum-based ingredients or doesn’t come with materials treated with chemicals that may or may not pose a threat to one’s health. Organic mattresses are made with ingredients that have been certified as being safe for the sleeper and the environment, so look for mattresses that have the certifications mentioned in the first section of this article.