Healthy Mattresses Guide

Creating a healthy sleeping environment is a top priority for me and my family’s overall health and well being. Given that our children spend an average of roughly 12 hours a day in bed, and we spend around eight (at least we hope), a mattress is the first thing I look at when creating an ideal sleeping space and a great place to invest in your non-toxic journey.  Unfortunately, conventional mattresses are a known source for harmful chemicals; the good news is as more consumers are looking to purchase healthier, less toxic alternatives, there are many cleaner and healthier options on the market.

In order to determine the best non-toxic mattresses out there, I researched what chemicals you want to avoid in mattresses and why, and what the best materials and certifications are. I also looked at the cost for each brand as mattresses are a huge investment and price can be a determining factor. I hope this guide will help you to find a safe and healthy mattress for your home. If you scroll to the end, you will see which ones I personally have tried, used and owned.

Harmful Chemicals in Mattresses

Conventional mattresses have a lot of harmful chemicals in them. Many of these chemicals are known carcinogens and endocrine disrupters. These materials are now known to off-gas volatile organic compounds or VOCs into the air causing health problems (ie - respiratory, skin, etc). While some of these chemicals will diminish over time, this is not true of all mattress materials. Foam will break down over time, and as it degrades it can continue to release chemicals into the air.  All to say, getting a chemical free mattress really is the best way to ensure you are not introducing harmful chemicals into your bedroom.

What About Flame Retardant In Mattresses?

Mattresses are required by the Consumer Product Safety Commission to meet flammability laws which means all mattresses either contain chemical flame retardant or use a natural material such as wool to pass the CPSC standards. The problem with chemical flame retardant is that it can disrupt your hormones, has been linked to cancer, and can cause developmental delays. When looking for a healthy mattress, you want to opt for wool (preferably organic wool) as a natural and healthy flame barrier to pass CPSC standards.

Healthy Mattress Materials

Selecting a mattress with natural materials that are chemical free will ensure that your sleeping environment is low in VOCs and free of harmful flame retardants. Here are the materials I look for in a mattress:

- Wool: Wool is naturally flame, mildew, and dust-mite resistant, making it a superior choice to chemical flame retardant. Look for wool that is certified organic as the processing of conventional wool uses a variety of chemicals.

- Cotton: Organic cotton over conventional cotton is preferable because it is grown without the use of pesticides.

- Latex: 100% natural latex is a better choice than latex blends which can have polyurethane or other unknown harmful chemicals. Ideally you want GOLS certified which means looking for Dunlop latex.

You may find other natural materials used such a coconut fibers included in this post, but the gold standard for mattress materials would be organic wool, organic cotton, and organic latex with or without coils, depending on your preference.

What certifications should I look for?

There are many “non-toxic” claims in marketing today so it can be tricky to try and figure out what they mean. Fortunately, mattresses have certifications that will help you select a safe and healthy mattress with confidence. The best mattress will be GOTS or GOLS certified. The next level of certification would be Oeko-Tex Standard 100, Green Guard, and Green Guard Gold certification. It is also important to note that sometimes a material is certified but not the mattress meaning you might have GOTS organic cotton on the outside but you still could have polyurethane foam with chemical flame retardant in the core of the mattress. Make sure to check that not just one material has a certification but that the entire mattresses is certified or all materials are certified and disclosed.

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) requires that at least 95% of the mattress materials be organic and that it prohibits the use of certain harmful substances for the remaining 5%. Chemicals that are not permitted include chemical flame retardants and polyurethane which is the main ingredient in memory foam.

Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) means that the mattress is made with 95% organic latest and similar to GOTS, there are restrictions on the remaining 5% of the mattresses materials. Natural latex can have GOTS and GOLS labeling.

Oeko-Tex Standard 100 sets limits for VOC emissions and prohibits the use of harmful flame retardants or dyes. Organic materials are not required for this certification but there are strict limits on chemicals that are allowed in manufacturing the materials.

Green Guard Gold Certification has strict standards on VOCS and have been tested for the off gassing of these chemicals.

Green Guard Certification is step down from Green Guard Gold but still has testing and set limits for VOCS such as formaldehyde.

What if a new mattress is not in the budget?

Most of the mattresses that are ones I would recommend are at a higher price point. Sourcing safer, quality materials adds up. While I do feel this is a good investment as so much time is spent in bed, there are a few things you can do if a new mattress is not in the budget. First, invest in a quality air filter. Brands I like are Air IQ, Austin Air, and Air Doctor. A completely free way to improve your sleeping environment air quality is to open the windows for 10 minutes a day to allow fresh air in when outdoor air quality allows (check out purple air to check the air quality in your area).

Other things you can do is purchase a healthy pillow or mattress topper as that’s where your face is directly laying. Most of the companies listed below offer pillows and some have mattress toppers made of natural, chemical free materials and it would be a lower cost to get you started on your non toxic journey.

If you are choosing between purchasing a new mattress for yourself or your child, I recommend starting with your child or infant. Their bodies are still growing and developing and they spend significantly more time in bed than we do as adults. Not only do they spend more time in bed than adults, but their small bodies have a harder time detoxing than adults.

I have personally tried and used Holy Lamb, Savvy Rest and Obasan but I also researched and read countless reviews to find the healthiest mattresses for your home.

In alphabetical order,  here are the mattresses I recommend:

Happsy Organic Mattress is one of the more affordable certified organic mattresses I found. Made in the USA with GOTS certified organic cotton, organic wool batting, pocket springs, organic cotton fill, and GOLS certified organic latex. There are no chemical flame retardants used and no glues or adhesives. They offer sizes twin to king and have the option to add an additional organic pillow top if you are looking for more softness.

Manufacture Country: USA.

Certification: GOTS, GOLS, and GreenGuard certified.

Warranty: 20 year warranty.

Cost:   Twin $899

Twin XL $999

Full $1,199

Queen $1,399

Eastern King $1,699

Cal King $1,699

Materials: GOTS, GOLS, and GreenGuard certified.

Trial Period: 120-night trial and money back guarantee.

Holy Lamb Organics offers both latex and all wool mattresses in addition to wool comforters, toppers, solid wood bed frames, an array of organic coating sheeting and accessories for a natural bedroom. The all-wool mattress made by Shepherds Dream is 100% wool and free of all chemicals. It is filled with local EcoWool and wrapped in 100% wool material. The mattress is then hand sewn without the use of any glues.  Holy Lamb Organics offer toppers to customizes the mattress as well as a latex base and have a wide range of standard sizes from twin to California King. These mattresses are made in USA and are certified GOTS, Green America Certification, and are OEKO-TEX certified.

Manufacture Country: USA.

Certification: GOTS certified, Green America Certified, OEKO-TEX certified.

Warranty: Limited 25 year warranty with 10 non-prorated and 15 remaining years prorated.

Cost:   Twin $1,495

Twin XL $1,590

Full $1,800

Queen $2,185

Eastern King $ 2,795

Cal King $2,795

Materials: Organic Dunlop latex, organic cotton canvas, organic felted wool.

Trial Period: 30 day returns on unused bedding with 10% restocking fee and customer to pay for return shipping. Furniture and certain mattresses excluded.

See details for item warranties.

The Kiwi mattress is the most affordable option that My Green Mattress offers and one of the more affordable GOTS and GOLS certified mattresses out there. Kiwi is made by hand with coil innerspring, GOTS certified organic cotton, GOTS certified organic wool, and GOTS Dunlop Latex. I do want to point out that the single sided mattress cannot be flipped like a double sided mattress so where it is lower in cost, it will not last as long as a double sided option. The Emily Organic crib mattress is made of GOLS certified organic coconut coir, organic latex, GOTS certified cotton, and GOTS certified wool and has GOLS certified latex.  The Emily mattress is Green Guard Gold Certified, GOLS and GOTS certified. The mattresses are all free from chemical flame retardants and polyurethane foam.

Manufacture Country: USA.

Certification: GOTS and GOLS certified.

Warranty: 10 year warranty.

Cost: Crib: $299

Twin $749

Twin XL $799

Full $949

Queen $1,099

King $1,399

Cal King $1,474

Materials: GOLS certified organic Dunlop latex, GOTS Cotton, GOTS Wool, and GOLS certified organic coconut coir pad (coconut coir pad is used for crib mattress only).

Trial Period: 120 night trial.

The Naturepedic Chorus is made of organic cotton fabric, wool batting, a PLA layer, and gutless encased coils. Naturepedic has GOTS certification for the whole mattress and individual organic certification for each material and component. They are also Made-Safe Certification, and UL Green Guard Certification. There is no flame retardant due to the use of wool to pass all government flammability requirements and there are no glues or adhesives used which is hard to find in the mattress industry. Instead they made a process which eliminates glues. They offer a wide range of sizes and styles to fit the entire family from infant mattresses all the way up to a California King size.

Manufacture Country: USA.

Certification: GOTS, Made-Safe Certified, UL/Green Guard Certified.

Warranty: 25 year limited warranty.

Cost: Crib: $269-$329

Twin $1,399

Twin XL $1,599

Full $1,799

Queen $1,999

King $2,799

Cal King $2,799

Materials: Organic cotton fabric fill, organic wool batting, PLA layer made from non GMO sugarcane, glue-less encased coils.

Trial Period: 100 night free trial.

Obasan mattresses are hand crafted in Canada with organic materials and no harsh chemicals.  There is no off gassing, no glues used, and no chemical flame retardants used just natural wool, cotton, and latex all of which are GOTS or GOLS certified. Mattresses are fully customizable to suit each persons preference offering comfort and support.

Manufacture Country: Canada

Certification: GOTS, Made Safe, and GOLS certified

Warranty: 10 year warranty

Cost: Crib: $299

Twin: $799

Twin XL: $1,422

Double: $2,369

Queen $2,369

King $2,843

Cal King $2,843

Materials:GOTS organic wool, GOTS organic cotton, GOLS organic latex

Trial Period: 180 day return policy

Savvy Rest organic mattresses are Green Guard, GOTS, and Cradle to Cradle certified and offer sizes twin to California King. Made in the USA, they have many positive reviews for comfort and quality. The Serenity mattress is their flagship mattress which is customizable with the choice of soft, medium, or firm natural latex. The materials that make up their mattress are  organic cotton, organic wool, organic wool fill, and natural latex.

Manufacture Country: USA.

Certification: GOTS, Green Guard, Cradle to Cradle mattress mattress. GOLS certification for latex written to supplier.

Warranty: 20 year warranty.

Cost: Crib: $399

Twin: $1,799

Twin XL: $1,799

Double: $2,499

Queen $2.699

King $3,399

Cal King $ 3,499

Materials: GOTS certified wool and GOTS certified organic cotton, GOLS certified latex written to supplier.

Trial Period: No returns but there is a 90 day latex exchange you can read about here.

Trial Period: 120-night trial and money back guarantee.

Soaring Heart is a Seattle Based company that offers a coil free, organic latex mattress with organic felted wool and organic cotton. The mattress is hand sewn.  They also offer futons and innerspring options in addition to their latex. The mattress is 100% organic and chemical free. There are various toppers or mattress pads to choose from so you can fully customize your mattress. Soaring Heart is GOLS certified , their cotton is 100% organically grown in Texas and their organic wool is farmed in New Zealand. The latex is made from pure rubber tree sap and is GOLS certified.

Manufacture Country: USA.

Certification: GOTS and GOLS certified.

Warranty: 20 year warranty.

Cost:   Crib $499

Twin $1,899

Full $2,399

Queen $2,799

King $3,199

Cal King $3,199

Materials: Organic Dunlop latex, organic cotton canvas, organic felted wool.

Trial Period: 30 day comfort guarantee exchange program, not a return policy. Returns only accepted on damaged or defective items.

White Lotus  makes natural fiber mattresses, pillows, and accessories and each piece is hand crafted. They make an all-cotton mattress without springs for those looking to avoid latex and metal in their bedroom. The mattress is free from harmful chemicals and has no flame retardants or glues.  They offer a cotton mattress, cotton and latex, cotton and foam, a green cotton (not GOTS certified) and  GOTS certified mattress materials for other mattresses so there are different price points based on your needs and budget. There are various thicknesses to choose from and a wide variety of sizes from infant to California King sizes.

Manufacture Country: USA.

Certification: Some mattresses use GOTS certified materials for the wool and cotton mattresses. Some are OEKO-TEX certified.Some made with green cotton and a few have foam which I would avoid. GOLS certification written to supplier.

Warranty: 20 year warranty.

Cost: Organic Crib Mattress: $838

Twin: $1,853 for 6”

Twin XL: $1,979 for 6’

Double: $2,384 for 6”

Queen $2.950 for 6”

King $3,363 for 6”

Cal King $ 3,363 for 6”

Materials: GOTS certified wool and GOTS certified organic cotton.

Trial Period: 120-night trial.

The Avocado mattress is a more affordable option that is GOTS, GOLS, and Green Guard Gold certified. Avocado owns their own supply of springs, wool, and latex which is part of why their prices are lower. The coils are wrapped in 100% GOLS certified organic latex, and the core is wrapped in 100% GOTS certified cotton and GOTS certified organic wool. There are no toxic chemicals, off-gassing, chemical flame retardants, fiberglass, or polyurethane foams used.

The mattresses have handles making it easy to maneuver and are handcrafted in Los Angeles.

Manufacture Country: USA.

Certification: GOTS, Made Safe, and GOLS certified.

Warranty: 10 year warranty

Cost: Organic Crib Mattress : $439

Twin: $799

            Twin XL: $899

Double: $1,199

Queen $1,299

King $1,599

Cal King $1,599

Materials: Coils, GOTS organic wool, GOTS organic cotton, GOLS organic latex.

Trial Period: 100 night trial.