Greatest and Worst Natural Mattresses — The Wild West of Advertising and marketing Claims
Initially revealed on Mamavation: November 24, 2024
It looks as if day by day I am seeing a brand new natural mattress firm pop up in my newsfeed. And now that there are such a lot of, that are the perfect ones primarily based on elements, trustworthiness, and certifications? This investigation wasn’t simple as a result of the natural mattress {industry} is basically the Wild West of selling claims.
How is a median individual imagined to make sense of this? By no means worry, Mamavation is right here! You’ve got trusted Mamavation to convey you matters like greatest water filters to filter PFAS “ceaselessly chemical compounds,” most secure cookware, and the perfect air purifiers, now be a part of us as we take you thru the perfect and worst high-quality natural mattresses so your loved ones can keep away from dangerous chemical compounds and go for pure supplies.
Disclosure: This put up was medically reviewed by Sondra Strand, RN, BSN, PHN. Donations had been supplied by Environmental Well being Information and Mamavation neighborhood members. Word that Mamavation has solely “spot-checked” the {industry} and thus we can not make predictions about manufacturers and merchandise that we’ve not examined.
Merchandise and manufacturing aides can change with out discover so purchaser beware. This put up comprises affiliate hyperlinks, with most to Amazon, which suggests Mamavation will obtain a portion of these gross sales. It’s also possible to give a tax-deductible donation to our shopper research right here by means of Environmental Well being Sciences.
Why Purchase an Natural Mattress
The very first thing to grasp is relating to issues like natural mattresses they stay in a nebulous world with little or no checks and balances relating to what they’ll say about their merchandise. That finally ends up that means they’ll principally say no matter they need. The USDA does not get into the enterprise of certifying mattresses, so the time period “natural” does not have a that means.
Why? Properly, the USDA is basically solely within the enterprise of agriculture, and something past that’s the wild west of nebulous advertising and marketing claims throughout the manufacturing processes. Are there actual natural mattress firms? Sure. Who’re they? We’re completely satisfied to indicate you what we found on this investigation. However earlier than we do this, let’s undergo some fundamentals.
Standard mattresses are known as “100 lbs. of poisonous chemical compounds” and that is an effective way to explain them. From petroleum-based polyurethane foam to harmful adhesives and flame retardants, the traditional mattress {industry} creates a reasonably poisonous product. However the principle motive to buy an authorized natural mattress is to guard your loved ones from harmful chemical compounds like those under:
- Formaldehyde — These chemical emissions are present in materials, adhesives, and foams. It off-gasses from the adhesives used and the petroleum-based polyurethane foam. Formaldehyde is a carcinogen.
- Flame retardants — These chemical compounds off-gas for years after the mattress is bought and are harsh endocrine disruptors and attainable carcinogens.
- VOCs (Risky natural compounds) — Well being results vary from complications and dizziness to cancers and central nervous system issues. VOCs additionally bond to ozone in your house creating smog within the daylight.
Another excuse to buy an natural mattress is that polyurethane foam is extremely flammable. Polyurethane foam can be known as “gasoline” by firefighters as a result of it is made from petroleum and catches hearth in a short time.
So when you’ve got a traditional foam mattress, fires are extra of an issue. That is the rationale why they’ve so as to add chemical flame retardants to the mattress to guard you. So in different phrases, natural mattresses won’t be foam mattresses or a “reminiscence foam mattresses.”
The video under will reveal what we imply by being extra flammable. Right here you may see a legacy room with supplies containing cotton and wool with fashionable furnishings made from polyurethane foam.
Natural Mattress Certifications and What They Imply
If you hear phrases like “pure,” “natural,” and “sustainable,” bear in mind these are unregulated phrases. The mattress {industry} is just like the wild wild west of selling claims. Simply since you hear the phrase “natural” doesn’t suggest that you just will not discover hearth retardants, poisonous adhesives, or polyurethane foam.
Some manufacturers might use polyurethane foam and poisonous adhesives with natural cotton on high. So issues can get complicated. However there are some certifications on the market to search for that may make a few of this simpler. Word, these aren’t all of the certifications yow will discover on a mattress, however they’re a very powerful ones. I put these certifications so as of significance.
GOTS Licensed (International Natural Textile Normal) The International Natural Textile Normal (GOTS) certification is the golden normal of the natural mattress {industry}. They certify mattresses, however in addition they individually certify particular person supplies like cotton cloth made by a cotton cloth firm. It mandates that the cotton or wool contents used are USDA licensed. Additionally they decide how merchandise are processed and manufactured and what chemical compounds like chemical adhesives can be utilized throughout that course of. And at last, in addition they decide what different kinds of supplies can be utilized with the product that isn’t natural like metal coils and zippers. This certification restricts hearth retardants, however not all of them. However here is the catch! If you see this image, ensure that the corporate’s identify is on the certification. We caught some firms passing off one among their provider’s certification as their very own. Not the identical. That is like handing over another person’s work as your individual. It is also attainable some elements might be GOTS natural whereas the remainder of the mattress aren’t. We discovered the next elements natural whereas different elements not: pillow-top, natural cotton cowl, natural New Zealand wool, consolation layer, and many others. the perfect natural mattresses might be fully GOTS natural. |
International Natural Latex Normal (GOLS) Mattress and Elements Latex The International Natural Latex Normal (GOLS) certification is a typical for licensed natural latex and completed latex foam. The usual additionally determines what different kinds of processing and supplies are prohibited. The product has to keep up a minimal of 95% licensed natural uncooked materials of the whole weight. |
MADE SAFE Certification MADE SAFE certifies that merchandise aren’t made with cancer-causing and hormone-disrupting chemical compounds. The usual from this group is without doubt one of the strictest within the market. Supplies in mattress merchandise have been scrutinized by scientists and consultants to make sure they don’t include dangerous elements, off-gas harmful vapors, or create byproducts that might impression human well being. |
OCS 100 Natural Cotton Normal The Natural Alternate Certification Program tracks the natural materials from the supply to completed product. This certification provides you extra piece of thoughts that the product comprises what it says it comprises. They solely certify natural cotton or wool elements of the mattress, not the whole factor. They act as a monitoring system. This certification is not as sturdy as a certification as GOTS. A product can not include each GOTS and OCS 100 Natural Cotton brand on the product to guard the shoppers from confusion. |
UL GREENGUARD Gold Certification GreenGuard was lately acquired by Underwriter Laboratories (UL) and has modified the parameters of their normal. They now not carry the bottom emission “Choose” class and have launched a extra watered down “Gold” class as a substitute. Inexperienced Guard is an air high quality environmental testing firm. They’re wanting into off-gassing of particular contaminants. However as we speak they’re now not contemplating flame retardants, PFAS chemical compounds, phthalates, and microbes. This normal does check for about 350 widespread VOCs. We simply want they went additional to get a number of the worst offenders. Inexperienced Guard will certify the whole mattress or any of the elements as a substitute. |
OEKO-TEX® Normal 100 Certification The OEKO-TEX® Normal 100 Certification is a European certification that verifies textiles are free from sure dangerous substances like allergenic dyes, bisphenols, heavy metals, and formaldehyde. |
CertiPUR-US® Licensed Foam The CertiPUR-US® identify and brand are registered emblems of the Alliance for Versatile Polyurethane Foam, Inc., a enterprise league based by polyurethane foam producers. They state that this certification was created by the froth {industry} “in shut collaboration” with environmentalists, chemists, and analysis scientists, however any modifications to the certification program can solely be made with the consent of its board of administrators. As of 2017, its tax filings point out that each single member of its board is immediately concerned with the polyurethane foam {industry}. This makes it seem like the {industry} creating a typical for themselves. This certification does NOT imply that the whole mattress (and even the froth) is chemical-free, protected, unhazardous, or freed from carcinogens. And polyurethane foam can by no means be licensed natural. Whereas this certification does ban sure substances (like CFCs) they usually do conduct some testing for VOCs, the opposite {qualifications} they require may not make a lot of a distinction in any respect. For instance, they are saying that their licensed mattresses are free from heavy metals and formaldehyde. Nonetheless, in addition they admit that heavy metals or formaldehyde are hardly ever present in polyurethane foam within the first place. Listed here are their technical pointers. UPDATE January 9, 2020: We acquired two stop and desist letters from CertiPUR-US® and adjusted copy barely. |
Humorous Enterprise You will Discover Whereas Researching Natural Mattresses
Throughout our investigation, we realized in a short time why the natural mattress {industry} is just like the wild west of selling claims. The quantity of humorous enterprise made our heads spin. Listed here are a number of the issues we discovered.
• Authorized claims are nebulous — “Natural” is not a authorized time period within the natural mattress {industry}. Mainly, anybody can name themselves natural. There are natural certifications, however they’re personal certifications, and the federal government does not get entangled. As a result of the federal government does not get entangled, there is no such thing as a one policing what could be stated. So purchaser beware!
• Corporations misuse natural certifications — Some firms are claiming to be GOTS or GOLS licensed manufacturers, however aren’t. That is essential to grasp. They’re claiming another person’s certification as their very own. This took me a while to determine, however as soon as I began searching for it, I discovered it industry-wide. Some firms are passing off the certification of a provider as their very own.
Utilizing a portion of GOTS licensed natural cotton is not the identical factor as getting your manufacturing unit GOTS licensed. So meaning it is not a GOTS licensed mattress. That solely implies that one among their suppliers is a GOTS licensed producer. However why do not they’ve their very own certification? Getting their very own certification would imply they might ALSO be restricted on different supplies they utilized in that mattress. However with no certification, we won’t make sure what else is inside.
It might be attainable that 10% is from this natural provider and 90% is one thing else. Certification makes all that clear. This is without doubt one of the the reason why we determined to make use of MADE SAFE certification as the usual for this put up. That certification prevents all hearth retardants from getting used.
• Some firms are nonetheless utilizing hearth retardants, polyurethane foam and adhesives and being coy about it — Some firms are utilizing what they name “flame obstacles” however not being clear about these being constituted of hearth retardant chemical compounds. In a few of these accounts, the corporate says they do not include sure kinds of hearth retardants, however does not specify about ALL hearth retardants generally. So in that case, what are they not telling me?
In my analysis on on-line boards, I discovered that some firms have been identified to place natural cotton covers over polyurethane foam. Whereas different firms are saying issues like they do not use adhesives in between layers of the mattress, however by no means say something concerning the 800+ coils they used adhesives on.
These firms are being very coy about what they’re NOT saying, so it is all about what is just not stated. Once more, this makes the MADE SAFE certification all of the extra essential to determine whether or not they have problematic chemical compounds inside or not.
• Why would an natural firm want CertiPUR-US® certification? — We oddly discovered that some “natural” firms bothered to additionally get CertiPUR-US® certification. The rationale that is odd is that this certification is for firms utilizing polyurethane foam. Wait, I assumed an “natural” mattress did not have polyurethane foam? Hmmmm, that is odd …
The Fundamentals of Natural Mattresses
• Latex mattresses — All natural latex beds are a unhazardous various to reminiscence foam constituted of pure latex sourced from rubber bushes. Natural latex has nice temperature regulation, good help and strain aid for again and shoulder ache with a medium-firm really feel, and has a great bounciness.
They’re additionally denser and heavier, making them extra secure for heavy sleepers. However this mattress has no coils, so the bounce feels completely different for again sleepers, facet sleepers, and abdomen sleepers.
Sadly, issues aren’t at all times what they appear within the latex mattress {industry}. After Avocado Mattress was sued for having artificial chemical compounds inside their “pure” latex mattresses, Mamavation took a deeper dive into pure latex mattresses and latex mattress topper merchandise you possibly can examine right here. Most manufacturers are utilizing pure Talalay latex or Dunlop latex.
• Spring mattress allergenic-free no latex (coils) — This can be a mattress produced with coils solely. About 6% of the inhabitants is allergic to latex, so having a mattress free from latex can be an essential factor to have. Most manufacturers use adhesive to connect the encased coil, which we frown upon. One of the best manufacturers will warmth seal the encased coils to one another. These manufacturers will sometimes use licensed natural wool, natural cotton cloth, and natural cotton fill.
• Spring mattress hybrid mixture of latex and coils — That is the most well-liked choice, combining the 2 completely different attributes of squishy latex with the bounce of coils. Folks sometimes desire a mixture primarily based on how tender it’s and bouncy it’s.
Once more, as a result of it is a combo, there are extra alternatives to be careful for adhesives (glues), polyurethane foam and hearth retardants. One of the best mattresses can have natural cotton cloth, natural cotton fill, natural wool, and natural latex.
• Skinny mat — These are extra like a skinny mattresses. It is not very talked-about, however I needed to verify to say it as a result of they’re kinda neat. These skinny mats are sometimes stuffed with wool, cotton, and/or latex and could be stiff when positioned on the ground.
Mamavation Investigation of Natural Mattresses
Mamavation checked out the most well-liked “natural,” unhazardous and eco-friendly mattresses to arrange them into easy classes primarily based on all our analysis.
To be in the perfect class a number of issues had been thought-about: (1) a mattress would wish to come back from a manufacturing unit that’s GOTS licensed, (2) if latex is within the product, the latex must be GOLS licensed, (3) the whole product must be GOTS licensed, (4) all of the mattresses they produce are GOTS licensed (or on the very least should not have sister firms producing polyurethane foam mattress) and (5) they don’t seem to be deceptive the general public.
Bonus factors for lifetime guarantee, a decrease carbon footprint, luxurious, and sturdiness. Most manufacturers had all sizes from California King to Twin XL.
• Not our favourite natural mattress manufacturers — Natural claims are unclear and largely unverifiable. For instance, one simple method to inform is to verify to see who the certification is made out to. If it does not have their identify, then it is not their certification however a provider’s certification. Simply because some supplies had been claimed to be purchased from an natural provider doesn’t suggest the whole mattress is an authorized natural mattress.
You possibly can very simply check this out on the GOTS web site to seek for manufacturers which are licensed. One other potential downside is the totality of the certifications. Simply because a manufacturing unit is GOTS licensed, doesn’t suggest that each one the merchandise that they produce are GOTS licensed. One other factor we discovered on this class was firms solely getting licensed to supply mattress equipment, however not the mattress itself.
As well as, firms that declare to be natural, however haven’t got certification made our not favourite class. We’ve NO thought what declare is actual or not. With out certification, we actually cannot be sure about different issues like flame retardants, harmful adhesives, or polyurethane foam. That is simply the class the place issues had been messy and never verifiable.
Amerisleep | Amore Beds | Awara Natural |
Bear Mattress | Mattress and Wooden | Brooklyn Bedding |
Colgate | Cozy Pure | Customized Consolation Mattress |
EARTHSAKE | EcoBaby Organics | EcoChoices Pure Dwelling Retailer |
EcoCloud | Eco Terra | FloBeds |
GOLD BOND | Idle Sleep | Pleasure Mattress |
LA Child | Latex For Much less | Layla |
Leesa | Loom & Leaf (By Saatva) | Luma |
Moonlight Slumber (Moonlight Medical) | Pure Dwelling by The Futon Store | Naturalmat USA |
Nectar | Organique | Pure Relaxation Organics |
Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress | Sleeplily | Hovering Coronary heart |
Spencer’s Mattress (Churchill & Smith) | Spindle | Suite Sleep Inc. |
Candy ZZZ | The East Coast Natural Mattress Retailer Inc. | Wool Mattress Firm |
Zenhaven (by Saatva) |
• Higher mattress manufacturers — These natural mattress firms are higher. They’ve all their natural certifications of their names. However as a result of the mattress {industry} is as nonsensical as it’s, we began to have a look at possession and what the factories had been doing as effectively.
This record has manufacturers with factories which are affiliated with or additionally promote different nonorganic merchandise or produce different mattresses constituted of polyurethane foam. So in different phrases, they’ve one foot within the natural world and one foot within the standard world making polyurethane foam.
◦ Avocado Inexperienced Mattress — (Avocado is manufactured with Brentwood Houses which additionally produces mattresses constituted of polyurethane foam.) (Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale, 10% off furnishings, pillows, yoga and extra, as much as 50% off bedding, as much as 50% off attire. Free delivery on most objects (besides mattresses and furnishings).)
(GOTS licensed below Brooklyn Bedding and Helix which additionally produces mattresses constituted of polyurethane foam.)
◦ Brentwood Dwelling — (Brentwood House is manufactured with Avocado throughout the identical manufacturing unit the place they produce polyurethane foam.)
◦ My Inexperienced Mattress — (GOTS certification below a traditional mattress firm referred to as High quality Sleep Store which additionally sells mattresses made with polyurethane foam.) (Take 10% off merchandise through the use of “mamavation” at checkout.)
◦ White Lotus — (Take a look at their GOTS natural futon mattresses! Use low cost code “MAMAVATION” for 20% off through the use of at checkout. This firm additionally produces mattresses with a Certipur certification.)
• One of the best guys — Mattresses bought by these firms are GOTS-certified natural in a manufacturing unit that doesn’t additionally produce mattresses constituted of polyurethane foam. As well as, these firms meet the very best requirements of nontoxicity and sustainable forestry administration ideas.
Every certification is related to all of the supplies within the mattress. Every certification pertains to the manufacturing unit that produces the mattress and never simply any of the suppliers. We did not discover any humorous enterprise or claims that had been outdoors actuality.
◦ Happsy — (SPECIAL BLACK FRIDAY DEALS: Use low cost code “BLACKFRIDAY” for 20% off + PILLOW with Mattress Buy) (On a regular basis Low cost for Mamavation: Use low cost code “MAMAVATION10” for 10% off your whole buy. Whereas provides final. Can’t be used with different promo codes. Can’t be utilized to previous purchases. Legitimate one time per buyer. Different restrictions might apply.)
◦ Naturepedic — (SPECIAL BLACK FRIDAY: Use low cost code “BLACKFRIDAY” for 20% off merchandise! Plus FREE Pillow(s) with Each Children or Grownup Natural Mattress Buy) (On a regular basis Low cost for Mamavation: Use low cost code “MAMAVATION15” for 15% off your whole buy. Whereas provides final. Can’t be used with different promo codes. Can’t be utilized to previous purchases. Legitimate one time per buyer. Different restrictions might apply.)
◦ Obasan — (Use low cost code “MAMAVATIONBED” for 2 free complimentary pillows of your selection while you buy an grownup mattress. Ensure that they’re in your cart.)
In regards to the Writer
Leah Segedie is the President and Founding father of Mamavation.com. Mamavation produces award-winning content material and impartial shopper research inspecting the intersection of endocrine-disrupting chemical compounds (EDCs) and on a regular basis merchandise introduced into American households. She’s been referred to by many as “the true FDA.”
Since 2008, Mamavation has been serving to on a regular basis mothers navigate the grocery retailer by commissioning shopper research on meals, drinks, private care merchandise and different such merchandise and thus democratizing science and testing for everybody.
