Fire “Safety” in Mattresses
Mattresses are required by the Consumer Product Safety Commission to meet flammability laws. This previously meant that they were almost always treated with bromated or chlorinated flame-retardant chemicals, typically one of the first three on this list:
- Polybrominated diphenyl ethers. PBDEs are associated with hormone-disruption and neurodevelopmental delays, including lowered IQ. The European Union has banned the use of PBDEs in electronic devices. Studies show that children in the United States have higher levels of PBDEs than adults do. Oh, and here’s the kicker: they don’t even work very well at stopping fires!
- Firemaster 550. This nasty chemical cocktail is made with bis (2-ethylhexyl) tetrabromophthalate (TBPH). Yes, you saw that word in there: phthalate. TBPH is nearly identical to DEHP, the phthalate banned in children’s products (including mattresses!!) due to evidence of carcinogenicity and developmental toxicity.
- Chlorinated tris. This is the notorious chemical that was removed from children’s pajamas in the 1970s because it was shown to cause cancer.
- Halogen-free flame retardants. This newer class of chemicals (such as ammonium polyphosphate, aluminium diethyl phosphinate, and melamine polyphosphate) is believed to be much less likely to bioaccumulate than bromated flame retardants. I still prefer my mattresses to be free of even these.
In addition to these notoriously toxic flame retardants, companies may use some of the following ingredients to pass flammability tests: boric acid, silica, melamine, vinylidene chloride, and fiberglass.
The Importance of Fiberglass-Free Mattresses
Fiberglass isn’t a chemical flame retardant, but it can still come with some serious health risks.
Here’s just two reasons that buying mattresses without fiberglass is important:
- No more itchy nights. Fiberglass particles can easily escape from mattress covers. This can cause itching, redness, and respiratory issues like coughing and wheezing. This is especially concerning for children and those with sensitive skin or allergies.
- Better indoor air quality. Fiberglass dust can also float around, potentially triggering coughs, wheezing, and generally messing with your respiratory system.
A Myth About Off-Gassing
Many of my clients think that their mattresses are okay if they are old because they have “already off-gassed.” Unfortunately, this is not true in the case of foam mattresses. In fact, as the foam degrades, more PBDEs (hormone-disrupting flame retardants) may be released.
Are Mattress Coils Dangerous?
There has been a lot of online chatter in recent years regarding metal coils in mattresses. We paid close attention to this and did some research, and we arrived at the conclusion that steel springs present no established danger.
We simply cannot find any credible evidence showing that metal coils can act like an antenna and concentrate EMFs into our sleeping bodies. Phew–one less thing to worry about!
What Is the Least Toxic Mattress Material?
A toxin-free mattress will likely contain some combination of the following materials:
- Organic wool (untreated) is naturally flame- and mildew/dust mite-resistant.
- 100% natural latex (made from rubber trees) is safer than latex blends. The latter may contain petroleum-based polyurethane. It’s important to note that no latex foam mattress can be 100% natural or organic. Turning latex rubber to foam necessitates the use of chemicals, period. Certified latex mattresses simply have less chemical content.
- Organic cotton (grown in untreated soil, without pesticides) can be used for batting or mattress wrapping. There is a robust debate about whether or not the herbicides and pesticides used on cotton crops will wash/bleach out as the cotton is processed. Most studies show that it does, but some folks believe that a residue remains. We believe that the risk of sleeping on a mattress or sheets made from conventionally grown cotton is tiny. Still, for the good of the planet, we should all choose organically-grown cotton whenever possible.
- Trusted certifications from third-party certifying bodies mean that some ingredients in the mattress have been vetted by organizations committed to improving air quality. This also means a safer sleeping surface for you. However, all certifications are not created equally, as you’ll learn below.
Dunlop Versus Talalay Latex in the Best Non-Toxic Mattress Brands
You’ll probably read a lot about Talalay versus Dunlop latex in your search for the best organic mattress. In terms of comfort, Dunlop is firmer and Talalay is lighter and softer. If you’re looking for a GOLS-certified mattress (more on this below), you’ll need to choose a mattress made of Dunlop latex.
Don’t Be Fooled By…
The mattress industry is full of greenwashing. Here are just a few claims that should alert you that a brand may be Sneaky Stuff.
- “Natural latex.” Petroleum comes from the earth, so petroleum-based mattresses can be “natural.” A “natural latex mattress” may only contain only 50% natural latex and may be blended with polyurethane foam and treated with various VOCs. Look for mattresses that specify that they are made from only 100% natural latex.
- “All-natural wool,” “pure wool” or “eco-wool.” Unless wool is certified organic, it is likely processed conventionally with a variety of chemicals. You may or may not be okay with this (I feel that the flame retardants are more concerning). In some cases, a wool producer may not bother with organic certification, despite organic practices.
- Biofoam. Soy- or plant-foam is still made of mostly polyurethane. Biofoam mattresses typically contain less than 20% plant material.
- Certifications. Oftentimes, these certifications apply only to certain parts of the mattress, not necessarily the mattress as a whole. In some cases, the mattress company creates its own certification. You will read more about these certifications in a moment.
Bottom line: There is a lot of deceptive marketing in the mattress world. It is not illegal to throw around terms like “natural,” “green,” and even “organic” without actually having to prove anything.
What to Know About Mattress Certifications
Sorting through mattress certifications is maddening. Here’s just some of why that is:
- First of all, not all certifications are created equal. Some offer great assurance that your new mattress will be non-toxic, while others are essentially meaningless.
- What’s more, just because a company shows a certification doesn’t mean all of the material in that mattress is certified. One of our readers wrote to us about a mattress that contained Oeko-Tex 100 certified wool, but the company wouldn’t confirm that they solely purchase the wool from this source. Thus, in this case, it would be impossible to know if the mattress you’re purchasing contains the certified wool or not, to say nothing of the other materials in this mattress.
- Sometimes, a mattress will claim to have a certification that they don’t really have. One of the most common deceptive practices is when a manufacturer claims to have GOLS certification for their latex mattress, and even display the GOLS logo on their website. They might even show an actual copy of it on their website, complete with date and signatures. If, however, the certificate is not written to the same name as the manufacturer, it is not particularly meaningful. They are commonly written to a latex supplier out of Sri Lanka, India or South America. Such a certification shows only that the latex was certified up to that point on its journey to becoming someone’s bed. Between Sri Lanka and your bedroom, all sorts of things can happen to the latex to cause it to be more toxic than the certification implies.
So, how do you know if a mattress is non-toxic?
Best Non-Toxic Mattress Certifications
The two certifications to look for in your mattress are GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard) and GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard).
(And again, the best non-toxic mattress brands have these certifications written directly to the mattress manufacturer.)
To obtain a GOTS certification, at least 95% of the mattress must be made of certified-organic materials. Certain chemistries are prohibited entirely, even for that other 5%. A GOTS certification on a mattress means that the entire manufacturing and distribution process is environmentally safe and socially responsible.
Prohibited materials and contaminants in a GOTS-certified mattress include:
- Polyurethane foam
- Heavy metals
- Formaldehyde
- The fire retardants listed above
One thing we love about GOTS certification is that in order to obtain it, a mattress must be produced in a facility that is also certified. In fact, GOTS certifiers visit production facilities as part of the certification process. (If you are curious about a brand that we don’t review in this guide, you can check for GOTS certification in the GOTS database.)
Similar to GOTS, a GOLS certification means that the mattress is made of at least 95% organic latex. This means that 5% of the latex can be made of synthetic materials, although these are still restricted in some important ways). A GOLS certification requires third-party testing and inspections by certifiers.
Good Non-Toxic Mattress Certifications
While OEKO-TEX Standard 100 doesn’t require any organic materials to be used in a mattress, it does set limits for VOC emissions (such as formaldehyde). It also prohibits the use of dangerous flame-retardants and dyes. When looking at mattresses, the highest level of OEKO-TEX certification is Class 1.
Greenguard-certified mattresses have been tested for, and are within limits of, several hundred VOCs, including formaldehyde. Greenguard Gold has stricter standards than plain old Greenguard, but they are not testing for flame retardants or PFAS.
Okay Non-Toxic Mattress Certifications
Organic Content Standard 100 just means that some of the ingredients are organic. This certification doesn’t ban flame-retardants or other harmful chemicals.
CertiPUR was developed “by members of the global foam industry,” although it does ban the use of some chemicals, such as PBDE flame-retardants and formaldehyde. It’s important to know that CertiPUR does not certify an entire mattress, only the foam portion.
A Sneaky Mattress Certification
NAOMI (National Association of Organic Mattress Industry) was created by Pure Rest Organics, which is a mattress company. Obviously this means that a NAOMI certification no way independent or third-party
The Bottom Line on Non-Toxic Mattress Certifications
When it comes to mattress certifications, most are of SOME value, but they can be used sneakily by mattress manufacturers.
You really need to ask to see the actual signed certification, keeping in mind that if it’s out of date, it’s worthless. You also want to make sure that the entire factory that produces your mattress is certified to be free of toxins, particularly flame retardants. This will guarantee that you don’t have to worry about cross-contamination and mattress health issues.
If You Can’t Afford the Best Non-Toxic Mattress
Maybe you’ve looked all the way down to our Okay Stuff category and checked out the coupons (top of this page), and you simply don’t have it in your budget to upgrade to a safe mattress right now.
Readers often ask: “How do I protect myself from a toxic mattress?”
Unfortunately, there’s no way to wrap a mattress to protect yourself from VOCs. However, running a robust air filter will go a long way towards purifying your indoor air. I have the Austin HealthMate PLUS Air Purification System in my bedroom because while I do have a toxin-free mattress, I also have other furniture and rugs that aren’t as clean. I love knowing that the air filter is mitigating the damage!
You also might consider a futon as an alternative to an expensive, non-toxic mattress. They are much more comfortable than they were in your childhood, and I love the ones by Soaring Heart in particular. (Conventional or Sneaky futons will be loaded with all the same scary chemicals as mattresses.)
Here’s where I explain the difference between a mattress and a futon:
929 comments
John
Hi Christine,
They also claim to have “USDA certified organic natural latex”….but this is confusing because, to my knowledge, the USDA does not offer certifications for mattress cores. Hmmm…Mulligan displays no certifications on their site. They use the word “natural” a lot. “Natural” has no legal meaning. Poison Ivy is “natural” but I don’t think I want to sleep on it. The commonly used flame retardant, Antimony is “natural” and is a known toxin.
John
Hi Angie,
I know we all have budgets to consider but even a fully certified $3000 mattress only costs about 41 cents per day…far less than a cup of coffee at Starbucks! Considering the chemistry found in many mattresses, 41 cents per day starts looking like a bargain…AND you don’t need to spend $3000 to get a fully certified mattress!RIGHT ON!! Many manufacturers make claims. Few can back them up.
Claiming that they don’t actually have a copy of the certification is sheer lunacy. They can’t send you a copy because they likely don’t have the certification they claim. It’s common marketing tactic used by many mattress manufacturers.
John
Hi Tracy,
Unfortunately Sleeping Organic does not actually have all the certifications that they make it seem like on their site. This is a very common marketing tactic in the industry. Buyer beware!
John
While those 3 certifications are negligible-to-ok, they are not in the same league as GOTS and GOLS.
John
Hi Angie,
Why take second best when the cost is about the same?John here. You can get a fully certified (from the “Best Stuff” section) mattress from Soaring Heart for about the same price as a Savvy Rest mattress (from the second tier “Good Stuff” section.
https://gimmethegoodstuff.com/?s=soaring heart
John
Hi Steve,
Feel free to contact me at john@gimmethegoodstuff to learn more. JohnUnfortunately Nolah has exactly zero certifications that would indicate the lack of toxins. Non-toxic does not seem to be their “thing”.
Steve
Do you have any info on the toxicity of the Nolah Mattress? https://www.nolahmattress.com
Angie
PHEW! After 2 nights I have finally finished reading this entire blog and comment sections. I just have one more thing to add…for John and Maia’s sake (and for the sake of avoiding repetition), hold down “Control” (CTRL) “F” [known as “Control Find”] then type in the search bar what brand you are inquiring about – if you hit the arrow to the right it will search any word or phrase throughout the article, that way you can jump around and see what everyone has said about it!
In closing, I think I have made my choice! I am probably going to go Naturepedic from the “Great Stuff” section, if I can find one that I love and stay in my price range…OR I may go with a Savvy Rest, from the “Good Stuff” section, which I have already fell in love with one from their Serenity line at a Natural Sleep Shop! Good luck with the mattress shopping – try to stay sane with all the information! Just do your research and trying to make it more about health than money (if you can!). Best, AngieAngie
Sleeping Pure GOTS Certification:
- Body issuing the Cert.: Control Union – Netherlands - Seller of Product: Jacquard Textile (Asia) Limited – Thailand -Last Processor of the Product: Jacquard Textile (Asia) Limited – Thailand -Buyer of the Product(s): Latex Global – San Ramon, CA -Country of Dispatch: Thailand -Consignee of the Product: Sleeping Pure – California Still awaiting the Cert. for the Talalay Latex. I find it weird that she said in the email that they “…don’t usually receive a copy of that certificate…” How can they back up any of their claims? This is craziness. I’d prefer it if a company had the certification, rather than them saving money for the consumers to save money….to me it’s not about the money its about my health, and my family’s health. I am definitely on this bandwagon hard!!!Angie
it has to be certified to that company….what you might see when reviwing the actual certificate (if they can provide it) is that the certification is to the seller of the product, most-likely in Sri Lanka, Belgium, Argentina, etc….otherwise you really don’t know what happened to the materials from point A to point B….before point C (the consumer).
Angie
Here is the reply, John and Maia, how would you rate Sleeping Pure?
Hi Angie, I’ve attached a copy of our GOTS certification for you to see. Our Talalay latex is okeo tex certified but we don’t usually receive a copy of the certificate, I can reach out to them and see if they can send me one. That product is sourced in CT and you can see their website here www.talalayglobal.com. Our Dunlop comes from India and is 100% natural. The factory where we purchase it actually uses only organic farms but there is an upcharge for a GOLS certification on the latex and we made the choice not to pay for the certificate and pass the savings on to our customers. I understand your concerns regarding purity, unfortunately there is a lot of green washing that goes on. That is one of the reasons we started our company after working in the organic industry for so many years, we wanted to be able to make healthy mattresses that were more affordable and be completely transparent as to what is inside. If you prefer to have GOLS certified latex I will be happy to refer you to some companies that do offer it. We appreciate your interest in our products!Angie
Hey Karl!
Where can we view these certificates? I have searched for the first one and all I could pull up was that it is a valid certificate. Thanks, AngieBrad
How can we actually believe a word that John Goss is saying!? He sells the naturepedic mattresses and makes money doing so… of course he is biased towards that mattress. I wish we could find an unbiased opinion about mygreenmattress that we could trust.
Angie
I contacted a representative from Avocado and here is the conversation:
Angie: Hi I am wondering how i can view your materials’ certificates? Amy: Hi there and thank you for getting in touch with us :) Amy: At present, our cotton is GOTS certified with organic cotton, and our Dunlop latex is eco-INSTITUT certified. Amy: We have recently received our Greenguard Gold certification, which tests the mattress overall for emissions, and have passed with flying colors! Amy: I’d be happy to share the certificates with you if you’d like! Angie: Yes I would like to see them. Thank you! She sent me the attachments in the chat and here is what they read: - Green Guard Gold – Certified to Avocado Green Mattress - GOTS “Certificate” – Showing a Transaction Certificate for Textiles: Body issuing the certificate: CU Inspections & Certifications INDIA Private Ltd. Seller of the Product: RED FLAG – OMG this part is covered with white-out Last processor of the product(s): Bannari Amman Spinning Mills Ltd. INDIA Country of dispatch: INDIA Buyer of the prodcut: KC Tex Inc. Charlotte, NC Eco Institut Lien – Latex Certificate to LIEN A Co., Ltd. VIETNAM This seems sketchy. They lost me at the white-out….unless it was to protect the name and address of a silent partner? idk. Hope this answers questions. AngieAngie
I hope this discussion is not dead and that I am not just on here talking to myself, but oh well I need to sort some things out in my brain before being set on a mattress for this Labor Day Weekend sale!!!
OBASAN I read further through the comments and saw that someone has mentioned them, but did not see that Maia or John commenting further, so I’ll report on this one: At first glance, they look like a great product with beautiful craftsmanship…I’m actually in love with how they look, but I will not purchase this mattress for the following reasons: 1.) I have dug deeper and cannot definitively tell if they do, in fact, ship to the US (seems Canada-based only?). 2.) More importantly, I viewed their certifications in which they have linked PDFs of, and I appreciate their honesty and all, BUT - GOLS for Organic Rubber/Latex was issued to Richard Pieris Natural Foams Ltd., Sri Lanka - GOTS for Organic Wool was issued to Planta Fuhrmann in Argentina - GOTS for Textile Standard was issued to LAVA bvba in Belgium :’( How expensive/difficult is it to just get these materials certified to the facility and/or the owner of the companies who manufacture the products? Ugh. Disappointing. On to the next one… SLEEPING PURE I have been in contact with the representatives on their chat, and here is how the conversation went… Angie: Is there any way to view material certifications? Angie: I have clicked on the tab labeled as “Materials & Certifications” and I cannot seem to find a link to view them. Lance: Welcome back, Angie. Lance: Let me check the details for you. Angie: Thank you. Lance: You are welcome! Lance: Thank you for waiting. Have you already checked this link, https://sleepingpure.com/about/materials-and-certifications/ ? Angie: Yes, and I see that you have the logos: GOTS and Oeko-Tex Standard 100, however, I do not see a link to view the certificates. Lance: Alright. I’ll have my product specialist get back to you with the information on that. Your number and email is, ___________ ____________, am I right? Angie: I have been doing a lot research and I have read that it is best to see that the material is certified to the company/facility in which the mattresses are constructed, rather than certified in the country of which the materials (latex, wool, cotton, etc.) originate, i.e. Sri Lanka, Belgium, etc. Angie: …because a lot can happen from the place of origin to the facility…and then to the bedrooms of the consumers of which these mattresses will go to, and that worries me. Thank you so much. I will appreciate anymore information on this. Lance: I really appreciate your concern about certifications. Lance: I will forward you the information of this inquiry. I will post the email, if they ever get back to me. Figured I’d add these to the list! Best, AngieJaclyn
https://www.tuftandneedle.com/lp/safety/?gclid=CMiEksnZgdYCFRC4wAodMxYGqg
FYI about Tuft and Needle They have 3 certifications. CertiPur, Greenguard Gold AND OEKO TEK standard 100 (FIRST Whole Mattress Certified)Tracy
Also looking at Labor Day Sales! I’m leaning towards LifeKind, and I’m wondering if you’ve had any input from people who have tried the mattresses. Sleeping Organic (from South Carolina) looks good, too. Do you have any information about them? Seem to have all the great qualifications and prices are really good. Just wondering if their website is making them to appear better than reality, or if the representation is true. Thank you for all of this research – it’s been really helpful!
Angie
I am trying to make a decision by September 4th (Labor Day Sales)…and boy and I’m overwhelmed! I have converted to an all-organic lifestyle – started with food, then beauty products, and now I am onto the bedding. Your blog is extremely informative, and I appreciate everything that you guys do!
That being said…I have spent sometime in a Natural Sleep Shop (been there about 3 times), which is local to me, and they only sell Savvy Rest and Naturpedic. I really am sold on a Savvy Rest, however, I thought before I make the plunge this weekend I would go online and see if I can find a more affordable, and more/just as organic online mattress. I did not see anyone mention Obasan (still need to see if they ship in the US) or Sleeping Pure (I have been chatting with an online representative about the product). Do you have any information on these two brands? I apologize if I had missed any mentioning of them, in advance.christine Schwamb
Are you familiar with Mulligan Mattresses? http://mulliganmattress.com/
They state are 100% natural chemical free latex. Thanks. ChristineDanielle
What about Gold Bond American made mattresses? Thank you!
Martha
I believe you look to see if the certification is written to the manufacture of the mattress (which I think includes the entire mattress) OR simply just to a supplier of a material they use in the mattress (latex, wool, cotton, etc.)
Martha
I believe you look to see if the certification is written to the manufacture of the mattress (which I think includes the entire mattress) OR simply just to a supplier of a material they use in th mattress (llatex, wool, cotton, etc.)
Randy
Any insight on ultimatesleep.com or sleeponlatex.com would be greatly appreciated. They both have toppers in reasonable price ranges
Rachelle Nieman
Hi there, I contacted Avacado Mattress company to ask them to send me their certifications they claim to have since your mattress guide said it weren’t sure of it’s claims and they sent me two. The GOTS and ECO-Institut. I have no idea what to look for on these certifications. Would love your help.
Thanks!
Leslie B.
John-
What are your thoughts on the babyletto pure core or coco core mattresses?
Thank you!
Jessie
Do we know the status on Brentwood?
Kelly D
What do you think of 5 Little Monkeys mattress?
Abby
I have a Simmons Kids® Tranquil Nights Organic Core 2 ‘N’ 1 mattress for my little one and I purchased it at Costco back in April of 2016. Im completely scared now after reading that all Simmons mattresses are treated with “bad stuff”. Even though this is considered “organic” should I still be concerned?? Thank you for taking time to help out all of us health-conscious Mamas!
John Goss
Hi Lina,
Feel free to contact me directly at john@gimmethegoodstuff.com and I can help you find a truly certified mattress. ThanksBrentwood uses a lot of language that would lead us to believe that their products are nontoxic but unfortunately the words and the reality do not always line up.
John Goss
Hi Hasan,
Thanks for the question. It does not appear that dreamfoam has proper certification. They do not display the actual certificates…among other problems.
The sad fact is that when a Queen mattress is offered at $599 it is very unlikely to be nontoxic.
John Goss
Hi Sarah,
John here…
The certification shown on Organic Textiles website is not what we look for. It is not dated and it is not issued to Organic Textiles. Feel free to contact me at john@gimmethegoodstuff.com and I can help you get whatever size crib mattress you want. We know fully certified manufacturers that can make anything. Thanks
Sarah
I’m struggling to find a mini crib mattress (and don’t have the space for a full-sized crib). Organic Textiles LLC appears to have both GOTS and GOLS certifications, but I don’t see it listed in your guide. The certificates are available on their website, but with some info obscured…not sure if this is something I should be concerned about!
Thanks for any advice you have to offerKandyce
How about the Lullaby Earth Crib Matress line created by Naturpedic company? Is it still safe? Thank you for all of your great information!
Hasan U.
Any thoughts on this mattress, https://www.dreamfoambedding.com/product/ultimate-dreams-latex-mattress. I read your Safe Mattress Guide and this mattress is OEKO-TEX Certified.
Lina
Still hoping to hear thoughts on Brentwood mattresses. :(
Leslie B.
Hi-
Just wondering what your thoughts were on the babyletto crib mattresses?
Thank you!
John Goss
Hi Hasan,
Or you can contact me directly at john@gimmethegoodstuff.comI would recommend reading our updated Safe Mattress Guide before purchasing a mattress.
https://gimmethegoodstuff.com/safe-product-guides/mattresses/
Hasan Uddin
Or maybe this one? https://www.dreamfoambedding.com/product/ultimate-dreams-latex-mattress/ Ultimate Dreams Latex Mattress
Hasan Uddin
I’m thinking about purchasing a latex mattress. I want to buy this one https://www.brentwoodhome.com/products/cedar-mattress (Cedar Mattress). “Rest with total peace of mind on layers of eco-friendly and sustainable materials like eco-INSTITUT certified natural latex, GOTS certified organic cotton, and organic coconut husk.” What do you think?
JSP
Are “non-toxic” mattresses more susceptible to mold?
We bought OMI crib mattress last fall (it was recommended on the site so we felt good about the purchase) and now it has mold EVERYWHERE. We had used the naturepedic waterproof cover on it but the mattress has been bare since late May (my daughter and I are abroad for the summer and we took the waterproof cover and sheets with us). When my husband found extensive MOLD on the OMI mattress a couple days ago and we were in total shock. He ventilates the room AND the AC is on at all times. No other furniture in the nursery OR mattresses (temperpedic, sealy; so “toxic” mattresses) in the other rooms have mold… When I contacted the company, they said mold isn’t covered by warranty (even though it’s less than one year old!) and told me not to use waterproof cover. Except when we left, the mattress was perfectly fine. Somehow in the last couple of months when the mattress was NOT covered and NOT in use, the mold had been growing. OMI said Live Enzyme Cleaner should do the job but we aren’t sure if that’s gonna get rid of everything. Have you had any experience with mold issues in the “non-toxic” mattresses? It’s not a big deal if we have to get a new mattress but not sure if we will go back to OMI….Abhi
Hello, this blog has been supremely helpful as I shop for mattresses for my children’s rooms. I found ‘Sleep on Latex’ to have more affordable options than any of the other makes. I know this brand is currently listed under ‘Okay Stuff,’ but I was wondering if you’ve had a chance to update your findings on them? The product claims are: 100% natural latex, organic cotton, organic wool…
I’m close to making a purchase decision and wanted to get your input! Thank you very much!Carol
This is one of the best mattress reviews I’ve read. So much great information. Too many people are confused about off-gassing, so it was great you cleared that up!
Jessica
Hello,
Thank you!I recently purchased a Magniflex made in Italy. It claims to be organic cover, and chemical free. They have the good certifications you list. I have some time to test it out. What are your thoughts?
https://www.magniflex.com/international/en/toscana/27-cotton-caresse-dual-10.html
John Goss
Hi Bob,
Thanks for the question. We review many many mattress manufacturers. Some of them do not like the fact that their products do not achieve our internal standards for “The Best Stuff”. We have recently published an updated Safe Mattress Guide. https://gimmethegoodstuff.com/safe-product-guides/mattresses/ You’ll see that we have added more categories in order to address particular issues. Mr Shevick appears to be the founder and CEO of Sleep On Latex and it is natural that he want’s to shield his brand from less-than-flattering reviews, but his insinuations that we fail to disclose that we are dealers for certain manufacturers are entirely unfounded. Even a brief look through our site renders his opinion as uninformed at best. His accusations of slander are equally silly. We decided it is best to remain silent to his correspondence because it is so angry and beyond credibility. We are not trying to harm anyone. We are simply doing research and arriving at conclusions. If a manufacturer changes their products or demonstrates that our assessment of their product is incorrect, we are happy to re-review and publish corrections as necessary. As far as we can tell, Sleep On Latex has neither changed their products nor demonstrated how our assessment is incorrect. ThanksJohn here…
John Goss
Hi Melissa,
While Eco-Institut and Greenguard certifications are better than no certifications…they are far from the best certification which is a GOLS certificate written to the exact same company you are buying from…not a 3rd party in Sri Lanka or Indonesia etc. There can be a lot of deceptive marketing in the industry. It’s worth sorting these things out before investing in a mattress. You can contact me directly at 717 869 6968 and I’ll be happy to discuss it. Or email me at john@gimmethegoodstuff.com Thanks, JohnFirst off…“Natural” is essentially a meaningless term. It is a necessary word for marketing but, Poison Ivy and Plutonium are “natural”. I don’t want to sleep on those.
Melissa Hall
I just asked Avocado about their certifications (if they were GOTS and GOLS) and their response:
“At present, our cotton is GOTS certified with organic cotton, and our Dunlop latex is eco-INSTITUT certified. We made a decision early on that if we ensured the purity / quality of our latex (i.e. via the eco-INSTITUT testing standard) that it would have a significant benefit in terms of cost that we pass through to our customers, while ensuring zero off-gassing or negative implications. GOLS certified latex would be much pricier, which would force us to raise our prices rather significantly, so we opted for this route as we’re seeking a balance of true greenness and affordability. We have also received our Greenguard Gold certification as well, which we are very happy to share with you!
In short, we test for chemicals and the purity of the latex. It doesn’t come from a certified organic farm which is the main difference. But similarly it’s tested for any chemicals or emissions, and its 100% natural latex so in terms of integrity and durability it’s the same :)”
what do you think? what does this mean?
Bob
So, were these questions from the CEO of Sleep On Latex ever addressed here? I agree that the term “sneaky” is very negative.
Jana Grillo
Hi Maia,
I was reading your non-toxic make-up routine and saw this non-toxic mattress guide underneath. I recently purchased a 100% natural latex mattress from a company which you have listed under “Okay Stuff.” I absolutely love my mattress! I want you to know that I did a lot of research before I made this purchase and I know for a fact that this company is 100% better than a few companies that I see in your “Good Stuff” category. Not only are they a manufacturer, but they have all certifications which the others do not have! I wonder if they are aware of your article here. Maia, please explain what your “rules” are for placing a company in “Okay Stuff” v. “Good Stuff.” It is very confusing and misleading to your readers and I wonder if the proper research was done before posting this article. Thank you. Jana G.Nikki
Just wondering if anyone knows about the dream mattress https://kalonstudios.com/shop/dream-no-1-mattress/
Brian Edwards
Hi Maia,
We have 100% organic latex mattresses made by Habitat Furnishings. Are you familiar with this company? If so, do you recommend? We spent a good amount of money on our mattresses from Habitat, so I’m really hoping they are certifiable. Thank you, Brian