Best Non-Toxic Mattress 2025 Shopping Guide

Maia James
Best Non-Toxic Mattress 2025 Shopping Guide
929 comments

Finding the best non-toxic mattress is super important because this purchase is a big financial investment. If you buy the right mattress, it can last you for decades! Mattresses are also a major source of toxin-exposure in most American homes. This is a purchase you really want to get right, which is why we wrote this guide.

This post will provide all the information you need to feel confident that you’re purchasing the best non-toxic mattress, whether you’re shopping for your kids or yourself.

The 4 Best Non-Toxic Mattress Brands

This guide includes reviews of the 40 (!) mattress brands you’ve asked about most. But the TLDR here is that the four companies in the graphic below are the very best non-toxic mattress brands. They’re all equally toxin-free and earth-friendly–two values we believe are essential. They also all receive high marks for comfort.

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Best Mattress Guide

1

2

3

4

1. Soaring Heart

2. Happsy

3. Naturepedic

4. Obasan

Best Stuff

Happsy

Happsy is the best non-toxic mattress-in-a-box option on the market, and comes with a 120-day trial period. Happsy is manufactured by Naturepedic, but is a more affordable option, while still getting high marks for comfort. When it’s time to replace my kids’ mattresses, this is the brand I plan to purchase.

Happsy is certified by GOTS, GOLS, and GreenGuard. Queens go for $1,399.

Use code GIMME15 for 15% off sitewide when you shop on Happsy.com. (With this discount, Happsy is the most affordable Best Stuff mattress.)

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Happsy

Naturepedic

Naturepedic was founded by a grandfather named Barry when he could not find a non-toxic mattress for his grandson.

Naturepedic non-toxic mattresses are made of certified-organic cotton and a steel innerspring. They don’t use any flame-retardant chemicals or barrier ingredients. Naturepedic includes a layer of polylactide, which is derived from sugarcane, in all of their mattresses to ensure they pass flammability tests.

Since all Naturepedic mattresses are GOTS-certified, you can rest assured that the polylactide they use also passes GOTS standards. Polylactide is also Greenguard Gold certified.

The waterproof, crib mattress options use food-grade polyethylene for their outer layer (it acts as a moisture and vapor barrier). Adult mattresses mostly run in the $3,000 range, and crib mattresses from $259 to $399. Use code gimme15 for 15% off everything on Naturepedic’s site. (The top-of-the-line mattress is the EOS.)

We offer Naturepedic crib mattresses and children’s mattresses in our online store, and always appreciate your support!

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Naturepedic

Obasan

Handcrafted in Canada, Obasan mattresses have all of the top-level certifications we look for, including GOTS and GOLS.

With a unique multi-zone system, Obasan mattresses get high marks for their comfort and come with a 180-day comfort exchange policy and 20-year warranty.

If you live in Canada, this is the best non-toxic mattress, for sure. Queens start at around $3,200 USD.

Get two complimentary pillows with the purchase of any adult mattress with code GIMMETHEGOODSTUFF.

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Obasan

Soaring Heart

Based out of Seattle and in operation for almost 30 years, Soaring Heart hand-crafts most of their mattresses on-site and is one of the most transparent brands we’ve ever investigated.

Soaring Heart’s latex mattresses are made of 100% organic latex. They have both GOLS and GOTS certifications, written to Soaring Heart itself.

Soaring Heart mattresses contain no chemical fire retardants. Their latex passes flammability tests by using a combination of a tightly woven, organic-cotton fabric encasement, and is then wrapped in organic, felted wool.

Soaring Heart offers organic crib mattresses and dog beds, too.

We loved Soaring Heart so much that we asked them if we could sell their mattresses! You can now buy Soaring Heart mattresses through our online store, and they ship free anywhere in the United States.

I sleep on a Soaring Heart Zoned Mattress, my parents on a Soaring Heart Organic Latex Shikibuton, and we both have toppers. We are basically obsessed with these mattresses, and happy to talk you through their options. Just email John for help choosing.

Soaring Heart

Best Non-Toxic Mattress Coupons

Please enjoy the following exclusive Gimme the Good Stuff mattress discounts on some of the safest mattresses we’ve found.

Obasan: Get two complimentary pillows with the purchase of any adult mattress with code GIMMETHEGOODSTUFF.
Plush Beds: $100 extra off, in addition to whatever other deals they’re running. Use code GIMME100.
Naturepedic: 15% off site-wide. Use code GIMME15.
Happsy: 15% off sitewide. Use code GIMME15. (With this discount, Happsy is the most affordable of the bunch.)

Best Stuff Vs. Good Stuff

Thanks to consumer demand, more mattress manufacturers have taken the steps to make truly non-toxic mattresses with top-level certifications. This means that you have more choices when searching for the best non-toxic mattress. And our Best Stuff and Good Stuff categories have grown to include more brands than ever before.

In this guide, we give special attention to the brands that manufacture only toxin-free mattresses. Several mattress companies now have the proper certifications, but they are owned by other entities that make conventional (toxic) mattresses.

Our updated Best Stuff category includes only the brands that:

  • have the top certifications that guarantee the mattresses they sell are free of all toxins
    AND
  • aren’t owned by parent companies that pollute the environment by manufacturing toxic mattresses.

In other words, we choose to promote mattress manufacturers who demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to non-toxic, Earth-friendly living in EVERYTHING they produce.

This video is several years old, but everything in it still holds true. The only change is that Happsy and Obasan have been added to our Best Stuff list!

My Own Non-Toxic Mattress Choices: What Is the Healthiest Mattress?

When I was pregnant for the first time, we decided to upgrade to a king-sized bed in anticipation of co-sleeping with our newborn.

Of course, I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t agonize and research before deciding what mattress to buy. There was plenty to agonize over when it came to finding the best non-toxic mattress!

At the time of writing this updated post, I have a 10-year-old and a 14-year-old, one of whom still spends a lot of time in our bed. I’m so glad I feel comfortable with (and comfortable on) the non-toxic mattresses we chose, which is the Soaring Heart Zoned. (If you’d like to sleep on this mattress, email me with “Soaring Heart” in the subject line and I can give you a small discount, since we now carry it in our store.)

Why a Non-Toxic Mattress Matters

I often tell my private consulting clients that their mattress is the very first thing they should upgrade when detoxing their homes.

The reason I feel so strongly about sleeping on a non-toxic mattress? Well, for one thing, babies and kids spend a lot of time sleeping, and even busy, night-owl grownups spend about a third of our lives in bed.

Moreover, studies show that your immune system works hardest at night, and the body generally repairs itself at night. It therefore seems reasonable to make your sleeping environment as toxin-free as possible.

Toxins in Mattresses

Unfortunately, mattresses can be loaded with noxious chemicals, including:

  • Various petrochemicals make up the majority of the materials in conventional mattresses.
  • Polyurethane foam is the main ingredient in most mattresses. It’s composed of polyol and diisocyanate, both of which are derived from petroleum. Polyurethane is not environmentally friendly and is dangerous for workers during manufacturing.
  • Flame-retardant chemicals are needed in part because polyurethane is so flammable. There is, however, some good news on the flame-retardant front – more on that in a minute!
  • Soybean foam is a Sneaky ingredient that sounds non-toxic. Unfortunately, the majority of this type of foam is still mostly polyurethane.
  • Synthetic latex is usually made from styrene, which is a human carcinogen.
  • Adhesives that may contain formaldehyde are used to glue mattresses. The best non-toxic mattress manufacturers skip the glues all together and opt for safer methods like stitching, clips, or heat.

This chemical cocktail releases VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which are linked to a host of health problems, from respiratory irritation to cancer.

Mattresses

Obasan – two complimentary pillows with code: GIMMETHEGOODSTUFF

Naturepedic – code GIMME15 for 15% off

Kids Mattresses

Happsy – 15% off sitewide. Use code GIMME15

White Lotus

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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:

Good Stuff

Avocado

We are now recommending Avocado mattress since they now have the EWG verified mark for all their adult, kids and crib mattresses.

  • Boasts certifications from EWG, GOTS, GOLS, Greenguard, and Made Safe. 
  • Tested for PFAS chemicals. 
  • Crafted with certified organic cotton, wool, and latex.
  • Not Best Stuff because Avocado is a subsidiary of Brentwood Home, which manufactures conventional mattresses.
  • There was a lawsuit accusing Avocado of falsely advertising its latex as “natural 100% GOLS organic certified” after lab tests showed that Avocado latex contains a variety of chemicals. The suit was dismissed.

Buy from Avocado
Avocado

Bella Sera

This tiny company has some good certifications, namely GOLS, but unfortunately, it’s not written directly to the company.

Bella Sera uses wool as a flame retardant, which makes them Good Stuff rather than Okay Stuff.

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Bella Sera

CozyPure

CozyPure’s mattresses skip all the flame retardants in favor of wool, which is significant. Unfortunately, their GOLS certification isn’t written directly to them, so I can’t call this brand the Best Stuff.

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CozyPure

Eco Terra

Eco Terra has OEKO-TEX certifications for their wool and Talalay latex. They don’t use scary flame-retardants, just hydrated-silica. Eco Terra now has an up-to-date GOTS certificate, and we consider this a safe mattress choice.

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Eco Terra

Holy Lamb Organics

While Holy Lamb only qualifies as Good Stuff based on our criteria, we do consider this brand one of the best non-toxic mattresses out there. Because Holy Lamb is such a small business, they do not yet have GOLS certification, but they do have GOTS – and we will move them to Best Stuff as soon as the GOLS comes through.

Holy Lamb Organics

Plush Beds

PlushBeds recently became fully certified with top-level certifications, including GOTS, GOLS, GreenGuard Gold, and Oeko-Tex Standard 100.

PlushBed’s Botanical Bliss and Luxury Bliss mattresses have all of the above certifications. Their Natural Bliss and Eco Bliss don’t have GOLS certification, but are more affordable.

The only reason Plush is in our Good Stuff rather than Best Stuff category is because they make more conventional mattresses in addition to their fully-certified latex models.

Nevertheless, Plush Beds’ memory foam is the first to be certified by GreenGuard Gold, so if you must have a memory foam mattress (and we know a lot of you must!), then this is the way to go. Overall, everything Plush makes is reasonably toxin-free.

Use code GIMME100 to receive $100 off every order, in addition to whatever other deals are running.

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Plush Beds

Savvy Rest

Savvy Rest is the non-toxic mattress we bought when I was pregnant, and we slept on it for six comfortable years.

The latex used by Savvy Rest is 100% natural, and other materials used include certified organic wool (which serves as flame-retardant) and cotton. Note that the Dunlop latex is organic, while the Talalay is not.

Savvy Rest mattresses have Oeko-Tex certification. (It’s important to note that these certifications are for specific materials within the mattress, rather than the mattress itself; you can read more about this above.) Savvy Rest’s GOTS certification is written in their name, and their GOLs certifications are written to their latex supplier.

Visit Savvy Rest’s website to see their wide array of mattresses and learn more about all the materials they use. Our king-sized mattress costs around $3,500, but prices depend on which model you choose, in addition to the size you want.

Buy from Savvy Rest
Savvy Rest

White Lotus

White Lotus sent along a big box of samples of all of their sumptuous, natural materials when I first reviewed them. They are one of our favorite brands to work with, and they have demonstrated a clear commitment to producing non-toxic mattresses.

White Lotus has a GOTS certification for their mattress materials, and they use some cool ingredients in their products, including:

  • Kapok to stuff their mattresses. The “harvesting of the kapok pods provides jobs to indigenous people and helps maintain this vanishing ecosystem,” according to the White Lotus website.
  • Wholesale green cotton, which is totally unprocessed once harvested from the bolls – no bleaches, dyes, or fungicides.
  • Wool, which is 100%-virgin, lamb’s wool.
  • Organic buckwheat hulls (for pillows).
  • 100% natural latex (from rubber trees).

When I decided to get toddler Felix a new twin-sized, non-toxic mattress, I went with this White Lotus futon.

I do recommend that you avoid the Evergreen Foam used by White Lotus, which is a blend of “natural, oil-based foam” and conventional polyol, an alcohol used in the production of polyurethane. While off-gassing is heavily reduced and the environmental impact better than conventional foam, I don’t consider this truly natural, toxin-free foam.

We have gotten to know the folks at White Lotus quite well, and we really trust the owner. Because White Lotus does not have GOLS certification written in its name, we classify it as Good Stuff rather than Best Stuff.

We now carry White Lotus mattresses and futons in our online store!

Please note that we do not carry any White Lotus products with any of the questionable ingredients listed above – if you see it in our store, you know it’s free of borate, toxic foam, and other synthetics.

White Lotus

Okay Stuff

Awara

While Awara does not have GOLS or GOTS certifications, they do have CertiPUR, Greenguard Gold, and OEKO-TEX.

Note that Awara is made by the same parent company as Nectar mattresses, which we consider Sneaky.

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Awara

Brooklyn Bedding

This company claims to have OEKO-TEX certification, but failed to present proof to us of this. They do have CertiPUR certification (meaning at least the very worst flame-retardants won’t be present in these mattresses).

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Brooklyn Bedding

Coco-Mat

This brand uses all the right buzzwords to describe their mattresses (“non-toxic,” “sustainable,” etc.). Unfortunately, they are lacking somewhat in the certification department – although with digging we discovered they do carry the Oeko-Tex 100 certification. The big question mark for us is the “natural rubber” they use, which doesn’t have any certification. Still, that Oeko-Tex 100 certification means something, and they don’t use PBDE flame retardants.

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Coco-Mat

Essentia

We field a ton of questions about Essentia from people who love memory foam and want a safer option. Standard memory foam (made of petroleum derivatives) is decidedly toxic, and I’ve long suspected Essentia of being Sneaky Stuff.

After researching Essentia thoroughly for a client, I came away (still reluctantly!) calling them Okay Stuff, although I do still have a few reservations. Essentia uses a proprietary flame retardant in their foam, which involves Kevlar – a material that is not remotely natural, but appears to be non-toxic. Kevlar is a type of plastic, however, and you probably know, I don’t love plastic, period!

I spoke to the people at Essentia, and they sent me the independent-testing results for their mattresses — I saw no red flags and everything checked out as non-toxic. They also have a number of certifications, some of which are more legit than others. There is always a chance that sneaky manufacturers might hide things under the “trade secret” laws, but I didn’t learn anything from Essentia that suggests that they are doing so.

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Essentia

SleepOnLatex

This brand does not have GOLS certification, but does have Oeko-Tex, and doesn’t use the most dangerous flame retardants.

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SleepOnLatex

Tuft & Needle

The certifications for these mattresses fall short of Good Stuff – they have GreenGuard Gold, OEKO-TEX, and CertiPUR.

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Tuft & Needle

Bad Stuff

It’s safe to assume that all conventional mattresses contain petrochemicals and that many are treated with toxic flame retardants of one kind or another. 

IKEA mattresses are tempting because they are cheap. But they have no certifications of any kind. They had this to say about the use of fire-retardant chemicals:

“In our adult mattresses, mattress pads, and mattress sets a fiber fire-barrier made of rayon/polyester-batting is used that has an inherently fire-resistant property. Flame-retardant chemicals (phosphorous-based inorganic salts) are only used for some stitch-bond and zippers. IKEA children’s mattresses sold in the U.S. have a fiber-mix barrier as described above. The fiber-batting is quilted into the mattress cover and is not treated with any flame-retardant chemicals.”

(So the crib mattresses are at least free of all fire retardants!).

Joybed is a brand that a lot of you have asked about. Unfortunately, it has no certifications of any kind and therefore can’t be considered for our recommendation.

Newton Wovenair. The polymer this mattress is made from appears to be fine, but the cover is made of polyester (this doesn’t pose a real health risk, but is not environmentally friendly and a form of plastic). Newton uses phosphate flame-retardants. This is better than bromated or chlorinated, but still should be avoided if possible.

Sealy mattresses contain vinyl, undisclosed fire retardants (“trade secret”), polyurethane, polyethylene, and nanoparticles. This includes the mattresses they make for children.

Serta mattresses have actually come a long way, but we still cannot call them even Okay Stuff. Here’s why.

Simmons is the same as Sealy. They use the same problematic materials and hide behind trade secrets.

Tempur-Pedic mattresses are wildly popular. Unfortunately, memory foam is made of inexpensive polyurethane, and you’ll notice that a brand-new Tempur-Pedic is smellier than most other mattresses. This is your clue that it’s off-gassing more. The fire retardant used on Tempur-Pedics is not PBDE, but they do not disclose what it is. The EPA has also raised concerns about emissions formed during the production of polyurethane foam products, which include methylene chloride and other hazardous chemicals.

Sneaky Stuff

Casper. These popular, inexpensive mattresses contain a top latex layer that is Oeko-Tex certified, but I’m not crazy about the memory foam component (which is not certified and contains polyurethane).

The flame retardants seem pretty safe:

“A fire-retardant, knit-sock covers the foam before the outer cover is placed on the mattress. The knit sock is made from a proprietary yarn with a silica core and a polyester/acrylic/nylon/rayon outer wrap. The knit-sock is made without any toxic chemicals and each component is OEKO-TEX® certified.”

However, the latex in the lower layers is not 100%-natural, but rather a blend, and synthetic latex can be very toxic when made from carcinogenic styrene. Readers who have purchased a Casper mattress have complained of the smell and sore throats.

Colgate’s “eco” crib mattresses claim to be made of “the finest non-toxic materials in the marketplace.” In reality, Colgate mattresses contain vinyl and polyurethane.

Eco Dream mattresses are basically just memory foam mattresses that don’t even make claims of non-toxicity!

IntelliBED claims to be non-toxic, and is heavily promoted by natural parenting bloggers. The only certification they have received is the dubious CertiPUR. They claim that they use soy-based foam, but companies can make this claim when the mattress contains only a small percentage of soy foam (the rest being petroleum-derived polyurethane).

And IntelliBED gives no specifics about their foam. IntelliBED makes mattresses from a number of materials that immediately disqualify them from our list of Good Stuff. They use memory foam, various “gels” and foams, and unknown materials with names like “Titanium Infused Energex” (whatever that is). IntelliBED also seems to carry zero independent certifications regarding the safety of the materials they use

Keetsa mattresses (which are manufactured in China), are described by many retailers as “natural” or “green.”

The company is, in fact, pretty transparent, and clearly states that, “Keetsa’s mission is to deliver a comfortable, affordable, and durable mattress in an eco-friendly manner. We are not producing organic or natural mattresses. By replacing some of the petroleum product with cedar oil and introducing green tea extract into the mixture, we have created a foam that is less toxic and has a less-offensive odor than traditional foam. We also utilize sustainable materials, such as bamboo, in our cover materials.”

Layla, like so many others, is a memory foam mattress with only a CertiPUR certification.

Moonlight Slumber set off an alarm for me right away with their bogus certification: “Green Safety Shield” is their own certification, and is not third (or even second!) party. They do have testing that shows no VOCs from their mattresses, but that’s only one issue of concern. I’m more worried about their “Visco foam,” whatever that is!

They do have a CertiPUR certification, but this is from a polyurethane industry group. Finally, their flame retardant is proprietary, although they claim it’s natural and free of chemicals.

Natura mattresses may contain (depending on the model you select) boric acid and fiberglass flame-retardants, petroleum-derived latex (as in, not the kind from rubber trees), and nanoparticles.

Nectar has CertiPUR certification and is free of PBDEs. In other words, nothing about this mattress is particularly non-toxic, but it’s better than a standard mattress.

Nest Bedding says that they are an “Organic, Natural, and Certified Bedding and Mattress Company,” but they, too, rely on only CertiPUR certification.

Purple mattresses don’t have any of the certifications we look for even for our Okay Stuff category. Purple has CertiPUR, but nothing more. So if you’re wondering, “Are Purple mattresses non-toxic?” the answer is unfortunately, no.

Saatva and their sister company Loom & Leaf are memory foam mattresses with only CertiPUR certifications. They use only about 30% “plant-based foams.” The rest is petroleum-based.

The Sealy Naturalis mattress has an organic cotton layer; unfortunately, it is surrounded by a vinyl cover.

Swiss Dreams mattresses appear to have exactly zero certifications, making it impossible to back up any of their claims of non-toxicity.

YogaBed doesn’t even really make any claims of non-toxicity, but I’m calling it Sneaky Stuff. Anything with “yoga” in the name is trying to project a green image, don’t you think?

ZenHaven is just another mattress company jumping on the greenwashing bandwagon, and they have no certifications. This is not a non-toxic mattress.

Whew! We appreciate that this is a ton of information, but hope it helps you choose the best non-toxic mattress. If you have questions about other mattresses, please comment below.

Stay sane,
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Author's Signature

Maia, Founder & CEO

Note: This article contains affiliate links or sponsored content, which means that if you make a purchase, we may earn a commission. We only recommend products that meet our strict standards for non-toxicity and that we use (or want to use!) ourselves. Thank you so much for supporting the brands that make Good Stuff! 

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929 comments

Diana

Thank you! I did not notice the date. I appreciate you looking into it.

Anne

I would like your thoughts and opinion on the Casper mattress.
Thank you

KBW

Hi! What an amazing resource this is, thank you! We’re in Canada, so I’m wondering if, other than Essentia, do you have any recommendations for Canadian available kids mattresses? Thanks :-)

Colleen

Hi,

I was wondering what your thoughts are on Avocado Mattress. Newer company.

Emily

Hi, I was wondering about the newton mattress’. Thanks!

http://www.newtonbaby.com/

Kacy

What about toddler pillow options? Thanks!

Karl Shevick

Yes, they are. Thank you for asking. Here are the certification numbers:

Our natural latex foam is Oeko-Tex Class 1 Certified. ( Certification # 15.HUS.60646) Our natural latex foam is ecoInstitut Certified. (Certification # 0215-33371-001) Our Mattresses and Mattress Toppers are Greenguard Gold certified. (Certification #’s 80102-410 and 80101-410) You will find that all of these certifications are issued to Sleep On Latex directly. Thanks!

emma

Do you know anything about Brentwood mattresses or tuft and needle??

Kari Lapins

Any thoughts on the Secure Beginnings Breathable Crib Mattresses?

Diana

I’m looking at purchasing a mattress from Lifekind. Do you have any thoughts and/or concerns about Lifekind? The certifications look good to me but I would love to hear your thoughts.

LEE

I dont see OMI (organicpedic) listed on here. They have more certifications then most companies. Is there a reason they are not listed? thanks

Lin

According to this link, it looks like the latex itself is 100% natural latex verified by the Oeko-Tex certification and is not referring to a mattress cover (see where it says “for the following articles”)
https://sleeponlatex.com/blogs/news/34341957-health-and-environmental-certifications…

Sara

FYI, Savvy uses the same latex export company out of India and has the same GOLS certificate as Astra, as shown on their website.

Jess

Karl,
Are your certifications specific to your company name?

kelly

Hi John – I too am finding myself in a similar situation as Kim regarding chemical sensitivity, issues with latex and wool, and joint pain. While I feel quite concerned about the components of the Intellibed, I’m growing increasingly concerned about my inability to get a good night sleep! I am emailing you in case you might be able to help point me in the direction of a mattress that is both healthy and comfortable. Thanks!

Telina

If trying to get a twin mattress under $500, would Casper be a good option? Brentwood? Ikea? Tuft & Needle? Or what is the “best” budget friendly mattress? It would be nice to have a list of lower priced options.

John Caldwell

The mattresses have inner coils as opposed to foam/latex. As I am concerned about the EMF implications of this construction, it is not ideal.
This probably accounts for the price point.
John

Tracy

specifically the bambo gel 13" mattress.

Tracy

I am curious about Brentwood Home as well. Is this a safe mattress?

Tracy Williams

I am curious about Brentwood Home as well. Is this a safe mattress?

Lucy

Thank you so much for this guide. Would love some advice as we are trying to get a twin bed to put in a new baby’s room for an additional adult sleep space and our budget is under $800—since the baby itself won’t be sleeping on the mattress, do you think getting something that’s low-VOC rather than no-VOC/100% good stuff might be OK, or would the off-gassing/VOC emissions even from that be too much of a concern if in the same room as an infant? Thank you so much for any thoughts!

Telina

And here is my chat conversation with Tuft & Needle. Not so sure…..it sounds like most of the mattress is polyurethane, and they don’t really want to disclose what else?

Now Chatting Want to chat with us? Ask your question below… →What exactly is your foam made from? Do your mattresses contain any flame retardants or other toxic materials? What certifications do you mattresses have? Thanks! Luis: Hi there! Luis: Give me a moment and I will gladly address all of your concerns! Luis: Our mattress is made out of 2 layers of polyurethane foam. Our top layer is a proprietary blend that we made called “Tuft & Needle Adaptive Foam”. Our mattress does not contain flame retardant solutions, instead, we use a fire sock, the fire barrier is rayon cellulose fiber blended with fine-grained sand and a small amount of polyester which, in combination, are inherently fire resistant. Our mattress is also certified by Certi-PUR US to be completely free from any harmful chemicals. →Do they contain any wool or latex, or what are the other components other than your foam? Luis: We do not use wool or latex. The only other component would be our adhesive that holds together the 2 layer of foam. It is made out of synthetic latex and H20. →Ok, thanks. Do they have any off gassing or smell? Luis: There is slight off-gassing – none of it is harmful what so ever and the VOC’s are very low. Luis: Goes away within a few days – if that. →Ok, what is the smell contributed to if it’s not harmful? Does the polyurethane smell strong? Luis: All organic compounds will off gas, which includes our mattress. We don’t have a formal ingredients list, but our mattress is tested by CertiPur to be free from harmful chemicals, PBDEs, heavy metals and formaldehyde. Luis: It does not have a strong smell. If you’re sensitive to smells, it may smell stronger but that would be the only off-case that would make it so. Personally, I barely noticed it when I got my T&N mattress. →Ok, thank you for the info. Luis: No problem. Is there anything else that I can assist you with today Luis: ? →I think that should do it, thanks! Luis: No problem, feel free to reach out if any other What are your thoughts? I think I’m leaning towards Brentwood Home now after my two chat conversations with these companies. I would love your opinion though!

Telina

Here is my chat from today with Brentwood Home. Sounds pretty good for the price point?
Now Chatting_
Amanda:
Thanks for stopping by! Can I help you with anything?

I’m trying to find a non toxic affordable twin mattress. Can you tell me what your mattresses are made from, certifications they have, and if they contain flame retardants? Amanda: Hi Telina! Our foams are CertiPUR-US certified meaning they are made without ozone depleters, PBDE flame retardants, formaldehyde, phthalates, mercury, lead, or other heavy metals. They also have low VOC emissions for indoor air quality (less than 0.5 ppm). Amanda: Our latex is certified by the Eco Institute to be 100% all natural Amanda: We also do not use any chemical flame retardants in any of our products Ok, thank you. Do you use wool to take place of all flame retardants then? Or what is used to replace them? How is the wool processed in your Bamboo Gel 7, and is the memory foam layer made from polyurethane? Amanda: Yes, we use natural wool as well as a rayon fiber infused with sand to make your mattress safe without the use of toxic fire retardant chemicals. Amanda: Our wool is natural and unprocessed Amanda: Yes, our foams are a synthetic material made of a polyurethane blend Ok, thank you. Are your mattresses all comparable as far as same (or lack of) toxins/chemicals go, or are some better than others? Amanda: The mattresses in our spring collection will be the most natural since they have the least amount synthetic material (foam). However, all of our products are made with the same high quality materials. Ok, good to know. Is there any off gassing or smell to them? Amanda: Though rare, there is a possibility that you may experience a smell which can be attributed to the packaging or oils from the natural wool. If this does occur, letting the mattress air for a couple of days will cause this to dissipate. Ok, thank you for answering my questions. I appreciate it. Amanda: Glad to help :) Have a wonderful day!

Telina Violette

Is Tuft and Needle’s mattress comparable or better than IKEA’s? Or how about Brentwood Home? My husband thinks it’s crazy to spend over $300 for a twin mattress for our two year old, so I need to find something in that price range ASAP. I know I can’t get the best, top of the line 100% organic for that price, but I’d like to still find something that has less chemicals & flame retardants than the typical big brand names. Any lower price recommendations?

Malina

Have you published a new 2016 guide ?
Any comments on 6" Habitat ?
Thankyou

CAT

Curious about Tuft & Needle. there is an article that claoms they are not off gassing mattresses yet the company website doesn’t seem to address that?

Mounika

Ya, really informative and quiet useful to make your decision easier if we know our need and basic requirement, based on that we could easily choose the mattress that we have to purchase. The best brands like Kurlon, Sleepwell, SpringAir in India has various options to offer and you can buy mattress online at myiconichome.com. these mattress supports in providing undisturbed pleasant sleep that worth buying online

Karl Shevick

Again John, as I have commented in more detail above, your statements regarding our company have been extremely misleading and contradictory. Many people in the comments section have noted that your statements about our products don’t really make any sense.

Our natural latex foam is Oeko-Tex Class 1 Certified. ( Certification # 15.HUS.60646) Our natural latex foam is ecoInstitut Certified. (Certification # 0215-33371-001) Our Mattresses and Mattress Toppers are Greenguard Gold certified. (Certification #’s 80102-410 and 80101-410) All of these certificates are in our own name and can be easily verified. These are certifications that are specifically strongly recommended in your own article. To recommend looking for these certifications but then suggest that the certificates are “weak at best” in reference to our products is contradictory and confusing. If you are looking for a complete GOTS certified organic mattress, I would agree that we are not the source at this time. We make no claim to be. I would point out, however, that other than Naturepedic, none of the companies you are recommending actually have a GOTS certification on any of their complete mattresses. While the GOLS certification has many problems and shortcomings, very few of the companies you are recommending actually have GOLS certificates in their own name. To strongly recommend companies despite the fact that they have no GOLS or GOTS certificate, but at the same time dismiss us because of it, really doesn’t make much sense. Karl Shevick Founder & CEO Sleep On Latex

Karl Shevick

John,

I responded to an earlier post, but I will respond again to this comment as I think it is extremely unfair and misleading. Again, I’m not sure I understand the criticism of us using the term “natural” in reference to our latex, when in your article, you yourselves recommend purchasing a mattress made with “natural” latex. Also, our description of natural latex foam is no different than any of the companies that you are recommending. I would absolutely agree with you that the word “natural” is thrown around way too much with little meaning. When it comes to latex, however, there are two distinct types of latex. Synthetic Latex is produced from petrochemicals. Natural Latex is harvested from rubber trees. We use only natural latex in our foam, we never use any blends of natural and synthetic latex. As with many of the other companies you recommend, we express that our mattresses are made with only natural latex. Despite your initial claim that we have no independent 3rd party certifications, here are the facts: Our natural latex foam is Oeko-Tex Class 1 Certified. Our natural latex foam is ecoInstitut Certified. Our Mattresses and Mattress Toppers are Greenguard Gold certified. All of these certifications are in our own name and can be verified these organization’s websites. These are certifications that are specifically strongly recommended in your own article. To recommend looking for these certifications but then suggest that the certificates are “somewhat dubious” in reference to our products is contradictory and confusing. The fact that these certificates say “natural latex foam”, does not mean that they are certifying the product as being “natural”, they are simply stating the material that is being certified. The certification body places this description on our certificates. We have no authority to dictate how these certificates are worded. I think you would find that other certificates contain the exact same language. This is not specific to us in any way. Natural latex foam is a different material than synthetic or blended latex foam, so I don’t see how this description is in any way misleading. All of these certifications are emissions certifications. We have never made any claim that they certify anything other than emissions. I appreciate that you are trying to provide good information on mattresses. I do, however, think your statements in the comments section about our products (and some products from other companies) have been extremely unfair and confusing. Many people are relying on you to provide accurate, unbiased information. What you have done in the comments section is basically classify any product that you did not initially endorse (and are not getting commission on) as being “sneaky stuff”, often with nonsensical justifications that contradict your own article. I would urge you to take a more measured and informed approach going forward. Karl Shevick Founder & CEO Sleep On Latex

Karl Shevick

John,

I just came across this article. While I appreciate you taking the time to put together this article and it contains some good information, I think the classification of our products as “Sneaky” is wildly inaccurate and misleading. I’m not sure I understand the criticism of us using the term “natural” in reference to our latex, when in your article, you yourselves recommend purchasing a mattress made with “natural” latex. Also, our description of natural latex foam is no different than any of the companies that you are recommending. I would absolutely agree with you that the word “natural” is thrown around way too much with little meaning. When it comes to latex, however, there are two distinct types of latex. Synthetic Latex is produced from petrochemicals. Natural Latex is harvested from rubber trees. We use only natural latex in our foam, we never use any blends of natural and synthetic latex. As with many of the other companies you recommend, we express that our mattresses are made with only natural latex. I’m not sure I understand why you are considering this a “sneaky” practice at all. I’m even more perplexed by the fact that you consider it “sneaky” when we do it, but are recommending several other companies that do the exact same thing. As Irene has pointed out, this is confusing and really doesn’t make any sense. Karl Shevick Founder & CEO Sleep On Latex

Danielle

Safe to assume microcoils in mattress should be avoided?

Thanks in advance!

Carrie

Hi there, Just wondering if you have heard of Bio Sleep and if you consider them safe?
https://www.wayfair.com/Bio-Sleep-Concept-Luxury-Natural-Wool-8-Foam-Core-Futon-Mattress-BSC-FUT11-0-BOSC1024.html?redir=BOSC1024

I noticed someone above had also asked but I didn’t see a reply. I’d love to know what you think before I make my purchase. Thank you! Carrie

Victoria

Hi, just was wondering which certification would be the best as far as a mattress protector/encasement? Green Guard Gold or Oeko-Tex? Thanks for your time.

John Goss

Therapedic has exactly zero independent 3rd party certifications. They make claims but unfortunately cannot back them up.

Feel free to contact me directly and I’ll help you find a truly nontoxic mattress that works for you. Best john@gimmethegoodstuff.com

John Goss

Hi Maria,
I get asked about Tuft and Needle a lot. For some good reasons we would not categorize them as “Good Stuff”.

John Goss

Hi Diana,
Unfortunately anything called “Memory Foam” is “Bad Stuff”, despite what the website might tell you.

Contact me directly at john@gimmethegoodstuff.com and I’ll help you find something.

Emma

I am also wondering what do you think about Obasan out of Canada ? Thanks.

Penny

I just see their top two layers are certified but the other layers are low VOC less than 0.5 ppm. I know ideal is none but is that actually very low? The price is one we can afford now compared to some of the other ones you recommended.

Penny

What are your thoughts on hula bed? I’m weary because it says 30% of foam is coconut based. What’s the rest? the website contains the oeko-tex certification.

diana

Is there any memory foam mattress out there that passes as “the good stuff”? I dumped my tempurpedic last year and been having back problems with the cotton and latex mattresses I’ve tried.

Dan

Hello,

I am an undergrad college student in search of an affordable and nontoxic mattress. I am curious as to what are your thoughts on “Bear Mattress” and “Helix Sleep mattress” Are they a safe product, or do you have any recommendations? My budget is under $1K. I am so overwhelmed with all of this research please help.

Jillian

I was wondering the same thing. I’m thinking about the WL futon for my almost two years old’s first bed in the near future and don’t know if it would hurt his development.

Alexandra

What are your thoughts on biosleep concept? They make all the beds to order and are based out of Portlan, Oregon. I included a link to their certification page: https://biosleepconcept.com/information/info-certificates.html

They seem to be Oeke-Tek 100 and GOTS certified on specific products.

Maria

Hi,
I am do glad I found this article.
Thank you so much for the valuable information.
Have you researched Turf and Needle?
There is a big buzz around it, and they claim to have a very safe mattress. Yet, their certification is not 100% reliable from what I learned from your site.
What is your opinion on this mattress?
Thank you

Holly

Thanks for such an amazing website that has done so much research! Ever since I had my little ones I’ve been trying to live a healthier lifestyle and been more cognizant of the materials we’ve been using. Now It’s time to get rid of our old tempurpedic mattress and we are looking for a new, healthier one, along with a big boy bed for our 2 year old! Unfortunately it’s been hard trying to find suppliers in Vancouver, Canada for the mattresses you have suggested. Ideally we would like to try it out first as well and would prefer not to spend an arm and a leg. Are there any Canadian brands you can recommend? Have you heard of Obasan/Sleeptek? Been checking out their website but the certification is to a company out in Sri Lanka that apparently provides the latex to several other companies. Would this be considered “sneaky stuff”? Thanks!

Kim

I’m so sorry, John that it took me so long to respond! I totally forgot I had posted here, and don’t know if any response came to my email. I did send you an email. I’m looking for king size.
Thank you!

Danica Gulyas

Hello! I have 2 organic naturepedic mattresses for our sons. I’m purchasing a mattress for my husband and I, expecting our 3rd, and am interested in any info on the therapedic puretouch sequoia mattress which seems to meet all the standards. Any info would be helpful! Thank you.

Josette

Had one other question. What do you think of Babyletto mattresses? This is another possibility on our list for the new baby.

Josette Baysdell

Savvy Rest has a wonderful latex topper that has made the regular mattress I sleep on when visiting my daughter’s home comfortable for me. I am very used to my organic latex bed at home. There is also a less expensive option made by Sleeponlatex, but it’s natural latex only, and not organic. I don’t know if this would decrease your exposure or not. I imagine some, as at least the topper would be between you and your mattress.

I ordered my original Savvy Rest with some trepidation, as I was also buying sight unseen. But their customer service was very good with helping me decide on how to custom build my mattress, and you can exchange a layer for a different softness level if you need to. I would not hesitate to purchase one of their mattresses. Good luck!

Josette Baysdell

Hi. I am very appreciative of the information provided here. My daughter is expecting her first in a few months. The most challenging thing for us to add to her registry has been a crib mattress. I have purchased Savvy Rest latex mattresses for ourselves, and I love them. I will never sleep on anything else. However, some of the research I have done on the mattress for the baby cautions about using any form of latex or wool due to possible allergic reactions. I am very hesitant to choose a mattress with these components for the little one. Have you run across any info about this? Some of the better mattress makers include latex in their mattresses. Thanks!

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