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
Kaelyn Tomaszewski
Hi! Has any research been done on Bear Mattress? https://www.bearmattress.com
They have all this technology I have never heard of, so I have no clue if it is legit or full of chemicals. Thank you, KaelynRoschele
My husband and I are in the market for a new, healthier mattress. However, we live in a rather rural area where there are no local organic mattress retailers close to us. I feel uncomfortable buying something such as this without being able to see it or feel it in person. I was wondering if it would benefit us to buy an organic mattress topper for our current possibly toxic bed which is over 9 years old. Would it alleviate any issues that our current bed may have (fumes, chemicals, etc?)
Any help or advise would be greatly appreciated!
Alexandra
What about buying a water bed as a solution?
klaudia
Hi!
Thanks for this. What do you guys think about “mygreenmatress”? the king is only $850 compared to these other prices. It is organic GOTS cotton woolMom
We bought a mattress from Vivetique last month. The worst experience ever. They sold us an expensive, double sided mattress, but delivered a cheap single-sided mattresses. We have yet to get a refund on the difference. The mattress and boxsprings we have received are deformed; the mattress is sagging in the center so all 108lbs of me keeps rolling into the center. I have to try to defy gravity during my sleep! The owner of the store, Steve, came out to take a look at the issue and said the boxsprings are uneven. This was over a week ago; we have yet to receive a new, non-defective boxspring. I have not had a good night’s sleep since we’ve owned the mattress. I wake up in the middle of the night in pain, and cannot fall back asleep. I wake up with lower back pain :(
Kenny
Hello,
I really enjoyed reading your articles regarding mattresses. My wife and I are looking to buy mattresses for our children as they transition out of cribs, but I had a few questions for you before we pull the trigger. I was reading about the White Lotus mattresses where your article says “Bad Stuff about Whit Lotus†from the article at:
https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__gimmethegoodstuff.com_safe-2Dproduct-2Dguides_mattresses_&d=DQICAg&c=zJTPELHN9m06lkJo8AwFVluD1VXOIffYvkz692hAL2E&r=4DI4E55Hgdnvkccwffwnuu5WvQwHh7mqv6QW8AXVJZg&m=P_d7PBNJa2Agjmnt60SVeUXqdP2WSQ0tmXoDi1h-XzM&s=l37if-xBGDai2YTXcHQVb2AxPTQ2L-ElqpWoRLjcuPQ&e
I noticed that you mention to avoid the evergreen foam and some organic cottons due to boric acid for obvious reasons., but also noticed that the article says, “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, foam, and other synthetics.†Does this mean that the Organic Cotton & Wool Dreamton Mattress has possible unsafe ingredients that you guys noticed, and that is why it is not in your online store? I looked at their website & couldn’t seem to find any for myself, but was not sure. I noticed that your online store does have the Green Cotton & Wool Dreamton Mattress on it but not the Organic version as I mentioned. After reading the background info on their materials for both, I figured the Organic one would be a “healthier†choice between the two, but wanted to make sure I didn’t miss anything after not seeing it on your online store. Please let me know. Thank you so much
John Goss
Hi Fionnuala,
From my perspective they are like many other manufacturers that make claims they cannot back up. If knowing that your mattress is truly nontoxic you need to see their certifications, and even then you need to know what to look for. I would take a 2nd look at Soaring heart. They also sometimes have a sale on showroom pieces. I look at costs like this: A good mattress, when properly cared for, should last about 20 years (often more). If the mattress costs, say $3000, this means that you will pay: $150 per year, or about $12.50per month or about $2.89 per week or about 41 cents per day In the bigger scope of life’s expenditures, 41 cents per day starts seeming like a bargain for an item that can have such a profound impact on your health and well-being. The good news is that an investment in a nontoxic mattress also casts off health rewards that can save quite a lot over time. The toxins contained in most mattresses can cause or trigger all sorts of not-so-fun health problems, and even small health problems typically costs far more than $150/year. Let me know if I can further help. Best, JohnI took a look around the websites of both Botanicore and Bedrooms & More. Neither indicates that their latex are certified by any independent 3rd party certifier. GOLS is the best of those but they seem to have none.
Fionnuala
Hi,
Thank you for all the great information. I am looking to buy latex twin and king mattresses. I live in Seattle and have checked out Soaring Heart but still grappling with the cost. There is another independent mattress store – Bedrooms & More – that sells latex mattress made of Botanicore (6†Botanical Latex 100% Botanical (Tree Rubber) Latex by Botanicoreâ„¢ Extra Firm 95 kg/m3). Quilt layers — Joma Wook Pad and Fabric Cover —Certified Organic Cotton (Knit)(G.O.T.S. – Global Orangic Textile Standard).
Any information on “Botanicore”? Sneaky stuff?
Appreciate your insights!
John Goss
Here’s the deal with CertiPur:
The Alliance for Flexible Polyurethane Foam (AFPF) is a not-for-profit company responsible for registering and maintaining the activities of CertiPUR-US. Much of the funding for CertiPUR-US is provided by the very same chemical companies that want to convince the public that their chemicals are safe enough to be considered healthy. Just to name a few of their sponsors and monetary supporters: – Dow Chemical – Polyurethane Chemicals Manufacturer and platinum sponsor – ICL Industrial Products – Chemical Fire Retardant Manufacturer “monetary support†Even one of the elected CertiPUR-US board of directors comes straight from the chemical and foam companies. CertiPUR-US claim all products that are certified have undergone a vigorously regulated process performed by independent labs, therefore the certified product must be considered healthy. But, how true is this? We stacked up the CertiPUR-US standard next to the GreenGuard Gold standard. GreenGuard Gold certification ensures that a product has met some of the world’s most rigorous and comprehensive standards for low emissions of VOCs into indoor air. Here is what we found: Chemical Name CertiPUR-US [µg/m3] GreenGuard GOLD [µg/m3] TVOC 500 200 Formaldehyde 100 9 Benzene 500 16 Toluene 500 150 It is clear that the key VOCs that concern the public are not minimized. One of the main VOCs being discussed today is formaldehyde. In fact, CertiPUR-US will allow more than 10x the amount of formaldehyde compared to other standards. Sure, CertiPUR-US standard may be trying to do what they can to minimize the number of harsh VOCs that emit from polyurethane foam and perhaps a step in the right direction. But I believe that this standard is simply not trying hard enough. This is one of many reasons that Tuft and Needle does not make the cut. Feel free to contact me directly and I’ll help you find what you are looking for. john@gimmethegoodstuff.comCertiPUR-US was conceived by the Polyurethane Foam Association (PFA) – its members are chemical companies and foam fabricators.
John Goss
Hi Cathryn,
https://gimmethegoodstuff.com/store/naturepedic-organic-cotton-ultra-252-crib-mattress/ https://gimmethegoodstuff.com/store/soaring-heart-organic-latex-crib-mattress/ https://gimmethegoodstuff.com/store/white-lotus-cotton-toddler-mattress/ Feel free to contact me directly at john@gimmethegoodstuff.comYes we’ve looked at Purest before. Unfortunately they do not make the cut. :(
Our favorites include:
Carly
Hi Maia! Thank you for your very informative post! I was wondering if you have researched the mattress brand Tuft & Needle at all? While there mattress is primarily made out of polyurethane foam it is CertiPUR-US certified which they claim is a third party certification. They claim that CertiPUR-US, “they have certified our foam to be free from known harmful chemicals and carcinogens, PBDEs, heavy metals, phthalates, and formaldehyde.” So it seems like a pretty safe option to me but what is your opinion?
Thank you Maia! I really appreciate it!
Sincerely,
Carly
Cathryn Cormack
Hello, any experience with pure rest mattresses—http://www.purerest.com/? Looking at the toddler mattress. Thanks, Cathryn
John Goss
Hi Dana,
We have gotten to know the folks at White Lotus quite well. We’ve had this discussion face to face with the owner. The bottom line is that we feel that their (non-organic) cotton and wool mattresses/futons are about as nontoxic as they can be. Technically they are indeed not certified and no we have not personally visited the farms and ranches where these materials are grown and processed…but the owner of White Lotus has, and based upon his experience and descriptions it seems that we can be reasonably assured that these products are relatively chemical-free. But of course the devil is in the details. We offer these on our site because we understand that the cost of fully certified mattresses can exceed some folks budget, and we’d like to be able to help them find the next best thing. Having said all of that, we might have some creative ideas of how to reduce costs and still get a high quality, fully certified product. Why don’t you email me directly at: john@gimmethegoodstuff.com and e can discuss it further. I look forward to helping you get the best mattress at the best price. Best, JohnYou’ve asked a really great question and this subject is one that we wrestle with a lot! In fact we are in the middle of revamping the way we classify mattresses because they are a particularly difficult product to evaluate.
John Goss
Hi Kim,
Memory foams are indeed bad and intellibed is not really in the “nontoxic” business…and yes they don’t enjoy particularly good reviews. Two of our suppliers have made custom mattresses for our clients in the past. Wool is typically used as a flame retardant. It replaces all that nasty chemistry found in the typical mattress. As you probably already know, you can only buy a mattress that will not pass the flame test if you have a doctor’s note or prescription, (what are we…3rd graders?). I’ll assume that you’d be able to get such a prescription. I’d be happy to go to my suppliers and find out what it would cost to have them make you a mattress using only certified organic cotton. This would bypass the toxic foams and wool and latex. What size mattress are you looking for? We can keep communicating in this forum and others might benefit from your experience, or for a bit more privacy you can email me directly at: john@gimmethegoodstuff.com I know they can make you the mattress and I’ll have several more questions for you before you order but let’s first see what it might cost. I am quite sure we can help you solve your dilemma. Best, JohnI’m so sorry that you are having trouble finding the right mattress. Yikes! Perhaps I can help.
Dana
This is such a useful post – thank you!
We are also looking for an affordable new twin mattress for our toddler to move onto from her crib. We would like to NOT spend a fortune, and through your website & online store I discovered the White Lotus mattresses, including the competitively priced Green Cotton & Wool Dreamton Mattress. However, the cotton and wool in this mattress are not organic (their organic mattresses are much more expensive). You have listed it as good stuff regardless, so I was wondering about your thoughts in recommending this non-organic product. White Lotus states that their cotton is washed and they haven’t added any chemicals to it, ditto with their “virgin” wool. I have read on other websites that non-organic wool in particular can have chemicals in it from medical treatments/dips that the sheep receive. Is organic a concern for these pre-washed, non-treated cotton/wool products, or does it really not make that much of a difference? Thanks!Kim Rosso
Hello. Here’s my dilemma: I’m allergic to wool and latex. I’m also HIGHLY chemical sensitive. Found out the hard way when I had a bad reaction to memory foam. I hated giving up the memory foams because it did help with my joint problems. The only bed I’ve found that may be a possibility for me is Intellibed. However, I’ve read way too many bad reviews about these beds and the customer service, so I wouldn’t want to risk that type of investment. Are there any other non-toxic beds out there that don’t contain any of the above mentioned materials? Please help!
Virginia Coulter
Yes, I am confused by this above comment on my green mattress. Under the FAQ section they show the certifications. I am trying to wade through all this info and want a latex with spring support mattress for an adult which can be quite pricey! Seems my green mattress has the right price point for me! Now have to convince my husband to throw caution to the wind and buy a mattress online instead of going to try it out.
John Goss
Hi Ashleigh,
Best,Please see the email I sent directly to you.
John Goss
Hi Tish,
The closest thing I’d recommend would be: https://gimmethegoodstuff.com/store/soaring-heart-organic-cotton-and-wool-shikibuton/ or https://gimmethegoodstuff.com/store/white-lotus-green-cotton-wool-dreamton-futon/ I realize that these are not in the price range you mentioned but they are good futons and will last throughout their time at home and may even go off to college with them. Assuming it lasts 20 years it works out to just pennies per day. Most folks pay a lot more than that for just coffee. Does this help? Best,It’s an unfortunate fact that truly nontoxic mattresses are not the cheapest option.
Tish Madej
I am looking to buy my sons first big boy bed mattress and we were about to buy a Sealy from Costco bc it was a good price. Then I started to do some research and found your site. We have been cosleeping since he was born so I feel bad now knowing he has slept on our non-certified unnatural bed. Unfortunately there is no way we can afford a 100% natural latex, organic cotton, no springs bed as I would like, but would like some suggestions if possible. Our budget is rather low so it may not even be possible. Having springs with pillow top may be our only choice on a budget of less than $300 for a twin size. Any pointers? Thanks so much!
ashleigh phillips
Hi. I am very overwhelmed. I am looking for my two year olds big boy bed mattress and do not know what to do. If I could afford to spend $2000 for his full mattress, I would, but I can’t. I was looking at Naturapedic but it has springs, and thats bad, right? Also, I know people say those are not comfortable. Do you have any suggestions of what to buy?
Ashley
I looked into a lot of beds, using this blog page as a starting point, and I ended up buying a CozyPure mattress. Here’s all their info in one place, it looks pretty good to me, they explain which certification applies to what:
I originally wanted an organic bed, but after talking to them on the phone, I ended up buying what they call a natural latex mattress (they do have certified organic mattresses available). They explained that all the latex was harvested from one large farm in Sri Lanka, but only part of the farm had gone through the certification process to be called organic, although they use the same natural techniques across the whole farm. I felt comfortable with buying the “natural,” not-certified-organic bed in this case, since I understand the circumstances and origin. It’s basically that they’re using organic techniques, but haven’t been certified. All certified organic items are first organic for years without certification, and have to pay to go through the process to get certified.http://www.cozypure.com/certificates-and-memberships
Irene
Hi John. I’m confused. Their website says “natural 100% latex” which is what we are told to look for just above.
Nikki
I have been researching for a year and I am pretty sure Cozy Pure is what I will buy. They have been in business for 20 years. It’s owned by a woman. It’s local to me in VA. I live three hours from their store and finally got down there a few weeks ago and was impressed.
Today I was researching Essentia but I am not sold on them! Plus they are Canadian!
Until my husband gives me the green light to buy it, I will co tinue to research…. but I haven’t found a better product/deal than Cozy Pure!
John
Hi Laura,
The sooner you return your (2nd) Loom & Leaf mattress the sooner you’ll get the toxins out of your house. There are only 4 or 5 North American manufacturers who make properly certified nontoxic mattresses. It usually takes 30ish days to receive your mattress because they are made to order, not sitting on a warehouse shelf. I’ll be happy to help you find the right mattress and understand the difference between false claims and valid ones. Please contact me directly. john@gimmethegoodstuff.comI’m so sorry you’ve had to find out the hard way that Loom & Leaf, like the vast majority of manufacturers who make lots of claims, is in fact selling toxic products…despite what they say. Unfortunately Zenhaven is another that seems to do the same thing. Zenhaven is owned by Saatva (along with several other sub-labels). All qualify as “Sneaky Stuff”. There’s talk in Washington of modifying our “Truth in Advertising†laws to address this very problem.
John
John here…
If you want to know the specifics and are interested in a nontoxic mattress that carries only the highest certifications, feel free to contact me directly and I’ll help guide you. John@gimmethegoodstuff.com Best, JohnJust to set things straight…
Bedandwood makes claims about “GOLS Certified” while, from all I can see, Bedandwood is, in fact, not GOLS certified.
This is a common tactic used by the overwhelming majority of mattress manufacturers…and sadly, it’s legal..for now, (there’s talk of modifying our “Truth in Advertising” laws to address this very problem). There is an overwhelming amount of deceptive marketing in the mattress industry.
If they do not have a signed GOLS certificate issued to their exact name (in this instance, Bedandwood), then any claims to “Organic” “GOLS Certified” are worthless.
Our research tells us that there is only a very small handful (5 or so) of North American manufacturers who are actually GOLS Certified.
Laura
I’m also curious about Zenhaven. I recently bought a Loom & Leaf, and am very early in the trial period. The first one had serious strong off-gassing, which made me feel sick, so they offered to replace it right away. The second one was delivered yesterday, and it has the same smell and affect on my breathing. I know I’ll have to go with a different mattress, so am trying to research quickly, so that I can get one ASAP.
I’ve been looking at the Zenhaven, as it claims to be natural and “green”. Anyone have feedback on that brand? $2000 is the upper limit of what I want to spend, but I don’t know that I’ll find something in that range.
Louise
Hi, John -
I’m looking into these myself and not sure why you would say that. It seems that while their wool has no certifications, their Latex is Okeo Tex 100 certified and their Cotton is GOTS certified. For half the price of some of the mattresses that you guys endorse here, that seems like a really great option for families who can’t shell out $2,000 for a new bed.Shannon
Any thoughts on the Zenhaven latex mattress by Saatva?
Allen Jack
Quality refers to how well a mattress keeps the sleeper’s whole body on a flat and level plane how comfort it is. A safe mattress is always qualitative and free from toxic or other bad chemicals. Health and comfort both are taken in to consideration when we talk about a good sleep, health and mattress. The natural one is always appreciable. Explore bedandwood to know more details.
John Goss
Hi Stephen,
Best, JohnIn my opinion, this is a great nontoxic mattress protector…
https://gimmethegoodstuff.com/store/naturepedic-organic-cotton-waterproof-protector-pads/
john Goss
Hi Joan,
There is a lot of deceptive marketing in the mattress world and it is not illegal to throw around terms like “natural”, “green” and even “organic” without actually having to prove it. The terms “natural” and "green have no legal meaning. They are used to lure folks in. Don’t fall for it! I’ll be happy to help you find a truly nontoxic mattress. john@gimmethegoodstuff.comSwiss Dream appears to have exactly zero certifications. Certifications are how you and I can know if their products are as they claim they are.
john Goss
Hello.
You won’t be disappointed! Best, JohnJohn here…
We love the Soaring Heart latex crib mattress. It is latex meets all the criteria for a crib mattress. Latex can be had in many different densities, from super-firm to super squishy. This means that manufacturers can make exactly what is needed. Without a doubt, Soaring Heart knows what they are doing. They’ve been in the nontoxic mattress business for over 35 years.
https://gimmethegoodstuff.com/store/soaring-heart-organic-latex-crib-mattress/
john Goss
Hi Kathy and Christie,
The following is an excerpt from a blog I am writing regarding the price of a good mattress… “A good mattress, when properly cared for, should last about 20 years (often more). If this mattress costs, say $3000, this means that you will pay: $150 per year, or about $12.50per month or about $2.89 per week or about 41 cents per day In the bigger scope of life’s expenditures, 41 cents per day starts seeming like a bargain for an item that can have such a profound impact on your health and well-being. The good news is that an investment in a nontoxic mattress also casts off health rewards that can save quite a lot over time. The toxins contained in most mattresses can cause or trigger all sorts of not-so-fun health problems, and even small health problems typically costs far more than $150/year." I’ll be happy to help you find the best value in a truly nontoxic mattress…and it probably will cost you fewer than 41 cents per day!! I’ll be happy to help you find a truly nontoxic mattress. What size are you looking for? Feel free to contact me directly at john@gimmethegoodstuff.com Best, JohnJohn here…
You are correct…they have no meaningful certifications. Their thing is “cheap” not nontoxic.
john Goss
Hi Louise,
This makes a tremendous difference in whether the product they sell actually meets the GOLS standards or not. From our point of view, any certificate that is not issued to the exact entity that makes/sells the mattress is essentially worthless. It is, however, a great marketing tool used by scores of manufacturers to lure in folks like you and me who are looking for a truly nontoxic mattress. The shame is that many folks fall for this and end up sleeping on a mattress that is not what they think it is. I’ll be happy to help you find a truly nontoxic mattress. What size are you looking for? Feel free to contact me directly at john@gimmethegoodstuff.com Best, JohnJohn here…
Unfortunately MFC is running the same deceptive marketing that many others also run. They claim GOLS certification but upon examining that certificate we find that it is not issued to MFC but rather to an entity in India.
Joan
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. What do you know about Swiss dream Beds and their organic Dunlop and Talalay latex?
Jill
Did you ever get a reply??? I’m wondering the same thing. Did you end up buying the Sleep on Latex?
Jill
John,
Looking for an affordable healthy mattress is daunting to say the least. Sleep on Latex has certifications listed on their website, are you saying that is not accurate? I’m confused. Please elaborate. If it is not certified, please point me in the direction of a King mattress less than $1800 if possible. I prefer a regular bed, rather than a futon. Thank you, JillJill
John,
Looking for an affordable healthy mattress is daunting to say the least. Sleep on Latex has certifications listed on their website, are you saying that is not accurate? I’m confused. Please elaborate. If it is not certified, please point me in the direction of a King mattress less than $1800 if possible. Thank you, JillStephen Wilson
What do you recommend as a mattress protector? I’m looking at the aller-ease, they have an organic line, but i’m not too sure. They use polyurethane as the water barrier.
SWatson
Hi I love your website – it’s so helpful! Have you been able to get any additional information about Nook Pebble mattresses? I am having a baby soon and trying to decide on a Nook or one of the latex crib mattresses listed under good stuff. Do you know if the latex crib mattresses are firm enough for a newborn? Thank you!!
John Goss
Hi Tom,
Years ago Ikea made claims about removing the flame retardants in their mattresses. This sounded great to us but we knew that they still had to meet the standards set by law. We called them repeatedly, asking what they were using instead of TRIS (and similar harmful chemistry). In the end they told us that it was a “trade secret” that they would not reveal. As you might guess, this answer did not inspire us to qualify them as “Good Stuff”. Debra’s blog post was written 2 years ago. Because Ikea is constantly changing, it is hard to say what their mattresses are currently using as a flame retardant. Their language is always vague and, to my ears, a bit misleading…and flame retardants are not the only toxic part of a mattress. For instance, the Morgongava you are considering includes the following description: “- Comfort zones give very precise support and relieve pressure on your shoulders and hips. - A generous layer of soft filling adds support and comfort." In order to create “zones” in a mattress you need to be using more than one type of material…and those various materials need to be bonded together with something. Ikea fails to say what those materials are, and they also fail to say what sort of glues are used. They also fail to tell us what their cover is made from, and if it has TRIS or not. They go on to mention “soft filling”. I wonder what that is? They don’t say. They also use the term “natural latex”. First, there is no legal definition of the word “natural”. Almost anything can legally be claimed as “natural”. Yes, all latex is “natural”. This does not mean it is nontoxic. Lots of manufacturers us that word. It is often part of a very deceptive marketing plan meant to lure folks who desire a nontoxic mattress. Ikea makes no mention of being nontoxic…that I can see. That is just not their thing. Generally speaking, Ikea is about integrative design and price. I can find no independent 3rd party certifications at all. The sad fact is that you will be hard pressed to find a truly nontoxic mattress for $1000…but there are certainly ways to keep costs down. I you are serious about finding a truly nontoxic mattress, feel free to contact me directly at john@gimmethegoodstuff.com I’ll be happy to help you cut through the weeds.We read Debra’s blog and usually agree with her analysis, (not always!).
Tom
specifically the MORGONGÃ…VA model.
Tom
Greetings,
Thank for sharing this knowledge and research about the mattresses. It has been very helpful.
We are looking for an affordable mattress but also one that is safe. We googled information about IKEA and found that there were some models (1 discontinued) that seem to be matching the standards you warn us of. This is the article that I am basing that off of. Is this correct? http://www.debralynndadd.com/q-a/ikea-and-flame-retardants/
Jodie Brennock
It’s a graco pack and play, so I’m guessing most portable crib mattresses would fit in there, but most companies don’t make portable mattresses:(
John Goss
Hi Jodie,
Best, JohnI’d need to know exactly which portable crib you are discussing.
John Goss
Hi Jane,
Their site says…“Mattress manufacturers are not required to disclose all the harmful materials for example like F/R fiber, type of glue or foam contents.” This is partly true, and Jazvin, being a mattress manufacturer, may also be playing the same game! They also claim…“The Jazvin Natural Organic Sleep Surface promotes a healthy night sleep by eliminating harmful fire retardant materials…” Yet they do not tell us exactly what they do use to achieve the level of flame resistance required by law. This is a common ploy used by many mattress companies. Many of them claim that their formulas are trade secrets and therefore they won’t disclose. That does not cut it as far as I’m concerned. By far, the biggest concern is the “Poly Foam”. That stuff is bad news. To us, the Certipur endorsement is essentially worthless because… “CertiPUR-US was conceived by the Polyurethane Foam Association (PFA) – its members are chemical companies and foam fabricators. The Alliance for Flexible Polyurethane Foam (AFPF) is a not-for-profit company responsible for registering and maintaining the activities of CertiPUR-US. Much of the funding for CertiPUR-US is provided by the very same chemical companies that want to convince the public that their chemicals are safe enough to be considered healthy." Asking Certipur to certify poly foam products is like asking the fox to guard the henhouse. Finally, they say they use “Natural Latex”. There’s that word “natural” again. It is a very effective marketing tool, but it is essentially meaningless. Unfortunately Jazvin would likely fall into our “sneaky stuff” classification. Feel free to contact me directly about any future mattress purchases. I’m glad to help. Best, JohnI went to the Jazvin website to see what I could about their products. They use the words “natural” and “organic” quite a bit. They do not, however show any of the certificates that are needed to prove these claims. That is a big red flag.
Also, the term “natural” has no legal meaning. Almost anything can be called “natural”.
Jodie
Hi! I have a naturepedic crib mattress but I recently got a pack and play and wondered what your thoughts are on portable crib mattresses?(I’m of course going to ditch the original mattress in this!) The naturepedic one got bad reviews because it isn’t firm enough:( thanks so much!!! Love you guys!
Jane
I purchased a Jazvin mattress recently and was considering buying one for my adult son because we like ours so much and it was very reasonable at around $1000, currently on sale for $900 for a queen size. My concern is the certi-PUR certification for it’s poly base foam. Until reading this information on your site, I assumed it was reliable. I left a message for them asking if their foam had any polyurethane in it, as you pointed out that many times that is the case with that certification but now having just read more carefully it is a poly based foam which I assume means polyurethane. The other materials are organic cotton, natural wool and natural latex. I was wondering if you have heard of Jazvin and/or have done any research on this company? Any information is appreciated as it is definitely an affordable option for organic mattresses.
How harmful is the poly base foam considering all the other materials are on top of that closer to your sleeping surface area? Thank you!
Kate
I’m wondering the same thing. I bought a Naturepedic for my first and am wondering if Lullaby Earth for my second is safe as well!