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.

Group Icon

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.)

Buy from Amazon Buy from Happsy
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!

Buy from Amazon Buy from Naturepedic
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.

Buy from Obasan
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.

Buy from Bella Sera
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.

Buy from Cozy Pure
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.

Buy from Amazon Buy from Eco Terra
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.

Buy from Plush Beds
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.

Buy from Amazon Buy from Awara
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).

Buy from Amazon Buy from Brooklyn Bedding
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.

Buy from coco-Mat
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.

Buy from Amazon Buy from Essentia
Essentia

SleepOnLatex

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

Buy from sleeponlatex
SleepOnLatex

Tuft & Needle

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

Buy from Amazon Buy from Tuft & Needle
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,
Author's Signature

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! 

Tags:Furniture & Decor, Home & Kitchen

929 comments

steve

I am drawn to Saatva because of the organic cotton cover and the fact they are known to give off no odors and I have MCS. They have very little foam in them.
I am leery of latex due to the smell

Emily

How do you feel about the awara mattress? I am thinking about getting it.

April Ciervo

Has anyone found a good thin mattress? I need one that’s only 6"-7" inches for the top bunks in our room (for safety). Most of these certified ones are more than 8. I’d love some help! If I have to resort to the Modway Avenline one from Amazon with CertiPUR-US Certified Foam, would you get an organic topper to create a layer between mattress and the kids?

Cassy

How do you feel about Latex for Less? They seem to have some good certifications.

Brittny

Have you reviewed the Montana futon company called Small Wonders? Would they make it on your Best Stuff list?

Thanks for your time and all you do

Cinthya

You used to have Lifekind mattresses on here (I bought one after reading about it here), but it’s no longer on the list. How come?

Vanessa

We’ve been being more health and eco conscious with our purchases. So when it was time to buy a new mattress, we referred to your mattress guide since the choices can be overwhelming. We first bought from EcoTerra. Before buying, I reached out to customer service to make sure we were getting a good fit for our needs. I ordered what was recommended thinking a medium mattress would be somewhere in between soft and firm. It was not. The mattress was thin, super soft, and we rolled off the edge of we got to close. We spent 3 nights on that mattress before bringing our old one back into our room. Each night I slept on it I was in more physical pain: headaches, back ache, neck pain. Any part of my body that touched the mattress was in pain. When I called customer service to discuss my experience, they were rude and said “what did you expect, you ordered a medium mattress and you got soft.” The return policy is 90 days from purchase, but if you return it before 30 days there is a charge. I tried reaching out to a manager thinking that perhaps I just got someone on a bad day, everyone was rude. The manager I spoke to didn’t answer any of my questions, just kept repeating the policy and said there is an adjustment period for any Mattress. When I asked if pain was part of the adjustment, she said yes. When our 30 days was up, I called again and got the same manager. When I said I wanted to return the mattress she kept offering me everything but the opportunity to return it and got short when I kept repeating that I wanted to return the mattress. The mattress was picked up by a 3rd party company. They said they’ve been collecting lots of these mattresses and that everyone has the same complaints about it being an awful mattress that causes pain. Unfortunately there is no place to file a complaint and the website only posts positive reviews.
I hope you consider removing them from the list
We went back to the list and went with a plush bed. The customer service is great, the bed is so comfortable and well made and mattress purchases comes with free stuff. We were super happy with our overall experience and purchase from plush beds

Stephanie

What about Birch mattresses? I don’t see this listed. Thanks so much!

Lauren

Hi! I have a Brentwood Home mattress right now, I do not see this company anywhere on your list. I’m sure it’s “sneaky” which is upsetting because I tried so hard trying to find a nontoxic mattress since my room is right next to my son’s. I’m about to get rid of it after only a year and a half. I emailed them about the strong odor after it arrived. They assured me it was nontoxic and gave a list. I should have listened to my gut I’m sure. Out of your top/best list, which is the most comfortable? I have back issues and the one I have now is making them worse. I laid on my friends nectar and almost thought about getting one (suuuuper comfy), but I was sad to see it isn’t a good one toxic wise. I read where you guys use a topper.. is that because it’s not very comfortable? I don’t want to spend 3k on a mattress and it not be comfortable.

Thanks!!

Yvette Melton

Thank you for the post. Although I cannot prove it I believe I started having issues with my mattress purchase 2 years ago. I have been sleeping on the couch and am ready to find a healthy sleeping environment. I would have pulled the plug on PlushBeds but I did not like the terms of their trial period. It doesn’t make sense to gift a mattress protector that you can’t use because if you use the required 30 days and want to return it has to returned new in package. Also, if returned which I doubt would happen I would have to find a way to box it. I will take a serious look at your other much appreciated suggestions. Thank you again.

Bea

Anyone have info on the Ecocloud mattress by Winkbeds?

Bea

Google fiberglass coming out of these beds, that is what turned me off from buying one.

Sarah Duke

Oh, I was going to buy Layla because of this review https://wisepick.org/best-mattress-under-1000/ Thank God I found your site. Going to order Plush Beds one. I will write feedback after I got it!

Mel

What do you think about the Zinus Green Tea 12-inch Memory Foam Mattress? A relative just gave us one they’re not using anymore, it’s about 3 years old, barely used. It looks like the mattress is polyurethane foam, which I’m a little nervous about. It has the CertiPur certificate, which I see means little. I’m a little concerned about the glass fiber in the mattress cover (I think this acts as a fire sock). I didn’t think to look into what the mattress was made of until we accepted it and already gave away our old one. We have a baby and preschooler and they both end up in our bed a lot of the time. I have a naturepedic crib mattress for the baby. I’m wondering if it would be okay for us to sleep on this Zinus mattress for a few years or if this is something I really need to look at replacing much sooner.

GracieGra

Have you done any research on 5 little monkeys sleep system? I’m SAHM with 3.5 and 5.5 year old about to purchase twin/full mattresses for their new bunk bed. HELP! I’m going nuts.

Hansani

Tuft & Needle’s website mentions that they are GREENGUARD Gold certified. What are your thoughts?

Clau

Hi,

I have a question about boric acid. When a mattress is treated with boric acid and you cover it with a non toxic mattress protector, will you protect yourself from inhaling this boric acid? I look forward to your response as I was not able to find any information on the net about it. Thanks for putting together this information, and thanks for your sharing your research!

Wanda

Hello Maia-
I so appreciated all your “research” & info re the good & bad in mattresses. Thank you! Following close to 2 weeks of my researching any info I could find online, including yours, I was very close to placing an order. I actually had a Queen sized mattress in the “Shopping Cart” on Plushbeds site. At that point, I was quite exhausted & something kept “nagging” at me, keeping me from hitting the “checkout” key. Then, off of their site, I googled “reviews” on them. Up came Consumer Affairs site, with many astounding reviews, sharing what so many customers had gone through over the past few years. Very stressful, almost “horror” stories! I’m not well, but struggle with chronic pain and need to keep my stress at a minimum. After reading all those “honest” reviews, I quickly deleted my selection and got off the PlushBeds site. Before that, when I kept going back over their various Certifications, I noticed they seemed to be under different names, but had PushBeds stamped across them. I was so excited that this company was offering a “SALE” but quickly learned (just checked it again myself on their site), the use a ton of false advertising. It’s not really a sale; all they do is keep changing the date! Also, so many reviewers revealed that the “Free” sheets, pillows & cover came without legitimate tags on them. These customers went through so much stress & turmoil with this company! They found the same pillows, etc., for sale on Amazon (made in China) for a much lesser price. PLUS, you cannot even open the “Free” items because then you cannot return them. You HAVE to keep the Mattress for at least 30 days, return fees are involved, etc., etc.
Please tell me, would YOU want to take the chance of going through all this by placing an order with this company?
I just want & need a truly “healthy” mattress (cannot afford thousands of dollars), now I’m starting over with all the research, etc. I’m just not sure where to turn at this point.
Thank you very much for reading this long message. I was so impressed with your writing and wanted to get your thoughts on all this.
Thank you again, and please stay safe during this very difficult time in our Country!

Grace

Curious your thoughts on Brentwood homes juniper mattress?

tony

what do you think about “Brentwood” They have a mattress called “Cedar” that seems to be fairly certified. GOLS GOTS greenguard gold, etc.

Megan

Hello- I’ve been looking at PranaSleep – which has an organic line using 100% natural latex and organic cotton. I have asked for their certifications and cannot find any on their website. Do you have certification info for this company? Thank you!!

Michelle Davidson

I am looking at a Joybed right now as we are searching for a new bed. The price is similar to My Green Mattress, but it is coil spring with wool and cotton. Have you seen this brand?

Tamara

Hi Gwen,

Have you looked at Obasan? Their organic mattresses are made in Canada. I have one and couldn’t be happier with it.

Marmaduke

I would like to see a comment on this from the Maia as well, since I am considering SleepEz and would like her take.

I am a little skeptical of SleepEz at this point—their sales associates really seem as if they don’t understand the products. For example: Three weeks ago, I called the company to ask from where they sourced their latex. I mentioned that I currently have a Savvy Rest, and have been happy with it, but am looking for a new mattress for my bedroom, and the SavvyRest will go into the guest room. The gentleman on the line immediately said, “We source our latex from the exact same company that Savvy Rest does, so if you like your Savvy Rest, you’ll like our mattress.” I called Savvy Rest, and discovered that they source their latex from Radium Foam from the Netherlands. The Savvy Rest rep told me they used to get their latex from Latex International ,but that company had horrible distribution issues and filed for bankruptcy. I then returned to SleepEz’s website and read: “We source our latex from the top 4 global latex suppliers who we have worked with for decades. Our close relationships mean we get the best latex at the best price, and pass along the savings to you.” Huh? Four suppliers? Why four? Who are they? I thought SleepEx sources from the same folks as SavvyRest—which only uses ONE supplier. I emailed the company to find out. This time, the gentleman who responded told me they source their latex from both Radium and Talalay Global. When I asked how I would know which source my latex came from, should I order a bed, he said, “Well, right now we’re out of Radium, so you would get a Latex International mattress.” I asked about Latex International going bankrupt, and he quoted a website called the “Mattress Underground” that indicates Latex International is now Talalay Global. (Why would he need to quote an external website? Shouldn’t HE know that info?) A few days later I had other questions, so I emailed SleepEz to ask about the composition of the their talalay. (Talalay isn’t organic, and in their process, they need to add some other element such as clay.) I asked, "What is the percentage breakdown of your blended talalay? In other words, what percentage is natural latex and what percentage is fillers? His response: “Their (Talalay Global’s) ration of man-made rubber to natural rubber is 30% natural rubber and 70% man-made rubber. The finished product ends up consisting of 98% rubber, with the remaining 2% of ingredients being things like natural fatty acids, natural soaps, and natural reinforcing agents needed for manufacturing.” Their products have multiple certifications, which you can read here: https://sleepez.com/pages/sleep-ez-latex-mattress-certifications/ Although their customer service seems to be exceptional, I am still just a little uneasy about the company. Maybe it’s nothing, but the whole confusion over their suppliers left me hesitant. No one ever did tell me who all four suppliers are—only two.

Gwen

Hi,

I live in Canada, so it’s nearly impossible to get these mattresses. Either I have to pay exorbitant duty and don’t get the option to test it. Or I have to pay the duty, test it and the lose the 100’s I spent on the duty. SO… I’m trying to find a mattress that ships from WITHIN Canada. Do you know anything about Silk & Snow, or Haven mattresses? I see they don’t have all the certifications, but I’m not sure why. I know Essentia is on the list (and they ship within), but they charge you to return it if you don’t like it. Which is just poor service in my opinion. Thanks for making this list!

mary

Just looking, 3/2020. Anything new since this article? TYSM

Kate

But which is most comfortable?

Caitlin

Thanks for the post. I wanted to share that I have an Avocado pillow. While it is a great texture (both the inside and the material of the cover), it gets really hot to sleep with. I’m so glad I didn’t purchase a mattress. I’d love to know more on these safe materials that are also not overheating. I realize that’s not the focus of the site but I think it’s worth mentioning.

Monica

Have you hear of the sleep EZ mattresses?

Nancy

Do you know anything about the Prana organic mattresses?

Jill

There are so few companies that make “mini crib” mattresses. Naturepedic discontinued their “portable crib pad” version. I’ve seen Bundleof Dreams pop up in my search, but can’t tell whether they are just another “sneaky stuff” brand. Any insights?

Rebeka

Hi! Wondering if you ever heard of the Chiromatic mattress. https://www.shop.chiromatic.com.

Chris

Excellent post

May I add for those that live in the Southern Hemisphere, there are stores like Organature Blessed Earth Which make chemical-free mattress that essentially use only two materials- cotton and steel. You need to care differently for these matress as they need to breathe more, and even avoid contact with a bedbasr that has such wood as treated pine, but it is well worth the investment , it’s trasnformed my life.

Barry A. Cik

Naturepedic makes several certified organic mattress options with no latex (and, of course, no foam). These meet the most stringent standards for being free of toxins, VOCs, flame retardants, etc.

Patricia M DiRenzo

I am looking for a foam/latex free no voc mattress. So far the only one I have found is Joybed. Does anyone have any experience with this mattress? Comments about it’s toxicity level? Other alternative brands? Thanks!

Marina

What do you think of Shepherd’s Dream wool mattresses/futons https://shepherdsdream.com/?

Barry A. Cik

Happsy makes the most certified organic mattresses. Certifications include GOTS, GOLS, MADE SAFE, Zero Toxics Product Registry, GREENGUARD GOLD, UL Formaldehyde Free, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and Rainforest Alliance. Happsy is recommended and advocates along with 1% For The Planet, Green America, Women’s Voices For The Earth, American Sustainable Business Council, and Sustainable Furnishings Council (Gold), Happsy Certified Organic Mattresses use certified organic cotton fabric, certified organic cotton batting, certified organic wool, certified organic latex, and encased coils. Happsy products do not contain polyurethane foam, flame retardants, formaldehyde, pesticides, GMOs, glues/adhesives, etc.

Karina

Hi! What are your thoughts on Brentwood home mattresses? My husband bought the mattress about a month ago and we can still smell the “off-gassing.” I haven’t been able to sleep on the mattress and feel the smell has taken over the bedroom. We’ve tried everything from baking soda to leaving the fan and widow opened. Because I’m pregnant, I’m scared of the off gassing and chemicals. According to reviews etc…Brentwood home is non toxic. The smell however is intolerable. It’s been over a month and the smell is still there. Please help! Thank you!

Monica Franget

Hi. I bought a adjustable bed and I was going to get a Casper memory foam mattress but reading your reviews I am not sure what to buy anymore…I know it cannot be a regular mattress it has to be able to move flexible with the different bed positions please what ca I buy the it would be safe and will work with my adjustable bed? Thank you so much.

Natasha

Hello- what are your thoughts on the Purple mattress?

olga

Hi, Thank you so much for a great research! I’m struggling to find the plushest option possible as my mattress is super firm. I really like the feel of memory foam and wondering if any of the “green” companies stating there is no offgasing or VOCs are actually true?
Specifically, https://www.saatva.com/bedding/mattress-topper
or https://www.keetsa.com/collections/mattress-toppers/products/keetsa-3-luxurious-topper

Also, what are your thoughts about featherbeds ( https://www.scandiahome.com/down-pillowtop-featherbed?quantity=1&color=68) in terms of toxicity? which option would you recommend?

Susan

Hello, appreciate all of your research here! Wondering about Bear mattresses?

Thank you!

Bee

Hi! I was wondering if you knew anything about Happsy mattresses? Thanks!

Jennifer Larson

What’s your view on waterproof covers for mattresses? We have a new soaring heart bed with a flannel cover and our dog peed in our bed yesterday. It leaked thru the flannel protector and onto our wool topper… not sure what to do here. Thanks for all of your helpful insight!

KB

typo above should read Saatva

KB

Very important and concerning information. Saatca materials is listed under “sneaky” does the matters have PBDEs? Its our matters where we let the kids sleep with us on weekends.

Kait

Hi!
You are my go to for all natural and organics in my house! I was wondering if you are doing a mattress PROTECTOR guide or in your own person experience have you found a good option?
Thanks so much!

Alexandra

I will also add that the Tuft and Needle hold OEKO TEX posted here —

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170623005095/en/Tuft-Needle-Complete-Mattress-System-Earn-STANDARD

Alexandra

I have to disagree with you on Tuft Needle. It says on their site: Our Mint and Original T&N mattress fire barriers are made of a woven fabric blend that passes burn tests WITHOUT adding chemical flame retardants.

Also—you failed to mention they hold GreenGuard as well. We’ve had this mattress for 2 years, and it’s been great. It’s a great option for families on a budget.

Marcia

We have 2 Lifekind mattress and several more pillows and bedding. We love their products. Their owner wrote a book about Toxic Bedrooms called “Sleep Safe in a Toxic World” Book by Walter Bader, President/CEO of Lifekind. I love their products and believe they are the tops of organic natural pure bedding products. Mattresses can be different amounts of hardness or softness. We have toppers from them as well as comforters. Thank you for your great assessment and guide to safe mattresses. Namasté.

Leave a comment

Guides and Product Reviews

Related Posts