Best Organic Mattress

Looking for the best organic mattress in the UK to help you get a healthy and restful night’s sleep? With so many on the market, finding the perfect one can feel overwhelming. The key is to know what you’re looking for and what your body actually needs.

In this article, I’ll guide you through everything you need to know about organic mattresses, including the benefits of sleeping on one, the top certifications to look for, and how to choose the right one for your individual needs. So, let’s get started on your journey to a more sustainable, comfortable, and natural healthy sleep!

An organic mattress is simply one that’s made from materials that have been grown without the use of harmful pesticides, chemicals, or synthetic fertilisers.

These materials are typically (but not always) certified by third-party organisations to ensure they meet specific standards for sustainability and non-toxicity.

While there is no such thing as a 100% organic mattress, as even the most eco-friendly beds may contain some synthetic components like adhesives or coils, truly organic mattresses are primarily made of organic materials like cotton, wool, or latex.

Should I buy one?

Organic mattresses are becoming increasingly popular as us Brits become more concerned about the environmental impact and health implications of traditional mattresses made with synthetic materials – like memory foam. These mattresses of course are often more expensive than non-organic options, but many people now feel that the benefits to their health and the environment are worth the investment.

When purchasing an organic mattress, it’s quite important to look for certifications from reputable organisations like the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) or the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) to ensure that the materials used meet specific standards for sustainability and non-toxicity.

What are the most common natural mattresses?

Latex and latex hybrid mattresses are the two most common types of organic mattresses available.

Created from the sap of rubber plants and treated with either teh Dunlop or Talalay processes, latex has the consistency of foam and the sensitive characteristics of rubber. Organisations like GOLS place great importance on the processing method and chemicals used to create latex when deciding whether or not to certify it as organic.

• Natural latex, on the other hand, is more difficult to work with because there is currently no governmental certification that is equal to the GOLS standard for organic latex. If a company claims to  have a natural latex version of their product, you should definitely ask what ingredients went into making it. It’s possible that there’s a lot of synthetic filler in some of the “natural latex” layers.
• Blended latex typically contains anywhere from 20% to 40% of natural latex. The components of synthetic latex, on the other hand, need not include any natural rubber at all and that is why they’re sometimes used in less expensive mattresses, but they don’t last as long as organic or natural latex.

Some of the newer hybrid mattresses employ organic cotton and/or wool batting in place of latex. However, steel, commonly used for the coils in hybrid mattresses, is produced through chemical processes. To provide a greener final product, several companies give preference to employing recycled or upcycled steel.

BTW, a hybrid mattress is more likely to be eco-friendly if it also contains organic or natural materials – so when assessing a mattress for its eco-friendliness and lack of dangerous chemicals, it’s crucial to take into account all of its parts and the materials used to make them.

How do I know if a mattress is ‘natural’?

Natural isn’t a controlled term in the UK, so be cautious if that’s all you can see being used in the marketing. It’s often abused.

Instead, pay closer attention and look for specific things. As you search for an organic mattress in teh UK,  you’ll no doubt come across numerous certifications, some of which may be more legitimate than others. To help you navigate this potentially confusing process, we’ve outlined three top certifications that have a proven track record in the mattress industry. While this list isnt exhaustive, it provides a good starting point for your research.

GOTS & GOLS

The first certification I recommend is the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) plus also the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS), which are  bothwidely considered the leading certifications for organic mattress materials.

The GOTS certification requires a textile to contain at least 70% organic fibres to be certified as organic. The synthetic components in the textile must also meet specific standards for environmental impact and toxicology. Being honest, in most mattresses that carry this certification, the textile in question will be organic cotton and/or organic wool and these materials are often found in the cover, but can also be used in comfort, transitional, and support layers too .

The GOLS certification, on the other hand, requires latex in mattresses to be at least 95% organic to receive the organic certification. The remaining 5% or less consists of chemical agents that form the latex foam, and these must meet certain GOLS criteria as well. The standard also covers practices on rubber plantations where the latex is cultivated, as well as carbon emissions during production.

CertiPUR

Another certification that you may come across when shopping for mattresses is the CertiPUR-US or CertiPUR certification (they’re the same). However, it’s important to note that this award does not recognise organic or natural mattress materials; rather, it is awarded to the foams used in mattresses and other products.

In short, CertiPUR-certified foams do not contain components that have been linked to human health problems, such as ozone depleters, certain fire retardants, heavy metals like lead or mercury, formaldehyde, and phthalates that have been banned by the UK government. In addition, the certification also tests for VOC off-gassing, and certified foams must exhibit low VOC emissions for indoor air quality.

OEKO-TEX

Next, we have the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 – another important certification to look for when shopping for an organic mattress here in the UK.

OEKO-TEX, an abbreviation (in German!) for the International Association for Research and Testing in the Field of Textile and Leather Ecology, examines fabrics for the presence of potentially dangerous chemicals.

The OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is a stringent evaluation of textiles that encompasses close to a hundred different criteria. To ensure that no harmful chemicals or elements, such as azo dyes, nickel, or formaldehyde, are present in the textile in any quantity, we will conduct tests on each and every component.

According to the degree of skin contact, the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 divides certified textiles into four distinct categories. Products in Class I are safe for infants and toddlers up to 36 months of age, while those in Class II are safe for children and people of any age. Class III is given to fabrics that are utilised largely away from the skin, such as pillow fill, and Class IV is given to textiles that do not come into direct contact with the skin. Class IV includes several of the components found in the mattress’s innermost layers because they are never exposed to the user.

Be cautious

It’s possible that there are no or very few organic elements in certain mattress styles, such as all-foam beds or innersprings with foam layers. For instance, some models may have organic cotton coverings, but the polyfoam and memory foam they utilise is often polyurethane-based and not certified as organic.

However, several businesses have made efforts to create non-toxic mattress foams in an environmentally friendly manner. Mattresses from these brands may be a more affordable option for the environmentally-aware buyer who doesn’t like the feel of latex or who doesn’t want to pay the high price of a certified-organic mattress.

Keep in mind that not all companies that claim to employ non-toxic ingredients or sustainable production methods actually disclose their procedures or have their products independently verified. Always check for third-party certifications and/or the manufacturer’s website before making a large investment like a mattress.

The benefits of an organic mattress

While the price point of organic mattresses may be daunting for some, it’s crucial to consider the long-term benefits of investing in a mattress made with organic and/or sustainable materials.

Organic mattresses are known for their durability, which is a huge selling point for those who want to make a long-lasting investment. While the average lifespan of a mattress is around 6 to 8 years, beds with organic materials typically exceed this timeframe. For example, organic latex has natural resilience that allows it to bounce back and resist deep body impressions very well, resulting in a longer lifespan than blended or synthetic latex.

Lifespan

The average lifespan of a mattress with organic latex layers is around 9.5 – 10 years, while models with blended or synthetic latex have a lifespan of closer to 8.5 years..

Additionally, organic mattresses have a lower odour potential compared to models with synthetic components. When you unpack a mattress that’s made mostly of foam, synthetic materials may release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can trigger headaches, nausea, fatigue, or other adverse health effects. In contrast, organic and natural materials used in mattresses, such as latex and wool, do not emit VOCs and have a much lower odour potential. While latex and latex hybrid mattresses may produce a temporary natural odour at first, this is not due to VOC off-gassing and usually dissipates after a few days.

Certified as meeting stringent sustainability and non-toxicity requirements, organic mattresses have also undergone extensive testing for a wide range of additional chemicals that could pose a risk to sleepers.

The OEKO-TEX Standard 100, the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS), and the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) all verify that textiles do not contain any toxic components. You can be assured that your health is not at risk by purchasing an organic mattress so long as it has the appropriate certifications.

Last but not least, organic and/or environmentally certified mattresses are preferable for the world. Manufacturers of such mattresses are investing extra effort into minimising waste, cutting down on emissions, and generally helping the environment. Purchasing an organic mattress is a vote of confidence in businesses that care about the environment and their employees’ well-being.