Is an Organic Mattress Worthwhile?

12 Oct Is an Organic Mattress Worthwhile?

There are a lot of different mattresses available that you can choose from these days—so many that it may sometimes seem a little bit confusing to have to decide. If you have been to a mattress store like 2 Brothers Mattress recently, you probably saw all the different options for what your mattress is made of, what is inside, and what is on top. You may have even seen mattresses that are labeled “organic” and wondered whether this would provide some kind of advantage for your sleep habits. Here is some information about organic mattresses, and how to decide on whether you should go with this option.

What Makes a Mattress Organic?
There is a lot of leeway on what exactly can be labeled “organic”, and to add to the confusion, there are also a lot of mattresses that say they have “natural” or “eco-friendly” materials. If you’re getting confused about what this means, and whether it’s even beneficial, you’re not the only one. To add to the confusion, stores advertise these benefits pretty loosely, and these mattresses can vary in price as much as $500 or more.

There is no regulation in the industry that outlines exactly what a mattress must include to be labeled “organic” or “natural”, and few industry groups even offer much guidance. Even some groups that study toxic chemicals in consumer products, like the Green Science Policy Institute, disagree on whether or not consumers should be concerned about this issue in mattresses.

Often discovering the contents of a mattress is difficult, and even ones that are labeled “organic” or “natural” may only include a small portion of the ingredients that meet this definition, while the remainder of the mattress is made of more traditional materials. Ultimately the best thing you can do is research the materials, and work with salespeople you can trust from a store like 2 Brothers Mattress.

The Concern With Traditional Mattresses
Those who are concerned about organic materials point out that mattresses are generally made with metal springs between layers of polyurethane foam, a material that is made with petroleum, and may emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have linked these compounds to respiratory issues and other health problems. Some children’s mattresses are also made with vinyl softened with phthalates, which may be linked to health problems.

Organic Mattress Materials
Some of the most common materials you might find in a natural mattress include latex, a foam made from the sap of rubber trees, cotton, wool, soybeans, coconut husks, green tea, and aloe vera, although these materials may only be a small amount of the actual material inside the mattress. In addition, the organic material may be blended with synthetic versions that are not organic, or grown with chemicals that include pesticides, fungicides, and more. There are some mattresses that are made entirely of wool, organic cotton, and 100% natural latex, but they will likely include a much higher price tag and may not be worth the extra money.

The bottom line on shopping for a mattress is that the organic industry is still very uncertain. If you find that you are particularly sensitive to chemicals, or you are concerned about the effects they may have on you and your children, it could be worth looking into organic and natural options. Be sure to do a lot of research, ask a lot of questions, and understand that even the most “natural” mattresses will likely still contain some chemicals.