02 Jul Choosing Your Natural Mattress
A lot has happened in the 11 years that have passed since we posted a confession — part of our Natural Housewife contest — from a mother who lamented letting her baby sleep on a mainstream, plastic crib mattress.
Back then, most people rolled their eyes if you started talking about the need for mainstream promotion of organic mattresses, made of organic wool, organic cotton and, sometimes, natural latex. There were a handful of brands that had to be searched out and purchased online, without testing them first in-person at a mainstream mattress store.
Who would have guessed that today, organic crib mattresses are featured prominently for online order — at a reasonable price even — on Target’s website? While finding floor models in a showroom is still a challenge, adults can find at least one brand by visiting Crate & Barrel, also check out Pottery Barn Furniture for children, and the list goes on.
Getting chemicals out of your bedroom
Still considered higher end, these products have achieved mainstream status, thanks to increased awareness of the dangers chemical additives in our furniture, flooring and interiors pose, particularly to children.
But just like any other important purchase, you should compare mattress brands for their true organic content. While providing a mostly natural/organic product, some will contain some synthetics or introduce chemical content in their latex processing.
A quick online search shows that the most visible brands include Naturepedic, Avocado Green, Awara, My Green Mattress Kiwi and Birch Natural Mattress.
One of the most helpful tools shoppers can turn to is the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Mattress Guide, which contends that, “Most mattresses on the market are full of chemicals that can pollute your bedroom air and harm your body.”
According to EWG, the healthiest mattresses:
— Contain no less than 95 percent certified organic content
— Contain no polyurethane foam
— Contain no added chemical flame retardants
— Have third-party, low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) certification
— Contain no added fragrances or antimicrobials
— Contain no PVC or vinyl
Find out more about the dangers and what to look for in a mattress in EWG’s mattress guide here.
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