Despite the fact that we’ve all been sleeping on conventional mattresses for years, the truth is that they are bad for your health. In fact, your mattress is probably a major source of air pollution in your home. From polyurethane foam to formaldehyde-ridden glues and fiberglass, traditional mattress materials dump toxins into your sleeping environment. When you sleep in such close proximity to a chemical-laden surface, it’s no surprise that the chemicals in mattresses can impact your health.
You’re probably spending as much as 7-8 hours per day sleeping on your mattress. But how much additional time do you and your kids spend in your bedroom? If you keep the bassinet in your bedroom, if your kids end up in bed with you, or if they are sleeping on conventional mattresses — they are being exposed to the dangerous chemicals found in mattresses too.
Even if you’ve had your mattress for years, you shouldn’t assume that it would have finished off-gassing. Wear and tear on your mattress means that the chemicals will continue to break down and off-gas over a period of several years.
That’s where health concerns can become a real issue. Chemical flame retardants, for example, can have adverse effects on fetal and child development, cause reproductive toxicity, disrupt neurological function, and weaken the immune system. And several agencies, including the EPA, classify formaldehyde as a carcinogen.
Since children are the most vulnerable to the effects of toxic chemicals, one of the biggest regrets I have as a parent is that I coslept with my kids on a toxic mattress for much longer than I should have. At the time, an organic mattress seemed out of reach. It wasn’t as common to buy an organic mattress and I didn’t give it much thought.
The good news is that there are now several organic mattresses that ensure a healthier night’s sleep. And when you know better, you can do better. (We have since replaced all of our mattresses!) You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg, either. In fact, many of these companies sell direct to consumer and cut out the middle man, so you’re able to get a better deal than you might expect.
Buying a mattress is one of the most important investments you can make in your health and wellness. There’s a lot to consider when buying an organic mattress but I’ve done the research for you and put together my recommendations on the best organic mattresses. I truly think you can’t go wrong when choosing from one of these mattresses.
Here’s a preview of the best organic mattress brands. Read on for detailed reviews (and one more brand that is in the “pretty good” category).
- My Green Mattress
- Naturepedic
- Happsy
- Avocado Green Mattress
- Metta Bed
- Soaring Heart
- Savvy Rest
- The Futon Shop
Do You Need An Organic Mattress?
Are you (or your significant other) unconvinced about whether you need an organic mattress? Organic mattresses may cost a bit more than a regular, conventional mattress, and they are mostly sold online, so is it worth the time and cost?
The short answer is a big fat YES. An organic mattress is definitely worth the investment and effort – as long as you buy the right mattress. (More on greenwashing later.) Buying an organic mattress is an important investment in your health.
Harmful Chemicals Found in Conventional Mattresses
If you walk into a regular mattress store and shop around, you will see the more obvious materials like polyurethane foam and polyester fibers. What you won’t see are all the chemicals that these materials are treated with.
Oh, there are so many chemicals in traditional mattresses.
And the big problem with these chemicals is that they will off-gas and enter your breathing space while you sleep. Considering that you spend up to 1/3 of your life in your bed, this is something you need to be concerned about.
Flame Retardant Chemicals: Polyurethane foam is highly flammable, so most manufacturers will saturate their mattresses in flame retardant chemicals to meet government flammability standards. Flame retardants are used to stop or slow the spread of fire, but they may actually be ineffective in doing so. This means we are needlessly being exposed to these toxic chemicals.
According to Consumer Reports:
“We’re using large volumes of these chemicals in furniture, yet the data suggesting they’re effective in preventing fires is minimal to none.”
Flame retardant chemicals can be absorbed by the skin, through inhalation, or by migrating into household dust and being swallowed. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has been working to eliminate dangerous flame retardant chemicals because of their health hazards.
While there is no current ban on using all flame retardant chemicals in mattresses, the state of California has added a new law that requires companies to state whether the item contains added chemical flame retardants. If you recently bought a mattress, check the tag to see whether it contains flame retardant chemicals. (Most manufacturers won’t make different labels for items sold outside of California, but if you’re ever unsure, just contact the manufacturer and ask.)
The organic mattresses I list below contain no flame retardant chemicals and instead meet government flammability standards using natural materials such as wool that are inherently flame retardant.
Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde is used in adhesives to bind the mattress layers together. Unfortunately, it is a known carcinogen and has also been linked to asthma and allergies. Shocking fact: conventional mattresses can contain up to 10 lbs. of glue.
Cotton Pesticides: Cotton is sprayed with more pesticides than any other crop. The cotton found in household products and clothing contains pesticide residues and can cause neurological issues, disrupt the immune system, and contribute to depression and anxiety. Cotton is also one of the world’s top four GMO crops. By choosing an organic mattress, you can safely avoid GMOs and pesticides because organic cotton is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides.
Boric Acid: Boric acid can be used as a flame retardant in some mattresses, and it can also be used to deter bacteria, bed bugs, and dust mites. It sounds ok until you realize that boric acid is actually a neurotoxin and is often used to kill pests like cockroaches. Ew!
Benzene: Benzene is also a known carcinogen and a byproduct of petroleum. That said, if you have foam in your mattress, you likely also have a good dose of benzene along with it.
Antimony: Antimony is a heavy metal that is commonly used in mattresses as a preservative in flame retardants. Just as with other heavy metals, antimony can accumulate in your body over time and cause a host of health issues like cancer, reproductive disorders, and impaired brain function.
Vinyl: While this is less common in adult mattresses, vinyl is usually used for waterproofing. (This is why we usually find this toxic material used in crib mattresses.) Vinyl often contains phthalates and is known as the most toxic plastic for a reason. It is truly something you want to keep out of your home and definitely out of your bed.
Related: The Best Organic Crib Mattresses for Babies
Bonus: Organic Mattresses Last Longer
If you buy one of the organic mattresses below, you can rest assured that you aren’t breathing in toxic and dangerous chemicals. These mattresses are made with safe, natural materials that aren’t harmful to your health. And that will make you breathe a huge sigh of relief.
But as if that wasn’t enough, the other main reason to go organic with your mattress is that these mattresses may last longer than conventional mattresses. Natural mattresses have the best durability in the industry. Many salespeople will tell you your conventional mattress will last you 10 years, but in my experience, they always begin to sag by the time they reach their 5-year mark.
Purchasing an organic mattress may be a larger initial investment up front, but I always find it comforting to remember how much I would spend if I have to replace my mattress two or three times in the time that an organic mattress will last.
The Best Organic Mattresses [Reviews]
After much research into the organic mattress industry, here is my list of the best organic mattresses. As you will see, there are a number of options at varying price points to help meet every budget.
Some companies that I left off this list intentionally are Sleep on Latex, Brentwood Home, SleepEZ, and ZenHaven due to concerns over their certifications (or lack thereof). The primary certifications you want to look for are GOTS and GOLS.
Others were brands like Saatva or Nectar that contain CertiPUR-US foam (which is a deal-breaker, even though it’s “cleaner” than traditional polyurethane foam).
I have only listed the mattresses below that meet my selection criteria. So even though a company is listed here, I don’t necessarily recommend ALL of their mattresses. Please pay attention to the mattresses listed below and their descriptions. And as always, do your own research because sometimes companies make changes to their products — and you also want to make sure that the mattress you buy is a good fit for you and your family.
These are the top brands of organic mattresses. These companies go the extra mile to make fully certified-organic mattresses, with even the final product being GOTS and/or GOLS certified (as applicable).
1. My Green Mattress
Get the best price on your My Green Mattress purchase through my affiliate link. Please note: my discount code does not stack with site sales.
One of the go-to places for buying a natural mattress is My Green Mattress. They have some of the most affordable
I have worked very closely with this company and really like them. I chose their Natural Escape mattress for myself because of the quality and value you get.
My Green Mattress recently became fully GOTS and GOLS certified, and their mattresses are made in a GOTS-certified facility. They use the finest materials and really care about making the best-quality mattresses available. To pass the flammability standards, My Green Mattress uses natural wool fiber as their fire barrier. I also love their mattress covers.
Certifications: GREENGUARD Gold, GOLS, GOTS, Eco-Institute latex, Oeko-Tex 100.
Mattress Sizes: Crib, Twin, Twin XL, Full, Full XL, Queen, King, and Cal King.
Check out the following mattresses from My Green Mattress…
Natural Escape: This medium-firm mattress has three inches of organic latex over pocketed coil innerspring for extra comfort. This mattress is great for side sleepers as well as those that prefer a slightly plush top with plenty of support. It is made with GOTS certified organic cotton, eco-friendly wool, and GOLS organic Dunlop latex.
Kiwi Green Mattress: Relatively new, the Kiwi Green Mattress is another great option for a child’s bed or guest room. It is an innerspring mattress made with GOTS-certified organic cotton, GOLS-certified organic latex, and Oeko-Tex certified wool. It’s comfortable and bouncy and I like to describe it as a bouncy cloud.
Pure Eco Organic Kids Mattress: This firm mattress that provides excellent lumbar support uses GOTS certified organic cotton, latex, and wool. It has an organic cotton quilted cover and a 3-zone pocketed coil spring system. This is ideal for kids or anyone shopping for an organic mattress on a budget.
2. Naturepedic
Made in USA. Naturepedic is one of the original makers of eco-friendly mattresses and one of the companies I trust the most. Naturepedic is my go-to brand for organic mattresses.
Naturepedic is dedicated to making the best organic mattresses and uses only the very best materials. Their dedication to sustainable sourcing materials is one of the reasons I think they’re an excellent choice. (For example, they only use certified organic cotton grown in the USA that they buy directly from USDA-certified sources. That means that with each mattress you purchase, you are directly helping our farmers and economy.)
All of their organic certifications are current, written out to Naturepedic, and posted here on their website. This is the kind of disclosure and transparency that you want from your organic mattress maker.
Naturepedic is based in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Skilled Amish craftspeople focus on quality and take pride in their work. Durability is something you can expect from their mattresses.
Certifications: GOLS latex, GOTS cotton and wool, Non-GMO Verified, OCS100 Organic Content Standard, Made-Safe, Rainforest Alliance, and GREENGUARD Gold. View details.
Mattress Sizes: Crib, Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, and Cal King
Check out the following organic mattresses I recommend from Naturepedic
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Chorus Certified Organic Mattress: The Chorus is a universal firm mattress that Naturepedic says is great for all sleepers. It features a layer of 1.5” micro-coils over premium-encased coils for comfort. The mattress uses GOTS-certified organic cotton as well as organic wool batting to wick away moisture and add natural fire protection. Unlike their other mattresses, the Chorus is compressed and roll-packed in a box for easy shipping.
Serenade: A hybrid mattress, the Serenade features encased innersprings and a layer of GOLS-certified organic latex. The mattress features organic wool batting and a 2” organic latex layer that helps to give pressure-point relieving qualities. The Serenade has two firmness options for you to choose from.
EOS Series: Naturepedic’s EOS mattresses feature multiple layers of GOLS-certified latex and can be customized from extra-firm to plush. This line also includes a vegan organic mattress.
Halcyon Series: Naturepedic’s Halcyon series is their most luxurious line. If you are looking for your dream bed and have an unlimited budget, this is the line for you. Halcyon beds are made with GOTS-certified organic cotton, GOLS-certified latex, and a premium wool blend containing alpaca and cashmere. Yes, cashmere.
Children’s Mattresses: If you are shopping for an organic mattress for your child, choose from a one-sided basic mattress (this is what I bought for my son), a 2-in-1 mattress with a quilted side and a waterproof side, and a plusher version for older children. Shop Naturepedic crib mattresses here.
Save 10% on your Naturepedic order with coupon code GENTLE10 through this link.
3. Happsy
Made in USA. Happsy was created with one goal in mind: to create comfortable, healthier mattresses for better sleep. These mattresses use certified organic and sustainably harvested materials and are GOTS- and GOLS-certified. They focus on eliminating harsh chemicals, such as foams and adhesives that are typically used in conventional mattresses and find all natural solutions.
Another reason that I love Happsy is that they use honest and transparent practices in their business. They are trustworthy and that matters. All of their organic certifications are posted online and are current. The mattress itself is made in a certified organic facility and is GOTS-certified for the final product.
Certifications: GOTS, GOLS, Made-Safe, and GREENGUARD Gold. View Certifications.
Mattress Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, and Cal King
Check out the organic mattress from Happsy
Happsy Organic Mattress: This mattress features an organic cotton cover, a layer of organic wool, a 2-inch layer of latex, and pocketed coils. Happsy contains no flame retardant chemicals or glues and adhesives. This mattress is designed to be more breathable than traditional mattresses. Overall great quality!
4. Avocado Green Mattress
Made in USA. One of the most popular organic mattress companies, Avocado Green Mattress is probably already on your radar. Avocado Green Mattress is one of the more affordable organic mattresses on the market, and customers rave about the comfort as well as the sustainable materials used.
They have two mattresses: a vegan mattress and a wool mattress. Both mattresses are GOTS and GOLS certified but the vegan mattress uses hydrated silica as a “natural flame retardant system”. Though I don’t think this is necessarily harmful, I have read conflicting information about hydrated silica, mainly that when it is used as a fire barrier it is more like a synthetic product than natural hydrated silica.
Certifications: GOTS, GOLS, and Made-Safe, GREENGUARD Gold. View certifications.
Mattress Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, and Cal King
Check out this mattress from Avocado Green…
Avocado Green Mattress: The mattress features 100% GOLS certified natural latex rubber and GOTS-certified organic wool and cotton, and up to 1,414 pocketed support coils. You can opt to add a pillow topper to both of the mattresses for additional costs.
5. Metta Bed
Made in USA. Metta Bed is a non-toxic latex mattress company that is owned by OMI, a leader in luxury organic mattresses. Handmade to order at OMI’s California-based Eco-Factory™, the Metta Bed mattress provides an affordable option for buying an organic mattress.
The company gets rave reviews from customers who love the fact that they can choose their firmness level and don’t have to worry about sleeping in a toxin-filled bed.
Certifications: GOTS, GOLS, and GREENGUARD Gold. View certifications.
Mattress Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, and Cal King
Check out the organic Metta Bed…
Metta Bed Mattress: Made with organic latex, cotton, and wool, the Metta Bed provides a natural and comfortable sleep environment. Choose your comfort level (firm, medium, or plush) when you order your mattress and swap it out under the company’s 120-night comfort guarantee if it’s too firm or too soft for you. What’s even better is that the mattress ships directly to you and no assembly is required. Simply open the package and unroll the bed; it will fully expand within a few minutes and you can sleep on it the very first night.
6. Soaring Heart
Made in USA. A company that prides itself on fine craftsmanship, Soaring Heart is dedicated to using the best materials and making the best organic mattresses. They take great care to purchase the finest sustainably sourced materials.
All mattresses are handmade in Soaring Heart’s Seattle factory – to order. That means that your mattress is built just for you, when your order is placed. They use no synthetic chemicals in the manufacturing of their mattresses, and all are GOTS and/or GOLS certified.
With over 30 years of experience, Soaring Heart is a trusted manufacturer of organic mattresses, bedding, and more.
Certifications: GOTS certified, GOLS certified
Mattress Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, and Cal King
Check out these mattresses from Soaring Heart…
The Balsa Mattress: A great option for shopping for an organic mattress on a budget (or even a big kids bed), the Balsa mattress provides exceptional value. This bed features a 6” organic latex core.
Organic Latex Mattress: With a 6” organic Dunlop latex core, felted wool, and organic cotton encasing, this organic latex mattress gets rave reviews.
Zoned Organic Latex Mattress: This is pretty innovative – the zoned organic latex mattress features five different zones of latex ranging from soft to extra firm. Each zone provides a different level of firmness to different parts of your body. From what I can tell, people who have this latex mattress love it.
7. Savvy Rest
Savvy Rest focuses on creating non-toxic, reliable mattresses that meet their customer’s needs. One thing I like about Savvy Rest is that they offer two different types of natural latex. I think it’s great that they offer firmness customization specifically for couples. I know I prefer something different than my husband, and I know we aren’t alone in that!
All of Savvy Rest’s organic mattresses, pillows, and mattress toppers achieved the Greenguard Gold certification. And their latex – both Dunlop and Talalay – achieved the Eco-Institut certification.
Certifications: GOTS, GOLS, EcoInstitut, and GREENGUARD Gold. View certifications.
Mattress Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, and Cal King
Check out these certified organic mattresses from Savvy Rest…
Serenity: The Serenity mattress is the original mattress and includes three, 3-inch layers of natural latex. Because this is fully customizable, you can choose Talalay or Dunlop latex as well as the firmness of each layer. The latex layers are covered with an organic wool-quilted cotton case.
Unity Pillowtop: The Unity Pillowtop has four 3-inch layers. This mattress is like the Serenity listed above, but it includes a latex topper. The materials are all GOTS-certified, and just like the Serenity, you can customize each side of the larger mattresses.
Tranquility: This mattress is not designed for people weighing over 160 pounds. It’s a great choice for small, petite people, toddler beds, or bunk beds. The Tranquility has two 3” layers of natural latex that are GOTS-certified organic.
Tranquility Spring: This mattress has 8-inches pocketed coils made from recycled steel and one 3” layer of natural latex. You can pick between soft, medium, and firm levels of Dunlop or Talalay latex. And again, what’s amazing about this mattress is that you can customize the firmness on each side – seriously! The materials are all GOTS certified.
8. The Natural Home by the Futon Shop
Made in
The Futon Shop is in the “okay” category because their mattresses aren’t GOTS-certified for the final product, but they do use certified organic materials. Their certifications span from GOTS-certified virgin wool and organic cotton (this is good) to USDA-certified organic cotton (this is ok, but I would prefer if this were GOTS certified).
Certifications: GOTS, GOLS, and Oeko-Tex 100.
Mattress Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, and Cal King
Check out these mattresses from The Futon Shop!
Organic Wool Mattress: Handcrafted with 100% GOTS certified organic wool, you get to sleep on 8 inches of pure organic wool. This is one of the few 100% organic wool mattress on the market. It is a bit softer than the latex mattresses, so don’t expect extra-firm support. In addition to the wool, the only other material used is the cotton case made of GOTS certified organic cotton that covers the organic wool components.
Moonlight Organic Latex Mattress: The Moonlight Mattress has 8-inches of GOTS certified organic Dunlop latex. The latex is encased in organic cotton case quilted with organic wool. With this mattress, you can customize the firmness from soft to extra firm, depending on your preferences.
Note: Make sure you pay attention when shopping because some of their mattresses are for futon frames rather than bed frames! Also, you will love that The Futon Shop offers free shipping.
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