The Best Organic Mattresses: Sleep Better on a Non-toxic Bed

We spend one-third of our lives in bed, what your mattress is made from is one of the biggest impacts you can make for your health and to remove toxins from your home.

Traditional and memory foam mattresses contain man made polyurethane foam, chemical flame retardants, fiberglass, adhesives, and synthetic materials that can release VOCs into your home. A memory foam mattress will never be non-toxic, no matter what certification that want to slap on it to try and confuse us. For families focused on healthier living, an organic mattress can be one of the most impactful upgrades you make. But not all "natural" mattresses are created equal.

As many of you know, I spent 6 years working in the mattress industry at Avocado Green Mattress. I've learned and know more than I ever thought I would about mattresses. For me and my family, a certified organic mattress is essential in a healthy home.

What Makes a Mattress Organic?

There are a few key things to look for when purchasing an organic mattress. The most important is third-party certifications. The best of the best certifications for mattresses are MADE SAFE® Certified and EWG Verified®. Both of these certifications are for the whole mattress, not just the materials in the mattress. Ideally, you want multiple certifications for the mattress you choose. You should also look for an OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 Class I and a finished-product GOTS certification. Both are tricky because both bodies also certify materials which can make it confusing to decipher if a material in the mattress is certified or if it is the whole mattress. I saw this quite often in the early days where brands were passing off a material certification as the whole mattress being organic.

For mattresses, GREENGUARD Gold® is not stringent enough to buy a mattress that holds only this certification. It tests for what is released in the air while you sleep, this is important, but this single certification does not catch everything.

The materials that are used to build organic mattresses are the same across all brands. It is hard to make an organic mattress with anything else, at least no one has found a way just yet.

• Organic latex – many people do not know that latex comes from a tree! These trees only grow in Asia, meaning materials will always be imported. There are two types of latex, Dunlop and Talalay, both are made into a foam (not to be confused with man made memory foam). For a mattress to be organic, it can only use Dunlop latex. Talalay latex is softer, but requires additional processing with synthetic additives. Latex should be GOLS certified.
• Organic cotton – should be GOTS certified
• Organic wool – should be GOTS certified
• Steel springs – most organic mattresses will have a coil unit, called a "hybrid" mattress. Latex only mattresses do exist, but they tend to be very bouncy.

Avocado Green Mattress

One could say, of course, you recommend an Avocado, you worked there. Yes, I did work there, but you should also know that I was laid off (after thinking I would work there forever). It was a painful lay off, but that doesn't change the fact that they make some of the best organic mattresses in the world. They also make the most affordable organic mattresses available. We have been sleeping on Avocado mattresses since 2019, not only can I speak to the comfort, but also to the durability of these mattresses. Our pick is the Green Plush option, this is their original mattress and the one we personally have slept on the longest. Our mattress still looks and feels brand new to this day. For kids' and guest rooms, I would suggest their Eco Organic or Eco Organic Kids. We have Eco organic mattresses in our rental property and they've been great. If you prefer a softer mattress and price is not a concern, the Luxury Organic (Medium or Plush) is worth a look. (Always purchase a mattress protector; it will add a layer of protection and protect your investment.)

Naturepedic

Naturepedic has been around since the early 2000's and was one of the first to build a better mattress. They started with crib mattresses and have since grown their line to include everything you need for healthy sleep. Their mattresses tend to cost a little more than Avocado's, but I've also never heard anyone complain that they didn't like the mattress. A mattress is an investment in your health and the right one will last you a long time. Naturepedic makes a high quality mattress that is worth the investment. Their product lineup can be a bit confusing to navigate. Their EOS Pillowtop is the mattress I would choose for myself. For kids' and guest rooms, I would choose their Serenade or Verse mattresses.

Happsy

Happsy is owned by Naturepedic and was created to provide a more budget-friendly option. The brand also has a younger and more modern feel, but you'll find the same organic materials and certifications. The main difference will be the coil units used in these mattresses to provide that more affordable price point. To be consistent with the other mattresses I've recommended, I would purchase the Plush with topper option. For most sleepers this is going to be the best option, it's firm, without being too firm. I always prefer an attached topper or "pillowtop" to avoid adding a topper later that is going to move around on you.

While organic mattresses typically cost more upfront than conventional options, they tend to last longer, regulate temperature better through breathable natural materials, and reduce the toxic load in the one place people spend roughly a third of their life, their bed. For anyone prioritizing a less-toxic home, an organic mattress isn't just a purchase, it's one of the highest-impact upgrades you can make. I've shared the best options available on the market today. Whatever you decide, please avoid buying a memory foam mattress, not only are they bad for you health, they are horrible for the workers and environment.

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