Products with the label 'organic' or 'natural' can be confusing. We understand that organic has become a popular word when it comes to buying food, juice, and groceries, and now it is traveling to the bedrooms as well. Obviously, investing in your bedroom and mattress is a long-term investment in your comfort and health.
However, if you are new to the term you might review dozens of articles online for the best natural spring mattress, a form of organic mattress that is made in the USA. These choices have become more complex with the number of manufacturers and different chemicals used in the production.
Though we are super conscious about the food we eat, clothes we wear, and what we put on our skin. But we nearly spend one-third of our lives on our beds- and most mattresses are anything but organic. The average mattress available in the market today contains a cocktail of chemicals and flame retardants due to which the off-gassing can linger for long. With the new brands disrupting the outdated industry, you can now explore options that are better for your health, family, and also planet.
What is an Organic Mattress?
In the past decade, a growing number of mattress brands have incorporated organic components to make their bunk beds and mattresses more sustainable and environmentally friendly. As we stated that many beds feature natural materials, however, the term organic is reserved for components that have received certifications from GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard), and GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard). Some of the most common organic materials used in today's mattresses include latex, cotton, and wool.
You need to take note of the labeling as most eco-friendly beds contain coils, adhesives, hardware parts, and other components that are at least partially synthetic. However, only some brands construct the mattress using organic materials, and some mattresses are primarily made of such materials. The key to differentiating those materials from the sustainable ones is with the help of certifications, that is GOLS or GOTS. The certification should come from an organization that is unbiased and not affiliated with a brand. For instance, the GOTS certification indicates that the textile is at least 95% organic and does not contain any harmful flame retardant chemicals, which are mostly used in foam mattresses. Conversely, the GOLS certification indicates that at least 95% of the material is organic latex.
Here are a few things to note:
- Materials: The material is the key when choosing an organic mattress. Many contain natural latex and spring while some contain cotton and wool which are hypoallergenic and non-toxic.
- Firm and supportive: The firmness depends on a number of factors, such as sleeping position, body weight, bed-sharing, and any health conditions. For instance, a responsive soft, and plush mattress while being firm and supportive may suit any sleeper. Note that most of these have no springs.
All-in-all, an organic mattress is commonly defined as:
- free of synthetic materials
- not being treated with harsh chemicals
- complying with GOTS and GOLS
Is Investing in Organic Mattresses worth it?
However, they may be expensive, the organic mattresses are actually a pretty sound investment when it comes to durability. Beds with these materials offer certain benefits and great advantages over models as compared to other synthetic components.
Not only do organic mattresses minimize the chance of an allergic and asthmatic reaction, but they are also cooler to sleep and they are durable too, so they last longer. In simple terms, they might seem expensive in the beginning, but having these mattresses for the long term will save you money. Note that, not all organic mattress materials are suitable for all people though- if you are allergic to any of the materials. Then your best bet would be to invest in high-quality innerspring and foam mattresses.
The selling points of organic mattresses:
- The durability makes up for the expensive price points. An average mattress purchased from reliable manufacturers will perform for about 6 to 8 years without any wear and tear. It won't degrade, lose support, and cause other issues which will compel you to buy a new mattress every few years.
- The mattresses sleep cooler and have the natural resilience which allows them to bounce back with resistance to deep body impressions. If you have used blended or synthetic mattresses you would know that these usually wear out more quickly.
- If your reason for switching to an organic mattress is better sleep hygiene, then a natural organic bunk bed with an organic mattress made in the USA is an excellent choice because it is free from toxins and makes use of naturally breathable and moisture-wicking materials that are hypoallergenic.
