In a world where pollution is threatening life on Earth as we know it, plenty of people are drawn to the idea of living a greener lifestyle. Whether that means eating less meat or using bamboo brushes or ditching the use of plastic straws, there are plenty of ways in which you can live an eco-friendly life. But since we are here to talk about mattresses and sleep comfort, we’re going to focus on green organic mattresses and help you understand what exactly makes such a bed different from every other type.
What Makes a Mattress Organic?
Just like some bed sheets offer thread counts of 1,200 which are completely unrealistic, marketing claims tend to exaggerate when using terms like “organic” in the description of a certain mattress. Keeping up with the terminology can be difficult, especially since there are so many certifications that brand flutter in our faces.
So, what makes a mattress organic? The shortest answer is the organic materials that are used throughout the entire construction of the bed. If a specific mattress has an organic cover but the other layers are imbued with all sorts of chemicals, by no means can such a bed be labeled as organic. A true green mattress should be made with natural latex, organic fibers (like wool or cotton, memory foam and plant-based polyfoam, or fire socks (“sock” is a type of fabric) made from cotton, wool, or thistle.
You should also know that no mattress is ever 100 percent organic (it could be about 95 percent, at best) and you also have the option of purchasing beds that are only half organic. Always pay attention to the fine print when you buy an organic mattress: some of them are only part organic (like the cover or the comfort layer that’s made with natural latex) and this information should be specified on the page of the product you’re considering buying.
most affordable
Awara Organic Mattress
The support layer is made up of a system of pocketed coils that measures 9 inches in height.
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for heavyweight sleepers
Avocado Organic Green Mattress
The steel perimeter is very impressive, as it improves edge support and minimizes compression when pressure is applied on the edges of the bed.
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for back sleepers
Zenhaven Organic Mattress
Alongside all that cotton there is a one-inch layer of New Zealand wool, a quite natural choice in high-quality organic mattresses.
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great for couple
Naturepedic EOS Pillowtop
The next layer is organic latex that’s wrapped in organic cotton.
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What Do All the Certifications Mean?
This is probably the most confusing part about buying a mattress that you assume is organic. Plenty of marketing strategies will shove certifications in your face to convince you that their product is the safest, most eco-friendly, and a toxin-free option. Knowing what these certifications mean will actually help you understand whether a mattress of interest is organic or not:
CertiPUR-US Certified: Whenever you read about this certification, you should know that it involves a series of tests meant to determine whether the polyfoam that’s used in the construction of a mattress has any chemical emissions. Those responsible for giving such certification (like the Global Organic Latex Standard or the Global Organic Textile Standard) will not grant it to a bed that has polyurethane foam.
GOTS: Short for “Global Organic Textile Standard”, the GOTS certification means to test organic fibers that originate from either raw materials or products that are derived from these materials. Mattresses that have received the GOTS certification have at least a 70 percent composition of organic materials. The remainder 30 percent of the mattress should not include materials such as polyfoam.
GOLS: Short for Global Organic Latex Standard, this certification is a reflection of mattresses that contain latex with at least 95 percent organic composition. However, unlike the GOTS certification, the remainder 5 percent of the materials used in the bed doesn’t have to meet other standards.
OEKO-TEX Standard 100: This is one of the most common certifications that you’ll find on bedding items and mattresses. This is a standard certification given by no less than 18 Japanese and European institutions that test and research materials and which all gather under the name of the International Association for Research and Testing in the Field of Textile and Leather Ecology (which is known as OEKO-TEX). When you see this label, know that it doesn’t mean a bed is organic. What it means is that the bed does fall within the accepted limits of emissions and chemicals to a point where they are of no threat to humans. A bed that meets the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is a bed that doesn’t contain allergy-triggering dyes, PBDEs, VOCs, and formaldehyde.
OEKO-TEX MADE IN GREEN: If the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 tests harmful emissions, the OEKO-TEX MADE IN GREEN certification is looking to see if the mattress was manufactured through a sustainable process.
Eco-Institut: This German-based organization will test materials for chemical substances and harmful emissions. You will most likely find this certification on latex mattresses.
GreenGuard/GreenGuard Gold: The GreenGuard certification is performed when a mattress has reached the end of the production process and can now be tested for VOC emissions. The GreenGuard Gold certification does pretty much what the standard one does, only it follows a stricter set of rules.
The Global Recycled Standard: If you’re interested in buying a bed that will have a minimal impact on the environment, you should look for this certification. This is a test that ensures the materials used to make a mattress come from sustainable sources.
Rainforest Alliance Certified: Whenever you come across a latex mattress that has this certification, it means that the latex inside it comes from forests promoting environmental conservation.
Top 5 Organic Mattresses
Now that we’ve shed some light on the many certifications that an organic mattress can bring to the table, it’s time to scan the market and see what are the best organic mattresses that money can buy right now. If you too are interested in ditching chemicals and going for more environmentally-sustainable products, this is a list that you should check out.
1. Awara Organic Mattress
The Awara mattress is all the rave lately, so we were curious to see how come a bed that claims to be organic can actually come at such a decent price. The mattress starts with a plus Euro Top that’s made with a combination of New Zealand wool and organic cotton, both fibers being very well-known for their breathability or moisture-wicking properties.
Related: The Amazing Awara Sleep Mattress Review!
Next up you have a comfort layer that’s made with Dunlop latex foam. Because this foam comes from rubber tree sap, it has received for the GOLS and the Rainforest Alliance certifications. So far, so good, we seem to be actually be dealing with an organic bed.
Thanks to its materials and construction, the Awara mattress is good for sleepers that weight at least 130 pounds, but also for those who tens to sleep hot. The latex inside the bed does give it a little bit of bounce, so it isn’t the best mattress for motion isolation, but it isn’t something very noticeable.
Who Should Purchase This?
Organic mattresses tend to be expensive, which makes it hard for everyone to find a good bed that meets the criteria. However, the Awara has made it possible and now sells an organic bed made for those who don’t have thousands of dollars to spend on a new mattress.
most affordable
Awara Organic Mattress
The support layer is made up of a system of pocketed coils that measures 9 inches in height.
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Pros:
Great edge support.
Rainforest Alliance certified.
GOLS certified.
Good for hot sleepers.
One mattress sold = 10 trees planted.
Cons:
Not the best pressure point relief.
Motion isolation could be better.
2. Avocado Organic Green Mattress
For a long time, Avocado Green was considered to be the best organic mattress out, but the last few years have brought new and more sophisticated models that are currently impressing everyone with their eco-friendly constructions. But the Avocado bed is still one mean bedding machine, so let’s go over through the construction.
Related: Our 2020 Avocado Green Mattress Review: Experience the Best
First of all, we should mention that the Avocado bed is available in a standard version and a pillowtop one, for those who are looking for a softer bed (side sleepers could really benefit from this). Naturally, the pillowtop version also costs more. The cover of the bed is made with GOTS-certified organic cotton and it’s beautifully hand-tufted. The next layer is made with organic wool, which is also GOTS-certified.
If you opt for the pillowtop version, you will also get an additional later of organic Dunlop latex. The support layer is made from one inch of the same Dunlop latex, which is then followed by a layer of pocketed coils.
Who Should Purchase This?
If you purchase the standard version of the Avocado mattress (the one without the pillowtop), it offers plenty of support to people who sport some extra pounds, and especially for those who weight at least 230 lbs. It also performs really well if you are a back sleeper between 130 and 230 pounds.
for heavyweight sleepers
Avocado Organic Green Mattress
The steel perimeter is very impressive, as it improves edge support and minimizes compression when pressure is applied on the edges of the bed.
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Pros:
100% GOTS organic certified wool.
GREENGUARD Gold Certified.
Formaldehyde Free Certified.
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certified.
Available in a pillowtop version.
Very durable.
Good edge support.
Cons:
Not the best for side sleepers.
3. Zenhaven Organic Mattress
The Zenhaven is a flippable organic mattress, which basically means that it has a mirrored construction with one side being firmer, and the other one being softer. The cover is made with organic cotton which has received antimicrobial fabric treatment to be free of any potential allergy triggers.
Related: The Zenhaven Mattress Review: Why It’s One of the Best
Each side of the mattress comes with one inch of Talalay latex which is punctured so that it will allow air to pass through (even so, latex is naturally a more cooling material compared to foam). As expected, the softer side of the mattress has a softer latex, while the firmer side uses firmer materials. The core of the mattress lies in its six-inch layer of Talalay latex, which is actually divided into two layers of three inches each in order to serve the firmness of each side.
Who Should Purchase This?
If you are a back sleeper at just about any weight, the Zenhaven is the perfect mattress for you. It also serves people who sleep hot, thanks to the Talalay latex which is quite breathable.
for back sleepers
Zenhaven Organic Mattress
Alongside all that cotton there is a one-inch layer of New Zealand wool, a quite natural choice in high-quality organic mattresses.
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Pros:
Two sides with two firmness options.
5-zoned support.
20-years warranty.
Cons:
Bad edge support.
Too firm for side sleepers.
4. Naturepedic EOS Pillowtop
It’s going to be hard to keep this one short because there are many WOW elements about the EOS Pillowtop. It is a mattress made with all things organic, like organic cotton, organic wool batting, PLA, and organic latex. The pillowtop cover is made from a combination of organic wool and cotton but also features a comfort layer from a fiber derived from sugarcane.
The pillowtop encasement is made from organic cotton fabric filled with organic cotton fibers. Then you have more latex wrapped in cotton, and then you finally get to the individually-wrapped coils which, as you guessed, are also wrapped in organic cotton. And if the “word” organic didn’t pop up in the description enough time, there is also a bottom layer made from organic cotton batting. It’s like Naturepedic had too many organic materials lying around and dumped them all into one bed.
Another great thing about this mattress is that you can choose the firmness of each side of the bed. That being said, this mattress is great for sleeping partners with different needs and expectations.
great for couple
Naturepedic EOS Pillowtop
The next layer is organic latex that’s wrapped in organic cotton.
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Who Should Purchase This?
First of all, Naturepedic EOS Pillowtop is a bed good for those who are looking to spend big bucks. It is also good for sleeping partners who prefer different firmness level, but also makes a mean mattress for people who want to sleep in a no-chemical zone.
Pros:
UL/GREENGUARD Certified.
MADE-SAFE Certified.
GOTS Certified.
Customized firmness on each side.
No glues, adhesives, polyurethane foam, or flame retardants.
Cons:
Very expensive.
5. Birch
The Birch mattress is the perfect example of how an organic bed should be. It features a cover that’s made from organic cotton that’s backed up by a combination of rayon and wool underneath. The comfort zone of the mattress is made from two layers: one that’s a combination of organic wool and organic cotton, and the other is a layer made from Talalay latex. The result is a comfort zone that’s breathable, moisture-wicking, durable, and gives the bed a nice bounce.
The support of the mattress is given by a layer of wrapped coils, with thicker ones at the edges to provide minimal compression when reaching the edge of the bed, and thinner coils located close to the center of the mattress that are aimed at providing good sleeper support.
The Birch mattress is a Helix product that comes with 100 nights of free sleep trial and a 25-year warranty.
Who Should Purchase This?
Aside from being a gem in terms of organic mattresses, the Birch bed will provide value for hot sleepers (because the upper layers are breathable and moisture-wicking), for those looking for a durable mattress (as latex is a material known for its longevity), but also for those who like to sleep on their stomach or back (because it is a rather firm bed).
Pros:
GREENGUARD Gold Certified.
OEKO-TEX Certified.
Rainforest Alliance Certified latex.
Cool and breathable.
Cons:
Too firm for side sleepers.
Bottom Line
Make no mistake: organic mattresses can be quite expensive. Even when you head off to the market and look to buy bio products, you surely have noticed that they tend to cost more. Counter-intuitively, products that are sprayed with pesticides and all sorts of questionable chemicals make the produce grow faster, which is why they can be sold for less. Truly organic products follow the natural course of nature in their growth process, which is why they cost more.
When it comes to buying an organic mattress, you will surely get lost into all the certifications that brands tend to shove in the customer’s face, which is why we thought our readers should know what they all mean. An informed buyer is more likely to make the right shopping decisions.
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