Mattresses can be a handful to deal with. They are another crazy thing like love and all its weaknesses. And they come at a price you’re willing to pay because the idea of them sounds good for your mind, body and health. Want to know what a good mattress can do for you, give this a read!
There can be some lose springs that dig into your back and leave you annoyed with the sudden adventure.
Or you might be dealing with an unfeeling mattress that feels like a grumpy partner who refuses you cuddles. Or…a mattress too soft and sinkable, that it is just overwhelming.
Also, you are losing your sleepy time over these worries- small and big, yet you choose to trudge through the misery and wake up like you’ve sailed through the seven oceans just to be with your one and only. Speaking of oceans and oceanic pollution, that reminds us of why organic and non-toxic mattress toppers are necessary, when you are thinking of ditching your foam mattress for good.
This is why we bring to you our latest thoughts on organic mattress toppers and why you should go for them. Also, scroll down (and read!) to find our list of 10 such organic and non-toxic mattress toppers that will work wonders for you along with supporting craftspeople who make handmade products that are eco-friendly and are ethical.
Why Go for Mattress Toppers: The Terrible Cost of Ditching Your Mattress
Being aware of the telltale signs of a bad mattress will prompt you to get rid of it right away. But, are you aware of the environmental cost of ditching your pathetic and sagging mattress?
Our regular mattresses often contain a host of chemicals. Gone are the days when they were stuffed of pure cotton or horsehair and wool. If you have been wondering what makes you sweat so much when you sleep, the answer may lie in the numerous off-gassing chemicals mattresses use today.
These chemicals include Polyurethane foam (a.k.a. Polyfoam), , synthetic latex, flame retardants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)- that also make your mattress give off a weird stench. Such chemicals make mattresses extremely toxic and unsafe- right from their manufacturing process till the point that they are discarded.
And here come in non-toxic mattress toppers.
Not only do mattress toppers increase the life of your mattress, they also help your body adapt well to them, thus giving you a reason to not ditch the irritating foam mattress so soon. Organic and non-toxic mattress toppers are safe to use- which means that you won’t be tossing and turning in a chemical dump.
Non-toxic and organic mattress toppers score high in our department of sustainability. First off, these revolutionary products prevent additional toxic waste that is already present in tonnes in our ever-overflowing landfills. Secondly, these toppers have health benefits your unyielding mattress doesn’t. Thirdly, given how many chemical compounds are used in our mattresses, an organic mattress topper will be a better choice as the materials used in it lessen petroleum consumption by a significant margin.
If you are thinking about hopping on to the wagon and get yourself the best organic mattress topper to save those bucks- do go for it and do so with pride!
What is the Criteria for Great Organic and Non-Toxic Mattress Toppers?
Let’s give you a hooray for not discarding your harmful mattress like that and giving eco-friendly mattress toppers a chance!
Okay, we’re done with fanfare. Now, we need to know what is it that makes organic mattress toppers so special.
Before we tell you about the jazz around eco-friendly mattress toppers or bed toppers made from organic latex, you stand warned- like any other trendy products that are hitting the market right now, like non-toxic hair dyes, green supplements to enrich your diet with vegan Omega-3 or garbage disposal bags, even mattress toppers are not safe from the dangers of greenwashing.
However, it is always good to be knowledgeable about things- especially when you are combining your demands with a conscious purpose to become more sustainable and channel your goals for a zero waste lifestyle.
As far as non-toxic and organic bed toppers are concerned, they are judged by a standard yardstick that is painfully obvious. Yet, we are putting it down for you because while shopping for something that is still an infant trend catching up slowly, we tend to get a little confused.
You should keep the following in mind while shopping for an eco-friendly mattress topper that is safe and fuss-free-
Whatever fits your bed
Because frankly, who would like a bed topper that slides right off the mattress or is too short that it leaves your feet totally unloved and uncomfortable? Also, if you care too much about your mattress showing beneath the bedspread, it is always good to look for a bed topper that is the Goldilocks kind of just right!
Motion Transfer
If you’re someone who is irritated by the creaky springs in your mattress whenever your partner is coming for you for their much deserved cuddle time- you must invest in a mattress topper that improves your bed’s motion isolation.
Simply put, motion isolation is when you can feel the presence of movement in another part of the mattress. Sensitive sleepers are perhaps hyper-aware of this and might jump at the slightest movement they feel when their pet or partner comes in to share their sleeping space. Check out how mattress toppers are checked for their motion isolation, right here!
Learn to differentiate between a topper, a mattress pad and a mattress protector
You can actually skip yourself a whole lot of pain by reading up on these different products. Though all of them sound synonymous (blame the net for the confusion)- these are totally different.
Mattress pads and protectors are like raincoats for your mattress to protect it from the onslaught of dirt and stains. They do nothing to aid your sleeping experience, which mattress toppers do.
Materials
Of course we are going for the options that help us combat the harm we have been doing to the planet! Look for materials such as natural latex. Confused much because our market has fed you that latex is synthetic story by the spoonful? Natural latex is sourced from the rubber tree and does not contain any petroleum additives.
Other natural alternatives for mattress toppers are the ones filled with bamboo, kapok or hemp fiber, organic wool or organic cotton.
Density
The correlation between the material filled in the mattress and how effectively it supports your body is positive. So look out for a mattress topper stuffed with goodness and for heaven’s sake DO NOT go for something poorly stuffed. Also, check if the distribution of the stuffing is uniform.
Thickness and Firmness
Now, this is something that depends a lot on your personal preferences- you need to listen to what your body is telling you. Buying a harder or a softer mattress topper is dependent on how well you know your mattress and its 99 problems.
Third Party Certifications for Organic Mattress Toppers
Like every product out there, even organic mattress toppers have some certifications that signify-
They do not release a high concentration of smelly and dangerous chemical fumes and ensure cleaner indoor air
They are made from organic materials
They are climate neutral and are carbon-offsetting
These certifications are-
1. GREENGUARD Gold- This certification means that your eco-friendly mattress topper has passed the toughest industrial standards and results in cleaner indoor air quality. It is important that your mattress and toppers do not release fumes that can interfere with your health and cause respiratory problems.
2. CertiPUR-US – This certification ensures that your mattress toppers are free of formaldehyde, mercury and lead along with being low on those VOCs
3. GOLS and GOTS- These two standards are the benchmark endorsed by the USDA’s National Organic Program and ensure that the textiles and organic latex used in mattress toppers are organic and are socially responsible as well.
What are Non-Toxic and Organic Mattress Toppers Made Of?
Natural Latex
Going for an organic latex mattress topper can work wonders for you, especially if you shy away from options like wool because you are vegan. And yes, veganism doesn’t just apply to food habits or Veganuary- it extends to other aspects of our lifestyle as well.
(Want to read something on vegan leather? Take a tour of this article to know about it! Or how about soy candles that are totally plant based and that do not trouble the bees?)
Natural latex is a safe option for vegans- it is antimicrobial and a pro at regulating temperatures according to how hot and cold it is. Plus, it is biodegradable and will degrade without leaving any toxic residue behind.
Organic Cotton
While cotton will be a little heavier than other alternatives, the organically grown white saint will help you shush those sleep time blues.
(Also, if something more than a faulty mattress is keeping you up, it might be good to look at these natural sleep remedies to treat insomnia and sleep apnea.)
Cotton that is grown free of pesticides is an excellent filling for your organic mattress toppers, despite the fact that it might lose its shape over time and is blended with natural latex to keep it firm.
Organic Wool
For people who are a little flexible with plant and animal produce (of course, the processes need to be ethical and cruelty free, let’s be sensitive to the dangers of mass breeding animals for commercial production), organic wool is a great option if you’re looking for the best organic mattress topper.
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Wool is flame-resistant, antimicrobial and doesn’t worry about it off-gassing bad chemicals that take your shut-eye time away with them.
Which Chemicals You Should Beware of When Looking for Eco-Friendly Mattress Toppers?
And here is the section which is perhaps one of the most important- after all that is a complete guide to the best organic mattress toppers if it does not warn you to look out for the harmful aspects of mattresses that you should steer clear of?
As we mentioned before, conventional foam mattresses are not the ideal option, contrary to how peacefully the people in the advertisements are sleeping on them. What they don’t tell you is that they are full of chemical additives like polyfoam, VOCs and flame retardants.
Our reasons for rejecting mattress toppers laden with such chemicals are quite simple.
Polyfoam mattresses are made from carcinogenic compounds!
Yikes, that really made us look at mattresses with wide-eyed shock. Polyfoam is also the result of an energy-hungry process that involves creating it with polyols and diisocyanates that are known to cause tumours and also, air pollution. If you wish to know more about it in detail about how polyfoam plants are wreaking havoc on our atmosphere by leaking out pollutants like hydrogen cyanide, read this eye-opener. The compounds that are used in the manufacture of polyfoam are also carcinogenic.
Moreover, worker safety during the manufacture of polyfoam is heavily compromised since the process releases compounds like methylene chloride, toluene diisocyanate (TDI), hydrogen cyanide that can cause asthma and even death.
VOCs Cause Major Health Hazards!
Another word you should be including in your blacklist is VOC- or volatile organic compounds. Most VOCs are categorized as carcinogens and are emitted as breathable gases whose concentration increases by tenfold when you are indoors.
Some of these compounds are also greenhouse gases and contribute to climate change. VOCs are also a hazardous thing to deal with as it can give you serious headaches, nasal irritation, dizziness, liver and kidney damage and even increase the risk of miscarriage and other fertility problems.
Flame Retardants Contaminate the Environment and Your Body!
Flame retardants are yet another class of chemicals you should steer clear of when you are buying a mattress or are going to ditch one very soon. Flame retardants are substances that are used to protect mattresses and furniture to insulate them from minor burns that can turn into a conflagration.
These substances are also called Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PDBEs) that can lead to an increased risk of cancer, disruption of thyroid function and neurodevelopmental anomalies.
Moreover, they persist in the environment, which is a cause for genuine worry as PBDEs can easily accumulate in human bodies (like fertilizers, ever heard of biological magnification?) and can contaminate the whole environment in utterly disastrous ways.
Other Chemicals
We have categorized other singular chemicals in this division. Chemicals like Antimony, Boric Acid and other Halogenic Flame Retardants can cause eye, heart and lung problems along with causing damage to brain and nerve activity.
Best 8 Organic Mattress Toppers That Will Help You Sleep Better!
Avocado
We kick off this list with one of the best brands you can go for when it comes to organic mattress toppers. Avocado’s mattress toppers are chemical free and entirely non-toxic that satisfy the strictest emission standards. Avocado products also possess the Greenguard Gold certification, OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certificate and feature GOLS organic standard latex.
Moreover, the company’s range of Vegan mattress toppers are an absolute snatch for fans of strong, reinforced seams that won’t burst and leak out the padding. Avocado is quite a high-end brand that is committed to using the Dunlop latex that is antimicrobial and more durable than Talalay latex which is much less eco-friendly.
Brentwood Home
When we visited their aesthetic website (seriously, our eyes have been blessed with that color palette), Brentwood Home had already won our heart. But then, thus post isn’t about how pretty and professional websites look.
It’s about organic mattress toppers and the brand offers 100 percent organic, natural latex mattress toppers that are encased in a 100% GOTS certified cotton jersey.
Also, Brentwood Home boasts of customisation- you can adjust the size and thickness of the topper.
All Brentwood Home products are made from natural latex sourced from India and Guatemala.
You can even check out their Cedar Luxe Mattress Topper that is GOTS certified organic and uses OLS certified organic latex, GOTS certified organic wool, and a delicate GOTS certified organic cotton cover.
Certifications galore, these toppers are also Greenguard Gold Certified- which means that you are cutting down on those harmful indoor emissions and prevent motion transfer and surface disturbances along with promising breathability and comfort so that you can catch on all those zzzzzzs.
Birch
Birch’s plush organic mattress topper features in other lists of the best organic mattress toppers- which means that so many swear by this brand and have testified to the comfort and soft feel of these toppers.
Handcrafted and made of 100% natural latex, Birch’s organic mattress toppers add that bounce and plushness to your unforgiving mattress.
Aside from using natural latex, these mattress toppers are made from Birch’s proprietary wool and organic cotton.
This three inch thick bundle of goodness is a totally eco-friendly initiative and well, the price speaks of its quality. So, do not hesitate in investing in this GOTS and GREENGUARD Gold certified topper that will make you feel drowsy as soon as you hit the bed.
Saatva
Saatva’s bed toppers promise to elevate your sleeping experience.
Thoughtfully crafted with the best naturally breathable and moisture-wicking organic cotton, it passes all the three checks- it is sustainable, super-soft and supportive.
Ranked as one of the best mattress toppers you can find, Sattva holds strong to their commitment to the environment.
The mattress topper is excellent for motion isolation and adds an instant layer of softness to your bed. It also comes with a 180 day trial period, so don’t shy from trying it right now!
Coyuchi
If you wish to go for comfort while benefitting the climate- Coyuchi’s Climate Beneficial Wool Mattress is right up your alley.
Ensuring soft support and insulation while making your bed look luxurious, this bed topper is encased in 100% GOTS Certified Organic Cotton and are made from ethically sourced Tahoe Wool!
With carefully hand-knotted squares that hold the wool stuffing in place, this brand also donates 1% of their proceeds to Fibershed and 1% for the Planet.
Boll & Branch
Mentioning organic, high end bedding products from Boll and Branch is a must!
This pillowy, super-soft mattress topper is made with humanely treated New-Zealand sheep’s wool.
Easily attachable to your mattress, Boll and Branch’s mattress topper is an ethical, savvy and effective solution that can prolong the life of your mattress as well!
Latex for Less
If you’re running low on money and still wish to incorporate a change for the better- Latex for Less is your best bet out there.
This mattress toppers promises you that soft, cushiony comfort and is 100% natural with no synthetic ingredients that might trouble you.
This naturally hypoallergenic, single origin natural latex mattress topper also meets the Oeko-Tex Standard 100 and Eco-Institut certification.
Wishing for a chemical-free, GOTS certified miracle? Then go for this affordable option that will make your life better and more environmentally ethical!
PlushBeds
Like its name, PlushBeds’ range of organic mattress toppers feature their handmade wool toppers and natural latex toppers that meet high standards like Greenguard Gold, Oeko-Tex Standard 100. Made from GOTS certified organic cotton and 100% natural wool, PlushBeds offer you ready comfort, lasting durability and excellent pressure relief to enrich your slumber.
The BeZen Take on Organic Mattress Toppers
Enhancing your sleeping experience can produce myriad benefits for your body and more-so when your bed is soft, welcoming and also ethical. Therefore, organic mattress toppers that are safe, non-toxic and are certified by verifiable organizations are a great option to go for. We encourage you to try these excellent bed toppers for yourself and see what it can do for you and nature. After all conscious comfort as a priority is one of our resolutions for 2022. About time we implement it in our lives to minimize the waste and protect ourselves as well as the planet from harm while empowering farm communities and handicrafts workers.
