Mattresses are subjective. What works for someone else may not be best for you. Keeping these factors in mind will help you find the best organic mattress.
Material
All organic mattress materials are sustainably sourced, antimicrobial, and hypoallergenic, so you don’t have to worry about them triggering your allergies or asthma. Organic latex foam is also ideal for hot sleepers because it is perforated for better air circulation.
Organic mattresses include several materials like latex foam, recycled steel springs, and organic cotton or wool. Each material will impact the feel of a mattress, so it’s important to understand what you’re getting before you buy. For example, organic latex foam beds are firmer and denser. Not to mention that certain materials can increase the price, such as Dunlop latex.
Certifications
When you buy an organic mattress, a third party certificates make sure you get a bed with sustainably sourced, organic materials.
Here are some of the important certifications to look for when comparing organic mattresses:
- EWG verified: This certification indicates that the mattress was made without harmful chemicals, flame retardants, fiberglass, PVC and “forever” chemicals.
- FSC: The Forest Stewardship Council certifies that wood products are appropriately sourced from responsibly managed forests.
- CertiPUR-US: This certification ensures that mattress foams are free of toxic flame retardants, heavy metals and other harmful substances. This also means that the bed produces low emissions of volatile organic compounds.
- GOTS: Global Organic Textile Standard is a third-party organization with established criteria for organic fibers. A GOTS certified mattress contains at least 95% organic fibers.
- GOLS: Global Organic Latex Standard certifications mean that the mattress contains at least 95% raw, organic latex.
- GreenGuard Gold: This certification means that the mattress meets chemical emissions standards.
- Oeko-Tex 100 standard: This certification is specific to mattress textiles. Seeing a mattress with an OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification means that the textiles have been tested for harmful substances.
Body type
Your body type also matters when shopping for an organic mattress. Certain materials, like steel coils and multiple layers of latex foam, are better suited to heavier body types because they provide the support and durability they need.
Your body type will also influence how you feel on the mattress. A smaller person will put less pressure on the mattress, which means it will feel firmer. A person weighing more than 230 pounds will sink further into the mattress, making it softer. It’s important to keep your body type in mind to choose the firmness level that best suits your needs and preferences.
Sleeping position
Depending on your sleeping position, here is the desired firmness of your organic mattress:
- Side sleepers need a softer mattress that relieves pressure points in the shoulders, hips, and knees. We suggest a soft organic mattress like the Organica plush by Amerisleep or the PlushBeds Botanical Happiness.
- Back and stomach sleepers should look for a firmer mattress that will keep their spine in neutral alignment throughout the night. Most organic mattresses are firmer, so you can’t go wrong with the Avocado green, Birch Or Awara natural hybrid mattress.
- Combination sleepers have the most flexibility, but you should choose the firmness based on the position you spend the most time in. If you are someone in between, we suggest a mattress with a medium firmness, such as the WinkBed EcoCloud.
