Most mattresses in the market today are made from petrochemicals, synthetic materials and chemical additives. Yes they are, made out of all those names that are hard to pronounce and that we actually find in pesticides and insecticides like roach killers.

You may think that our bodies can’t tell the difference, but that “new” smell that comes with your mattress is off gassing tons of chemicals into the air that you breathe and those poisonous chemicals like flame retardants can pass through the mattress covers.

It is required by Federal law that all mattresses contain fire-retardant materials (because some people fall asleep while smoking) and the most common way to make mattresses fire-retardant is to douse them in toxic chemicals that can cause lung and heart problems, skin irritations, and other issues.

Below are a few of the toxic chemicals that can be found in conventional memory foam mattresses:

Antimony – Also found in vinyl and PET plastic bottles, is applied inside the fabric of the mattress as fire retardant.
Boric Acid –Also added to interior fabric is bad for the eyes, lungs, and causes irritation.
Vinyl – Used to make mattresses waterproof, contains phthalates and heavy metals.
Polyurethane foam – another plastic used in the internal structure and since it burns easily it requires fire retardants.
Formaldehyde – Commonly used as an industrial fungicide, germicide, and as a preservative in mortuaries serves as an adhesive and causes allergies, asthma, and cancer.

Just like there are organic fruits and vegetables free from harmful chemicals and pesticides, there are mattresses that qualify as organic. Since we spend one-third of our lives in bed, a better option is a mattress manufactured out of natural materials like wool, latex, organic cotton, bamboo, and/or coconut fibers.

If you are in the market for a new mattress, below is a list of brands of organic mattresses to choose from:

SAVVY REST
Organic mattresses made with layers of natural latex foam rubber, organic cotton, certified organic wool in a wide range of custom combinations.
OMI
Poduces luxury certified organic mattresses and bedding, proudly handcrafted in America from the highest quality sustainable raw materials available.
ROYAL PEDIC
Luxury mattresses made with the finest natural materials from around the world, from pristine long staple cotton, to natural latex sourced from sustainable plantations, to the exuisite comfort of all natural lamb’s wool.
AVOCADO
One of the most popular brands and affordable natural mattresses on the market made with 100% GOTS organic certified cotton & wool, 100% natural latex
COCO MAT
Coconut fiber, provides adequate support for the body’s weight, while the more elastic layers of natural latex follow the body’s shape.
AWARA
Made with a layer of Rainforest Alliance-Certified Dunlop latex coupled with premium coil springs that adjust to your body’s unique curves and 100% Organic Wool fiber from New Zealand.
SAATVA
Handcrafted with the highest quality materials, including antimicrobial organic cotton, CertiPUR-US certified foams, and eco-friendly components and all of mattresses come with a 120-night home trial.
BIRCH
This NYC-based brand is OEKO-TEX and Rainforest Alliance certified and made with organic, natural, hypoallergenic, and anti-microbial materials, including a natural cotton cover, hygroscopic wool and sustainably-tapped latex.

Is Your Mattress Toxic?