jGj’s Green Mattress List
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Since I am asked constantly about the cleanest-greenest Mattresses, I figured that it’s time to update the non-toxic mattress list again – a list that gets longer each year. The ads are everywhere! They generally feature an adorable couple or impossibly hip young family, are delivered in a box directly to your door, claim to be “eco-friendly” at a cost of less than $1000. You’ve seen them… Casper, Wink, Saatva… Hmmm? Sound too good to be true? Let’s break it down.
The term “natural” when applied to mattresses can be a little confusing, primarily because a mattress claiming to use natural memory foam, doesn’t necessarily mean that the mattress is chemical free. Natural latex rubber is derived from the sap of the rubber tree. That milky, sap must go through a vulcanization process to make any rubber product, including sturdy foam for cushions, mattresses and pillows. At this point, all kinds of chemicals might be introduced. In fact, many memory foams will use any combination of synthetic foam and latex to form a hybrid foam. Conventional memory foam is a chemically produced, synthetic petroleum product made from polyurethane. Some soy foams or “eco-foams” contain a fraction of the plant-based materials they claim, making them primarily a petroleum product. For instance, Keetsa, a popular and very affordable, “eco-friendly” (Ahem) line with showrooms in CA and NYC, claims to replace petroleum in their memory foam, with tea tree oil. 12% tea tree oil, to be precise.
CertiPur is a go-to certification for many mattress companies who are after an “eco-friendly” stamp of approval. While CertiPur does perform lab tests that show mattresses are free from harmful chemicals, known carcinogens, PBDE’s, heavy metals, or formaldehyde – be clear that they are only representing that all polyurethane foams meet their low VOC standards. It turns out that CertiPur is a product of the trade association for the Alliance for Flexible Polyurethane Foam. Most of us co-exist with polyurethane obliviously, but if you think that sleeping on polyurethane foam is a good idea, please consider the one thing that you don’t want is to be inhaling it. When inhaled, polyurethane is a known lung irritant and asthma trigger. It is also known to cause skin irritation and migraines. “Low VOC” may be a legitimate category under CertiPur’s certification guidelines, but with the roster of clean, organic, and truly natural mattresses out there, why should anyone need to compromise?
In general, ignore terms like “eco” or “natural” in reference to mattresses. As with all home goods, look for third-party certifications, which are typically born from non-profit, consumer groups with no financial conflicts of interest. Reliable third-party certifications for mattresses include GreenGuard, Oeko-Tex, Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) and Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
Pure, natural latex is inherently hypoallergenic, dust mite resistant, and antimicrobial, which inhibits the growth of bacteria, mold, and mildew – all qualities shared with wool. Natural latex mattresses incased in eco-wool and organic cotton create an allergen-free sleep zone. In addition to health benefits, most people experience a natural latex mattress to be more comfortable than conventional memory foam, circulating heat more effectively while offering better support, hence avoiding that “sinking” feeling.
jGj’s HEALTHIEST MATTRESS PICKS
Avocado Green Mattress is Consumer Reports #1 rated mattress for 2018 – across categories! This is one of the top 3 brands that I would buy if I were replacing a mattress tomorrow. Greenguard Gold certified and a 1% for the planet member, Avocado not only gives back 1% of all sales to support environmental causes, but they are made in the U.S. (CA to be exact). Avocado Green Mattresses are made with 100% natural Dunlop latex harvested from sustainable tree-tapped sources, natural New Zealand wool, certified organic cotton and an internal, zoned, pressure-point system made from recycled steel. They also offer vegan mattresses!
Certified: GreenGuard Gold, Oeko Tex, GOTS
Price range starting at $1399 *all price range quotes are for Queen size
100 day trial (*Avocado will deliver and unbox in the room of your choice for $199, and take away your old mattress set).
Another U.S. mattress manufacturer that I’m very happsy to include on this list! All materials in their product are organically sourced. And because domestic manufacturing saves on transportation and other costs, Happsy invests those savings back into higher quality materials and U.S. jobs. Also a 1% for the Planet member. Another top 3 jGj mattress choice.
Certified: GreenGuard Gold, GOTS, GOLS, MADE SAFE
Price range starting at $1,399
120 day trial
For the carbon-footprint conscious, Zenhaven is crafted here in the U.S., positively influencing the shipping impact. Their mattresses are made with completely eco-friendly materials including all-natural Talalay latex – using a water based manufacturing process that produces minimal amounts of environmentally harmful byproducts, 100% organic New Zealand wool, and organic cotton.
Certified: Oeko Tex, Sustainable Furnishings Council
Price range starting at $1899
120 day trial
Another CA based company, Brentwood Home is also GreenGuard Gold certified and partners with
CarbonFund, offsetting their carbon footprint by investing in environmental initiatives. And for Yogis, Brentwood’s vegan Crystal Cove mattress line also offers vegan meditation pillows.
Certified: GreenGuard Gold
Price range starting at $1295
1 yr. trial!!
Offering Organic Latex mattresses manufactured in a certified organic facility. Essentia’s patented natural memory foam base is Hevea milk that is mixed with other essential natural and organic ingredients that once combined help to achieve the distinctive feel. Fun Fact: if you were to leave an Essentia mattress fully exposed to the elements (wind, rain, sun) it will biodegrade in just 3 years.
Certified: GOLS, GOTS, Oeko Tex, Green America, Exova, and Organic Trade Association
Price range starting at $2,000
60 day trial
NEST (natural line)
Offering Hybrid Latex with coil innerspring mattress and a Vegan Latex mattress option.
*Stick with the “Natural” line to avoid CertiPur certified conventional Memory Foam.
Certified: GOLS & Oeko Tex
Price range starting at $1200
100 day trial
Offering Natural Latex & Organic Wool/Cotton Mattresses & Baby Beds
Certified: B Corporation, GreenGuard, and Cradle to Cradle
Price range starting at $2000
(jGj extra points for assisting customers in recycling used mattresses & the Savvy Rest Safe Sleep Pillow program, donating new pillows to at risk women & children in emergency shelters)
Offering Natural & Organic Latex mattresses in their Botanical Bliss & Natural Bliss collection(s)
Certified: GreenGuard Gold, GOTS, GOLS, Oeko-Tex, USDA Organic
Price range starting at $1000
100 day trial
OMI’s moisture resistant wool mattress pad
OMI is a subsidiary of LifeKInd – a 20 year leader of the Organic Mattress trade. Offering completely organic mattresses that also include coiled innerspring models.
Certified: USDA Organic; GOLS; GOTS; GreenGuard; Oeko Tex
Price range starting at $3000
90 day comfort exchange
One of the original, organic mattress mavericks. Offering a design of organic latex layers over plant-based, batting incased support coils.
Certified: GOTS, GOLS, OC100, FSC, Rainforest Alliance, MADE SAFE
Price range starting at $1999
30 day money back guarantee/90 day free layer swap on the EOS line
Offering natural latex & organic latex mattresses plus pillows and toppers using organic cotton, Wool, Kapok & Buckwheat hulls. Vegan options also available.
Certified: GOLS; euroLATEX ECO-Standard; Oeko Tex,\; Joma Wool; OE 100 Standard; FSC; Green Power Partner; Green America; Organic Trade Association
Price range starting at $1200
Offering natural latex mattresses that include coconut fiber & seaweed (which slowly releases iodine – offering gentle boost to the respiratory system)
Certified: Oeko Tex; GOTS; FSC; Sustainable Furnishings Council; Woolmark
Price range starting at $2400
14 night trial