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 materials in organic mattresses are sustainably sourced, antimicrobial and hypoallergenic, so you don't have to worry about them triggering allergies or asthma. Organic latex foam is also great for people who are hot sleepers because it is perforated for better air flow.
Organic mattresses include several materials such as latex foam, recycled steel coils, and organic cotton or wool. Each material will affect the feel of the mattress, so it's important to understand what you're getting before you buy. For example, organic latex foam beds feel firmer and denser. Not to mention, some materials can add to the price, like Dunlop latex.
Certificates
When you buy an organic mattress, a third party certificates make sure you get a bed that contains sustainably sourced organic materials.
Here are some of the important certifications to look for when comparing organic mattresses:
- EWG certified: This certification states that the mattress is made without harmful chemicals, flame retardant, fiberglass, PVC and “forever” chemicals.
- FSC: The Forest Stewardship Council certifies that wood products are sourced appropriately from responsibly managed forests.
- CertiPUR-US: This certification ensures that the mattress foams are free of toxic flame retardants, heavy metals and other harmful substances. It also means that the bed has low emissions of volatile organic compounds.
- GOTS: The Global Organic Textile Standard is a third-party organization with established criteria for organic fibers. A mattress with a GOTS seal has at least 95% organic fibers.
- GOALS: Global Organic Latex Standard certifications mean that the mattress contains at least 95% raw and organic latex.
- GreenGuard Gold: This certificate means that the mattress meets the standards for chemical emissions.
- Oeko-Tex Standard 100: This certificate is specific to the textile of the mattresses. Seeing a mattress with an OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certificate means that the textile has been tested for harmful substances.
Body type
Your body type is also important when buying an organic mattress. Some materials, such as steel coils and multi-layer latex foam, are better suited to heavier body types because they offer the support and durability they need.
Your body type will also affect how your mattress feels. A petite person will put less pressure on the mattress, which means it will feel firmer for them. Someone over 230 pounds will sink further into the mattress, making it feel softer. It's important to keep your body type in mind to choose a firmness level that best suits your needs and preferences.
Sleeping position
Based on your sleeping position, here's how firm you want your organic mattress to be:
- Side sleepers need a softer mattress that relieves pressure points on the shoulders, hips and knees. We suggest you a plush organic mattress like Amerisleep organic plush or on Botanical Bliss plush beds.
- 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 them Green avocado, Birch or Avara natural hybrid mattresses.
- Combination frets have the most flexibility, but you should choose firmness based on the position you spend the most time in. If you're someone in the middle, we suggest a mattress with about medium firmness — like WinkBed EcoCloud.