The Ultimate Guide to Eco-Friendly Mattresses: Sustainable Sleep for a Greener Tomorrow

A few years ago, price and comfort were the important factors at play for most Canadians when they shopped for mattresses. However, as pollution from chemicals and plastic takes a toll on the environment, the general impact is currently on the consumer's mind. Thus, there is a growing need for an eco-friendly or natural mattress.

Buying a mattress made of natural materials can improve your sleep experience. Cotton, wool, tencel, and other similar materials make mattresses more breathable. Unfortunately, it can be challenging for most people to choose the right eco-friendly mattress, which is why we created this guide.

Why Choose an Eco-Friendly Mattress?

Eco-friendly mattresses are made from sustainable resources with little to no chemical pollutants. Here are the benefits of switching to the best eco-friendly mattresses.

Health Benefits to Users

You have probably noticed that sometimes when you lie down on a regular mattress, you may experience allergies, itching, and even develop sores. Most traditional mattresses are packed with toxic chemicals that cause irritation and discomfort. They can affect your skin and cause a negative respiratory system reaction, such as runny nose and sneezing.

The most effective solution to such issues is an eco-friendly mattress, as it is made from non-toxic or hypoallergenic materials. Such materials won't cause allergies and skin rashes.

Environmental Benefits

Another reason you may want to switch to an eco-friendly mattress is that it doesn't harm the environment. The specific materials used in the production process are organic and environmentally friendly. This reduces the general impact on the environment. These mattresses don't contain mercury, VOCs, formaldehyde, and other toxic chemicals.

Best Eco-Friendly Mattresses: Our Recommendations

Most eco-friendly mattress brands don't use materials or manufacturing approaches that may harm the environment. Here are the top eco-friendly mattresses you may want to consider.

1. Birch Mattress

The Birch mattress brand was launched in 2019 by Helix – the parent company. Over the years, it has earned a reputation for mattresses and bedding products using eco-friendly and sustainably sourced materials.

Pros

• A supportive mattress with a durable hybrid design
• It has a latex comfort system and a coil support core that absorbs less heat and improves air circulation
• It has a broad range of material quality, safety certifications, and sustainability
• The mattress offers outstanding motion isolation

Cons

• Birch mattresses contain latex – a hypoallergenic material not suitable for people with latex allergy
• It has responsive design limits, particularly regarding motion isolation.

2. The Simba Organic Mattress

This organic, hybrid mattress utilizes two coil layers to create the ideal support and comfort for hot sleepers and users with back pain. It's made of 100% organic and recyclable materials. Simba mattresses are assembled without chemical glue. This makes recycling easier compared to other mattresses.

Pros

• Offers best support for back and side sleepers
• Made from organic and 100% recyclable materials
• Excellent edge support
• Each mattress layer is designed to provide support and superior cooling

Cons

• The mattress cover isn't removable
• The mattress is too soft for heavy and front sleepers

3. Silk & Snow Organic Mattress

This mattress combines New Zealand wool, cotton, pocketed steel coils, and natural latex to offer a soft and bouncy feel. It is competitively priced and is perfect for users looking for eco-friendly mattresses. Be sure to check other eco-friendly mattresses reviews before you make your final choice.

Pros

• It's ideal for organic or eco-friendly mattress shoppers on a budget
• Made of certified organic cotton, natural latex, and sustainable New Zealand wool
• Offers excellent support
• Made from durable materials

Cons

• Users who prefer the close hug associated with a memory foam mattress may not like the buoyant feel linked to the Silk & Snow organic mattress.

Most side sleepers weighing under 130 pounds are likely to experience a buildup of pressure around their shoulders and hips.

Affordable Non-Toxic and Organic Mattress Options

1. Vatneström Mattress

IKEA is known for offering smart home services, but they also provide high-quality mattresses. Vatneström is a mid-range pocket IKEA organic mattress whose foam layer and top layer are made from hypoallergenic and breathable latex as well as other natural materials.

Pros

• A good choice for users looking for spinal support, back sleepers, stomach sleepers, and side sleepers
• Its hybrid configuration ensures maximum ventilation suitable for hot sleepers
• An affordable, non-toxic mattress option

Cons

• Not suitable for heavyweight users looking for firmness
• Lacks dedicated lumber support or edge support

2. Eco Terra Hybrid Latex

If you are drawn to an affordable, non-toxic mattress, then the Eco Terra hybrid latex mattress is an excellent choice. It's made of upcycled steel coils, Talalay latex, organic cotton, and organic wool. Also, this mattress is handmade in the US without the use of synthetic materials or harsh chemicals that could harm the environment.

Pros

• A breathable, durable, and highly responsive organic mattress
• The mattress is available in two firmness options, making it ideal for a variety of sleeper types
• GOTS and GOLS certifications indicate sustainable material sourcing

Cons

• Stomach sleeps weighing over 230 pounds may not get sufficient support from this mattress
• Its bouncy surface might cause disruptive motion transfer

3. Saatva Latex Hybrid

This mattress combines individually pocketed coils and responsive latex foam to create a firm bed that's bouncy and supportive. So, if you are looking for an organic memory foam mattress, you may want to try this latex hybrid from Saatva or another option from the same company.

Pros

• The zoned latex and pocketed coil layers offer highly targeted support and protect the mattress's edges
• The latex hybrid design ensures perfect temperature control
• Free White Glove delivery across the United States

Cons

• Co-sleepers are likely to feel each other's movement
• $99 processing fee for all returns

Natural Mattress vs. Organic Memory Foam Mattress

To most people, there's no difference between an organic and a natural mattress. After all, these are interchangeable words that mean the same bed type. Both mattress types use materials such as cotton, latex, and wool instead of synthetic materials.

However, there's a difference between a natural and affordable organic mattress. The latter is made of certified organic material, contains no harmful chemicals, and is often costlier than natural mattresses. When looking for an organic mattress, it's crucial to ensure it uses GOLS-certified latex and GOTS-certified materials such as steel coils, plant-based PLA, and food-grade polyethylene.
So why consider an organic mattress option? Well, for some users, the chemicals and synthetic materials used in most mattresses can act as irritants. This is particularly true for users with skin issues and respiratory problems.

Note that natural mattresses don't always use fully certified (GOLS and GOTS) organic materials. While they have fewer synthetic components than standard mattresses, they are cheaper than organic mattresses. These mattresses use products like silk, bamboo fibre, wool, cotton, and cashmere. The fillings are natural but not handmade. They are also comfortable and eco-friendly.

Eco-Friendly Mattress Enhancements

Even when your mattress doesn't seem dirty, keep in mind that bacteria, musty odours, and dust mites are likely to build up over time. Beyond that, using a clean and fresh-smelling mattress allows you to get a good night's sleep. That's why it's crucial to learn different eco-friendly mattress cleaning techniques.

There are different ways to clean your mattress. Some of them include popular brand cleaning supplies you can find in local stores or online platforms.

These mattress cleaning supplies include:

• Baking soda (quantity depends on the size of your bed)
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Toothbrush
• Spray bottle
• Vacuum cleaner
• White rags
• Sifter (this one is optional)
• Clear dish soap (avoid coloured soaps as they can stain your mattress)
• Essential oil (optional)

Once you have assembled these supplies, you can get started. Alternatively, you can easily find local companies that offer mattress cleaning services. These service providers have the resources and expertise needed to clean mattresses.

After cleaning your mattress, it's time to keep it pristine. Using an eco-friendly mattress protector can extend the lifespan of your mattress and prevent physical damage. Note that some mattress companies may avoid the warranty if you don't use a protector. Considering the importance of protecting your investment, you should never ignore a mattress protector.

There are many options when it comes to getting an eco-friendly mattress cover. For instance, Silk & Snow mattress covers offer complete waterproofing, cooling, and quiet use. This makes them perfect for many Canadian households. Hush mattress protector, on the other hand, uses tencel. It wicks away moisture while keeping you comfortable throughout the night.

For users who prefer a smooth bamboo material, the Utopia Bedding bamboo mattress cover is a great option. It is comfortable and soft. It also has viscose bamboo to lower high temperatures. Regardless of the size and type of your bed, you can find a mattress protector that matches your needs.

Specialized Eco-Friendly Mattress Options

Here are specialized, eco-friendly mattress options you can choose from:

Eco-Friendly Futon Mattress

Futons are now being used beyond stoner flop houses and college dorms. Indeed, they have become a mainstream solution even for guest stays. Sure, most futon mattress options are made from unsustainable materials with toxins that could harm the environment. Luckily, there are options that are eco-friendly. These are made from certified organic materials such as wool, cotton, and latex.

Some of these eco-friendly futons include ISleepSimple firm cotton and wool futons, Shikibuton Japanese futon mattresses, Support Plus coil mattresses, and more. These futon mattresses are ideal for people who spend nights in guest rooms, need an extra bed, or have limited space.

Eco-Friendly Bamboo Mattress

When you hear about a bamboo mattress, it doesn't mean you will sleep on a bundle of bamboo stems. Instead, you will rest on a mattress made from high-quality bamboo fibre. Such fibres are often used for actual memory foam mattress protectors. In the production process of these mattresses, right from bamboo farming to shipping, top eco-friendly bamboo mattress producers use sustainable methods.

Research suggests bamboo mattresses facilitate a good night's sleep, help relieve body aches, don't trigger allergies, and don't cause extensive harm to the environment.

Eco-Friendly Camping Mattress

If you intend to take your camping game a notch higher while limiting your environmental footprint, invest in an eco-friendly camping mattress. An environmentally friendly camping bed and gear are often made from renewable or sustainable materials. Such material options are biodegradable and have limited impact on the environment.

Note that environmentally friendly camping gear is less likely to be made from sustainable or natural materials that contain less or no chemicals. Thus, they are less likely to trigger allergic reactions or cause harm to the environment. Considering these mattresses are made from sturdy and lightweight materials like recycled polyester, hemp, and bamboo, they are durable.

Eco-Friendly Mattress Disposal

When it comes to keeping your sleeping environment clean, proper mattress disposal (old ones) is crucial. It prevents dirt buildup and ensures your old mattress is recycled instead of dumping it in a landfill. Some of the eco-friendly and effective ways to dispose of mattresses include:

• Contact the local council for safe mattress disposal
• Donate the old mattress to someone in need
• Giving it away or reselling it at a low price
• Get your mattress recycled

Avoid mattress disposal methods that may harm the environment. Some of these techniques include burning the mattress, hiring a skip (the old mattress may end up in a landfill), leaving it on the street, and fly-tipping the mattress.

Consider Purchasing an Eco-Friendly Mattress

Buying an eco-friendly mattress is an excellent solution for your family. You now know the environmental, health-related, and aesthetic benefits of eco-friendly mattresses. That means you can make an informed choice. These mattresses facilitate a good night's sleep, provide better support, and contain no toxins that could trigger allergic reactions and respiratory problems.

Just like other mattresses on the market today, it's recommended to research before purchasing any eco-friendly mattress. Be sure to choose a durable option that's less toxic, comfortable, and, most importantly, eco-friendly.