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Know-How · Nursery
Buyer’s Guide to Healthy, Ecologically Sound Mattresses
by Debra Lynn Dadd, 10/18/06You'll need to decide on two main factors when buying a mattress: the materials you want, and the design and construction you want.
Debra Lynn Dadd has graciously offered to share this excerpt from her e-book, "Choosing a Natural Bed," to help you compare the health, environmental, and performance qualities of different types of mattresses. For complete advice about selecting a natural bed, purchase Debra's e-book here.
MATERIALS
Materials used to make mattresses have varied characteristics, benefits and pricing. The basics on natural materials:
Cotton
Cotton gives good, firm support. The disadvantages are that it packs down over time, getting harder and harder with use, and it does not "breathe" well. Cotton absorbs moisture from dampness in the air and body perspiration faster than it can release it. There are three types of cotton available:
- Conventional cotton fabric and batting is made with cotton that has been sprayed with pesticides.
- "Green" cotton fabric and batting is made with cotton that has been sprayed with pesticides, but has not been treated with other chemicals in processing or finishing.
- Organic cotton fabric and batting are made from cotton that has been grown and processed without pesticides or toxic petrochemicals. Look for the Organic Trade Association's seal to be sure that the bleaching, dyeing, printing and other processing steps that produce a finished product were organic as well.
Wool
Many mattresses contain at least some wool because of its many benefits. Wool is fast drying, so it is completely mildew resistant and keeps your body dry and comfortable through the night. It also does not harbor dust mites or bacteria. Wool is naturally flame resistant, so chemical flame retardants are not needed for wool mattresses. Look for wool that has been grown through programs that specify humane treatment of the animals.
Hemp
Organically grown hemp is used in futons and mattresses. Hemp is extremely durable and has properties similar to wool. Also like wool, hemp does not grow mold or harbor bacteria. As a material for mattress ticking, hemp is much more durable than cotton.
DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
The chart below compares the three primary types of mattresses on the market, and provides materials selection tips for each. Price ranges are for queen size, mattress only. Price data was collected from retailers that sell these mattresses.
| Design & Construction | Selection Tips | Pros | Cons | Price Range |
| Innerspring The metal innerspring mattress and box spring combination is the most common design in the U.S. Choose an innerspring mattress if you want a conventional mattress that has good, firm support. |
* Prefer ticking and batting materials made from natural, sustainably grown materials like organic cotton, wool and hemp. * Choose products not treated with PBDE flame retardants. |
* Familiar construction * Firm support |
* Made of 70% to 80% steel, so it requires more energy to manufacture * Metal coils can attract and radiate electromagnetic fields from the surrounding environment |
$1,000 – $4,500 |
| 100% Natural Latex Foam Rubber Natural foam mattresses are made using natural latex foam rubber instead of petrochemical polyurethane foam. These mattresses have resilient "spring"; inherently resist mold, mildew and dust mites; and provideexcellent heat and moisture regulation and efficient air circulation. |
* Choose ticking and batting materials made from natural, sustainably grown materials like organic cotton, wool and hemp. * Look for "Talalay" latex — a type of processing that results in more resilience and durability. * Choose products not treated with PBDE flame retardants. |
* Familiar construction * Soft cushioning * Even better "memory" than synthetic foam mattresses * Made from a natural, renewable resource |
* About 6% of Americans are allergic to latex * Some latex foams may have a strong natural odor at first * More expensive than a natural-synthetic blend |
$1,700 – $5,200 |
| Natural-Synthetic Latex Foam Rubber Blend Typically made with 40% natural latex and 60% Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR), natural-synthetic blend mattresses are less expensive and more widely available than all-natural latex mattresses. |
* Choose ticking and batting materials made from natural, sustainably grown materials like organic cotton, wool and hemp. * Look for "Talalay" latex—a type of processing that results in more resilience and durability. * Choose products not treated with PBDE flame retardants. |
* Familiar construction * Soft cushioning * More affordable than 100% natural latex foam |
* Some latex foams may have a strong natural odor at first * May offgas the irritant 4-PC |
$1,400 - $2,000 |
| Simple Made of a natural fiber casing stuffed with natural fiber batting (usually cotton, wool or hemp), simple mattresses are generically called futons. They're usually four to six inches thick, but traditional Japanese-style three-inch futons are now sold in the U.S. |
* Consider combining several simple mattresses made of different materials to meet your needs for firmness and softness. * Choose products not treated with PBDE flame retardants. |
* You can customize firmness with multiple mattresses * Many are handmade, using less energy to manufacture |
* Poor air, heat, and moisture circulation * Requires periodic sunning and airing |
$375 – $1,300 |
Purchase Debra's e-book for more advice about selecting a natural bed.