Trying to live a greener, more eco-friendly life can be tricky sometimes. And when it comes to your mattress, you might think you can only choose one filled with harmful chemicals. But you'd be wrong! There are eco-friendly mattresses that are made with organic or sustainable materials!

However, you don't have to try and figure out everything yourself. We'll go over what an eco-friendly mattress entails, which mattress types are more sustainable, and the difference between sustainable and organic — check it out!

What is an eco-friendly mattress?

An eco-friendly mattress is made with sustainable or organic materials. These "green" mattresses are designed to be more environmentally friendly, which means they have a smaller carbon footprint. Of course, some mattresses are more eco-friendly than others — but it all depends on the material!

Types of Eco-Friendly Mattresses

Since there is greater customer demand for eco-friendly mattresses, there are more mattress types available than you might imagine. Out of the standard mattress types, latex and hybrid mattresses are the "greener" choices, but there are other types to consider, which include organic cotton and wool.

• Latex Mattresses: produced from the sap of rubber trees to create a responsive foam-like material with natural resilience and bounce back. Beware of synthetic latex that can consist of chemicals and other man-made components.

• Hybrid Mattresses: typically feature cotton or wool batting for the comfort layers but will use steel for the coils. Look for brands that prioritize recycled or upcycled steel for a more sustainable mattress.

• Organic Cotton Mattresses: made from organic cotton and don't contain chemicals, synthetics, or pesticides. Although organic, these mattresses aren't necessarily sustainable.

• Tencel Mattresses: derived from wood pulp and other natural substances, these use less water than cotton and use closed-loop manufacturing (made with sustainability in mind!)

• Organic Wool: made from wool that didn't use chemicals in the extraction and from sheep who ate an organic diet; these are naturally fire retardant and regulate temperature. Humanely sourced wool means the sheep weren't harmed or mistreated!

And if you’re not sure about these mattress types, note that there are some manufacturers will produce a toxin-free foam in sustainable ways. While these mattresses aren't entirely organic, they won't strain the environment as much as standard mattresses and can have added health benefits.

The Difference Between Sustainable and Organic

You'll see labels like "organic" and "sustainable" as you shop, but these terms aren't interchangeable. So, what's the difference between the two?

Organic means that the mattresses are made with certified organic materials derived from specific, approved methods. These certification levels include GOTS, GOLS, or CertiPUR-US and describe the standard the mattress must meet before being considered one or the other.

• GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard): the textiles must contain at least 70 percent organic fibers to be considered organic (often organic cotton or wool).
• GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard): the latex in mattresses must be at least 95 percent organic to qualify.
• CertiPUR-US: this label is reserved for foams that don't contain ozone depleters, such as fire retardants made from heavy metals, formaldehyde, phthalates, or plasticizers banned by the US consumer product safety commission (it won't make you or your loved ones sick!).

Sustainable means that the materials used to make the mattress can be replenished without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. For example, bamboo is a sustainable material because it grows quickly and doesn't require much water to thrive. Similarly, plants used to produce latex or cotton that have been produced and harvested using low-carbon factories or conservation farming counts.

Why Should You Want an Eco-Friendly Mattress?

So, an eco-friendly mattress sounds good and all, but should you go through the effort to find one? In a word — yes! There are plenty of reasons why you should get a greener mattress, and these are only a few of them:

• Help the Environment: eco-friendly mattresses have a smaller carbon footprint, which means they're better for the planet!
• Better Night's Sleep: many eco-friendly mattresses are made with natural materials like latex or wool, which are extremely comfortable and breathable.
• Avoid Harmful Chemicals: some traditional mattresses are filled with harmful chemicals like flame retardants. You can avoid these chemicals and sleep more peacefully by choosing an eco-friendly mattress.
• Hypoallergenic: the natural materials in these mattresses help prevent allergies like skin rashes and other symptoms and are naturally resistant to dust, mold, and mites.

Upgrade Today

Now that you know more about eco-friendly mattresses, it's time to upgrade today! Not only will you improve your life and your sleep, but you'll also contrbute to eco-sustainability. And what better place to start your eco-journey than finding a mattress at Crane's Mattress!

And if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to give us a call or stop by in person!