More consumers than ever before are recognizing the power in choosing organic. And while the advantages of organic foods are generally well known — no toxic chemicals or pesticides, eco-friendly farming, increased nutrients — consumers might not immediately see the reasoning behind organic home furnishings.

As more people seek to lead cleaner lifestyles, the demand for safer, more organic home products has grown, including mattresses and bedding. 

With nearly one-third of our lives spent in bed, it makes sense that more people care about what they are sleeping on and how it might affect their health over the long term. 

So, what makes a mattress organic? 

We’ve made a list of items you should check before buying an “organic mattress” to make sure you’re choosing the safest and healthiest one.

Organic Cotton Fabric & Filling

How is the cotton in your mattress grown, and where is it coming from? Organic cotton is grown without harmful pesticides and has no Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). After the cotton has been farmed, it must be processed according to the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), which prohibits many commonly used harmful chemicals. Plus, to be GOTS-certified (which Happsy mattresses are,) the method used to process the cotton must be sustainable.

Organic Wool

To be flame resistant, many conventional mattresses use harmful flame retardant chemicals or synthetic materials. Most people don’t know that organic wool is naturally resistant to burning — making it flame-resistant without the use of any harmful, flame-retardant chemicals. The organic wool in your mattress should be GOTS-certified and treated without harmful chemicals or dyes that change the color, an unnecessary step in processing.

Organic Latex

That’s right — organic latex does, in fact, exist! A common misconception about latex is that it cannot be organic. However, organic latex is made from the sap of a Hevea Brasiliensis tree, which is then baked into a solid latex layer to create a truly organic mattress. This is the only type of “foam” that should be used in an organic mattress. Make sure the latex in your organic mattress is certified to the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS). Similar to GOTS, GOLS ensures that sustainable farming and processes are always used.

Now that we know about the good components of an organic mattress, let’s talk about what should NOT be in your mattress.

Flame-Retardant Chemicals

Oftentime, the very chemicals used to make a mattress safer and less flammable are actually toxic. Over time, these harmful flame-retardant chemicals can negatively affect a person’s health when they’re inhaled consistently over a long period of time. Using naturally flame-resistant materials is a much healthier alternative.

Bleaches or Dyes

Chemicals are often used to make the cotton or wool inside of a mattress have a certain color. While this may be aesthetically-pleasing to the eye, it’s an addition of harmful chemicals that’s just not necessary — or healthy!

Synthetic Latex

Rather than being produced from the natural sap of a tree, synthetic latex or blended latex is made from petrochemicals. Synthetic latex typically has strong odors, less durability, and is not GOLS-certified. 

Conventional Farming Techniques

For wool and cotton, this can apply to the animals used or the care of the crop itself. Certified organic materials must use practices that align with the certifier’s quality standards, values, and certifications.

You may be surprised to learn how much goes into the mattress you’re sleeping on. From each outside stitch to the filling that keeps you cool and comfy, Happsy believes that less is more. Less chemicals, less materials we can’t pronounce, and less impact on the environment.

The bottom line is, you should always look for GOTS- or GOLS-certified mattresses, which means they’re free from harmful chemicals. If you still have questions, our Happsy Organic Mattress experts are happy to guide you through the ever-evolving world of organic mattresses!