Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Style

21OAK may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

How to choose the best organic mattress for greener sleep

By

In today’s world, the best way consumers can affect change is to vote with our wallets. Through selecting organic products and supporting sustainable companies, we can create a ripple effect. Additionally, buying green is also good for your health. We don’t want to bring furniture or clothes into our homes that release harmful chemicals into the air — especially since the home is usually where we spend most of our time. That’s why when choosing to buy a mattress, in addition to considering how that mattress might affect your back and spine, you might also want to think about how it might affect your lungs and skin for you and your whole family.

Luckily, some mattress companies out there do consider all of that. Several modern brands have boasted that their natural and organic mattresses aren’t just comfortable, but healthier for your body and the environment, too. If you have sensitive skin or conditions like asthma, you might want to look closely at your organic mattress options. At the end of the day, you’ll want it all — something to sleep comfortably and easily on, as well as a choice that won’t harm your health and may even help you sleep. If you’re ready to consider an organic mattress, here are some to consider.

Recommended Videos

At a glance:

Best for couples and families: Avocado Green Vegan Mattress

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Avocado Mattress is one of the most popular brands of organic mattresses. It’s great for eco-conscious couples and families, especially those welcoming a baby. This all-natural vegan mattress features certified organic latex, organic cotton, and no wool. It’s also safe and non-toxic with no polyester, polyurethane foams, or toxic fire retardants.

Related

Greenest supply chain: Loom and Leaf

Image used with permission by copyright holder

You may be familiar with Loom and Leaf, but you might not have known it’s an eco-friendly company. With five pounds of organic foams made with 30% soy and corn oil, plus polyurethane and dacron, eco-friendly memory foam, rayon, and Kevlar thread, Loom and Leaf has really thought through its organic mattress. The cozy cotton cover is organic, too, so you don’t need to pick up a new mattress cover to keep it environmentally sound. The cover is treated with an antimicrobial fabric finish to keep it clean. Loom and Leaf is specifically dedicated to reducing its carbon footprint and staying green in its choice of manufacturing networks — even its flagship factory is fully solar-powered.

BUY AT LOOM & LEAF

Best budget value: Sleep On Pure Green Natural Latex

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Far and away the most inexpensive choice on this list, Sleep On Latex has created a mattress using natural latex foam, organic New Zealand wool, and organic cotton. This mattress is a great choice for environmentally-minded sleepers of all sizes and preferences, as you can choose from the soft, medium, or firm model. The mattress packs two layers: A six-inch base layer to provide support and structure, and a two-inch top layer that is soft and cozy, cradling your body as you sleep. That’s all topped off by an inch of a wool mattress cover for added comfort.

Best hypoallergenic: My Green Mattress

Image used with permission by copyright holder

My Green Mattress was born when the company’s founder noticed his daughter’s eczema and allergies were worsening as a result of her mattresses. Fed up with the insufficient options for organic mattresses for her, he set out to create his own eco-friendly and health-minded mattress. My Green Mattress’ Natural Escape features three inches of organic latex to keep it soft and springy but supportive, so you’ll stay pain-free. The mattress is made from hypoallergenic and natural materials, in line with the founder’s vision of creating a safe and healthy mattress that’s good for the environment, too.

BUY AT MY GREEN MATTRESS

Most certifications: PlushBeds

Image used with permission by copyright holder

One of the best-known organic mattress brands, PlushBeds has received an incredible swath of certifications for its eco-friendly beds — and rightfully so. While some other brands only offer one or two choices in organic mattresses, PlushBeds offers a wide variety of organic latex mattresses, including its most popular Botanical Bliss mattress. The mattresses are stuffed with up to 10 pounds of certified organic wool and are covered with an organic cotton shell, so after sleeping on them your skin will look clearer and your body will feel better. The Botanical Bliss mattress features five layers of latex, New Zealand wool, and the cotton cover, all made with organic materials.

BUY AT PLUSHBEDS

Best breathability: Birch Natural Mattress

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Birch Natural Mattress from Helix incorporates all the finest features of a quality mattress, and it’s all done naturally, organically, and sustainably. Six layers comprise this luxe mattress, which includes the top layer as the certified organic cotton cover, two layers of natural and birch wool, a layer of Rainforest Alliance-certified natural Talalay latex, a layer of coils, and a base layer of natural, certified organic cotton batting for good measure. It’s GreenGuard Gold certified, so you know it won’t give off harmful emissions, and it’s highly recommended for back and sleepers of average weight (less than 250 lbs). The Birch Natural Mattress arrives with a twenty-five-year warranty via free shipping to all 50 states. You’ll enjoy a 100-night risk-free sleep trial with the Birch as well.

BUY AT BIRCH

Most environmental awards and recommendations: Naturepedic Chorus Organic Mattress

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Naturepedic Chorus Organic Mattress accommodates the needs of side, stomach, back, and hot sleepers to boot, with an impressive array of natural and certified organic features. Free of both latex and foam layers, this gem begins its hand-crafted composition with a cover of organic wool and natural PLA (plant-based polylactide), then pulls in layers of mini-coils, pocketed coils, organic cotton fill, and organic cotton encasement, all resting on a base layer of certified organic cotton backing. Made in the U.S., Naturepedic mattresses come with a 10-year warranty and 90-day money-back guarantee. Got kids? Check into their organic children’s and baby mattresses.

BUY AT NATUREPEDIC

Best in-home sleep trial: Awara Sleep Organic Luxury Hybrid Mattress w/Natural Foam & New Zealand Wool

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Awara Sleep combines premium features like natural latex from Sri Lanka, certified organic cotton, wool from New Zealand, and a layer of wrapped coil springs. These coordinate to offer the highest quality moisture-wicking, cooling breathability, and just enough bounce for optimal comfort. Your weight will be evenly distributed, your spine aligned gently, and your joints relieved of pressure from head to toe. You also won’t experience any motion transfer if you sleep with a partner, so getting up for a glass of water in the middle of the night won’t bother anyone. Their super soft base layer provides two handles on each side to allow for easy transport as well.

BUY AT AWARA SLEEP

What is an Organic Mattress?

Sure, “going green” may be a snappy and trendy phrase, but it’s a positive one. Yes, it’s a trend, but you can bet this trend will be long-lasting. Did you know there’s an important distinction between natural and organic mattresses? Natural mattresses are made of processed materials: Petroleum-based nylon, polyester, pressboard, polyurethane, foam, and vinyl, for example. And even natural mattresses are also treated with potentially unfavorable chemicals and flame retardants. Though these chemicals and flame retardants aren’t likely to harm you, you should still take note, especially if you have sensitive skin, respiratory conditions, or allergies.

On the other hand, organic mattresses are made without those polysyllabic chemicals. Rather, organic mattress companies substitute the chemicals for natural and non-toxic materials like organic wool, cotton, and latex. You’re less likely to experience skin irritation or respiratory issues with organic mattresses.

When you’re looking at your next potential mattress, pay attention to the material sourcing and certain certifications. Materials sourced in the U.S. that adhere to GreenGuard and USDA Organic certifications are a safe bet.

How to Choose the Best Organic Mattress

If you’re ready to take the next step toward an organic mattress, ask yourself a few questions: what mattress is best for my sleeping style? What materials will be most comfortable for me? Where should I even look for one of these mattresses?

The answers to those questions depend on a few things, such as the position in which you sleep. If you’re a side sleeper, you probably need a softer mattress to contour to your body’s curves. If you’re a stomach sleeper, you likely want a firm mattress that won’t suffocate you by letting you sink into the mattress. Finally, if you’re a back sleeper, you probably want something in the middle ground to support your lower back but that won’t hurt your posture and neck.

Editors’ Recommendations

21Oak Contributor
21Oak Contributor
Former Digital Trends Contributor
How to choose curtains for your modern living room makeover
woman opening sheer curtains

Window curtains are a perfect way to complete a room, adding color, pattern, and a little personality into the space. They also give you privacy and keep out the light when you're trying to fall asleep and can even protect furniture from sun damage. Finding the right curtains for your home is a fun process as you get to sort through tons of colors, materials, and textures to find one that matches the overall design of your home. There are so many styles and materials out there it can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing your window trimmings.

How to select curtain color
Ideally, your curtain color should accent the colors present in the room. You do, however, want to take into consideration how much color is already there. If the room is furnished with darker, heavier pieces like a leather sectional or dark plaid wingback chairs, you may want to go with lighter curtains to make the room feel lighter. If you have a relatively neutral palette, pick a patterned curtain to create a little interest, or pick a heavier material like velvet to add an anchor to the space.

Read more
How to choose a showerhead for your guest bathroom
Small black and white bathroom design

Considering updating the look of your guest bathroom? Start with one simple change: the showerhead. With literally thousands of options to choose from, you may not know where to start. Even once you've settled on a budget, you still have to pick a showerhead that's easy to install and available in your favorite material (we're partial to brass because of its industrial look and resistance to rust), finish, brand, size, and overall design aesthetic. In the U.S., the National Pipe Thread size is standardized, so don't have to worry about picking a fixture that will fit the pipe.

Before getting bogged down with all of the details around the look of the fixture, you need to make sure it's functional for your needs. Here are a few options to consider.

Read more
How to choose the best humidifier for the bedroom and banish dry winter air
the best portable air conditioner cooler and humidifier in living room

If you experience chronic dry skin, sensitive parts of your body like your lips or the inside of your nose and throat may benefit from a humidifier, a small portable machine that adds moisture to the air. They can also make you feel better if you experience any cold or flu symptoms as they prevent you from breathing in the dry and irritating winter air.

There are a lot of humidifiers on the market today including evaporators, impeller humidifiers, steam vaporizers, and ultrasonic humidifiers, many of which provide both warm and cool mist options. With all of these options, finding the best humidifier for your bedroom may be a challenge. To ease the decision-making process, check out this guide to help you find the best humidifier for your lifestyle.

Read more