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Nothing’s better than a good night’s sleep after a long day at work!
Well, what if we tell you that with a bit of research, you can help save the environment, all while catching some Zs? As bizarre as that may sound, using an organic mattress will not only ensure a healthy sleep routine for you but also lower your carbon footprint.
This is because an organic mattress is made of natural materials like natural latex, wool, and cotton. Plus, they are devoid of harmful chemicals, making most of them naturally hypoallergenic.
Now compared to regular mattresses, the demand for an organic mattress is disappointingly low. But that does not mean that you will fall short of choices. Hence, we’ve compiled five brands offering the best natural mattresses in the UK.
So, read till the end and make your pick!
Made of 100% recyclable materials, the GO Hybrid Mattress is reportedly Simba's most sustainable and organic product. The environmentally friendly mattress boasts six layers of supportive and cooling comfort, thanks to the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) certified natural latex construction. Additionally, the organic cotton used in the product has been certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
Moving on, the natural mattress features an Aero Coil spring layer along with a Supportcore base. As a result, you’ll enjoy optimum breathability with superior body support. But if at all the mattress does not live up to your expectations, you can return it within one year of purchase and get a full refund. And don’t worry, the brand will not be ignorant enough to ask you for the mattress packaging!
The Simba GO Hybrid Mattress is quite a high-end product and, thus, may not be suitable for those on a budget.
Considering the 1-year risk-free trial and 10-year warranty, this mattress did not give us much to complain about. We also appreciate how the brand offers carbon-neutral delivery for a truly eco-friendly mattress shopping experience!
This 24 cm natural latex mattress ensures a luxurious and healthy slumber for all types of sleepers. What makes this Una mattress stand out among other natural mattresses is the layered organic foam construction. Basically, the mattress consists of three layers (medium, firm, and soft) along with an organic wool and cotton cover. Interestingly, the organic comfort layers can be rearranged according to your preferred level of firmness.
Available in nine sizes, the Una mattress is made of GOLS organic-certified materials, namely natural latex, organic wool, and organic cotton. Plus, the zip-up cover can be spot cleaned and does not particularly require any washing, thereby adding to the convenience of the product. On top of that, the brand displays its confidence in the mattress quality by backing your purchase with a 100-night trial and 10-year warranty.
Although spot cleaning is an option, stubborn stains on the mattress cover may require machine washing which can shrink the material.
Overall, the Una mattress is a must-have for anyone looking for organic, chemical-free bedding. And the amount of comfort provided by the adjustable latex foam layers is unmatched, at least within this price range.
Up next, we couldn’t take our eyes off this 28 cm hybrid natural mattress from OTTY. Infused with bamboo and charcoal, this memory foam mattress is hypoallergenic and antifungal in nature and offers a host of health benefits. As such, it maintains a comfortable temperature and prevents moisture and odour. So, if you are searching for a new mattress for the hot summer months, look no further!
Coming to the construction of the medium-firm mattress, it features two layers of memory foam, pocket springs, reinforced edges, and an airflow system. All of these work together to support your pressure points and create the perfect spine alignment. Also, the mattress ensures minimal partner disturbance by supporting each sleeper’s body individually. Available in four different sizes, this mattress is the most affordable among today’s organic and natural options.
Unlike the previous mattress, this one cannot be flipped or adjusted according to the sleeper’s preference.
Despite the aforementioned drawback, this eco-friendly memory foam mattress is quite a steal. More so with the brand’s 100-night trial offer and a 10-year warranty. Plus, while checking out, you can opt for room of choice delivery, old mattress removal and unpacking services.
Here’s another expensive option among the best natural mattresses, and this time, it’s from the house of Dunlopillo. As the name of the product suggests, this latex foam mattress offers a firm feel, ideal for those looking for a pressure-relieving organic mattress. Moreover, the seven comfort zones bring the best of both worlds as the softer areas hug the contours of your body while the firmer parts offer spinal alignment.
Notably, the natural latex foam features an open-cell structure, providing optimum breathability. The brand has further topped off the natural mattress with a knitted cover, boasting Actipro technology. Basically, it makes the mattress soft to the touch and hypoallergenic, so you’ll never wake up with swollen eyes or any type of allergies.
The only drawback of this organic mattress is the relatively shorter trial period (60 nights) and warranty (8 years).
Overall, we think the Dunlopillo Firmrest Mattress is the best latex mattress on the market with its durability, breathability, and pressure-relieving properties. It’s available in seven distinct sizes, so we’re sure you’ll find the perfect fit for your bed.
Finally, we have this temperature-regulating mattress cover from WOOLROOM. This all-natural product sports organic cotton and British wool filling, thereby offering a plush feel. With 150 years of expertise in sourcing organic materials, the brand boasts the Allergy UK Seal of Approval to offer a wool and cotton cover that is naturally hypoallergenic and fire retardant. Also, the product is completely chemical-free to ensure a safe sleeping experience.
Note that the cover contains wool, known for its moisture-repelling nature. So, it will keep you cool on a hot summer night and warm during chilly winters. We also liked how the mattress protector is easy to wash and maintain. Simply toss it in the machine but make sure you opt for the lowest setting to retain its structure and softness.
A few customers have complained about the mattress cover being too thin for their liking.
All in all, we like how this product is made of sustainable and organic materials and does not contain any harmful chemicals that may cause irritation or allergies. Not to forget, the mattress cover is carefully constructed to protect any type of mattress and enhance its durability.
To be precise, no mattress is 100% organic. So, were we lying throughout this review? Almost!
But in our defence, all mattresses contain small parts like adhesives, coils, zippers, etc., that may contain synthetic materials to some extent. Nevertheless, the entire mattress is still made of natural materials like cotton, wool, latex, and more.
However, while buying natural latex mattresses or even memory foam mattresses, it is essential to check the certifications for each of the materials used in construction. Certified organic materials speak volumes about the quality and durability of the organic mattress. Hence, the certification details should be available on the brand website for public viewing.
Here, you must also note that there is no law that stops brands from using the terms “eco-friendly” or “green” without being certified for the same. So, ensure that you do not fall for these tags unless you are sure that the said mattress is, in fact, organic.
Try finding out if the mattress is made of polyurethane foam or natural latex. The former contains many VOCs and is infamous for chemical off-gassing.
You can also check the manufacturing practices of the brand on the website. If the brand is truly organic, it won’t shy away from informing its buyers about the same.
Since most organic mattresses are expensive, you might be wondering if they’re even worth it. We agree - your concern is completely valid. So, given below are some advantages of eco-friendly mattresses that make them well worth the high price tag!
The first and foremost factor that makes one look past the expensive price points of natural mattresses is durability. Unlike most synthetic latex mattresses, those made of natural materials tend to last longer than eight years.
For instance, a natural latex mattress offers natural resilience, meaning it will bounce back and retain its shape even after being squished for long hours. On the contrary, synthetic or blended latex mattresses tend to wear out and lose their shape after seven years.
Organic mattresses are chemical-free in nature, so the chances of VOC (volatile organic compounds) off-gassing is close to none.
Most of the time, when people buy new mattresses, they need to wait for some time after unpacking to get rid of the initial chemical-like smell. This is usually the case with mattresses made of polyurethane foam. And if exposed to VOCs for extended periods, one may experience nausea, headaches, fatigue, and other health issues.
When you opt for certified organic mattresses, you will not be exposed to any harmful chemicals. But you must remember that some natural materials may emit a distinct smell, which is not toxic and does not release any VOCs.
For example, a natural latex mattress must be aired out for a few days to eliminate its natural odour. Mattresses made of organic wool may require the same initial steps before you place them in the bedroom.
To ensure that your mattress contains non-toxic materials only, you can check for GOLS, GOTS, and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 tags.
Needless to say, a mattress made of eco-friendly materials will be much safer for the environment than one containing toxic materials. As such, a mattress brand manufacturing natural mattresses goes the extra mile in saving resources, reducing its carbon footprint, and ensuring the overall welfare of the planet.
By now, you must have already understood the importance of certifications while buying a non-toxic mattress. But which certifications should you even look for? Read on to know the three most common certifications with a proven track record in the mattress industry.
OEKO-TEX stands for the International Association for Research and Testing in the Field of Textile and Leather Ecology. Products boasting the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 undergo rigorous testing for harmful chemicals, banned substances, and more. Interestingly, the evaluation includes about 100 parameters.
The certifications under Standard 100 can be divided into four categories, according to the textile’s proximity to one’s skin:
These two certifications are known to have the most importance among organic mattress materials.
Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) certifies mattresses that contain at least 95% of organic materials. And the rest of the materials, consisting of chemical agents necessary in latex foam, must adhere to the GOLS criteria. The certification also takes into account the amount of carbon emissions during production and the rubber plantations from where the latex is sourced.
On the other hand, as per Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), to call a mattress organic, it should contain at least 70% organic materials. The rest of the synthetic materials should also meet the GOTS criteria. Most GOTS-certified mattresses are made of certified organic wool or cotton.
This certification and charity body offers multiple organic and sustainable certification schemes. It follows its own standards along with those based on EU regulations. Notably, it collaborates with the GOTS scheme and often with the Textile Exchange’s Organic Content Standard.
With the world finally understanding the horrors of climate change, many brands are claiming to “go green” and tagging themselves as either “sustainable” or “organic.” While this is usually a promotional tactic, it is important to know the meaning of these terms and understand how they are different.
The term “sustainable” can be seen as a less official version of “organic.” This is because the latter is officially used to refer to agricultural items sourced using certain approved methods.
Sustainability, on the other hand, focuses more on meeting the needs of the present without sacrificing the needs of the future. So, the term has many different applications; however, it is often used to refer to practices that do not deplete non-renewable resources or degrade global health.
While buying mattresses, you must remember that even though sustainable mattresses may not be fit to be termed as “organic,” they are not particularly bad for the environment.
As mentioned earlier, the market for organic mattresses is not as large as for conventional mattresses. Hence, you need to be a lot more careful while buying an eco-friendly, non-toxic mattress, and do some homework before shopping! For starters, ask yourself the following questions, and jot down some preferences for a new mattress…
Once you have made a list of what you’d like in a new mattress, it’ll be easier to sort out the best natural mattress according to the following factors…
Since most mattresses are made of “standard” (read: synthetic, toxic) materials, you’ll need to go the extra mile to find an organic mattress brand. While other brands may also produce chemical-free, sustainable mattresses, it is better to trust a brand that solely engages in eco-friendly practices.
Also, keep in mind that natural materials like sustainably-sourced cotton, natural rubber latex, etc. may cost higher than synthetic materials. However, the health benefits of the former often justify the high price tag. Plus, a natural mattress is more likely to repel moisture and regulate your body temperature than one made of toxic materials.
Adding to the previous point, among eco-friendly mattresses, we recommend opting for natural latex foam options. They are usually resistant to dust mites and allergens and are easy to wash. Not to forget, organic latex is ideal for pressure relief, so if you suffer from back pain, you know what to do!
Natural materials in mattresses may trigger allergies for some. Hence, it is best to check what may trigger your allergies or cause asthma flare-ups.
Among synthetics, polyester fill or batting is a no-go for allergies and sensitivities. It can cause respiratory issues and skin infections, negatively affect your immunity and fertility, etc.
Spring mattresses are quite common on the market and are preferred for their plush, medium-soft feel. However, as time passes, the spring coils on each layer become uncomfortable as your body weight is distributed unevenly. As a result, an innerspring mattress may cause painful joints.
But we understand if many prefer a bouncy spring-like feel on their mattresses. That’s when hybrid mattresses enter the scene. Such mattresses boast an organic latex foam layer along with pocket springs to mimic the bounce and airiness.
Of course, safety comes first. As such, you may want to opt for a mattress featuring a fire-retardant material. However, for a material to be completely flame retardant, it must contain harmful chemicals. These compounds can increase the risk of cancer and cause neurological issues.
So, rather than relying on fire retardant bedding, we recommend creating an overall fire-safe environment.
While you’re looking for an organic mattress, how about splurging in for an organic bed, too? If the idea sounds good, here’s something that you must know…
Certified organic beds can be divided into two categories - latex and latex hybrid.
A. Latex
Latex is formed from the sap of rubber trees, and according to the processing method, it can be classified as either Dunlop latex or Talalay latex. Other than that, the compounds that go into processing latex (natural or synthetic) determine whether it is organic or not.
B. Latex Hybrid
Latex hybrid mattresses usually contain a blend of natural latex and other man-made compounds, which may include chemicals. These variants are usually cheaper and less durable than 100% organic latex. Additionally, the coils in latex hybrid mattresses may be made of steel and sometimes upcycled or recycled steel.
With that, we finally come to the end of this extensive guide on the best organic mattress in the UK.
We hope you’ll like our organic mattress recommendations, and if not, you can always check out the FAQs to know how to choose the best organic mattress. Overall, it all boils down to researching about the materials that go into the mattress to determine if it is truly organic.
We’ll be signing off for now, but do stay tuned for more informative review-based guides on this space.
