The truth about Polyurethane Memory Foam Tempurpedic Mattresses

Memory foam is polyurethane with additional chemicals increasing its viscosity and density. It is often referred to as “visco-elastic” polyurethane foam, or low-resilience polyurethane foam. Higher-density memory foam softens in reaction to body heat, allowing it to mold to a warm body in a few minutes. A lower-density memory foam is pressure-sensitive and molds quickly to the shape of a body pressing against it, returning to its original shape once the pressure is removed.

Components used for the production of polyurethane memory foams

Components researched: isocynates; methylene chloride, 1,1,1-trichloroethane; acetone; benzene; ethylene oxide; formaldehyde

Hazards

When new, some memory foams give off a distinct chemical odor, which many people find unpleasant and some say is akin to the smell of paint. This odor decreases with airing, but some remain sensitive. Emissions from memory foam mattresses may cause more respiratory irritation than other mattresses.

Memory foam, like other polyurethane products, can be combustible. State and US Federal Laws have been enacted in the USA to require that all bedding, including memory foam items, be resistant to ignition from an open flame such as a candle or cigarette lighter. New bedding laws that went into effect in 2010 change the Cal-117 Bulletin for FR testing. There is concern that high levels of the fire retardant PBDE, commonly used in memory foam, could cause health problems for users.

What Are the Dangers of Polyurethane Mattresses?

Allergic Reactions

• Since your body is exposed to the chemicals in a mattress for at least eight hours per day, even a mild allergy to the chemicals in the mattress can lead to a reaction. Some reactions to mattress chemicals include hives, swollen lips, swollen eyes, rashes, flu-like symptoms, difficulty breathing and sinus infections. If these symptoms have corresponded with the recent purchase of a mattress, try to store the mattress for a week and sleep on an air mattress. If the symptoms go away, the mattress may have caused the problem.

Heart Problems

• If you have experienced heart troubles in the past, avoid using a polyurethane mattress. Some users have experienced heart-related issues after using the bed only a short while. These symptoms include falsely feeling like a heart attack is coming, irregular heartbeat and a rapid pulse. There are no direct connections noted between an actual heart attack and a polyurethane mattress, but you can reduce these symptoms by removing the mattress if you are experiencing them.

Aches and Pains

• The exposure to polyurethane mattresses has caused aches and pain for some users. This exposure has caused both mild and extremely pounding headaches. Other users have experienced achy joints and bones along with muscle weakness after using the beds. One person also experienced a case of an aching kidney along with sore joints. Since many things can cause aches and pains, visit a doctor to rule out all potential causes.

Other Dangers

• These mattresses may also cause dizziness, ringing ears, swollen lymph nodes, fever, vomiting and fatigue. If you detect a pungent, chemical odor from a mattress, get rid of it or trade it in for a more natural mattress like a latex mattress.

Mattress Exposure

• A lot of time is spent in bed. Infants and toddlers may spend up to 14 hours a day sleeping and playing in a crib. Adults may spend eight hours a day sleeping. You may not be aware of the chemical exposure given by the mattress. Not only is the time spent in bed a contributing factor but also the fact that your face may be on or very near the mattress. There are no government regulations controlling the chemicals used in creating the mattress, and a polyurethane mattress may contain more than just polyurethane.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/list_6971880_dangers-polyurethane-mattresses_.html

Polyurethane Foam Mattress Safety

Flammability

• Polyurethane foam is a highly flammable material. Polyurethane burns very quickly once ignited. As such, it generates high heat and consumes a lot of oxygen in a short period of time. In small spaces, this may pose the risk of suffocation to room occupants who may be trapped in the room. Flame-retardants must be used on polyurethane mattresses. This adds more chemicals to the mattress, contributing to further possible toxic exposure.

Allergens

• Dust mites can live in your polyurethane mattress, multiplying into a colony of tens of thousands of unwanted guests, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. While dust mites do not carry any disease, they live off of dead skin and hair cells left in the bed. These mites are a leading cause of allergic reactions in the home, including asthmatic attacks in children and elderly individuals. The mites’ droppings are the culprits, causing allergies to flare up because of a protein in the feces that many humans are allergic to.

Government Regulations

• There are few regulations when it comes to the creation of polyurethane mattresses. The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a ruling in 2006 regarding flammability standards. Under the Flammable Fabrics Act, all mattresses must comply with performance requirements: Namely, the fabric must reduce and slow the growth rate of a fire. The Act does not regulate the chemicals used to achieve this.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/about_6054249_polyurethane-foam-mattress-safety.html

The Disadvantages of Polyurethane Foam Mattresses

Discomfort

• Polyurethane foam absorbs and stores body heat. Trying to sleep on top of a slab of foam during warm summers can make for a hot and uncomfortable night. Memory foam also may eventually lose its ability to spring back to its original shape, causing depressed areas in the mattress.

Odors

• A mattress constructed of polyurethane layers can give off chemical odors and fumes. This is especially pronounced with some memory foam mattresses. Some people may simply find the odor objectionable, while others may become ill with prolonged exposure.

Durability

• Cheaper polyurethane mattresses can gradually disintegrate and lose their quality of support as they age. Inexpensive models without memory foam may be light and insubstantial with no edge support, skittering around as pressure is put on one spot.

Source: http://www.ehow.com/list_6594181_disadvantages-polyurethane-foam-mattresses.html

The links below had tons of Memory Foam and Tempurpedic customer reviews.  Definitely worth taking a look:

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Can-Your-Mattress-Kill-You-76887.shtml

http://tempurpedic.pissedconsumer.com/

TempurPedic a NASA foam? Not quite!

You may have heard of a space mattress created by NASA from a revolutionary material called memory foam and are eager to buy one. Before you do, let me tell you that there is no NASA memory foam and no space bed technology and companies like TempurPedic only use the NASA connection to sell more mattresses.

A form of visco-elastic foam was, indeed, first developed in the 70s in conjunction with the Space Program to help astronauts absorb enormous G-forces at liftoff and re-entry but that’s not what manufacturers are talking about.

When people compare NASA mattresses to the well-known Tempur-Pedic brand, they assume sleeping surfaces made from this revolutionary technology existed in the first place. But this never happened. So why was it never used?

The original NASA foam was never suitable for sleeping because it broke down in time and lacked the comfort needed to make a good mattress. But the Program never intended to use space foam for bedding. Remember, it was developed for astronauts’ seats, not for sleeping.

Once released to the industrial world, progress was imminent. Years of research and development by the Swedish company Tempurpedic did turn this early recipe into a unique material now commonly known as memory foam. Some people still like to call it NASA foam.

Tempur-Pedic does acknowledge, somewhat vaguely, admittedly, the true NASA connection. Their website says:

An imperfect version of TEMPUR foam material was developed for NASA in the 1970s, designed specifically to conform to any individual’s body and relieve the pressure of the tremendous forces of gravity the astronauts experienced during lift off and flight

All companies should be more open in admitting that what we’re sleeping on today is not a NASA product, but rather, a by-product.

Source: http://www.myfoammattress.net/memory/nasa.html

Latex Mattress Hoax: Is it natural or is it synthetic?

Very often people call and tell us they can find latex mattresses at Ikea or Costco for half the prices of ours. People listen up; do you want to sleep on synthetic latex made from petrochemicals and breathe the same fumes your car does every night for 8 hours a night for the rest of your life to save a few hundred dollars?  If so, then don’t bother reading on.  But if you are truly interested in the health of your family including yourself then please read on…

The only reason we write this blog post is because as a consumer you need to be aware of all the greenwashing going on out there and want to share this story.  We were absolutely dumbfounded when a customer called us last week requesting prices for “our” Natural Latex AND Organic Twin size mattresses.  She was obviously in the market for something natural and wanted no chemicals for her kids’ environment.  Naturally, a mom wants the best and healthiest for her kids right? At $999 she could of had her 3 kids sleeping on one of the healthiest mattress in the industry.  Instead she opted to buy the SULTAN ELSFJORD from IKEA for $350. OK, great price right? Really? What do you think you are getting for $350 at retail when the mattress probably cost $100 to make and import?  According to their web site, here’s what you’re getting:

Need we say more? While they make no claim this is a natural latex mattress on their web site and we attest to that, the customer reported this: “…but the salesman said it was 80% natural and 20% synthetic and they used lambswool and eco-cotton”…what the heck is “eco-cotton”?  This is what we call “greenwashing”.  Cotton is either certified organic or it’s not! There is no such thing as “eco-cotton”.  There is no mention of anything “natural” in their product description or mention of “lambswool”.   In fact all we see is lots of polyester.  Maybe the salesperson was new and wasn’t quite aware of what he was selling?…maybe…but then again, that’s the difference between shopping at a big department store and specialty shop.  They do claim to carry other models that are 85% natural and 15% synthetic but again, what’s the point if 15% of your mattress is made from petrochemicals and the cotton is not certified organic but full of pesticides instead?

It’s no secret latex mattresses are becoming the new craze but please do you homework, ask lots of questions, ask for certifications.  If you are on a budget, and we understand that, and you are ok with buying synthetic, please do so knowing that you are buying synthetic.  That’s all we’re saying.

Here’s a little info we took straight from the RMA (Rubber Manufacturers Association) www.rma.org

THE TWO TYPES OF RUBBER
What are the two types of rubber?
The two types of rubber in common use today are natural and synthetic. Natural rubber comes from the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). When a tree matures at the age of six or seven years, the latex is collected from a diagonal incision in the tree trunk. The tapping process does not affect the health of the tree and the tree wound later heals itself. Synthetic rubber is made by man from petrochemical feedstocks. Crude oil is the principal raw material.

Where is natural rubber produced?
Today more than 90% of the natural rubber supply comes from Southeast Asia. As rubber trees require a hot, damp climate, they grow only in the “Rubber Belt,” an equatorial zone that stretches around the world. In 1876, the English, in recognition of the difficulties of securing quality rubber from the jungle, hit upon the idea of growing rubber on plantations. From their efforts, the cultivated rubber tree plantations of Southeast Asia and Africa have developed.

How is synthetic rubber produced?
General purpose synthetic rubber has its origin in two gases: butadiene, a by-product of petroleum refining, and styrene, captured either in the coking process or as a petroleum refining by-product. When the two are mixed in the presence of soapsuds in a reactor, liquid latex results. The dry rubber in this milky liquid is then coagulated into crumbs, washed, dried, and baled ready for shipment.

Good Price, Bad Mattress – You Get What You Pay For

“Do you price match?” is a question often asked and it’s usually accompanied by a glossy ad for some local mattress giant with oversized dollar signs next to shockingly low prices. This month is no exception. With Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, and Father’s Day right around the corner, mattress warehouses are swallowed in a sea of deep discounts. I’m already catching ads for furniture, pool supplies, and gym memberships, to name a few. But natural latex mattress stores usually end up on the outside of these bidding wars. The truth is, there’s not a natural latex company around that can compete with a bed that costs less than my cable bill.

So, my reply is what I tell everyone: I’ll match the price when they match the quality. If they’re put off by my candor, I don’t hestitate to explain why you really do get what you pay for in the mattress industry:

1. Low price point = cheap content

What do all budget mattresses have in common? If you guessed carcinogens, you were right. Not what you had in mind? Most shoppers don’t know that their savings come at a cost. Federal law requires that every mattress on the market complies with fire retardancy regulations. That means, if you’re not a natural mattress wrapped in wool, you’re going to be doused with chemicals like formaldehyde and boric acid—substances linked to heart, kidney, and lung damage, even cancer. The natural mattresses you’ll find at places like Green Dwellers are padded with wool, which is naturally flame retardant and saves our beds from having to hit the toxic showers before they hit the showroom. Sure, natural latex and organic mattresses made with organic wool cost a little more. But what you’ll spend now you’ll save later in trips to the doctor’s office.

2. Feel it less in your pocket and more in your back

In 2009, John–the UK’s Mobile Mattress Man—posted some revealing videos on YouTube where he cut into a bargain brand mattress to expose its contents. Under the fluffy exterior lay little more than a slab of wood, some springs, and a thin layer of padding. I like John because he tells it like it is. “It doesn’t take a genius to see that inside [this] mattress is nothing more than a glorified cage sprung system.” What John describes is a spine’s worst nightmare! But natural latex mattresses don’t rely on coils to keep you supported, especially when manufacturers use the Dunlop method of processing natural latex, which produces a firmer mattress that perfectly contours to and supports your back. Is saving a few bucks really worth years spent with a chiropractor? It’s up to you.

3. Long term mattress, long term savings

Your average bargain bed has a maximum life span of 10 years—if you’re lucky. Natural latex mattresses, on the other hand, go strong for at least twice that and don’t sag or lose their weight. When you add up all the taxes, delivery fees, and mattress disposal costs that go with replacing your bargain box spring every 10 years, you’ll quickly see your savings drop into the negatives. Looking at it that way, splurging for a natural latex mattress now won’t only save you money in the long term, it will also save you a heap of hassles and headaches.

For more on why a natural latex mattress purchase is value added, straight from the mouths of our happy customers, take a look at our list of YouTube testimonials.

Mattress Man Video of Cutting up Mattresses

In the market for a natural latex mattress? Not so fast…

Last week I was strolling through Target when an item caught my attention:Huggies “Pure & Natural” diapers, the packaging edged in thick, green leaves with big proclamations of the organic cotton used to pad the product.  As somewhat of a conscious consumer, I know there’s nothing pure or natural about disposable diapers.  Americans dump nearly 30 billion diapers in landfills a year and don’t expect those puppies to biodegrade anytime soon.  But I double-checked when I got home just to be certain and, sure enough, with a few clicks I confirmed that the only difference between Huggies “Pure & Natural” and regular diapers is a sheet of organic cotton quilting on the outside. 

That, folks, is greenwashing—the scam-of-the-moment that preys on eco-minded shoppers like me, hoping that throwing the word “natural” alongside a few leafy images will convince us that buying a product is doing our part of the environment. 

And if you think the organic mattress industry is any different, you’re wrong.  Companies don’t mind leading you astray, even if the product you’re buying is for your baby.  Most of the time, when a crib mattress is hailed as organic and its insides natural latex, the bed is about as green as a “natural diaper.”  The truth is, as long as a mattress has a small percentage of natural latex, a manufacturer can label it that way.  And you better believe that a shortcut-seeking mattress company hoping to capitalize on the organic revolution will focus all its marketing energy on convincing you that it’s the greenest of them all.

Honestly, I’d much rather buy a less-than-organic diaper for my baby than a less-than-organic crib mattress.  Why?  A child goes through dozens of diapers a week.  They’re on his or her butt for an instant and then they’re in the trash.  But a baby is face-to-face with a mattress for 16+ hours a day.   How would you like to lay your baby down on a mattress you’ve been assured is “organic” only to discover that this “natural latex” bed is actually off-gassing carcinogenic fire retardants?  Until there are stricter standards for what we label as “natural,” that’s exactly what most parents are doing—unbeknownst to them.

Protect yourself and your little one by checking the fine print before you spring for a natural latex and organic crib mattress.  Unless a bed is made with at least 90+% natural latex, it could have as little as 10% and you could end up shelling out more green for something that’s not very green at all.  But it’s up to you.  If you want to pay more for a fancy green label, who am I to stop you? 

Don’t Believe Everything You Read – Why Some “Natural” Mattresses Aren’t

What makes a natural latex mattress, well, natural? That’s a good question. Because going green helps companies make more green, labeling a product as “natural” is an easy way to boost sales without actually helping the environment. Food manufacturers stamp “all natural” on products jammed with citric acid and high fructose corn syrup. Items with ingredients like arsenic and formaldehyde can be labeled “natural” because they are naturally occurring chemicals. And non-natural, synthetically derived mattresses are often labeled natural, too, though a quick whiff will tell you how natural they really are. So, how do you know if a natural mattress is really natural? What does it take for a natural latex mattress to fully live up to its title with no dirty, synthetic little secrets? Allow me to explain:

Natural latex is about natural originsThe only truly natural latex mattress is one made with sap from a rubber tree. Some corner-cutting non-natural companies sell mattress hybrids made with only 25% natural rubber and 75% synthetic foam derived from petroleum sources. These mattresses reek of chemicals and off-gas for months or years but they are still labeled “natural” and sold with an eco-friendly spin. And that, my friends, is greenwashing: disguising a product as sustainable when it’s just another addition to a growing toxic stockpile. For natural latex to really be natural it can’t come from an oil well.

Look for a natural latex mattress company with plenty of back up Keep your eye out for natural latex mattress companies like Savvy Rest or Royal Pedic that make their beds with certified ingredients. Their beds use organic cotton sheeting guaranteed to be chemical and pesticide free by the Organic Crop Improvement Association and responsibly sourced wood certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council and the Rainforest Alliance. Before you buy, make sure that multiple third parties have evaluated and certified that all the ingredients in the mattress are natural and organic.

Watch out for “organic” and “eco-friendly” mattresses, tooIt’s not just “natural” mattress impostors you have to worry about: “organic” and “eco-friendly” mattresses often defy their titles, too. Many “organic” and “eco-friendly” mattresses are actually petroleum pancakes with polyurethane syrup. Doesn’t sound too organic or eco-friendly to me. The point is, don’t let buzzwords dressed up in lime green, leafy fonts fool you. Just because a mattress is labeled natural, organic, or eco-friendly doesn’t mean it is.

Buyer beware! Green is the new scam. Do your research and figure out where your new, natural, organic mattress was born before you take it home with you. If you’re in South Florida, I’ll make it even easier. Pop in to Green Dwellers; the Florida Organic Mattress showroom and let’s talk natural sleep solutions; I’ve already done your research for you and have all the certifications to prove it!

Sleeping With the Enemy – TempurPedic Foam vs. Natural Latex Mattresses

Are you sleeping with the enemy? Rest assured, this post has nothing to do with the Nineties thriller of the same name, unless Julia Roberts’ character was also  sleeping on a Tempur-Pedic foam mattress instead of natural latex.  I’m talking about what lies beneath your sheets:  your mattress.  Over the last two decades, the Tempur-Pedic foam mattress has made its way into millions of peoples’ most intimate spaces, its popularity rivaling organic and non organic mattresses of every make and model.  But memory foam has a few secrets it’s been keeping.  If you’re one of many turning in on a Tempur-Pedic, I think it’s time you know the truth about why you need to turn to natural latex instead.

Tempur-Pedic foam mattresses lose their memory within 3-5 years

One of the most frequent complaints made against Tempur-Pedic and similar memory foam technology   is the tendency to wear out and lose resiliency after only a few years of use, leading to back pain and fatigue.  In response to a post entitled “To Tempur-Pedic or Not to to Tempur-Pedic?” on the popular blog, Galley Slaves, one dissatisfied customer explained, “The consistency of the ‘molding behavior’ changed so that certain parts of my body sink lower and others are pushed up higher. This really hurts!When I called Tempur-Pedic to follow on their performance guarantee, I got a ‘not our problem/can’t respond’ reply.  Better Business Bureau was unable to budge them.”  The good news is that organic mattresses utilizing natural latex are proven to last twice as long as conventional mattresses without sagging or softening over time.  And you can bet that organic mattress companies like Royal Pedic, Savvy Rest and Natura will stand behind their twenty year warranties.

If you’re burning up in bed, it’s probably not the night sweats

Manufacturers say that Tempur-Pedic was designed to adapt to body temperature but many users say they feel hot and uncomfortable sleeping on memory foam type products.  Increased body contact with a mattress means increased body temperature and the density of memory foam and Tempur-Pedic mattresses ups the heat a few more degrees.  Tracy, a reviewer on Viewpoints, an online community where real people sound off on products and services, said her Tempur-Pedic was “the most uncomfortable mattress I have ever attempted to sleep on in my entire life” because of the lack of air flow.  Natural latex mattresses, on the other hand, are guaranteed to be more breathable because they are typically padded with organic wool, which will keep you cool in all seasons.

Many complain Tempur-Pedic’s “space tech” mattress should come with an exhaust pipe

Every mattress is different, but Tempur-Pedic users regularly refer to off-gassing and its side effects as a reason for switching to an organic mattress.  Some users experience headaches, nausea, sore throats, and rashes because of the toxic chemicals treatments in Tempur-Pedic and memory foam mattresses.  In a letter to Chem-Tox, an organization that researches the effects of chemicals and pesticides in household products, a user from South Dakota describes the various side effects of their memory foam mattress:  “hives, kidneys hurting, swollen lips, flu feelings, morning cough, sore joints, etc.”  When they ditched the mattress, the symptoms disappeared after a couple days:  “Two months later, all is well and no more memory foam.”  Skip the synthetic stuff and stick with a natural latex mattress made with certified organic materials and you don’t have to worry about breathing toxic chemicals while you snooze, much less any non organic mattress-related hives or sore kidneys!

If a Tempur-Pedic mattress and a natural latex mattress were to duke it out in a brawl, I’d put my money on the organic mattress all the way.  Memory foam technology sounds great.  That is, until it wears out or gives you a nasty rash!  If you’re sick of sleeping with the enemy, toss your Tempur-Pedic out and welcome a natural latex mattresses to your bedroom for restful, healthful nights.

Check out what one of our actual customers had to say about her experience: CLICK HERE

One of our customers sent us this link. Absolutely SHOCKING Consumer Reports CLICK HERE

Related Article on Polyurethane Foam CLICK HERE

Sources:

http://galleyslaves.blogspot.com/2005/03/to-tempurpedic-or-not-to-tempurpedic.html
http://www.viewpoints.com/Tempur-Pedic-Mattress-All-types-review-feba6
http://www.chem-tox.com/guest/guestbook.html

Organic Mattress Shopping 101 – What To Know Before You Go

There’s a lot more to shopping for the perfect organic mattress than lying down on every model in the showroom.  (Though I certainly wouldn’t leave that part out.)  Most people shopping for an organic mattress know they want something that is healthy and sustainable but have no idea what really constitutes natural latex, let alone the difference between Talalay and Dunlop.  And you can be sure that not-so-organic mattress companies are happy to maximize on all the consumer confusion surrounding organic wool, cotton, and natural latex.  Lucky for you, I’ve put together this handy little organic mattress shopping guide of what you should know before you go.  (For best results, print it out and use it as a cheat sheet!) 

If its blended, its not natural latex

There are no laws on the books about what officially constitutes a “natural” latex organic mattress.  Therefore, even if your natural Talalay or Dunlop is mixed with synthetics, it may still be mis-labeled as “natural.”  When a mattress is blended, the synthetic ingredients cancel out most of the benefits that draw a shopper to natural latex in the first place.  Synthetic latex is made of styrene and butadiene, chemicals that off-gas and are linked to adverse effects on the nervous system, particularly in children.  If you see the words “natural latex” when you’re on the hunt, make sure to look a little closer at where that latex is coming from.  (Still confused about the difference between Talalay and Dunlop natural latex?  It all comes down to how the rubber sap is processed when it’s removed from the tree.  Dunlop is baked, making it a bit firmer, while Talalay is flash-frozen, then baked, and sealed with water-based glue.) BUYER BEWARE: even if the latex contains only 10% natural rubber, it may still be labeled as natural! Make sure you purchase from a reputable company.

Wool will keep you cool on hot Florida nights

Oftentimes, organic mattress shoppers in South Florida are a little skeptical when they discover that their new bed may be covered in a layer of organic wool.  I know what you’re thinking.  “Sure, wool is great if you’re laying down in chilly Chicago or snowy Syracuse, but I’m sleeping in South Florida!”  Don’t be fooled by this woolly mis-perception.  Organic wool mattresses are great for hot climates like South Florida because they regulate body tempertures and absorb moisture way better than beds made out of synthetic materials, keeping you and your natural latex nest cool and dry all night long. 

Pair your organic mattress with wood, not particleboard

If you want to replace your base along with your non organic mattress, consider investing in wood instead of inexpensive particleboard.  Why?  Particleboard is often coated with formaldehyde, among other things, meaning that even if you’re napping on natural latex, you may still be breathing in harmful toxins.  Untreated wood bases are your best bet if you’re looking to make your bedroom a place where you can breathe easily.

These are just a few of the basics that you should know when shopping for an organic mattress.  If you’d like more information, feel free to peruse my previous blogs, which are chock-full of fun facts about going organic, mattress-style.  Oh, and don’t forget to pick up a natural latex pillow when you’re on your bedroom buying frenzy. 

The difference between organic and “organic” mattresses

Even if you’re green about going green, chances are you’ve heard the hype about organic mattresses.  In the modern war against toxic chemicals and pollution, more and more Americans are “going to the mattresses,” organically speaking, as celebrities, journalists, and eco-fanatics everywhere sing the praises of natural latex and organic wool.  But, buyer beware!  Companies everywhere are liberally slapping the words “environmentally friendly” or “natural” on products that aren’t either, hoping to capitalize on those conscious consumer trends.  And “organic” mattresses are no exception.  Don’t let greenwashers pull the non-organic wool over your eyes.  Read on to get the straight on scoop on the difference between organic and “organic” mattresses. 

Eco Trends, Greenwashing, and “Organic” Mattresses

Green is definitely the new black.  Clever and not-so-conscious companies looking to cash in on this new eco-phenomenon are resorting to a method called greenwashing:  marketing that misleads consumers into thinking a product is more eco-friendly than it actually is.  Greenwashing is a specific problem in the organic mattress world because of the lack of government-monitored certification requirements for non-agricultural organic products.  As a result, plenty of companies are labeling their mattresses as organic, even when as little as 20% of the contents are actually chemical-free.  Sleeping on an “organic” mattress that has been greenwashed is like eating an “organic” apple when only the stem is free of toxins. 

How to Tell If Natural Latex Is Really Natural

Unless you have a rubber fetish, chances are you’re looking into natural latex because it’s inherently hypo-allergenic and chemical-free.  However, thanks to the lack of enforceable standards for companies advertising “natural latex” as a main ingredient in their “organic” mattresses, the bed you buy to help you breathe easy may still be off-gassing dangerous toxins.  That’s because latex products can still be labeled as “natural,” even if tree-generated rubber is mixed with wannabe synthetics.  If you’re in the market for a natural latex mattress, don’t take the label’s word for it:  do a little research or ask a salesperson if the latex in the beds you’re browsing is truly 99.9% natural. 

Get It In Writing – Organic Mattress Certification

Want to make sure you get what you pay for when purchasing an organic mattress?  Look for certifications.  Third party laboratories don’t care which bed you buy, so their stamp of approval is a good way to tell if a self-proclaimed “organic” mattress company is the real deal.  Some manufacturers, like Savvy Rest, are so eager to fight greenwashing that they have developed their own natural latex certification standards in addition to getting the thumbs up from nationally and internationally recognized organic mattress certifiers.  Now, that’s something to help you sleep at night. 

It ain’t easy be green!  Turn on the television or walk through the mall and it seems like every other product claims to have the power to save the world, right down to “organic” mattresses.  If you are searching for way to actually sleep more sustainably instead of just saying you are, don’t give up!  As long as you know what labels to look for and what questions to ask, you will find plenty of natural latex and organic wool and cotton mattresses that live up to their name.  And hey, if you’re in south Florida, I’d be more than happy to show you some!