Natural vs Organic Mattresses
In the modern age, it can feel like there's nothing untouched by the artificial. We get so wrapped up in the world that it's easy to forget that, once upon a time, every mattress was a chemical-free mattress. When ingredients with big, scary names start appearing, it's easy to get a little concerned.
Why does your new memory foam mattress smell like paint? Why are these chemicals used when making a mattress, and what does it add to the product? Are memory foam mattresses toxic?
We're here to address your chemical fears on the Happy Beds blog. If you want a non-toxic mattress or a chemical-free mattress, it may be far easier than you think. Read on, and we'll reveal some of the big secrets of chemicals in mattresses and how they work.
Why do mattresses contain chemicals?
The key to chemicals in mattresses is health and safety and keeping the mattress affordable. For every chemical route a mattress uses to reach a goal, there is no doubt a natural one. But the price difference is often so high, and standards so difficult to reach, that chemicals are the more beneficial solution for manufacturers and consumers. Mattresses in the UK are held to extremely high standards. They have to follow certification on chemical usage, resilience, weight, authentic labelling, and - perhaps most crucially - have to be fire resistant.
Even many natural mattresses use chemical fire retardants to keep your mattress safe, as it’s by far the most effective option without causing your mattress prices to spike. Of course, there's also the fact that almost every foam compound in the world is made of chemicals in some form. Chemicals are necessary for creating the perfect consistency and qualities for foams, many of which are man-made. The reality is that foam is one of the most essential components for a decent mattress - and your posture doesn't really care if it's a natural or organic mattress offering back support!
Are memory foam mattresses toxic?
Memory foam has been a popular mattress type since 1992 and continues to sell in impressive numbers. Made using a mixture of different compounds, memory foam’s popularity comes from a result of its superior support on pressure points and orthopaedic properties. While most memory foams use the same basic ingredients, their density can vary according to the mattress’s composition, and will often use strong adhesives to keep these layers together. This means that most of a memory foam mattress’s composition is artificial.
Memory foam itself is, of course, toxic if eaten (Hopefully, we don't have to tell you to avoid that!) and is capable of holding toxic chemicals, many of which you may be concerned about most when the mattress is brand new.
This brings us to the key argument of memory foam and its toxicity. If you want a non-toxic mattress, is memory foam immediately discredited?
What is off-gassing in mattresses?
The question is becoming more and more common - Is memory foam bad for you? Mattresses are not all created equal, and some lower-end memory foam mattresses produce more chemicals than higher-density foam. This is due to Volatile Organic Compounds - the unstable elements of the mattress's inner composition - breaking down. The reason your new memory foam mattress smells of paint is likely due to polyurethane, a petroleum-based material that makes up a major component in most memory and comfort foams. When the mattress is opened and unpacked, it releases a build-up of these chemicals that then break down in the air.
This process is called off-gassing. It’s why most memory foam mattresses smell so strongly when opened. This process is unpleasant but largely unavoidable. Prolonged exposure to these chemicals can be harmful for a continuous period of time - some people have claimed it causes irritation, respiratory problems, headaches, and more - but solid evidence as to the true toxicity of these is not forthcoming. The vast majority of these chemicals get dispelled into the air around them - so the only way to really get rid of the chemicals is to leave your mattress uncovered and preferably free-standing in a well-ventilated room for a few days before use.
Once your memory foam mattress has finished off-gassing, it'll not only be safe to sleep on but feel fresh and inviting once it’s received the bedsheet and duvet. All of our memory foam mattresses follow these same procedures and standards, and we're confident that they're among the better price-effective memory foam products on the market.
Is memory foam bad for you?
To break down the reality of memory foam, it's worth taking the pros and cons into consideration. Memory foam mattresses have been on the market for nearly twenty years, but the element itself is significantly older. While the chemical composition of memory foam may read like a bit of a sinister chemistry lesson, the simple fact is the material has only one thing in mind - providing strong support where the body needs it most without losing its shape.
The smell from memory foam may be unpleasant but should be only a temporary effect - not one that influences your long-term sleep. The positives of memory foam - that being the superior support, the therapeutic effects on your joints and the long lifespan - far outweigh any real health risks or hazards.
When considering these, the answer is fairly clear - memory foam is closer to being good for you than being bad for you, even if it may not be a non-toxic mattress by definition. If you are still concerned, you may wish to steer towards hybrid mattresses that use memory foam as an element rather than making up the entire mattress. This minimises the required off-gassing while still providing the orthopaedic benefits and support that the foam is best regarded for.
Are memory foam mattresses toxic? Not really. At least, not as we know the technical definition.
What’s the difference between 'Organic', 'Natural' and 'Non-Toxic' mattresses?
When buying a mattress, you're likely to see all three of these phrases used liberally.
Organic mattresses
Organic mattresses are constructed using materials including - but not limited to - cashmere and organic cotton, which are completely natural fabrics that contain no chemicals, making a completely chemical-free mattress for the long term. To truly be a non-toxic organic mattress, the mattresses should not be sprayed with fire-retardant chemicals, either, and should have an entirely natural origin. For obvious reasons, this is a difficult thing to achieve.
If you are seeking safe mattresses without chemicals, an organic mattress is the only true contender; but it isn't so straightforward and isn’t so cheap. At Happy Beds, we don't produce any completely organic mattresses as they take specialist sourcing and equipment. It’s easy to get confused when manufacturers start talking about what’s 'organic' and what's not. Very few mattresses are 100% organic - many manufacturers advertise mattresses with plenty of natural fillings as organic mattresses - even if they use man-made materials.
It’s always important to read the fine print, as your 'organic' mattress may simply contain natural fillings. At Happy Beds, we try to focus on being as clear and direct as possible when it comes to describing our products - this includes being as transparent as possible with the materials we use and how they're used to provide your perfect night's sleep.
Why choose an organic mattress?
Mattresses need to be flameproof by law - this means they either need to be treated with flame retardant chemicals or be entirely made of naturally fire-resistant materials. Many sleepers are veering towards going organic for their mattress to avoid toxins or a chemical lifestyle altogether - but a more severe issue is that these materials could be an irritant - especially for those who suffer from respiratory problems. As a result, many tend to favour the often more expensive organic option. An organic mattress may equal a non-toxic mattress, but it doesn't automatically mean better value for money.
The fact is, the jury is out as to how hazardous these mattress chemicals actually are - and it all falls to your own decision on how concerning these issues actually are. For a lack of hassle and a lack of off-gassing, sprung mattresses are always going to be the faster - and less chemically induced - method to get your perfect night's sleep. These are more eco-friendly mattress styles by nature.
Mattresses with natural fillings
As aforementioned, natural mattresses differ from organic ones as these may still contain some man-made elements. This is not only more cost-effective but the best of both worlds - with minimal allergens and fewer chemicals involved in manufacturing. This often equals a more eco-friendly mattress, too. It doesn't immediately mean a natural mattress is a chemical-free mattress but is likely to contain less of them.
For example, here at Happy Beds, we offer a wide range of affordable natural mattresses that are kind to the environment without compromising comfort. However, we would not classify them as truly organic, as they have been treated with some fire retardants to meet the exceptionally high British Standards (specifically BS 7177: 2008 + A1: 2011 Low Hazard Domestic Use) and, of course, to ensure the safety of our customers.
Why choose a natural mattress?
There are many justifications for favouring a natural mattress rather than synthetic options. Most natural mattresses make good use of cotton, cashmere, wool and silk. Beyond being extremely nice to talk about, these natural fillings are budget-friendly, comfortable and generally far more environmentally sound than their synthetic counterparts.
Did you know sleeping with natural bedding could also help you sleep better at night? Check out this post: How Going Green with Natural Bedding Can Help You Sleep Better at Night. Though we can't claim these are specifically organic mattresses, they are a comfortable, price conscious and more sustainable option compared to man-made materials - and, judging from our natural mattress range's reviews, maybe a more comfortable night’s sleep, too!
Non-toxic mattresses
A non-toxic mattress can be a thorny issue for those shopping for them - technically, all mattresses by nature are non-toxic, according to official certification and scientific evidence. However, for those seeking a more sensitivity-accommodating sleep, the closest equivalent would be hypo-allergenic mattresses that go completely foam-free.
With their aim at recycling plastic waste, reducing polyurethane usage in mattresses and providing superior comfort, our range of Benchmark Mattresses by Jay-Be are as environmentally sound and non-toxic as it gets, with no need for off-gassing or any harmful chemicals to present the ultimate in non-toxic sleep. A benchmark mattress is one of the most eco-friendly mattress types on the market, especially for its incredible price.
Why choose a non-toxic mattress?
The reasons for a non-toxic mattress should be fairly clear. As mattresses have gained more chemicals in their composition and developed a greater reliance on occasionally strong-smelling, unpleasant elements, it's unsurprising that many are aiming for more natural, sensitive and ethical alternatives. Many of us are now aiming for toxin-free lives, avoiding as many chemicals and non-natural substances as possible.