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Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:- Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
- Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
- Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
The best organic mattresses use natural materials and minimize harmful chemicals, helping to improve air quality and minimize allergies. Our top choices include Naturepedic and Avocado.
Our expert’s take on the benefits of organic mattresses
“Organic mattresses use natural materials such as latex, cotton, and wool that aren’t treated with chemicals like some conventional mattresses. By steering clear of these toxins, you’re improving your bedroom air quality and lung health. Also, organic latex provides excellent spinal support and distributes pressure better than memory foam, making it an excellent choice for anyone with back pain.”
— Gregory Minnis, DPT
Below, we look at the best nontoxic mattress topper to go with an organic mattress.
The following table compares all of the mattresses in this article:
| Price (queen size) | Material | Warranty | Sleep trial | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avocado | $1,299 | hybrid | 25-year warranty | 100 nights |
| Saatva | $2,395 | hybrid | lifetime warranty | 365 nights |
| DreamCloud | $665 | hybrid | lifetime warranty | 365 nights |
| Naturepedic | $1,999 | coil | 25-year warranty | 100 nights |
| Nectar | $649 | memory foam | forever warranty | 365 nights |
| Birch by Helix | $1,873.80 | hybrid | 25-year warranty | 100 nights |
| Birch Topper | $498.80 | latex | 10 years | 100 nights |
We looked at over 15 mattress brands to find the best organic options
We chose these options based on criteria we think are good safety, quality, and transparency indicators.
As a part of our vetting process, we consider:
- the product’s composition, materials, and overall quality
- any third-party certifications
- the company’s reputation and business practices
- any lab test results
- marketing claims
Read more about how we vet products and brands.
People who wish to avoid exposure to harmful chemicals should look for certified nontoxic mattresses.
A person can look for certifications such as GOTS and GOLS.
The GOTS certification indicates that the textile is at least 95% organic and does not contain chemical flame retardants or polyurethane, which some manufacturers use in foam mattresses. GOLS certification indicates that at least 95% of the material is organic latex.
A person can also look for these hallmarks when mattress shopping:
- CertiPUR-US: This certification indicates that a polyurethane mattress does not contain certain chemicals and flame retardants.
- Organic Content Standard 100: This certification recognizes the percentage of organic material but ignores added chemicals, such as flame retardants.
- Greenguard: This certifies that emissions from the mattress are under a certain level.
That said, people may opt for mattresses that are GOTS, GOLS, CertiPUR-US, OEKO-TEX, and Greenguard Gold certified, indicating that they are low in toxicity.
Materials
When choosing a nontoxic mattress, considering the materials is key. Many mattresses contain organic latex or natural foam. Some contain cotton and wool.
People may want to avoid synthetic materials, such as synthetic latex or polyester.
Firmness
A person’s preference depends on various factors, such as sleeping position, body weight, bed-sharing, and chronic pain issues.
Here are a few things people may want to consider:
- Firm mattresses may suit back and stomach sleepers and people who need or want a more supportive surface.
- Medium-firm mattresses may suit side and combination sleepers and people who share a bed.
- Soft mattresses may suit combination sleepers and people seeking pressure relief.
What do the certifications mean?
Nontoxic mattresses will always have third-party certifications to verify the manufacturer’s claims.
The certifications that the mattresses in this article have include:
| Certification | What it means |
|---|---|
| Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) | Available to products meeting the following criteria: • contains at least 70% organic fibers • uses sustainable environmental and social practices • uses those practices in all manufacturing stages • undergoes third-party testing by GOTS |
| Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) | Available to products meeting the following criteria: • uses latex or rubber from organic plantations • does not exceed permissible limits for harmful substances • does not exceed permissible limits for emissions • does not exceed permissible polymer and filler percentages |
| Greenguard Gold | Available to products that meet the following criteria: • has low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) • undergoes third-party testing by UL Solutions |
| OEKO-TEX Standard 100 | Available to products meeting the following criteria: • free from per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) • undergoes third-party testing by OEKO-TEX |
| CertiPUR-US | Available to foam products meeting the following criteria: • free from formaldehyde • free from ozone depleters • free from phthalates • free from mercury, lead, and other heavy metals • has low VOCs • undergoes third-party testing by CertiPUR-US |
| eco-INSTITUT | Available to products meeting the following criteria: • testing low in emissions • free from heavy metals, pesticides, and halogen organic compounds |
There are several options to remove an old mattress in an eco-friendly way.
Some companies may remove a person’s old mattress when delivering a new one. People may wish only to choose this option if the company states it will donate or recycle the old mattress.
If a person prefers to donate or recycle their mattress themselves, several charitable organizations may be suitable:
- Furniture Bank Network: This organization will take mattresses from twin to queen size. People can request a pickup or drop-off via appointment on the organization’s website.
- Mattress Recycling Council: This organization provides residents of California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island with drop-off locations, recycling locations, and mattress collection drives. It states that it will soon be offering the same services to residents of Oregon.
- Bye-bye Mattress: This website is a directory of recycling centers in the United States and Canada. People need to contact each center to arrange a pickup or drop-off time.
Organizations that intend to resell or donate mattresses will only accept ones people have gently used. Mattresses with stains, breakages, and any other damage are more suitable for recycling.
Local organizations may also accept mattresses. However, some places may not accept anything they cannot easily sanitize or will not accept furniture and accessories that are too large to store.
Yes, these mattresses contain materials that grow organically, including:
- wool
- cotton
- natural latex
Some may also include recycled steel.
The least toxic options are mattresses with certifications such as GOTS, GOLS, CertiPUR-US, OEKO-TEX, and Greenguard Gold. People can consider mattresses that use latex, cotton, or wool.
Natural and organic mattresses that use nontoxic materials may be best for a person’s sleep. GOTS, GOLS, CertiPUR-US, OEKO-TEX, and Greenguard Gold certifications indicate steps to reduce the toxicity of mattresses.
They can also consider the firmness and construction of the mattress to ensure it is providing enough support and comfort.
Buying an organic mattress can have potential benefits for a person’s health and the environment.
People may have less exposure to volatile organic compounds with an organic mattress than with one that contains synthetic materials.
Synthetic materials may also have a more damaging effect on the environment during manufacturing and disposal.
Brands offering mattresses made with organic materials include:
- Avocado
- DreamCloud
- Birch
- Naturepedic
- Saatva
- Nectar
- Awara
Many other brands may offer natural mattresses and checking the product materials and certifications can help a person make an informed decision.
Anyone interested in a nontoxic mattress can seek certifications from independent testing authorities.
Nontoxic mattresses are generally free from chemical fire retardants and other potentially harmful compounds. They usually contain organic latex, cotton, or wool.