Are Organic Mattresses Worth The Money?

When you first discover the world of organic mattresses, there’s a little bit of sticker shock. What could possibly be so different about organic mattresses? What are the advantages compared to a traditional mattress? 

And of course, the biggest question on everyone’s mind: is an organic mattress worth the cost?

There are actually several reasons why organic mattresses are worth the steeper price tag. For one, organic mattresses are made with higher-quality materials rather than cheaply made synthetics, which is often the main reason behind the higher price. 

Further, organic mattresses contain natural materials that smolder instead of igniting, which means they are made without toxic flame-retardant chemicals. They also don’t off-gas harmful chemicals that can potentially impact health.

One of the biggest differences between organic and conventional mattresses is the material content. You may assume that all mattresses are basically the same — made from either foam or coil support and covered in fabric to add comfort to the quilted surface — but not all mattresses are made equal!

Conventional mattresses are cheaper than their organic counterparts, but you get what you pay for. Synthetic fibers and foams, as well as conventional cotton fabric, are host to chemical residues including formaldehyde, pesticides, and flame retardants. Organic mattresses are made from premium materials like organic cotton, organic wool, and organic latex, which are harvested and processed without harmful chemicals so you can experience a cleaner, healthier, safer sleep.

Organic mattress manufacturers tend to be very transparent about what is included in their mattresses, and they back up their organic claims with important certifications. 

The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is used to denote that a finished textile product (in this case, the mattress) is made from organic materials and can be considered an entirely organic product. The Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) certifies that the latex used in an organic mattress is ethically harvested from organic latex farms. 

When shopping for an organic mattress, watch out for synthetic latex or latex blends, which are not 100% natural and organic. You can also look for a Bedfax listing, which will disclose all materials used in a mattress so you can make an informed decision.

Additional resources on GOTS:

Organic vs. GOTS Organic Mattress

What is GOTS?

All mattresses and home products must pass state and federal flammability requirements, but that doesn’t mean they have to contain flame retardants. 

Most conventional mattresses on the market today contain polyurethane foam, which is a highly flammable petroleum-based material. It’s even called “solid gasoline” by the National Association of State Fire Marshals. 

Due to this high flammability, polyurethane foam (which includes memory foam, eco foam, soybean foam, and bio-based foam) is typically treated with flame-retardant chemicals, which aren’t required to be disclosed on your mattress label.

Organic mattresses can’t get an organic certification if they contain flame retardants, so a certified organic mattress is a simple way to be sure your mattress is free from flame-retardant chemicals. Watch out for “natural” flame-retardant claims, which use chemicals derived from natural sources but which still can introduce toxicity concerns. Flame-retardant chemicals may cause endocrine disruption and other health effects, so this is an important point to take note of.

We believe the safest flame retardant is none at all, so Naturepedic organic mattresses are made without any toxic flame retardants. And yet, we still pass all flammability standards with ease! 

This is due to our natural and organic materials like organic cotton and organic wool, which smolder when exposed to flame rather than igniting and spreading the fire. Read more about Naturepedic’s fire safety and fire protection here.

We realize that when you get right down to it, everything in our world is a chemical. But there are definitely some chemicals that we want to avoid in our life to stay as healthy as possible. 

Organic mattresses are made with superior materials that eliminate questionable or hazardous chemicals, but there’s a price for that. Synthetic materials made with these chemicals are available at cheaper prices, passing the savings from the manufacturer to the consumer. 

Low cost may be better for your bottom line in the short term, but these chemicals can off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that your body absorbs while you sleep—yikes.

Naturepedic avoids harmful chemicals in all of our mattresses and accessories. We believe these chemicals don’t belong in our mattress, your mattress, or anybody’s mattress! You can read about the chemicals we refuse to use in the Get Out Of My Bed List.

Until there are stricter regulations on harmful chemicals in consumer products, buying organic is one of the few ways consumers can control their chemical exposure in their home.

We know organic may be a luxury that’s hard to justify, which is why many of our customers start off by purchasing an organic mattress for their children first. 

Babies and children spend more time in bed than adults do, and their smaller bodies mean they have smaller lungs and smaller immune systems that have to combat off-gassing and other hazards of conventional mattresses. 

If you can’t afford to go all-in on organic mattresses for the whole home, start with an organic crib mattress or organic kids mattress for the more vulnerable members of your family. When it’s for your little one, it’s always worth it!

Another way you can make your sleep environment healthier without a hefty organic price tag is to switch to organic bedding. Our organic cotton waterproof protector pad creates a barrier between you and your mattress that blocks liquids, dust mites, and other allergens. 

It’s an easy way to create an organic sleep surface if you are saving up for an organic mattress. You can also swap your pillows and linens for organic replacements.

What do you think—is organic worth the extra cost? Tell us why you decided to make the switch to an organic mattress, or tell us what’s holding you back, in the comments!

At Naturepedic, our goal is always to make the purchasing process easier. Let us know if you have any other questions we can answer for you. You can reach our customer service team at 1.800.917.3342 or email them at [email protected] from 9 am-5 pm EST, Monday-Friday.

We would love to help you choose the perfect organic mattress for you and your family!