What is the best mattress without chemicals?

I have them ranked by health status above, so you can decide what works for you. The first six are equivalent in terms of material health, with the next two very close behind. Ultimately, any mattress on this page is still going to be healthier than a standard one!

What is an organic mattress made of?

Most are made of organic rubber latex, wrapped in wool to act as a natural flame retardant. Some contain cotton, springs, and glues that bind the layers together.

What is natural latex?

Natural latex is the same thing as natural rubber. It comes from the Hevea brasiliensis tree. It is a milky white liquid that can be baked to form a springy, foam-like substance. There are two types, depending on how it is processed— Dunlop and Talalay. Read about the difference here. FYI, natural rubber latex is often confused with synthetic (human-made) latex, which is made of the chemical mixture styrene-butadiene— but they’re obviously very different!

What is in regular polyurethane foam and memory foam?

The vast majority of mattresses are made of polyurethane, which is made of 6 main chemicals. The first two, diisocyanates and polyols, combine to make the basic structure of foam. Then, a blowing agent is added to make it fluffier. Finally, surfactants and curatives are added to keep it stable. Catalysis are the sixth class of chemical used, and they are helpful in timing the above reactions. Read this very detailed explanation here.

Theoretically, polyols and isocyanates are mixed together in a perfect ratio so they become chemically cured. This means they stop reacting together, and the final product is an inert piece of polyurethane foam. If it were truly inert, it would be considered safe to humans because no off-gassing or further reacting is happening. However, this ratio is not always achieved, and the EPA is concerned that foam products being sold to consumers are not fully cured. Read about it here. 

Beyond just the 2 main building blocks, many chemicals are mixed into polyurethane foam to change its reaction speed, density, smell, fire resistance, or other properties. One such chemical is stannous octoate, a catalyst, that is a Reprotoxic 1B chemical that may damage unborn children (fetuses). This can also include antimicrobials and flame retardants, which are endocrine disruptors. Finally, sometimes synthetic fragrances are added to mask any off-gassing smells.

Does latex last as long as foam?

It lasts longer! Polyurethane foam is typically rated to last 8-10 years before it breaks down and needs replacing, whereas latex lasts 10-12 years.

Is CertiPUR foam safe?

CertiPUR foam still has many toxic substances in it. For example, until late 2023, stannous octoate (which can harm unborn children) was still permitted in CertiPUR foams. While it’s undeniably a good thing they’re not approving foam made with it anymore, this still shows that their stance on health is conservative and reactionary, rather than health-centered and forward-thinking. I would much rather see a long list of what is IN their foam, rather than a short list of what’s NOT in it. 

This is in part because CertiPUR is not a third-party certification. It is a second-party certification, meaning the synthetic foam industry itself created the standards and chose a lab to test its products for them. It prohibits the use of formaldehyde, heavy metals, some (but not all) phthalates, and some (but not all) flame retardants.  Protecting the foam industry is in their best interest (valued at $43.7 billion in 2023) and consumers demanding healthier alternatives are a major threat. 

I get a little riled up about it becuase it is a perfect example of healthwashing— people buying products that appear healthier than they actually are.

Is soy foam non toxic? 

Unfortunately, no. This is still polyurethane foam, with a small amount of soybean mixed in to give the illusion of a healthier product. One exception is 100% plant based foam in White Lotus mattresses (listed above).

Are there alternatives to chemical flame retardants?

Flame retardants are required in mattresses sold in the US. Chemical Flame Retardants, which are endocrine disruptors and carcinogens, have been the standard for decades. Luckily, the natural and organic mattress industry has replaced these with wool or graphite powder. You can also obtain a doctor’s note to get a mattress made without any flame retardants, even wool, from certain companies.  

What should I do if I can’t afford a non-toxic mattress?

Lots of things: dusting, mopping, and vacuuming weekly can pick up any sVOCs (like Flame Retardants) that come from mattresses invisibly shedding over time. You can ventilate by opening windows daily to help release any VOCs off-gassing from foam. You can check prices for latex-only mattresses (no springs), which tend to be less expensive. And, you can consider an organic mattress latex topper, which is typically much less expensive and may help protect you from anything nasty in the mattress underneath. Finally, if you can afford a foam mattress, consider the Tuft and Needle, which is affordable, and has OEKO TEX certified foam, a step up from CertiPUR in terms of health.

I’m allergy to latex and/or wool. Are there any non-toxic mattresses for allergies?

Yes! I have latex-free and wool-free organic mattresses listed above. Healthier mattresses made from foam are also a good option, also listed above.

Is my mattress causing allergies?

If you’re sleeping on a regular polyurethane or memory foam mattress, you may be allergic to dust mites or mold, which find their way in to all mattresses. Dust mites thrive on human skin cells and moisture, which mattresses collect very easily. A six-sided dust mite encasement with a 1 micron pore size will seal in any dust mites and prevent you from reacting to them or their feces (which is also highly allergenic. Sorry, gross.) Allergies are also worsened by off-gassing VOCs, so if your mattress is new, you may be reacting to the glues and other chemicals while they’re in the smelly stage.

If you’re sleeping on a natural or organic mattress, you may also be allergic to dust mites. Wool, cotton, and latex allergies are certainly less common than dust mite allergy, but it is still worth getting checked for these allergies if you haven’t before.

Are latex mattresses safe for latex allergy? 

In general, natural rubber latex mattresses aren’t an issue because the latex protein is inactivated during the vulcanization process (baking the mattress into shape.) That said, if you prefer to be more cautious, choose a latex-free mattress listed above.

Why is it so hard to find a wool-free natural mattress? 

Wool acts as a very effective fire barrier, so it is a great way to replace chemical flame retardants when making natural and organic mattresses. What can you do if you’re allergic or sensitive to wool but still want a natural mattress? Choose one made with graphite instead (the Avocado vegan option, listed above), or some are available without the flame retardant cover if you can get a doctor’s note stating you have a wool allergy. 

What are mattresses made of?

Mattresses typically contain steel springs, foam, fabrics, and glues that hold each layer together. While foam is arguably the most important part of a mattress for health impact, each of these layers matters too: read more about them here.