Best Non Toxic Mattress

What is an organic mattress made of?

Most are made of organic rubber latex, which comes from the rubber tree, instead of polyurethane foam, which comes from mixing petroleum-based chemicals together. Organic mattresses are usually wrapped in wool, which has natural flame retardant properties and meets the United States’ flame retardant requirements, instead of having chemical flame retardants mixed into the foam. Some contain cotton batting, some have stainless steel springs, and many have latex-based glues that bind the layers together.

What is polyurethane foam made of?

Polyurethane (PU) foam, the type of foam in mattresses, is made of 2 main ingredients, polyols and isocyanates. Many more ingredients are added to make foam processing easier in the factory, and to make the foam feel, look, and perform in a certain way when it’s finished. Surfactants, blowing agents, curatives, and catalysts are four main categories that are added to the basic foam mixture, to puff it up into a perfectly bouncy, rectangular shape that slips off the mold in the factory easily. Other chemicals are added to make the foam either softer, “cooling,” squishier (like memory foam), anti-bacterial, a different color, etcetera.

What are polyols and isocyanates?

Polyols are pretty boring; they are little molecules that usually come from petroleum, but can come from plant-based sources now, too. Other than the fact that they require petroleum refineries, they won’t directly impact your health from being in a piece of foam.

Isocyanates are more interesting from a health perspective— these are well known to cause asthma, lung damage, and in severe cases, fatal reactions (you can read more here) if you’re exposed to these without protection, like if you’re working in a foam factory, or spraying foam insulation. When polyols and isocyanates are mixed together (see a 60 second video here), they react, and create a somewhat hard, straightforward piece of foam.

Should I worry about isocyanates in my mattress?

Probably not. Even though isocyanates are known to be quite a toxic chemical on their own, if they are fully mixed together with polyols in just the right ratio, the mixture becomes cured, or chemically inert. If that’s a weird concept, you can think of it like water, which is 2 hydrogen molecules connected to an oxygen molecule. Hydrogen and oxygen, on their own, are very reactive. But, once they are combined (“cured”) together, they are inert— they can’t cause harm to you, and are simply water.

One possibility for toxicity is that polyols and isocyanates are not mixed in exactly the right ratio, and the unreacted isocyanates are able escape from foam and harm you. One 2012 research study assessed whether people sleeping on mattresses were exposed to unreacted isocyanates— but it was conducted by members of the Dow Chemical Company, the International Isocyanate Institute, and BASF Polyurethane (just click “Show More” under the list of authors.) The results were, surprisingly— no health effects! A 2015 study of 20 crib mattresses done through the University of Texas showed that many contained unreacted isocyanates (among other things). That’s it. I would love to see more, unbiased research on this.

Another possibility for isocyanate toxicity is if you’re using spray foam insulation. I don’t cover building materials on this website, but as you can see, spray foam is listed as the most toxic possibility for insulation here, partly because as you spray, you are exposed to isocyanates.

I’ve read studies that say that the levels of VOCs and other chemicals in mattresses are so low, they won’t harm you.

I think this is partially true, but this statement is more valid for 1 foam item over a short period of time, rather than real-life accumulated exposures to many foam items. When this is used to defend a foam mattress, you are likely spending more time on foam than just sleeping— if you drive to work in your car, the seats are padded with foam. Your office chair and even keyboard rest may have foam in them. If you go to the gym or sit in the dentist’s chair during your lunch break, you’ll be exposed to more foam. The couch you sit on before bed has foam in it. And so on. Foam is everywhere in the US! Over the course of your life, your foam exposure adds up, and because many of the chemicals in it (like flame retardants) are bioaccumulative or affect you at even low levels (like BPA, an endocrine disruptor), I think it is worth avoiding this logic when possible.

How do mattress chemicals get into my body?

There are two ways chemicals leave mattress foam, and three ways they get into your body:

The two ways chemicals leave the foam are into the air and into dust. Polyurethane foam (including memory foam) is made with 2 chemicals as the main building blocks, polyols and isocyanates (see more above). They bond together very tightly, so other additives in foam (like flame retardants and other propriety chemical ingredients) are integrated, but only temporarily— they’re not bonded together tightly, and over time, as foam degrades via friction, they fall out. If they’re lightweight, they can be suspended in dust in the air, and if they’re heavier (like flame retardants are) they settle into dust on the ground. The other way chemicals get out of mattresses is by being volatile— so, a VOC or odor— these are lighter than air. The “new mattress” smell comes from foam and the adhesives used to keep the layers together, and they can off-gas VOCs for quite some time.

The three ways these chemicals get into your body are through inhalation, ingestion, and absorption. You inhale and ingest VOCs and lightweight chemicals suspended in the air — they come in through your breathing passages and are swallowed, as well. You ingest about 50mg of dust daily (children ingest 100mg daily!) by touching dusty surfaces and hand-to-mouth contact. Finally, flame retardants and other chemicals are very small and as they make their way out of mattresses, can pass through skin and be dermally absorbed.

How long do mattresses off-gas for?

At least a year, though the amount decreases over time, overall. Off-gassing will speed up with heat and humidity.

What is CertiPUR foam?

CertiPUR foam is polyurethane foam, but it’s hard to know what is actually in it. CertiPUR prohibits the use of formaldehyde, heavy metals, some (but not all) phthalates, and some (but not all) flame retardants.

Is CertiPUR foam actually non-toxic?

No, probably not. While it’s certainly a good thing that stannous octoate (which can harm unborn children) is now banned in foams carrying the CertiPUR logo, it was still permitted in CertiPUR foams until 2023. In other words, people buying CertiPUR foam until recently were misled into thinking it was “pure” and safe. I understand that not everything can be completely pure, and that it is practical to allow small amounts of harmful substances in things for a period of time, because of the major changes to industry that a rapid ban would cause — OEKO TEX does a great job of this, for example — you can see that over the years, they are continually lowering the acceptable amount of BPA allowed in products, and in 2025, the level is almost down to zero. If they had demanded that instantly, it wouldn’t have encouraged more companies to slowly change over time. However! CertiPUR doesn’t disclose what is on their list, or what levels are acceptable, like OEKO TEX does. It is almost completely opaque. All we know is that some things are banned, but not all of them, nor in what amounts. The surprise of stannous octoate also shows that their stance on health is conservative and reactionary, rather than health-centered and forward-thinking. From what I understand, the lack of disclosure is potentially partly 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.

Is memory foam toxic?

Yes, most likely. Memory foam is made of the same things as polyurethane foam, described above, but with various chemical additives to create its signature texture.

Is GreenGuard GOLD foam non-toxic?

No, but it does mean it will off-gas under a certain level. To meet the standard GreenGuard level, VOCs must be less than 500 ug/m3. To meet the elevated GreenGuard GOLD level, VOCs must be less than 220 ug/m3. A GreenGuard certification does not mean it is healthy, and it does not mean there are no VOCs off-gassing from the product. Sometimes I see companies say “It’s GreenGuard so it’s healthy!” which is simply not true. There are many harmful chemicals in foam that don’t off-gas as VOCs. That said, it is still a useful certification when choosing between a standard foam mattress that might off-gas a lot, and one with GreenGuard certification. It’s still a step in the right direction.

Are Awara mattresses non-toxic?

No. In mid-2024, Awara changed their website to include the GOLS certified latex logo and descriptions— however, after repeated emails, and asking for proof of their certificates, I couldn’t get an answer. I also couldn’t find them in the GOLS database, though I waited in case they used a different name. It turns out they’ve been through fraud issues before, so I will no longer rate their materials, as it’s hard to know what they’re actually made of. The same parent company also owns Nectar, DreamCloud, and the mattress rating website SleepAuthority. There is a lot of healthwashing in the non-toxic mattress world, and this is a perfect example of it.

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!

Does latex off-gas?

Yes, in that it has a smell that dissipates over time. The difference is that it is not off-gassing synthetic chemical smells into the air, and instead smells like the Hevea tree it comes from. I think it smells faintly fruity or like vanilla, and I noticed it more with my springless latex mattress, which is 100% latex and large, and less with my pillows, which are small, or my hybrid mattress, which has a lot of springs and wool in it, too.

Are latex mattresses dust mite proof?

No. They are less susceptible to dust mites than standard foam mattresses, but they are not dust mite proof.

Dust mites feed on moisture and skin cells, which is why they live and breed in mattresses. Your sweat and skin cells make their way into your mattress, making it a perfect environment for dust mites. Because latex is more breathable than polyurethane foam, you should sweat less, and moisture won’t build up inside as easily. Latex is also much denser than foam (this is why latex mattresses are so heavy!) meaning there is less space for your shed skin cells to accumulate.

Dust mites are harmless to most people. However, if you have an allergy, I recommend using an OEKO TEX certified 6-sided dust mite encasement (see the one I use here) to keep moisture and skin cells out completely. The “weave” of the fabric is so tight (1 micron), even dust mite feces and particles can’t get through. Even if you don’t do that, you can reduce the problem by using breathable bedding so you don’t sweat as much, and a mattress protector to keep most of the sweat and skin cells out.

How long do latex mattresses last?

Longer than a standard polyurethane foam mattress does. Polyurethane foam is typically rated to last 8-10 years before it breaks down and needs replacing, whereas latex lasts 10-12 years.

Are soy mattresses 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 natural 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 an organic 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 wait for sales. And, you can consider an organic mattress latex pad, which is typically much less expensive and may help protect you from anything nasty in the mattress underneath.

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

Yes! I have several 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. You can see the one I use here.) 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.