Alternative Mattress Fillings

The performance and longevity of foams like memory, latex, and reflex foam make them extremely popular. Most mattresses use foam because it provides comfort and support, but what if you don't want foam?

You might not want foam because you are concerned about its environmental footprint (polyurethane foam is not widely recycled and contains chemicals) or because you want a highly breathable, padded mattress.

In that case, you can get alternative mattress fillings. The standard synthetic filling is polyester fibre, known as 'white fibre'. White fibre is packed into the mattress, with the packing density determining firmness.

A more popular option is natural fillings, including wool, cotton, bamboo, cashmere and Mohair, which are breathable and biodegradable. Natural mattresses can also improve your sleep and last just as long as foam mattresses.

This article runs through the most common alternative mattress fillings, helping you figure out which is right for you.

Let's jump in!

Polyester

Polyester fibre is the most common alternative mattress filling, although it is only suitable for the comfort layer because it lacks structural rigidity.

These mattresses sleep differently from foam mattresses, with a firmer, less compliant surface that absorbs air and puffs up when you move. This allows the spring support system to work its magic, delivering a highly responsive sleeping experience.

Cotton

Cotton is the most popular natural mattress filling, creating a soft and subtle comfort layer with a more luxurious feel than polyester.

These mattresses usually have organic cotton and are categorised as eco-friendly, but you need to make sure other materials in the mattress are also natural. This will ensure that you get a mattress with a low carbon footprint.

Bamboo

Bamboo is a secondary mattress filling that accompanies other materials like cotton. It enhances breathability and adds rigidity to the mattress, keeping the comfort layer firm.

Bamboo is extremely fast-growing and sustainable, with a low carbon footprint. One hectare of bamboo absorbs about 17 tonnes of carbon annually, and some species can reach full maturity in as little as ninety days.

Wool

Wool is much fluffier than polyester or cotton, delivering enhanced squishiness and, in our opinion, the best sleep of all alternative fillings.

The wool is derived from sheep, which need shearing to keep them healthy. Wool is unique because lanolin in the wool has antibacterial qualities, and it is highly insulative and breathable, keeping you warm without overheating.

Mohair

Mohair is a hypoallergenic alternative to sheep's wool. It is a luxury filling cultivated from the Angora goat native to Turkey.

This wool is softer and fluffier than sheep's wool, delivering a super-soft mattress that squishes under your body. Because it is delicate and lightweight, Mohair can be blended with bamboo or polyester to make it more durable.

Cashmere

Cashmere is the most luxurious and expensive natural mattress filling, produced from the prized wool of cashmere and pashmina goats.

Unlike wool, which is sheared, cashmere is naturally shed by goats, making it significantly more expensive. However, cashmere production has ethical concerns, with the goats not being protected from cruelty like sheep in the UK.

Charcoal

We said we wouldn't mention foam in this article, but charcoal is an essential inclusion because many manufacturers are adding it to their memory foam.

Charcoal eliminates odours in the mattress and improves breathability, yet it doesn't impact the feel of the foam. Charcoal is a soft material, so it's protected with the inclusion of bamboo, creating bamboo-charcoal memory foam.

Summing up

If you don't want a foam mattress, plenty of alternative fillings exist. A cotton mattress provides a dense, firm sleeping platform, while wool and Mohair produce a sense of airiness with excellent breathability.

Another option if you are concerned about the eco-friendliness of foam is latex foam, a natural material made from rubber tree sap. Read our latex foam guide to learn more about this brilliant, eco-friendly material.