Organic Mattresses

Living an eco-friendly lifestyle isn't always easy, but one area where you don't have to compromise is your mattress and bedtime comfort.

Natural mattresses are made without synthetic fabrics and foams, shunning plastics and chemicals in favour of natural alternatives.

Materials for the cover include wool, organic cotton, and damask, with fillings of latex foam, wool, cotton, mohair, and fine bamboo. The support system has steel springs with a dense latex foam or packed natural fibre bed.

How are natural organic mattresses more eco-friendly?

Natural mattresses have a lower carbon footprint, are more recyclable, and use fewer chemicals than synthetic ones.

Natural mattresses are made from organic materials, with no synthetic materials (plastics) allowed. Chemicals are also not allowed, except for fire retardants, which latex foam needs under the law.

Global studies have proven that natural materials have a lower carbon footprint than synthetic materials. For example, there's 5.5kg of carbon in one polyester shirt, while a cotton shirt has only 2.1 kilograms of carbon.

Comparisons of other materials have shown that most natural alternatives have less than half the emissions.

Natural mattresses do not contribute to the plastic crisis, which is so bad that 200 countries signed a global treaty this year to reduce waste in one of the most ambitious international projects of the last three decades.

Additionally, natural mattresses contain more recyclable content than their synthetic counterparts. Cotton, bamboo, wool, mohair, damask and latex foam are all recyclable, as is the steel used to make the springs.

What are natural organic mattresses made of?

Natural mattresses are made from the following:

• Organic cotton – a naturally replenishable, pesticide-free material
• Bamboo – born with a low carbon footprint
• Wool – from sheep, which need shearing for their health
• Mohair – from the Angora goat, a hypoallergenic alternative to sheep's wool
• Latex foam - this is made from the sap of the rubber tree via rubber tapping, which does not require cutting the tree down. 

What is it like to sleep on a natural organic mattress?

It's just like sleeping on a regular mattress!

The idea that sleeping on a natural mattress is like sleeping on a hay bale is wrong – natural mattresses feel as plush as regular mattresses.

Most people can't tell the difference between a natural and synthetic mattress except for the bouncier construction; no memory foam is allowed, so natural mattresses can't provide the same level of impact absorption.

However, latex foam does a good job, and in many respects, it is superior to memory foam with better edge support, breathability and eco-friendliness.

The ultimate feel of any mattress is determined by its construction, materials, firmness, thickness and layers.

Are there any compromises?

As noted, memory foam isn't a natural material so you won't get its body-contouring properties in a natural mattress. Latex foam is the substitute, which has more bounce and a different feel. We love latex foam!

Other than the lack of memory foam, there are no compromises. Natural mattresses deliver a fantastic sleeping experience for everyone.  

However, one of the misconceptions about natural mattresses is that they do not contain any chemicals. Mattresses with latex foam contain fire retardants because latex is tested as a foam, and foams must have fire retardants.

Natural organic mattress recommendations

Here are a few of our favourite natural mattresses:

Sleepeezee Wool Supreme (medium-firm)

Filled with 100% British wool and made in the UK, the Sleepeezee Wool Supreme has 2,400 pocket springs and a luxurious damask cover.

Shire Beds Eco Deep (medium)

The Shire Beds Eco Deep has wool, mohair, silk and cashmere fillings with 1,000 pocket springs and Ecoshield treatment (Eucalyptus Citriodora oil).

Giltedge Beds Royal 3,000 (medium)

With 3,000 pocket springs and luxurious natural fillings, including wool, silk, cashmere and cotton, the Giltedge Royal is perfect for a sumptuous sleep.

You can find more natural mattresses here. If you enjoyed this article, read about how a natural mattress can improve sleep.

Why Natural Fillings make such a comfortable mattress

Natural mattresses are more popular now than ever for environmental and personal reasons. As the name suggests, a natural mattress is made from materials grown or sourced from nature. This means there are no synthetic fabrics, only natural fibres. Available in various styles to suit every type of sleep position, there's bound to be a natural mattress that's comfortable for you.

As an overall construction, natural mattresses offer a higher level of comfort, can help regulate temperature, are hypoallergenic, and are more hygienic. They are usually combined with pocket springs that contour to the body and help to support every joint, adding to the luxury and comfort of a great night's sleep.

When we break down which types of natural fibres are used within them, it is easy to see how each filling brings its benefits. Let's take a look at the most commonly used natural fibres:

• Cotton – a hollow fibre that is soft, cool, and breathable
• Bamboo – Antibacterial qualities, hardwearing with natural absorption properties
• Wool – Breathable, moisture control, antibacterial, and fire retardant
• Natural latex – Dust mite resistant, hypoallergenic, and cooling
• Silk–enhanced comfort controls moisture

Using these natural fibres instead of synthetic fibres reduces the use of chemicals, which is far more eco-friendly, so you can be super comfy while doing your bit for the environment.

It's no surprise that these mattresses are becoming much more popular. They are available in a wide range of comfort levels, so whatever your sleeping position, there is no compromise when choosing your perfect mattress.