The more we learn about synthetic materials used in making mattresses, the scarier the news becomes. The decision to choose a natural mattress is one that many families can’t afford to miss — especially when you consider the many benefits natural mattresses offers, like these listed below.
No Foul Off-Gassing
Natural mattresses are made without volatile organic compounds (VOCs) associated with the foul odor most people notice upon opening synthetic mattresses from their packaging. These odors are essentially the chemicals escaping. While you may be able to dissipate the odor from the room by opening a few windows, the chemicals remain in the mattress, exposing you to them night after night while you sleep.
Symptoms associated with off-gassing include respiratory distress and severe headaches. Natural mattresses are made without these harsh chemicals and dyes allowing you to breathe easy when opening the package and as you sleep on your mattress for years to come.
Improves Air Quality in Your Home
The EPA reports that air quality inside your home may have two to five times greater concentration of certain pollutants than outdoor air. Much of that is due to the items you bring into your home, like mattresses, that release VOCs into the air.
Even after the initial off-gassing period passes, these items will continue releasing VOCs into the air for as long as you own them. The more petroleum-based and synthetic materials you remove from your home, including mattresses, and replace with natural products that contain:
- No harmful chemicals
- No pesticides
- No PBDEs
- No formaldehyde
- No glue
- No carcinogens
- No heavy metals
The better the air quality in your home becomes.
No Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs)
When it comes to choosing the right mattress, it’s important to consider PBDEs. PBDEs are commonly used as flame retardants in mattresses and home furnishings today. You may even find them in your car and some electronics. They have been associated with a wide range of health problems, especially for young children and babies in the womb.
Effects from PBDE exposure may include:
- Reproductive and fertility issues.
- Neurobehavioral issues.
- Thyroid and liver health problems.
- Impaired immune systems.
- It may even contribute to the development of diabetes and other pancreatic health conditions.
Considering the number of hours you spend on your mattress in a year, it’s wise to look for natural mattresses that do not contain PBDEs. Your health and that of your family is a top priority and choosing the right mattress can help.
Better Health
Shape magazine reports that flame retardants, petrochemicals, and pesticides used in making mattresses and bedding products have been linked to a long list of major healthcare concerns.
You can address those by seeking out organic mattresses, especially considering how many hours you spend in bed each day, roughly one-third of any given day. Keep these things in mind as you explore your options.
- Don’t just shop for mattresses that claim to be organic, however. Look for memory foam mattresses that are CertiPUR-US certified for having low VOC emissions, no PBDEs, no ozone depleters, or various other toxins.
- If you’re shopping for latex mattresses, shop for those certified by the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS), which certifies the mattresses meet their high standards for harvesting, processing, and producing latex products.
Reducing your exposure to chemicals commonly found in standard mattresses can help you improve your quality of sleep and the health of everyone in your home.
Better Air Circulation
If you choose natural latex foam for your mattress you will find that improvements to air circulation provide you with a better night’s sleep. That’s because it helps to promote airflow throughout the night allowing heat and moisture to escape your body for a cooler, more comfortable sleep.
As an added benefit, better air circulation means moisture isn’t trapped within the layers of the mattress where it can breed mold, mildew, and various other unpleasant microbes. If you live in a warm, humid climate, this is a must.
Sustainable and Recyclable Materials
The bottom line, for those who love the planet, is that mattresses made with all natural ingredients and materials are all of the following:
- More sustainable
- More easily recyclable
- Infinitely better for the planet
This means you can sleep easy about your decision to purchase a natural mattress. When the time comes to replace that mattress, you can rest easy knowing it’s not destined to take up precious space in a landfill somewhere. It’s a win-win for you as a consumer invested in the health and wellness of the planet.
Understanding the materials that go into your mattress can help you make wiser buying decisions. Natural mattresses offer many benefits to consumers well worth considering. These are just a few of the highlights.
