Add An Eco Friendly Mattress To
Your Going-Green Shopping List

Mattresses Are Only One Of The Eco Bedding
Choices That You Can Make

Why would you be interested in an eco friendly mattress? Well, you probably already know that we both spend roughly one third of our lives in our beds. The quality of that time spent and your sleep can have an effect on each day and your health.

Beside the quantity and quality of the sleep you get, another consideration is the type of materials you are sleeping on. Just the same as with organic clothing, mattresses are typically made with a variety of harmful or potentially harmful materials. Some of those materials should never be near your body or on your skin for any length of time.

I discovered that conventional (non-organic) mattresses found on the market today are laden with chemicals and fire-retardants, which can create an unhealthy and toxic sleeping environment as well as home environment.

With the rise of allergies, skin conditions and air quality based illnesses, people are turning to organic bedding as a simple investment in their health.

One of the toxic materials used in a conventional mattress is polyurethane foam which is made from petroleum, and that it can emit volatile organic compounds (V.O.C.'s). These V.O.C.'s which are also found in house paint have been linked to respiratory irritation and other health problems, as indicated by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

I found that according to the EPA, the foam cushioning on your old mattress will also contain PBDEs or petrochemicals that out-gas, which is commonly and mistakenly referred to as off-gassing, can cause long-term indoor air quality (IAQ) issues and health problems, as this out-gassing continues over time.

What Makes It An Eco Friendly Mattress?

When it comes to figuring out what makes an organic and eco friendly mattress better for you than a conventional mattress, you may get stuck just trying to wade through the mountain of information. There are a few key ingredients to look for when you are choosing to go green with an eco friendly mattress or green bedding materials.

Since you will likely spend 25 of your roughly 75 years in bed, it makes sense to spend a bit of time researching your options.

Here are some of the materials that are used when constructing an organic mattress as well as their benefits to you and your family.

• Natural Rubber/Latex - Most of the natural rubber found in an eco friendly mattress comes from the sap of the Hevea Brasiliensis tree commonly known as a rubber tree, which grows on plantations in Southeast Asia.
  
  Natural rubber mattresses have the major benefits of being anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, dust-mite proof. The latex foam is made by pounding up the rubber tree sap which can be collected for up to half of the year. Unlike most other trees, the Hevea Brasiliensis tree heals within an hour each time, making natural latex a genuinely sustainable resource.
• Organic Cotton - When you look for an organic mattress and bedding certified organic cotton is a great choice and will most likely be paired with wool or natural latex to create a natural sleeping environment.
  
  Although it does require a considerable amount of water to grow, organic cotton does not contain harmful pesticides used in the growing of the crop. According to the OTA, the Organic Trade Association, organic cotton is grown without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. In addition, federal regulations prohibit the use of genetically engineered seed for organic farming.
• Organic Wool - One of the major benefits of using wool in a mattress is that besides being ultra soft and comfortable, wool is naturally dust mite resistant and naturally fire-retardant. This is a huge step towards eliminating chemical fire retardant materials present in conventional mattresses which are extremely harmful to your health. Organic wool is produced without using hormones or pesticides in the animal or its food, making it a good resource for your eco friendly mattress.

Shopping Tips When Looking For An Eco Friendly Mattress

Okay, so you've decided that it is time for a new mattress and you have found a recycling center in your area for your old mattress, such as Ohio Mattress Recovery for example, and now you want to replace it with what could be considered an eco mattress.

• Look for at least 97% natural rubber in a latex mattress.
• If you can't splurge for a full mattress, choose and organic cotton topper like the kind made by The Clean Bedroom, White Lotus Home or Greenfeet.com. This can put an organic layer between you and your existing mattress and give you peace of mind that your skin is further away from any harmful chemicals.
• Check with the manufacturer to make sure their product is not simply a conventional core mattress wrapped in an organic outer pad.
• Expect to make an investment, and ask about the lifetime warranty. Most manufacturers will stand behind quality products to make sure your mattress lasts a lifetime.

Eco Friendly Bedding

Besides replacing your old mattress, there are some fantastic bedding choices to go green without breaking the bank. Choosing to replace your mattress can be a huge investment and one that you may not be ready to make right now.

If you would still like to go green in a few small ways, here are some brilliant eco friendly choices for the organic bedroom:

• Organic sheets - This is the best way to reduce the pesticides in your sleep environment. Organic sheets are made using 100% organic cotton, which means that they are not laden with pesticides. Just a few years back, organic sheets were typically difficult to find and quite expensive. Today, you can find a reasonably priced organic cotton and bamboo sheet selection at Target.com, TheCompanyStore.com, and Gaiam.com.
• Organic Toppers - These little inventions are great for 2 reasons. First, they are super comfortable and can be purchased flat for those who like a firm bed or up to 3 inches of fluffy thickness for those of us who like to sleep on a cloud of comfort. The filling materials are generally either natural latex or organic wool. Check out some of these great online stores to find your favorite: TheNaturalSleepStore.com, PureRest.com, and OrganicGrace.com.
• Organic Pillows - One of the most obvious and simple changes to make is changing out your pillow to an organic version. The pillow you lay your head down upon each night should be comfortable and made from natural, non-pesticide laden materials.

Good sleep starts with your head. There is an amazing range of organic pillow choices. From buckwheat and millet to wool and organic cotton, you can create the perfect solution for you and your family. The Pillow Company offers an extensive range of 100% certified organic buckwheat and millet pillows. All of the fillings used for their pillows are grown, harvested and finally certified organic all here in the United States.

Organic Eco Friendly Mattress For Your Baby

Any new parent can agree that the thought, research and stress of choosing the best and safest products for a new baby can be overwhelming. The sensitive skin and brand new immune system of a newborn requires that only the most natural products and materials are chosen to go next to baby's skin. Nighttime is no exception.

The latest research on toxic chemicals in mattresses is especially serious when paired with a new baby who can be extra-sensitive to any harmful chemicals. Besides choosing organic food and organic clothing, an organic mattress is a great way to create a safe and healthy environment for your baby and child of any age.

Most baby mattresses on the market are made to fit the standard crib size mattress. The mattress you choose should be made from certified organic cotton and filled with organic wool. The major benefit of wool is the fact that it is naturally fire resistant, naturally mold and bacteria resistant. Wool also resists the build-up of harmful allergens. Paired with organic sheets and puddle pads, you can create a healthy, natural sleep environment for your baby.

Here are some organic stores that also specialize in organic crib mattresses, organic co-sleeper mattresses and organic baby bedding: NaturaWorld.com, NaturaPedic.com and AbsolutelyOrganicBaby.com.