Fifteen years ago we started offering what we called "organic mattresses". The reason we called them an organic mattress was because, like organic food, these mattresses offered a healthier alternative to toxic chemicals.
There are many fabrics to choose from to make a mattress. We feel pretty strongly that since you can get cotton certified to organic standards, then it only makes sense to incorporate 100% certified organic cotton for the fabric. Some so-called organic mattresses use Bamboo fabric, which only has approximately 25% bamboo blended with polyester. We think these mattresses are more of a "green-lite" mattress. Sure it's a small step in the right direction and is a better choice than 100% polyester, but it's not the true concept of the term organic mattress.
The same goes with the inside components. Today, there are many mainstream mattresses marketed as natural latex, but if you look closely, you'll find many of them contain layers of petroleum foam, with only two or three inches of natural latex inside. Many consumers don't realize this when they are shopping around, they see natural latex mattress and don't think to investigate how much latex is in the mattress. We're telling you, you gotta ask "how much latex is in here?". Most authentic organic mattresses on the marketplace today will not use foam layers, instead an organic mattress is made using all natural latex components which are third-party certified for harmful substances using standards such as Oeko-Tex or LGA. At this time, there are no organic certifications for latex, so having the toxicity tested is presently the best determination to allow this component into a mattress built to reduce toxic chemicals. Latex offers more resiliency and long-term durability than anything else available for manufacturing a mattress. A natural and renewable resource, natural latex is derived from the havea brasiliensis, more commonly known as the rubber tree. Yes, it definitely costs more, but it out-performs innerspring coils and foam, not to mention it's more comfortable and healthier for you, and the environment too.
An organic mattress will always use components that are certified-safe for toxicity. Usually all the materials are made from natural and renewable resources, so in addition to offering a healthier sleep system, an organic mattress is better for the environment.
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