Eco-Friendly Mattress Materials

August 13, 2019

Many families today are in constant search for new ways to adopt planet-friendlier lifestyles. One way you can do this is by making eco-friendly purchasing decisions. When it comes to buying mattresses, though, it isn’t always easy to know, at first glance, which mattresses are truly “green”, and which ones are making false claims. Here, we will explore planet-friendly materials mattresses are made with, and how you can know you’re getting the green mattress you desire.

What Does It Mean to be Eco-Friendly?

The materials that go into the mattress is one part of the equation. An important part of the equation. But it isn’t the only aspect you need to consider when shopping for eco-friendly mattresses and other furnishings. The method of manufacturing the mattresses also matters. That is why it is essential for you to shop with mattress makers that offer absolute transparency in the manufacturing process. These are some of the qualities eco-friendly mattresses share:

• No or very low VOCs
• Zero-emissions from the manufacturing process
• Made with renewable materials and resources
• Recyclable
• Made without toxic materials
• Last a long time to reduce the waste generated
• Made with natural and/or organic materials
• Utilize efficient shipping methods

Ultimately, products that are friendly are better for the planet and the people who populate it. In many cases, they turn out to be better investments as well. Even if they cost more initially, the fact that they are built to last and not break down quickly means they cost less over their lifetimes.

In addition to mattresses, you can purchase a variety of eco-friendly products for your kitchen, your family, and for your home. This includes things like:

• Home décor
• Automobiles
• Food and beverages
• Linens
• Clothing
• Dishes
• Bedding
• Furniture
• Reusable bags
• Cleaning products
• Technology
• Toys

The more often you invest in earth-friendly goods, the more you can do for the sake of the planet. Fortunately, it doesn’t take long to begin to recognize the materials and organizations that are good for the planet, so you can support products made with these materials and companies that present a variety of earth-friendly options to consumers.

Why Buy an Eco-Friendly Mattress?

Mattresses made with eco-friendly materials are all the rage these days. But there are more reasons to buy earth-friendly mattresses than a deep concern for the planet. Though that is certainly reason enough to make many consumers go to the effort of identifying and purchasing eco-conscious mattresses. These are just a few other reasons to make this choice as well:

• It’s better for your family. What’s good for the planet is often good for your family. By this, we are talking about the materials used in the mattress. Many of the harmful chemical ingredients in synthetic mattress materials are harmful to the planet. These same materials are also harmful to humans. By purchasing mattresses that don’t contain them, you’re also not exposing your family to these harmful chemicals, too.
• Improves air quality inside your home. Indoor air quality is a huge concern for families as homes are designed with greater energy efficiency in mind. While it prevents hot or cold air from escaping or entering your home, it also prevents volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other contaminants introduced into the air inside your home from escaping as well. These contaminants are brought into your home in the products you purchase, like mattresses, home furnishings, chemical cleaning products, and building materials. By purchasing natural, earth-friendly products for your home, like mattresses, you’re introducing fewer impurities and contaminants into the air.
• The feel-good factor. Ultimately, you can feel better about the buying choices you make when you know you’re buying products that are good for the planet. This means you can sleep easy knowing you’ve made the best choice for your family, your community, and your planet. Plus, companies invested in creating planet-friendly items for consumers often support other causes near and dear to you. They are well-known for paying things forward, allowing you to feel doubly good about your purchasing choices.

Once you’ve made the decision to buy an eco-friendly mattress, the real work begins. You must decide which of these mattresses is the best choice for you.

Earth-Friendly Mattress Materials

There are many different materials used to make mattresses today that are considered eco-friendly. Understanding your options can help you make wise buying decisions when the time comes for you to choose your planet-friendly mattress.

• Latex. It is important to understand that not every mattress claiming to be latex is an earth-friendly product. In fact, there are many synthetic latex mattresses on the market that are filled with petrochemicals. In order to know you’re getting an earth-friendly latex mattress, make sure you only purchase 100 percent natural latex, and look for certifications indicating purity.
• Memory Foam. You will find many memory foam mattresses on the market that are saturated with petrochemicals. That is why it is important to be selective when exploring memory foam mattress options, and only choose those that are certified to be healthy for your home, your family, and the planet.
• Wool. Natural wool is another indication that mattresses are earth-friendly. It also happens to be a natural, chemical-free fire retardant that is commonly used by eco-conscious mattress makers. Look for wool that is made without bleach and other chemicals.
• Cotton. Organic cotton is your best option, though certainly not your only one. Look for natural cotton materials in the mattress that aren’t exposed to heavy chemicals and dyes.

While it is good to know the things that eco-friendly materials that go into your mattress, it is equally important to know the materials that your earth-friendly mattresses do not include. These include things like:

• Formaldehyde
• Harmful adhesives
• Synthetic fibers
• Heavy metals
• Prohibited phthalates
• Petrochemicals

That’s before you even get into the manufacturing process. Environmentally aware manufacturers shun processes that introduce unnecessary ingredients, chemicals, etc. into the mattresses they make, preferring natural methods of manufacturing that do as little as possible to disturb the planet. They even seek out greener options for packaging and shipping to further their goals for saving their planet and their commitments to the Earth today.

How Can You Know You’re Getting Mattresses Made with all the Right Ingredients?

Many mattress companies make bold claims about the planet-friendly nature of their mattresses. Unfortunately, few actually deliver on the goods. Buying a mattress under false pretenses can be frustrating, and may even have a negative impact on the health of your family.

One way you can know for certain whether a mattress is good for your home and family or not is to explore any certifications the mattress may have earned. Especially certifications from respected organizations like those listed below.

• Global Organic Latex Standard. GOLS. Certifies that latex used to make mattresses meets a variety of criteria for purity, and is made with organic materials and manufacturing practices.
• Global Organic Textile Standard. GOTS. Certifies that a variety of ecological and socially responsible standards have been met when producing textiles.
• Oeko-Tex Standard 100. Tests for the presence of more than 100 potential toxins to ensure the raw materials and finished products meet their standards.
• GreenGuard Gold. Certified to ensure safety for exposure to the elderly, sick, and children – the most vulnerable members of the population.
• CertiPur-US. Certifies memory foam used to make mattresses for low emissions (VOCs), no heavy metals, no formaldehyde, and more.
• USDA Organic. Meets standards established by the United States Department of Agriculture to be considered organic.

In order to determine the effectiveness of a certifying agency, it must be independent of the organizations making the mattresses, and have rigorous, across the board standards and requirements for certifications.

Eco Terra shares your commitment to quality mattresses that are made with the comfort and health of your family and the planet in mind. Our Eco Terra Latex Mattresses are made with 100 percent natural Talalay latex and fabric-encased coils to offer the perfect combination of purity, comfort, and support. You get to enjoy all the luxurious comfort you expect from a natural latex mattress at a refreshingly affordable price while resting easy knowing your purchasing decision was a good choice for the sake of the planet.

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