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A great non-toxic mattress topper can do wonders for your sleep at night. It can add extra cushioning to a mattress that you don’t find comfortable, and it can also extend the life of your mattress by protecting its top layer from wear and tear. Mattress toppers can even help you sleep cooler at night, especially if they’re made out of natural latex or wool.
For the eco-conscious consumer, you may be interested in specifically finding a non-toxic mattress topper, perhaps even an organic one. These days, luckily, there are plenty of options for organic mattress toppers. Read on to learn more about why mattress toppers should always be non-toxic, and which ones out there are made of the safest and most comfortable materials.
Why Buy a Non-Toxic Mattress Topper?
Non-toxic and organic mattress toppers avoid the use of a variety of chemicals that can be potentially dangerous to human health. They typically avoid the following toxins:
- Formaldehyde: Formaldehyde is used in some conventional mattresses and can emit fumes that may cause respiratory irritation, allergies, and other health issues.
- Flame retardants: Certain flame retardant chemicals, such as PBDEs (Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers), have been associated with adverse health effects, including hormone disruption and potential links to developmental and reproductive issues.
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs): VOCs can off-gas from synthetic materials used in mattress toppers. Prolonged exposure to high levels of VOCs may contribute to respiratory problems, allergies, and other health concerns.
- Phthalates: These chemicals are often used as plasticizers to soften some mattress materials and have been linked to hormone disruption, developmental issues, and potential adverse effects on reproductive health.
By choosing a non-toxic mattress topper, you’ll be able to minimize your exposure to these potentially harmful chemicals and create a healthier sleeping environment. Going with certified non-toxic materials in your bedroom can reduce the risk of respiratory issues, allergic reactions, and long-term health effects associated with prolonged exposure to these toxins.
Certifications to Look For When Buying a Non-Toxic Mattress Topper
There are several important certifications you’ll want to look for while shopping for a non-toxic mattress topper. Each of these certifications help ensure that a product is safe for human use and is free of several potentially harmful chemicals that you don’t want to sleep on for hours a night.
Here are some of the most important certifications you want to find on any potential non-toxic mattress topper you are thinking of buying:
OEKO-TEX Standard 100
OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is a globally recognized certification for textiles and other materials. This certification ensures that mattress toppers are free from harmful substances such as heavy metals, formaldehyde, pesticides, and certain phthalates.
CertiPUR
CertiPUR is a voluntary certification program for foam products, including mattress toppers. CertiPUR certification ensures that mattress toppers are made without harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, heavy metals, ozone-depleting substances, PBDEs (Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers), and certain flame retardants. It also sets limits for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions.
GOTS Certified (Global Organic Textile Standard)
GOTS certification applies to textile products made from organic fibers, including mattress toppers. The GOTS certification ensures that mattress toppers are made with organic and non-toxic materials. It prohibits the use of harmful chemicals such as synthetic pesticides, dyes containing heavy metals, formaldehyde, and certain flame retardants in the ingredients and manufacturing of the product. It’s basically the gold standard of organic certifications.
GOLS Certified (Global Organic Latex Standard)
GOLS certification ensures that latex-based products, which many mattress toppers are made out of, meet organic and sustainable production standards. It guarantees that at least 95% of the latex used is sourced from organic rubber trees and prohibits the use of harmful chemicals in the manufacturing of the mattress topper. GOLS certification also promotes environmental responsibility, fair labor practices, and traceability throughout the supply chain.
Greenguard
Greenguard certification focuses on indoor air quality and is applicable to various products, including mattress toppers. This certification sets strict limits for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions, ensuring that mattress toppers do not release harmful chemicals into the indoor air. It also restricts the use of certain phthalates, formaldehyde, and other harmful substances.
Best Organic and Non-Toxic Mattress Toppers for a Better Night’s Sleep
Here are some of the most popular, comfortable, high quality non-toxic mattress toppers you can find today that will ensure you get a healthy, great night’s sleep.
1. Brentwood Home Organic Latex Mattress Topper (from $179)
- GOLS and GOTS certified organic
Brentwood Home offers 2 and 3-inch affordable mattress toppers that are comfortable, supportive, and breathable. These organic mattress toppers are made with high-quality materials such as natural GOLS certified latex and GOTS certified organic cotton, so they’re about as eco-friendly as a mattress topper can get. They’re also more wallet-friendly than some other non-toxic mattress topper brands out there.
Brentwood Home makes its natural latex topper from Dunlop latex that they source from rubber forests in India and Guatemala. The toppers themselves are sewn in Los Angeles. They also claim to meet a 100% carbon offset for the manufacture of their products, which is impressive.
2. Plushbeds 100% Natural Latex Mattress Topper (from $194)
- Oeko-Tex Standard 100
- GREENGUARD Gold certified
- GOLS certified
Plushbeds is another great option for an affordable organic mattress topper. They make both 2- and 3-inch mattress toppers, and you can also choose which firmness level you like best, from soft to extra-firm. They also offer (for an additional cost) an organic cotton cover.
Their toppers are made from natural latex that is GOLS certified organic and free of synthetics, blends, and harsh chemicals. These toppers can add pressure relief and support to your mattress, and they help cushion people’s movements so as to not disturb their sleeping partners.
Plushbeds also makes one of our favorite organic and non-toxic mattresses.
3. Tuft and Needle (from $200)
- CertiPUR-US
- GREENGUARD GOLD Certified
I have a couple of Tuft and Needle foam mattresses in my house, and I really appreciate that they’re very high quality, that they ship right do your house, and that the company offers a long, no questions asked return period of 100 nights to make sure you’re happy with your product. They also make one of the more affordable non-toxic mattress topper options out there.
This 2-inch thick mattress topper is made of Tuft and Needle adaptive foam, which is highly breathable. It has a cover that prevents your sheets from bunching up, and a very helpful non-skid bottom made from silicone beading that prevents it from slipping off your mattress. I also like that Tuft and Needle is made in the USA.
4. Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper (from $225)
10. Boll and Branch Mattress Topper ($498)
- GOTS Certified Organic
- STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX
Boll & Branch makes some of my favorite certified organic sheets, and they also make this GOTS certified organic mattress topper out of organic cotton and wool.
This 2-inch topper provides an extra layer of pillowy support for your mattress. Instead of foam, it is stuffed with humanely sourced wool. It also features a thick elastic corner strap to help keep it in place on your mattress.
Boll & Branch prides itself on only using processes that are free from toxins, harmful pesticides, and GMOs. They work with family owned farms and factories to ensure traceability and accountability, and they partner with independent organizations to maintain the highest possible standards in ethics, health, and sustainability.
11. SavvyRest Organic Mattress Toppers (from $549)
- GOTS and GOLS Certified materials
- Produced in GOTS certified facility
SavvyRest 3-inch mattress toppers are super comfy and made from certified organic materials, including organic cotton and organic latex sourced from sustainable and eco-friendly farms. They have both wool and natural latex options that come with certified organic covers. You can choose your preferred thickness and firmness levels, so they’re customizable as well for however you sleep best.
For their SavvyRest Vitality Natural Latex topper, SavvyRest uses natural Dunlop latex, which comes from rubber tree sap and provides a supportive, comfortable material to sleep on that’s also dust and mold resistant. Their toppers come with an organic mattress cover as well, which helps allow for proper air flow by preventing heat from building up under you as you sleep.
As a company, SavvyRest is committed to sustainable practices. They choose to use only organic, renewable materials that are good for human health and for the planet, and they never use synthetic materials, toxins, or flame retardants.