Organic natural latex mattresses can provide a new level of health and wellbeing, simply not available with its non-organic brother. Whether you have particularly sensitive skin, allergies, back problems or problems with overheating, an organic mattress can help you achieve a peaceful night’s sleep. There are many types of organic mattresses, all with varying organic components and benefits. As well as having tremendous health benefits, organic natural latex mattresses boast a much more environmentally friendly and sustainable set of ingredients.
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What Makes an Organic Mattress Organic?
The definition of an organic mattress is a mattress which is made up entirely of organically certified components (where a certification exists). The popularity of organic mattresses had lead to some manufacturers selling a mattress as ‘organic’ when, in fact, not all of the components are organic. When shopping for a mattress (especially online) look out for the ‘Soil Association Organic’ and ‘Global Organic Textile Standard ‘ certification marks.
A mattress is, of course, made from different components, all of which need to have come from an organic source. Unlike the organic fruit and vegetables which you will find at your local supermarket, a mattress has many different components. It is important to know where each part of the mattress came from, in order to ensure quality and that it has gone through a completely organic manufacturing process.
The Benefits of an Organic Mattress
When it comes to mattresses, one the most common reasons people choose to go organic is to avoid the potentially harmful chemicals harboured by synthetic, non-organic mattresses. The main argument for organic food is that the chemical pesticides and insecticides used on the crops are not meant for human consumption, and could potentially harm your health further down the line. The cotton in a non-organic mattress is one of the most pesticide-heavy fabrics on the planet. Roughly 25% of all chemical pesticide is used on cotton.
An organic mattress doesn’t just have long-term health benefits; it gets to work right away. Many people who suffer from sensitive skin can find it incredibly difficult to buy mattresses and bedding, as they can contain chemicals and synthetic materials which irritate the skin. Anything from a small heat rash to serious eczema can be potentially soothed and rested with an organic mattress. The lack of synthetic fibres, chemical glues or pesticides, coupled with the heat and moisture regulating qualities of organic wool, can be a god-send for those with sensitive skin.
A problem you can encounter when shopping for a natural and healthy mattress is that there are specific chemical treatments which, at the time, might seem essential. There are organic alternatives to any chemical treatments for dust mites or treatments which ensure the mattress is fire retardant. The organic alternative to chemical dust mite treatment is neem anti allergy dust mite spray, which is made from natural neem oil.
A question which is frequently asked of organic mattresses is “how can they pass the fire safety tests without chemical fire treatment” Fire safety should be as big a concern as any, and organic wool is the perfect solution. Organic wool is naturally fire retardant which enables it pass all of the relevant fire safety tests without the use of a single chemical treatment.
Non-Organic Mattresses – The Organic Alternatives
Organic mattresses are the solution to many of the inherent issues and problems in non-organic mattresses. Although we’ve lived with them for years, non-organic mattresses can have multiple chemical components, as well being environmentally harmful, in comparison to organic mattresses.
As previously stated, approximately 25% of the world’s pesticide is used on cotton. These industrial chemical pesticides and fertilisers are being breathed in by anyone with non-organic cotton on their mattress. Organic cotton is grown using completely natural fertilisers, ensuring what you get is the purest, most natural form of cotton. Cotton is also an extremely thirsty crop, gulping up an astounding six pints of water in order to grow one cotton bud. This can destroy the habitat of local wildlife, as well as sucking all the nutrients out of the surrounding soil. The different methods and processes of organic cotton ensure that it uses far less water, which enables wildlife to thrive and other crops to grow alongside the cotton.
Synthetic, petroleum based memory foam is an extremely popular choice when it comes to mattresses. The volume of chemicals used to make petroleum memory foam, combined with the synthetic glue and non-organic fabrics can make for a pretty un-appealing mattress, once you know the facts. A natural alternative to memory foam would be an organic latex mattress. The comfort of natural latex is similar to memory foam as it has that kind of supportive comfort which you slightly sink into. The difference between synthetic and natural latex mattress is that the natural alternative has had no chemical treatment of synthetic ingredients added. The resin is extracted straight from the rubber tree, frothed up and baked into a mattress. No funny business.
Memory foam, and other petroleum based mattress materials, is notorious for overheating and causing some uncomfortable nights. The organic wool used in a natural organic mattress, as well as being naturally fire retardant, has moisture and temperature regulating qualities. The make-up of natural alternatives also much more breathable than synthetic memory foam.
Buying an organic mattress can often put your mind at ease as a consumer. It is much easier to find out the origin of the different components to an organic mattress than it is with a synthetic mattress. The chain of accountability in the organic industry goes from the farmer, right down to the man or woman in the shop who sells you the mattress. Attention to detail is everything when it comes to organic mattresses.
4 Living
4 Living are a Sussex based retailer if organic mattresses and contemporary furniture. Their commitment to health and well-being is visible from their collection of organic mattresses and bedding, right through to their Feng Shui attitude to interior design. The mattresses in 4 Living’s organic mattress collection vary to suit the needs of different individuals. Their collection includes luxurious natural latex mattress, mattresses designed specifically for side-sleepers, pocket sprung mattresses with organic components and much more.
Buying an organic mattress is a great choice if you’re someone who actively tries to minimise your exposure to artificial chemicals, or who prefers to buy products which don’t harm the environment as part of their manufacture. But what exactly is an organic mattress, and how can you go about choosing one?
What is an Organic Mattress?
An organic mattress is essentially a mattress made of natural, organic certified materials such as cotton, coconut fibre (coir) or wool. Many also use natural latex for cushioning, as an alternative to pocket sprung designs. (There is no official organic certification for natural latex, but is distinct from synthetic alternative which can be toxic). Organic mattresses are great for those with sensitive skin or allergies, but shouldn’t be restricted to just those people. A cotton wrap or cover is usually a big part of an organic mattress. Roughly 25% (!) of the world’s insecticides and pesticides are used on cotton crops. Do you really want you or your children to breathe in these potentially harmful chemicals every night?
As well as the health benefits of avoiding the chemicals used to make artificial materials, there are environmental benefits. Unfortunately, there an awful lot of mattresses out there, which claim to be entirely organic but actually have synthetic, artificially made components. Memory foam is the ‘flavour of the month’ when it comes to mattresses, but an awful lot of potentially harmful chemicals are used to make just one mattress.
Organic Mattresses: Where to Start?
There are so many mattress retailers out there, selling so many mattress, with all of them trying to tell you that THEIR mattress is the best. Trying to find your ideal mattress can be an overwhelming task if you don’t know what to look for. In reality there is no one ‘best’ mattress as everyone is different! It’s unlikely that a 15 stone rugby player and an 8 stone 80 year old will have the same preference, and so there are special mattresses to cater for both sizes.
What Type of Sleeper am I?
It’s probably never occurred to you to assess what ‘type’ of sleeper you are, but it’s really important to know when you’re looking for a mattress. The ‘type’ of sleeper you are refers to how you sleep – i.e. do you sleep on your side, back, front or a combination? Once you know what kind of sleeper you are, you can start the process of finding the perfect organic mattress for you.
Organic Mattresses: Which is the Right One for Me?
As you explore the world of organic mattresses you will stumble upon dozens of different styles, all claiming to be beneficial in different ways. Where possible, visit the mattress showroom and give the mattress a good test (if you’re lucky the people in the mattress showroom will let you have a cup of cocoa to send you off!). If you have had back, neck or shoulder problems in the past, you should take this into account when choosing your mattress. Mattresses aren’t just comfortable slabs of latex or springs anymore. There are specific mattresses designed to give specific types of support, so you no longer have to suffer aches the aches and pains of a generic mattress.
Make sure that any mattress claiming to be made from organic components is able to provide the relevant certifications to prove so. Many mattresses which claim to be organic, actually have one or two non-organic, synthetic components. Another thing to look out for is the length of warranty. If an organic mattress comes with a 10-20 year warranty, you know that the manufacturer has 100% confidence in the quality and durability of its product. If a mattress retailer isn’t offering any kind of warranty, it might be a good idea to find out why.
If you sleep on your side, then it’s likely that your shoulder isn’t quite getting a healthy blood flow during the night. Lying on your side can also potentially mess with the alignment of your spine as it is not a natural resting position for the spine. Have no fear. There a special natural latex organic mattress which have a small channel drilled horizontally within the mattress, in the same area as the shoulder. This means that instead of one of your arms being awkwardly squashed by your torso, it is able to slightly sink into the mattress, giving you a far healthier blood flow and a healthier spinal alignment.
If you suffer from back aches and pains, a slightly firmer mattress might help distribute your weight and prevent too much pressure from being exerted on one particular area. Natural latex naturally moulds its surface to the shape you your body, which is how the pressure can be alleviated from specific areas of discomfort. If you have serious back issues, it may be advisable to consult a doctor before changing mattress, especially if the change is relatively drastic
4 Living is a retailer of high quality organic mattresses, with entirely natural and organic ingredients. Where possible every single millimetre of their mattress collection is organically certified. Their collection is even free of any chemical fire treatment, as every one of their mattresses has an organic wool wrap, which is naturally fire retardant. Their showroom features multiple organic natural latex and organic pocket sprung mattress, so why not drop by and give them a try. 4 Living’s mattress experts will answer any questions you have.
