5 Facts About Organic Mattresses

Organic mattresses are a relatively new concept, so we thought we'd compile a short list of facts about them. Hopefully you will learn something you didn't know, any misconceptions will disappear and any questions will be answered!

1.A mattress can be certified as organic. It's not just food!

We're used to going to down to our local supermarket and seeing whole sections dedicated to organic food and drink. Organic food has put the word 'organic' on a lot of people's radar, and encouraged more people to think about exactly where there food has come from. It's healthy to want to know exactly what substances you are consuming, and equally healthy to make sure that they are chemical free. Organic cotton clothing is also becoming more and more common on high streets across the nation.

There's no reason to think that a mattress should be any different from what you wear or what you eat; after all, you are breathing in the air from your mattress for roughly a third of your life! Organic mattresses are designed to provide a healthy sleeping environment, and are official organic certified products. In the UK, mattresses are certified by the Soil Association, which is the same body that certifies organic food and drink. In Europe, mattresses are given the Global Organic Textile mark. If a mattress has neither of these official certifications, then it's not organic.

2.Organic cotton is good for the environment

Of course, the main main benefit of organic mattresses is that they are a healthy alternative to conventional mattresses, but the organic cotton used to make the mattresses is actually an eco-friendly material.

Cotton is an extremely thirsty plant by nature, so will always need to consume a great deal of water to grow. However, some chemical fertilisers can attempt to accelerate the growth of the cotton; non-organic cotton can require up to six pints of water to grow a single bud of cotton. This incredible water consumption can completely decimate the surrounding plants and, therefore the entire eco-system of the area. Organic cotton consumes as little as half the water of non-organic cotton, which is enough to allow surrounding ec-systems to continue to flourish.

3.Organic Wool is a natural fire retardant

There are strict rules in the UK about fire safety for sofas and mattresses, and you would be forgiven for thinking that chemical fire treatment is an unavoidable necessity, even on an organic mattress. If you buy a mattress with an organic wool wrap (most will have this) you will avoid the need for a chemical fire retardant treatment. Organic wool passes all official fire safety regulations in the UK, meaning you won't have to add chemicals to an otherwise pure mattress.

4.Organic mattresses are great for allergy sufferers

If you suffer from a breathing condition such as asthma, or a skin condition such as eczema, a chemical-free mattress can be exceptionally beneficial. Some of the strong chemical pesticides used on non-organic cotton have actually been directly linked to asthma, as well as a number of other conditions. If you have asthma, or any other breathing conditions for the matter, it's important to have the purest sleeping environment possible. As well as non-organic cotton, memory foam; fire retardant spray; synthetic latex and other synthetic fibres can also contain potent chemical substances.

Organic wool is definitely one of the most important components, as it also a great regulator of temperature and moisture. Whether you have eczema or not, overheating in bed is not something you should have to worry about every night. If you do have eczema, or any kind of sensitive skin, a mattress which becomes hot can exacerbate your condition. Organic wool will keep you cool in the summer and keep you warm in the winter. It's a wonder what uses we can find for completely natural materials.

5.You can get organic mattresses designed for the way you sleep

Going organic is definitely the healthier option, and it's true that natural latex is beneficial to those with allergies. However, it is a common misconception that organic mattresses sacrifice comfort for health. The care and precision with which these mattresses need to be made to is the first indicator that they are of the highest quality. Organic mattresses are made using a number of different organic materials and are designed for luxury as well as health.

Some manufacturers will add to the luxury and comfort of a mattress by making mattresses tailored to different kinds of sleeper. It may have never occurred to you 'what kind of sleeper you are', but most people will consistently sleep in pretty much t same way every night. If you sleep on your side, there are natural latex mattresses which have a slightly softer area around the shoulder in order to provide a more comfortable night's sleep. Likewise, if you sleep on your back, there are mattresses which are specially designed to spread the weight over your whole body.

4 Living are one of the UK's most established retailers of organic mattresses, and have an extensive collection of mattresses made in both Wales and South West Germany. You can visit their showroom to try the mattresses or speak to one of their mattress experts online or on the phone.