If there’s one piece of furniture that’s considered essential, it’s probably a mattress. People need to sleep—and sometimes good sleep is hard to find.
When you’re unconscious and at rest for six to eight hours every day, it’s only practical to have a comfortable mattress. Shopping for a mattress isn’t usually a fun experience. But through the magic of the internet, it’s easier than ever to find and buy a new organic mattress.
Maybe it’s time to consider ditching those old, firm, broken-down spring mattresses and go for something more comfortable and better for the environment. In this article, we’ll tell you why you should think about switching to an organic mattress now.
What Makes a Mattress Organic?
Over the years, you may have wondered, what’s all this buzz about going natural and organic? Well, it’s more than just a buzz word or concept. Going natural and organic with everything from food to furniture is a sustainable means of improving our quality of life while also addressing environmental issues. The best organic mattress is simply a type of mattress that is constructed from sustainable, biodegradable, natural and certified organic materials.
If you’re at all concerned about potentially harmful chemicals that live inside of traditional polyurethane mattresses, you’re not alone. In order to be considered organic, a mattress must contain 95% certified organic material. So, if the cotton isn’t organic or any of the other materials don’t conform to those standards, then the mattress is just a regular mattress. Be sure to read the label carefully and ensure it hits that standard before making a purchase.
Sustainability
It may sound cliché, but the Earth is a majestic and beautiful planet. Its resources, however, are finite. It’s our home—and it’s the only one we’ve got.
Ergo, sustainability is crucial to maintaining the resources of our world. Pollution and the contamination of our environment are major problems. Air quality has been on the decline over the past two decades, with carbon dioxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide and other pollutants contaminating the air we breathe.
And that’s just the air. Think about all the pollution and contamination of our water supplies. What about rampant deforestation? The environment is constantly being put at risk, so being able to find renewable resources and use them effectively is critical. Using sustainable materials, composting and recycling (and insisting that the companies we buy from do the same) can help us make a better world for all.
No Harmful Chemicals
The insidious nature of harmful chemicals is a problem for your health while you sleep. Some recent studies suggest that volatile organic compounds exist in small amounts within regular mattresses. It’s not enough to be significantly dangerous, but it does make it more difficult for these mattresses to be recycled or biodegrade.
Organic mattresses are made either with plant-based materials or the wool of certain animals (unless it’s a latex-based vegan mattress). Best of all, there isn’t any of that off-gassing you might have heard about with other synthetic furniture.
Global Organic Textile Standard Certified (GOTS) Certified Materials
The perks of investing in an organic mattress are countless, but material variety is a pretty big one. Organic mattresses can be made with latex foam (derived from trees), wool (from goats, usually), GOTS-certified cotton (sustainably grown cotton) and other sustainable fibers. Vegan mattresses—mattresses manufactured without any material derived from animals—are also an option for those committed to not using animal products.
GOTS-certified materials are the gold standard for certification, and it’s not an easy task to achieve. GOTS materials make all the difference. Here’s what it takes to be GOTS certified:
- Manufacturers need to agree to annual inspections from processing to manufacturing. There’s also some independent accreditation required.
- The manufacturer needs to know the flow of their product. What were its origins? How was it grown?
- Inputs and accessories require assessment.
- Wastewater treatment systems need to conform to the standards set forth by the environmental management program.
- Production must be monitored.
- There needs to be a risk assessment and quality control plan.
- There needs to be a plan for controlling residue and other byproducts.
- The company needs a written environmental policy.
- Comprehensive records (including chemicals used, energy consumed, and water consumption) should be available.
Although it may seem like a complex, comprehensive process, GOTS certification means products that are much better for the environment—and our health—than non-sustainable materials.
A Better Night’s Rest
Sleep is a vital part of our lives. It recharges our brains, revitalizes our bodies and makes our day run a little bit better. A new comfortable mattress will definitely put a little bit of power back into sleep. Other ways to get a better night’s rest include sticking to a sleep schedule, not drinking caffeine or doing anything terribly stimulating before bed, creating a restful environment and removing all of the fancy technology distractions we surround ourselves with everyday. Getting some high quality sleep will start everyday with a bang.
Feature image: Deconovo; Image 1: Max Vakhtbovych
