One-third of our lives, if we’re living well, is spent on our mattress. So it does need some thought put into selecting the right one for our needs. Do you have a bad back? Are you a restless sleeper? There are loads of options for your individual, personal needs. But what if you’re also looking for something that’s more healthy for you as well as for the environment? Perhaps organic? Organic and eco-friendly mattresses are now easily available. There are several options for affordable organic mattresses these days, and your only challenge is to choose one from among the numerous good ones. This post will help.
Now, don’t rush out and buy a new mattress immediately. If yours needs to be replaced, then yes, go ahead. But if not, then do consider the pros (health) and cons (cost, waste) of replacing a perfectly serviceable mattress with a new (organic) one, and do what’s best for you and your family.
Want a quick takeaway of the best mattresses?
| Best vegan-certified mattress | PlushBeds Botanical Bliss |
| Best value for money | Luma Natural Latex Hybrid Mattress |
| Most comfortable | EcoCloud Hybrid |
| Best eco-friendly bed-in-a-box option | Avocado Green Mattress |
Are Organic Mattresses Worth It?
Yes.
Mattresses have had polyfoam (polyurethane foam) as filling since the 1960s. Polyfoam is a classic example of the high price paid due to cheap, mass production of an item: reduced health and safety for the consumer. The drawbacks of polyurethane are many. Want to know a fun fact? More than three quarters of the North American polyfoam market is controlled by four chemical giants: BASF, Bayer Material Science, The Dow Chemical Company and Huntsman Corporation. Yeah. The associated environmental costs of these giant corporations’ processes, production facilities and supply chains, as well as their well-documented lack of transparency and worker rights abuse, are other vital things we need to consider before handing over our money to them.
Organic mattresses, on the other hand, are made with materials that are more breathable and even more durable in some cases. They lack chemicals and toxins that are often found in non-organic mattresses that can be very harmful to your health in the short- and long-term. Many even have flame retardants. These toxins can irritate your skin, trigger allergies, and affect your breathing. Consider the fact that you’re sleeping on, and breathing in, your mattress for around eight hours every night. It needs to be as safe for you as possible.
Organic mattresses can also be cooler for your body, produces less VOC odor, and is ideal especially for children and the elderly. They are the healthiest type of mattress for you. They are produced by companies that are aware of (and in many cases, actively involved in mitigating) the environmental costs of their production methods, which is an additional aspect that indirectly influences the quality of the mattress.
What qualifies as an organic mattress?
A mattress with organic materials, that’s been certified by a trusted organization. We rely on certifying authorities such as the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS).
There are other certifications as well, for various specific requirements, but it’s best to look for widely respected certifications such as the GOTS and GOLS.
Make sure you do your research and due diligence when you’re out hunting for an organic mattress. Many brands thoughtlessly (and incorrectly) slap on buzz words like ‘organic’ and ‘natural’, but they may not actually be organic and natural. Look for the certifications and recognized brands, and you should be fine.
How to Select the Best Organic Mattress?
What’s so special about the 12 brands below?
1 // They’re organic.
The organic materials used in the mattresses are healthy and non-toxic, such as organic cotton, organic wool, and organic bamboo. The mattresses don’t contain flame retardants and other dangerous toxins.
2 // They’re eco-friendly.
The mattresses are made via eco–friendly production practices. Also, the direct-to-consumer model followed by these brands allows them to sell directly to the customer, thereby cutting out unnecessary costs incurred for storage, transportation, etc of other models.
3 // They’re high quality.
These mattresses have good reviews and a lot of customers raving about their comfort and quality.
4 // They’re affordable.
Of course, affordability is relative, but while the price tags on these mattresses may seem high compared to ‘regular’ mattresses, they provide value for money, with some price points still in the range of ‘regular’ budget mattresses.
5 // They give back.
The brands make good use of their revenue and customer power by helping out communities in need.
The Best Affordable Organic Mattress Brands
Ready to buy your new organic mattress? Below, you can check out the best affordable organic mattress picks of 2021.
1. Avocado Green Mattress
Starts from $999
Handmade | GREENGUARD Gold certified | 100-night trial | 25-year warranty | Vegan-certified mattresses available
Avocado Green Mattress is a brand whose founders have worked hard to set and meet high standards for sustainability. Their mattresses are handmade in the US, and their vegan mattresses are wool-free and PETA-approved. Their entire supply chain is owned by the company, allowing them to satisfy strict criteria for environmental and social responsibility. They offset 100% of their carbon emissions through CarbonFund. They’re also members of the 1% for the Planet club, and contribute to several social and environmental organizations.
Avocado offers vegan-certified mattresses, yay! They also have bedroom furniture made from reclaimed wood.
2. Awara
Starts from $999
Hybrid mattress type | 365-night trial | Lifetime warranty | Free shipping
Lifetime warranty? Whoa. Awara uses natural and certified organic materials in their mattresses. The latex they use is Rainforest Alliance-Certified Dunlop latex, which produces less odor than memory foam mattresses. Latex mattresses are more durable and longer-lasting, translating to less waste.
To offset their carbon emissions from manufacturing and shipping, Awara has partnered with ClimatePartner, who plants trees for every Awara mattress sold.
3. Bear Mattress
Starts from $800
CertiPUR-certified foam | 100-night trial
Bear Mattresses have some impressive technology in them, including a Celliant Sleep Technology to promote better sleep and faster muscle recovery. Primarily designed for athletes and other very active people, you know that sore muscles will find a comfy embrace in a Bear mattress. Bear mattresses are GreenGuard Gold and CertiPUR-US certified.
4. Birch
Starts from $1299
Handmade | 100-night trial | 25-year warranty
Each Birch mattress is handmade with organic, natural materials, and comes with a natural cotton cover, hygroscopic wool, and breathable Talalay latex. Their mattresses are “sourced farm-to-bed,” are durable and built to last. Birch has OEKO-TEX and Rainforest Alliance certifications as well as Greenguard Gold and GOTS, and for every mattress sold, Birch plants one tree through the National Forest Foundation.
5. Brentwood Home
Starts from $399
Organic hybrid | 1-year sleep trial | 25-year warranty
This is more of a luxury brand, but Brentwood Home mattresses are GREENGUARD Gold Certified and made from alternative, natural, and recycled materials, and GOLS organic certified latex. They also have organic-materials cushions and meditation pillows for yoga practitioners (and others who want them!).
Brentwood Home offsets their carbon footprint through Carbonfund.
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6. DreamCloud
Starts from $899
CertiPUR Certified luxury hybrid | 365-night sleep trial | Everlong Warranty
DreamCloud mattresses come in two luxury hybrid designs, both of which are CertiPUR-certified and backed by an Everlong Warranty. Their one-year-long trial is very generous, and as is their lifelong guarantee for the mattress.
DreamCloud Review: “From day 1 this bed has been wonderful. I suffer from back problems and was sleeping on a tempurpedic mattress that was 10 years old which was not helping at all. This bed has been wonderful. My husband loves it too. Hopefully we don’t get the mattress sag. Time will tell on that one” — Jacqueline W.
7. Happsy
Starts from $899
120-night trial | 10-year warranty
Happsy mattresses, apart from sounding very cheerful, are designed to be all about healthier sleep. The mattresses are made with certified organic cotton, wool and (GOTS-standard, GOLS- or Rainforest Alliance (FSC)-certified) latex, that have been sustainably harvested. The foam used by them is made from the renewable sap of trees. Happsy also partners with 1% For The Planet to support environmental causes.
Happsy Review: “We are delighted with the Happsy mattress. Initially we were nervous about mail order and not being able to try beforehand. But it is just the right amount of firmness. And beautifully made. Very pleased.” — Jonathan B.
8. Luma Sleep
Starts at $559.99
100-night risk-free trial | 10-year warranty | Free shipping & returns
Luma Sleep mattresses are made using 100% natural products. Billed as “the better bed in a box” Luma uses Talalay latex, Dunlop latex, and Tencel, and other sustainable materials – all manufactured via environmentally responsible, energy efficient processes. The wrapped spring support units are made from a blend of certified recycled American steel. They’re a participant of the Mattress Recycling Council.
Luma Sleep Review: “We have been sleeping on our mattress for about a month now and we love it. It was a definite upgrade and we feel well-supported and comfortable even from the first night! The packaging and customer service as great. We were not sure what to expect with the feel of a latex mattress, only having slept on traditional spring with memory foam toppers until now, but it was very comfortable and an easy transition. The edge support while sitting on the edge of the bed is not very strong but while laying down there is no feeling of poor support. Highly recommend!” — Alicia P.
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9. PlushBeds
Starts at $1,749
Handcrafted | 100-night trial | 25-year warranty | Vegan Certified mattresses available
PlushBeds has a heartbreaking origin story, and has been a staunchly family-owned business since its founding. Their sustainable growth and financial transparency, and their genuine and heartfelt support of various causes and environmental sustainability is so refreshing.
PlushBeds mattresses are handcrafted in their GOLS- and GOTS-certified organic production facility. The mattresses are Greenguard Gold-certified, and made from certified organic and eco-friendly materials (including CertiPUR-certified foam). PlushBeds also gives back to several environmental and social nonprofits, and also offsets its carbon emissions via TerraPass.
PlushBeds Review: “This was my first seriously researched mattress purchase and I could not be happier. The people at Plushbeds were really friendly, but the product is outstanding.” — Maryam H.
10. Saatva
Starting from $699
180-day trial
Saatva has a direct-to-customer business model that has managed to disrupt the mattress industry. (One quibble, though, is that their website photographs are not the greatest, making it hard to actually decide what to go with.) Their natural, organic, non-toxic and hypo-allergenic mattresses are crafted for restorative sleep. They use Talalay latex, which is manufactured in a way that minimizes release of harmful byproducts into the environment. Their foam is CertiPUR-certified.
Saatva Review: “Great mattress, reasonable price, good discount, amazing customer service – couldn’t ask for more in a company. Customer for life.” — Lauren P.
11. Tuft & Needle
Starting from $350
100-night trial | T&N Adaptive foam
Tuft & Needle mattresses are made in the USA and shipped for free to you. As one of the pioneers of the direct-to-consumer model, their price point is reflective of the bed-in-a-box purchase. They use CertiPUR-certified foam as well as a type of foam that they created: T&N Adaptive® foam.
Tuft & Needle gives back to schools, non-profit organizations and communities.
12. WinkBeds
Starting from $350
120-night trial | Lifetime warranty | Free shipping
The EcoCloud hybrid mattress by WinkBeds is made of all-natural and organic materials.
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How to Get Rid of an Old Mattress?
Over 50,000 mattresses are discarded in the US every day. Yikes! Remember to dispose of your old mattress in a safe and responsible way. More than 75% of a mattress can be recycled into useful items, so if you’re wondering if it’s worth recycling, then yes, it is! You have a few options:
- Check if the new mattress company will pick up your old one. Most companies will pick up old mattresses and safely dispose of them for free or for a small fee.
- Will your local garbage collection entity help you safely dispose of the mattress? Get in touch with them for help and/or suggestions.
- The Mattress Recycling Council (yes, lol) has a program called Bye Bye Mattress. Check their directory of state-wise mattress recyclers for someone located near you.
You can also recycle mattress springs, quilts, duvets, and more!
I hope you found this post helpful for your own search for an organic mattress that’s affordable! Pair your mattress with fair trade, organic bedding brands and organic blankets! As more and more brands become aware of the effects of their business on the environment, it’s better for us – and, most importantly, for the environment. Let me know if you have any other brands in mind. Thanks for reading!
If you liked this post, please share it with your friends. Thank you!<3
THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE DETAILS.
NOTE: All brand photographs belong to the respective brands/businesses.
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