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Definition: A non–toxic memory foam mattress is a mattress that is made without using harsh chemicals. These chemicals include toxic flame retardants, plastics, and various petrochemicals that are found in many conventional mattresses.

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It’s the age of the conscious consumer, as more and more people realize the toxic effect that everyday objects can have on human health. Being one of the most used and intimate home items, it makes sense that consumers are prioritizing non-toxic mattresses.

But, picking a natural mattress from the myriad of available options can leave you scratching your head. Mattress companies will use fancy words that you don’t understand, mention all natural materials you’ve never heard of before, and they’ll talk about certifications you know nothing about.

But this shouldn’t deter you from finding your ideal natural mattress. Here’s a simple guide to help you choose a non-toxic natural mattress in no time.

Go Mainstream

Most people don’t realize just how toxic the mattress industry can be, and that manufacturers have been cutting corners at the expense of consumers for decades. In fact, most mattresses contain flame retardants, petroleum and even the notorious formaldehyde.

And don’t even get us started on those adhesives that they use to keep all the materials together. Sleeping on a toxic mattress and inhaling all those harmful fumes can wreak havoc on the body, causing complications like thyroid issues and cancer.

But, with all the toxic mattresses dominating the industry, there’s a growing variety of non-toxic options. Do yourself a favor and opt for a mattress that’s made from all-natural materials like natural latex and organic cotton.

Certifications

It’s important that your mattress be made from organic textiles and the best way to ensure this is to check the certification. The Global Organic Textile Standard certification (GOTS) guarantees that the textiles used in the mattress are organic and responsibly sourced.

The Global Organic Latex Standard or GOLS indicates that the mattress has 95% certified organic raw rubber. If you see a mattress labeled MADESAFE, just know that the mattress has been checked for heavy metals, neurotoxins, toxic solvents and pretty much anything else that can pose a danger to your health.

CertiPUR-US, eco-INSTITUT and GreenGuard Gold are others you need to look out for. The more, the merrier when it comes to certifications.

Know Your Type

We all have different needs when it comes to mattresses, including different body types and sleeping styles. So, not everyone is going to pick the same mattress, even from the non-toxic range.

Instead of walking up and down the aisles of a mattress store, why not just go online where you can get all the info you need at the click of a button? By the time you get to an actual store, you’ll have an idea of what you want, and you won’t have to keep asking the salespeople what this is and what that does.

Some important questions to keep in mind when looking for a mattress online:

• What mattress suits you best? (Latex, organic cotton, organic wool?)
• What’s your budget?
• Are you built for firm, soft or medium mattresses?
• Do they have an appetizing return policy at the store?

Some online mattress stores will help you figure out some of these details by having you fill in a questionnaire. To figure out if firm or soft is best for you, for instance, they might ask what your weight is. While the goal is to get a non-toxic mattress, it’s just as important for a mattress to be the right size and feel.

Compare Prices

A higher price doesn’t always indicate better quality; a lot of cheaper mattresses are just as good as the expensive ones. As long as a mattress is comfy and made with natural materials, you shouldn’t have to worry.

My Green Mattress, Avocado and Happsy are some great options to look into if you’re trying to save not only your health and maybe the world, but your money as well. One brand might have several mattresses in a single range, so you need to take your time with comparing them all.

Remember, you’re likely to have this mattress for the next eight to ten years so there’s no room for error, you need to get it right the first time.

Sleep It Off

And just like that, you’ve taken control of your health. Now that you know what to expect, why not go all the way? There’s organic bedding and pillows you can buy, so you don’t spend all that money on a mattress only to get sick from your bedding and pillows.

When researching online, look for unbiased reviews. It’s not enough to just read the product description. Get opinions from people who’ve bought the mattress and compare notes.

There’s a wealth of honest reviews you can find out there. Sift through them all so you can make an informed decision and take your time. Before you know it, you’ll be sleeping with a clean conscience.