Are organic mattresses worth it? Selecting your mattress carefully for restful and healthy sleep is essential.
Many criteria can affect the final decision: foolproof comfort, local and artisanal manufacturing, an environmental choice, not to mention a flawless composition.
Ouch! This last element is far from obvious. Indeed, recognizing a natural latex mattress that is healthy and without treatment can be difficult when you do not fully understand certain information.
What your mattress contains is important, however, especially when you know you have slept there for years.
Choosing the right natural bedding is an ordeal when you do not fully master certain information. Comfy Valley tells you how to recognize a healthy, untreated natural latex mattress.
Also, read Do organic mattress smell?
Let’s go
I. How To Choose Your Natural Latex Mattress Well?
A. Recognize the different elements of your mattress
First, it seems essential to remember that all the components of your mattress must be natural. Your mattress is far from ideal for your well-being if it consists of only one natural element.
The most important thing is your mattress’s soul: the core, the heart, the key element. It is located in the middle and best supports the body.
It can be made of latex, or another technology, with springs, shape memory or foam.
Then comes the filling, which contains natural or synthetic fibers. The different properties of the materials modulate your natural mattress, making it more or less firm, toned or fresh.
Note that it is necessary to position this filling on a fiber base to be structured and resistant to time for excellent hold over time.
We have developed our filling base, which is 100% natural without any added chemical material.
It consists of a mix of flax, corn, potatoes and beets. The latter is also essential. Otherwise, the upholstery will move and deteriorate quickly.
The ticking is the outer envelope that encloses the mattress. A good mattress is made of organic cotton fabric, as shown in the adjacent diagram.
As you will have understood, I prefer purchasing a natural latex mattress to sleep peacefully! But beware, not all are created equal!
For optimal bedding, check that you are in the presence of a 100% natural latex mattress composed of at least 85% rubber tree sap.
If we say that to you, it is because, sometimes, certain denominations are misleading.
Indeed, a 100% latex mattress has a low rubberwood content (between 0 and 20%), unlike a 100% natural latex mattress.
Knowing how to detect certain subtleties is essential not to be mistaken and thus differentiate a natural latex mattress from a synthetic one.
B. Refer To Labels And Certifications
If the doubt persists, you can always refer to the different certifications for a natural mattress.
The Bio Eu label guarantees the purity of the latex with the absence of pesticides and the total traceability of the component.
The Oeko-Tex certification attests to the absence of potentially harmful chemicals, such as volatile particles.
You can find all of our certifications to be sure of sleeping on a natural latex mattress without any chemical treatment.
Ii. The Different Treatments Used In Bedding
A. The dangers of volatile organic compounds
Many mattresses undergo various treatments to protect them from humidity or to make them more resistant.
Some contain polyurethane, synthetic latex, glues, and other plastics containing VOCs. In other words, volatile organic compounds that escape into the air and contaminate your interior.
Among the best known, we find formaldehyde, a component “known for its irritating effects and found mainly in indoor environments: construction products, furniture, detergents, etc…” according to ANSES.
This substance, designated as a carcinogen, can also cause respiratory allergies and headaches.
And it would seem that these compounds are even more formidable while you sleep. According to a 2019 statement from the American Chemical Society, mattresses may emit more VOCs while you sleep.
Researchers have measured the emission rates of certain compounds released by several polyurethane mattresses under natural sleeping conditions.
As a result, “during sleep, people likely inhale more VOCs due to poor bedroom ventilation and the proximity of their noses and mouths to mattresses and bedding that emit the compounds. “An instructive and not very reassuring observation, especially for infants and young children.
Natural Latex Mattress
Manufacturers pay incredible attention to choosing our components to design excellent, long-lasting natural latex mattresses.
They select only materials recognized for their excellent virtues! Linen, for example, is particularly suitable for regulating temperature, while the molecular structure of wool helps neutralize harmful substances such as formaldehyde.
Adopting materials from yesteryear allows us to avoid any form of treatment!
B. Fungicide and antibacterial treatments
Different processes, which you can ignore, are also used. Firstly, the fungicide and antibacterial treatments, the most common and familiar, to avoid the proliferation of fungi, molds and other not-very-pretty bacteria.
The anti-mite treatments are intended to permanently eliminate the mites, their eggs and the larvae that increase inside the mattresses.
Our natural latex mattress is anti-dust mites and hypoallergenic, thanks to its natural fibers.
The ideal solution is if you suffer from allergies and want to protect yourself against minor inconveniences during the night.
C. Treatment of mattresses with flame retardants
Also, be aware that current safety standards require that all mattresses be fire-resistant to prevent and avoid domestic accidents.
While some materials are naturally incombustible (i.e. flame resistant), many mattresses come from so-called petrochemical manufacturing and, therefore, potential fuel sources.
To avoid any fire risk, manufacturers prefer to treat their mattresses with flame retardants.
A practice that leaves us skeptical and which we would prefer to do without sleep with a clear mind.
According to UFC, “chemical compounds include substances toxic to reproduction, endocrine disruptors, and other substances that affect the thyroid or the immune system.”
The best thing is to opt for an organic mattress, that is to say, a mattress made up of natural fibers, such as natural latex or even wool.
How To Choose A Natural Latex Mattress?
Opt for a mattress 20 cm thick and an average 63 kg/m3 density. These figures ensure optimal support for your spine.
Conclusion
We hope this article has shed some light on recognizing a natural mattress better. If doubt persists, do not hesitate to contact our experts, who can answer your questions.
We have an extended article stating: Organic mattress protector, a must-have?
The Comfy valley team.