Now that I’m finally getting back to the mattress topic, I’ll outline the choices we made and why we made them. [Go here to read the previous post, Buying a Non-Toxic Mattress, Part 1.]
First, we settled on a latex mattress over the other organic/non-toxic options for the following reasons:
1. Latex foam is pressure-relieving, much like petroleum-based memory foam. This was our most important consideration. Buying an organic inner-spring mattress would have prevented exposure to toxins, but we still would have been in pain. And, of course, the only reason we learned all of these disturbing things about mattresses in the first place was because we were in pain and wanted relief.
2. Latex’s natural antimicrobial properties, along with its resistance to mold, mildew, and other allergens, really appealed to us. Many allergy-sufferers choose latex for this reason alone. We live in Houston where mold and mildew are rampant, and I am allergic to mold. (Pallet-style and innerspring mattresses stuffed with cotton often trap moisture, which creates a perfect environment for mold. If you live in a dry climate, this is probably not a major issue, but beware if you live in areas of high humidity.)
3. Latex mattresses last a long, long time. Their expected life span is between 10 and 20 years, and many manufacturers offer warranties up to the 20-year mark. Just as with buying a memory foam mattress, you have to look at the cost per year or cost per night’s sleep to get an accurate picture of what you’re buying.
4. We simply liked the feeling of a latex mattress, and that hasn’t changed since our purchase several months ago. We still love it! Like memory foam, it perfectly conforms to your body, both cushioning and supporting it. But I think it feels even better than memory foam. Latex adjusts to you instantly, rather than after a second or two of delay. This makes it much easier to move around or roll over.
Of course, that wasn’t the end of the decision-making process. Next, we had to decide on a manufacturer, and, wow, that was tough! Not one store in Houston carried any of the organic/non-toxic latex mattresses, so we visited a couple of different cities to try them out before making the commitment. Here are some of the brands we tried:
1. Green Sleep (also known as Vimala). Very nice . . . and very expensive. We experienced the Vimala Sleep System in Phoenix while visiting my grandparents over Thanksgiving weekend. This was the first latex mattress we ever encountered, and we were quite impressed. It felt fabulous! The Vimala mattress is composed of 3 layers: firm, medium, and soft, from bottom to top. The company harvests its latex from its very own rubber tree farm, so quality control is guaranteed. They promise never to use any synthetic fillers or chemicals. They weave the cover of cotton, wool, and silk. Vimala also offers a unique frame for their mattress that allows for more “give.” If you’re willing to spend $4,000 to $5,000, check them out.
2. Natura. We luxuriated on the organic EcoHaven in Austin, Texas at a fantastic store called Wildflower Organics. If you’re ever in the area, you should seek out this place. In addition to great mattresses, they carry non-toxic and organic furniture, bedding, home decor, towels, and baby supplies. Wonderful, wonderful store with great staff! Anyway, back to the mattress. We really liked the EcoHaven, although we both agreed that something slightly softer would suit us better. It consists of 2 layers: one medium dunlop layer with a thinner layer of soft talalay on top (for more on dunlop vs. talalay, go here). This mattress runs about $2600 for a queen and $3300 for a king, although individual dealers may offer you a nice discount.
3. SavvyRest. This is the company we eventually selected, and I have no regrets. They make mattresses with either 2 or 3 layers in dunlop and/or talalay. We lovedthe flexibility offered by SavvyRest. Not only can you pick the softness level of each layer, you can split the individual layers so that each side of the bed is different. The SavvyRest website claims that testing the bed in person isn’t necessary, and, believe it or not, I agree. Dominick, one of the company’s representatives, was amazingly helpful! He asked me lots of questions and eventually guided me toward what has turned out to be an ideal configuration for my husband and me. We selected a 3-layer mattress with medium dunlop (my side) and firm dunlop (Justice’s side) on the bottom, a split layer of soft talalay in the middle, and a solid layer of soft talalay on top. Heaven!
If you choose SavvyRest, I strongly recommend discussing your layer choices over the phone with a representative before ordering, rather than using their online tool. I thought I knew what I wanted, but Dominick’s knowledge and experience of the product was invaluable in making the decision. One of their best customer service features is the option to exchange a full layer of the bed for a different firmness level for free. So just in case you don’t get it quite right the first time, you can fix it. Please do check out their website for much, much more information. I love this small company for their commitment to quality and absolute honesty, their green-ness (which has been recognized with rewards), and their efforts to provide safe products at a reasonable price. Speaking of price, a dunlop queen costs $1,849 (talalay is $2,299), while the dunlop king is $2,299 (talalay is $2,699).
You might be overwhelmed right now. Am I suggesting that all reasonable people must dash out and purchase an organic latex mattress to avoid toxins right this minute? Not at all. I am saying, however, that if you’re in the market for a mattress, why not make it a safe one? It’s easier and more affordable than you might think (if you go with the right company), and you’ll serve your body, your unborn children, and your environment well.
Soon, I’ll write a post about the bed frame and linens we selected. But right now, it’s late, and my fabulously safe, soft mattress awaits me. Until tomorrow…
Very good article. I’ve been in the mattress industry for the last 15 years years educating people on the benefits of a latex mattress. It is the only mattress that is healthy to sleep on, next to an all cotton futon!
I am having the most difficult time finding a really safe, free from toxins, mattress. I live in Wisconsin. I have been told that the Verlo latex is an option. Any comments on this brand? Are there any regular bed manufacturers around that have jumped on the bandwagon and begun to build “safe” and comfortable mattresses. I do have back issues and really would like to test a mattress before purchasing. Any info would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Barb
Just read this and found it very helpful. I’ve been needing a new mattress for a couple of years and my back has been suffering for it but I am afraid of all the toxins so have been putting it off. Thanks so much for a great article! I am thinking of ordering a SavvyRest. Was wondering if you still like it?
Susan
Susan,
I’m so glad you found this information helpful. Yes, my husband and I both continue to absolutely love our mattress! We comment on this frequently, in fact. Every time we travel, we appreciate our bed all over again. I was really happy with my experience with SavvyRest as a company, and I continue to be impressed with my experience with their product.
I heard latex was firm and was delighted to find the Essentia mattress. Which feels like memory foam without the toxins wife and I love it
I’m thinking of buying an Essentia. What model do you have?
Still happy with it?
Thank you so much for the info. However, what would you suggest if one cannot afford the organic or natural latex mattress options? I personally would do whatever I could to get the right thing, but there is NO way I can convince my husband that it is worth it unfortunately, and he definitely doesn’t think we can afford it. Are there any other less expensive options that are at least a little better than just getting a conventional mattess? I’m trying to get a full size for my 5 year old “big girl bed” and I just don’t know what to do. Thanks in advance…
Michelle,
It’s been a while since I’ve looked at the research, but based on what I remember, memory foam (a petroleum product) is the worst offender. A traditional inner-spring mattress without any memory foam inserts or toppers might be your best bet. A mid-way option would be the organic cotton pallet-style mattresses. They are much cheaper than fancier inner-spring or latex mattresses and would probably be fine for a child. I’m afraid that’s all I have to offer on the topic. I hope you find something on which you and your husband can agree!
I am in the same predicamnet as Barb. I live in Wisconsin, have endlessly researched non-toxic, environmentally friendly mattresses, and would prefer to purchase one in Wisconsin, instead of ordering one from Canada. The thought of the headache and financial burden of having to ship it back if it has a defect or doesn’t live up to my expectations is extremely unappealing. I couldn’t find a response, so if you are aware of somewhere that sells a reliable mattress with my qualifications, please let me know! I’m desperate…
Thanks,
Kate
Kate — I think I may have responded to Barb via email. In any case, I took a quick peek at the SavvyRest website and found that it lists two stores in Wisconsin that carry their enviro-friendly latex mattresses. I know nothing about these stores, but it’s highly possible that they carry other organic/non-toxic beds too. You can see the list of dealers here: http://www.savvyrest.com/order/find-a-dealer/index.php (you’ll have to scroll down to see Wisconsin’s listings). You can also call those dealers and ask if they know of any other stores in Wisconsin that carry the kind of mattress you’re looking for. Best wishes!
I just recently purchased a SavvyRest latex mattress and foundation from Satara in Madison, Wisconsin. They carry 3 or 4 brands of organic mattresses– all on display so you can test them out. They were very knowledgeable, and wonderful to work with! I ordered split firm Dunlop on the bottom, split medium Dunlop in the middle and one piece of soft Talalay on the top (actually, for a king size it comes as two pieces glued together, but there is no split and the seam is imperceptible). The mattress feels dense and firm, but soft enough so that my shoulders and hips don’t hurt at all when on my side, and when on my back, my lower back feels supported. The most unexpected thing I have experienced so far is how much less I toss and turn in the night– I am sleeping deeply in one position for long stretches of time before changing positions, and no aches or pains anywhere. I spent weeks researching mattresses and trying them out, and I can highly recommend both Satara in Madison, and SavvyRest. My husband and I both love our mattress!
Deb — Thanks for sharing your experience! Hopefully it will help other Wisconsin residents. We still adore our SavvyRest. Like you, I love that my hips and shoulders don’t hurt when I sleep on my side (which is most nights).
To Deb and Barb and Kate,
We live in Wisconsin, too. The Satara store was helpful, but please consider this: I became dizzy in the store and found out later that I have a latex allergy. This can be a very serious allergy – you might want to be sure before you buy latex. By the way – we loved the feel of the latex mattresses – very discouraging.
Does anyone have comments about strong odors from organic cotton and/or wool in the organic innerspring mattresses? We’ve heard complaints about Vivetique – don’t know if other organic cotton and wool smells, too.
I am waking up in pain every morning (hips) and just cannot trust the traditional innerspring mattresses. The toxins scare me!! But if we buy an organic online, and have to return it (too firm, etc) – the shipping costs are very high.
Any thoughts? Thanks!
Hi
I was looking at Essentia Mattresses, do you have any comments, experiences or so with those? Is that the same system as your mattress? Thanks.. Britt
Hi, one more thought to Deb and Kate and Barb – you might want to consider an organic innerspring mattress with no natural rubber/latex layers (RoyalPedic, LifeKind, Purecozy and many others make them). I have heard they are very firm, so you might want to consider a wool topper (check out Shepherd’s Dream). Wool is fantastic for many reasons (all listed on websites) you can also get wool mattresses; they are “hard”, because there are no springs at all – but they are very healthy and many people seem to love them. My husband and I are going to start with a wool topper on top of our current (old and a bit saggy) mattress – which is causing us so much pain, it’s ridiculous (hips) – but we are scared to death of conventional mattresses! This shouldn’t be so hard! One of the organic companies told me they’ve been trying to get Oprah to do a show on this subject for years — good luck to us all!
Andy
Everyone, consider getting an organic all wool mattress–there are several companies (Holy Lamb organics, Shepherd’s Dream, Surround Ewe…) and you can get them custom made if you need them really thick. Beware of cotton futons, though, as nearly all have boric acid. Also, with the latex, find out how much latex they really are–some have a high clay content and others have fillers, etc. that can be toxic. Yes, Andy, good luck to us all indeed!!!!! Folks, if you find a really good product, let us all know.
Hi Laura, We’ve been doing research (lots!) and we love the idea of wool. Do you have any suggestions for a way to make them feel more like a traditional innerspring mattress? We tried one out and you could feel the wood frame underneath the mattress, even with a thick “topper”on top of the mattress. We have found the people at Shepherd’s Dream to be amazingly helpful with all of our questions (we have many). Their website is also a good place to find info on wool (health benefits, etc).
We are going to start with a wool topper, on top of our current (saggy) mattress – and see how that goes.
The stress of all this research is almost worse than the stress and pain of sleeping on an old mattress!!
andy
All – We did buy the Essentia Energie Opus mattress online after almost buying the Tempurpedic Rhapsody at the same price. The Essentia is just as comfortable as the Tempurpedic and there was no odor or heat issues with it. We have had it for about 2 months now and it is the best mattress we have ever had!
Hello all,
We are still looking, but have narrowed our choice down to either OMI or Land & Sky. Both of these companies use absolutely ALL NATURAL LATEX and CERTIFIED ORGANIC WOOL AND COTTON. This impressed us immensely. OMI is a trifle more expensive but not a huge difference. All the beds we have tried in-store are extremely comfortable and offer wonderful support.
James, I am curious just how you know that Essentia’s ‘memory foam’ is 100% natural latex…from the rubber tree? Just curious why they call it ‘memory foam’ instead of ‘latex.’ I have been searching for so long and have found that there are many ways to hide the fact that petroleum based products are actually used even when it sounds like they are not. I am glad you like your mattress, but I guess I need to actually go to a showroom and see and experience and compare rather than ordering online. You are braver than I am. If, indeed, the Essentia is completely ‘rubber tree’ latex, why do they add the ‘essential oils’. etc? And why no wool? Or cotton? If everything is as above board as it sounds, than you must simply prefer the body molding, memory foam feeling rather than the dunlop or tanalay latex feel. My husband and I are sold on the latex; we don’t like the sinking in feeling.
Kate, I agree with you about wanting to buy in, or close to Wisconsin rather than ordering online. Have you tried North Shore Bedding in Highland Park, Illinois? It is just south of the state line and very easy to find. Very nice people, a good selection, and great prices! They deliver, set up, and either move your bed to another room or take it with them and dispose of it. You could call and talk with them anytime and find out if the trip is worth it to you. It was for us. We have been there twice, and will probably go back one more time before making the final decision. We are excited to be very close to nights of restful sleep and happy dreams.
Barb
Hi Alison – back on April 7, you mentioned a traditional innerspring, without any layer of memory foam. Do you know of any (brand names, store locations) that are available (prefer stores, so we can try them out, not just online retailers). We need a non-toxic mattress, but cannot tolerate latex or foam. Royal Pedic and LifeKind both offer an organic mattress with no foam, just cotton and innersprings. But the rep told us that it starts out medium-firm and becomes very, very firm in less than a year; the cotton compresses and compacts (like a futon, but this mattress has springs which help it retain some “bounce”). Does anyone know how hard these mattresses really are? Would a wool topper soften them? Also – does anyone know which is closer to the feel of a traditional innerspring mattress (bounce and spring) — a wool mattress and topper, or the all-cotton mattresses I mentioned earlier? Thanks! This decision shouldn’t be so difficult!
What does one do when we have allergies to both latex and wool? Help.
Thank you.
Andy- I recently purchased a Royal-Pedic organic cotton mattress and it is very firm. If I had to do it over again (can’t now because it was expensive and i blew my budget on it), I would have went with the OMI mattress. I’m going to try an OMI latex topper on my mattress to see if that helps. If you’ve ever been to Japan and stayed at a Ryokan and liked the futon/mattress on the floor, then a wool mattress topper on top of an organic cotton mattress will be fine.
Allison- There’s a new store in Houston that carries organic mattresses, New Living on Kirby. The owners and the people who work there will go out of their way to help you. I give them thumbs up on customer service.
Carrie – thank you so much for your comments! We have not purchased our mattress yet – but we had made plans to purchase the Royal-Pedic organic cotton mattress, like you have. We have heard it’s really firm (don’t care for that too much) – but since I am very, very allergic to latex, we don’t know what else to do. What is an OMI mattress? Also, have not been to Japan – so don’t know the feeling of a futon, but we do have a chance to try out the Royal-Pedic at a store before we buy. Do you think trying it out for a few minutes would be a good enough test? We’ll probably end up with it, along with a wool topper – but we have lost our jobs (!) and don’t want to “waste” the money, if it doesn’t work out. Thanks again – your info is a very big help. We are in a tough situation; we need a new mattress, but cannot have any latex, and prefer an organic, too (no toxins). Any suggestions? Have a great day.