How to Pick the Healthiest Bed
By switching to an organic mattress — made without the use of things like GMO fibers, dyes, perfumes, and synthetic pesticides — you’ll experience benefits including:
There are certain substances I believe should do not belong in anyone’s mattress? and they’re not used in some of my favorite organic brands. These chemicals include:
1. Flame Retardants
2. Boric Acid
Boric acid is a toxic chemical frequently used as an insecticide and roach killer, and also in some lotions, paints and antiseptic products. Many mattress companies use boric acid in the lining of their mattress to prevent bacteria, bed bugs and other pests from lingering.
3. Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling chemical that is commonly used in a variety of building materials and household products, including mattresses. Other products that contain formaldehyde include car emissions (the biggest threat to the public), cigarettes, glues, pressed wood products and insulation.
Exposure occurs primarily from inhaling formaldehyde fumes or vapors from the air, or from absorbing liquids containing formaldehyde through the skin. Most people come into contact with small amounts of formaldehyde everyday, however risk factors like smoking, working in construction, being in the medical field and using products made with formaldehyde increase your risk for exposure side effects.
4. Antimony
Antimony is a poisonous chemical similar to arsenic, however the difference is that antimony is a metal whereas arsenic is more of a powder. Because it doesn’t carry heat well, antimony compounds are used to make flame-proofing materials, paints, ceramic enamels, glass and pottery. Antimony exposure has been shown to contribute to reproductive problems, including problems with fertility and miscarriage. Exposure to relatively high concentrations of antimony is also known to cause irritation of the eyes, skin and lungs, and in high amounts can damage the liver and the heart when people are exposed long-term.
5. Synthetic Latex
Latex is commonly used in mattresses, even organic ones, however the jury is still out regarding its safety. It’s a major component of mattresses because it molds to the body, helping to relieve pressure points. Latex is produced from trees using either the Talalay process, which uses more harmful, carcinogenic VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds), or the Dunlop process, which produces mattresses that are considered too firm for many consumers.
Both types are chemical processes needed to turn rubber sap from tress into mattress-friendly latex rubber, and both use VOCs by necessity. While some of these compounds are washed out once the rubber is solidly formed, some toxic VOC’s remain and can be released into the air.
As you can see, traditional mattresses are made with a variety of toxic chemicals. Not only are you putting your health at risk by exposing yourself regularly to these chemicals, but like many people you might find that synthetic mattresses cause you to feel hot when you sleep and to toss and turn often. Contrary to what you might expect, organic mattress made with natural, organic fibers can be very comfortable. That’s right — certain studies have even shown that those who sleep on natural fiber mattresses such as wool tend to toss and turn less, resulting in a better night’s sleep.
1. Organic Wool Is Eco-Friendly & Free From Chemicals
The most popular options for non-toxic materials in organic mattresses are wool and cotton. Organic wool is a sustainable and environmentally friendly resource because sheep are not killed to gather the wool. Organic wool, specifically, is produced without the use of any hormones, chemicals or pesticides.
Federal requirements for organic livestock production including wool require that: Livestock feed and forage be certified organic; synthetic hormones and genetic engineering are prohibited; use of synthetic pesticides (internal, external and on pastures) are prohibited, and producers must practice good cultural and management practices when feeding handling livestock.
2. Organic Cotton Doesn’t Contain Pesticides & Supports Organic Farming
3. Organic Mattresses Work Well With Other Beneficial Products, Such as Earthing Sheets
Have you heard of earthing? It turns out that our body runs through a type of electrical current. As the Journal of Environmental and Public Health states, “the Earth’s surface possesses a limitless and continuously renewed supply of free or mobile electrons … which may be important for setting the biological clock, regulating circadian rhythms, and balancing cortisol levels.”
In other words, our body is naturally able to absorb electrical charges from the earth since our skin acts like a “conductor.” Hence, walking on the grass with bare feet can help us get these beneficial electrical charges, and it turns out so can sleeping on something called an “earthing sheet“. Earthing sheets are a type of sheet that helps ground you to the earth and transmits natural electrical charges, helping you to get the benefits of earthing while you sleep. You can now find fitted sheets online that are naturally-colored, 100 percent cotton, and available in different sizes to fit most mattresses.
4. You’re Likely to Sleep Better
If you’ve ever woken up with back pain due to getting poor sleeping, you’ve experienced first hand how a high-quality mattress can help with proper posture, orthopedic support and spinal alignment.
- improved posture and better comfort while you sleep
- “motionless” transfer, meaning you’re less disturbed from others tossing and turning in bed
- protection from toxins tied to cancer, lung and heart problems
- supporting the use of eco-friendly crops and manufacturing
- reduced risk for sleep problems like snoring and sleep apnea
- protecting livestock from being raised inhumanly in order to obtain certain fabrics
- natural body temperature control and fewer episodes of “sleeping hot”
- reduced risk for allergic reactions due to phthalates, harsh perfumes and dyes
- reduced risk for other problems tied to poor quality mattresses and chemical exposure such as neck pain, lower back pain, fertility problems, developmental problems in infants or children, and SIDS
Harmful Chemicals Within Today’s Mattresses
There are certain substances I believe should do not belong in anyone’s mattress? and they’re not used in some of my favorite organic brands. These chemicals include:
1. Flame Retardants
2. Boric Acid
Boric acid is a toxic chemical frequently used as an insecticide and roach killer, and also in some lotions, paints and antiseptic products. Many mattress companies use boric acid in the lining of their mattress to prevent bacteria, bed bugs and other pests from lingering.
3. Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a colorless, strong-smelling chemical that is commonly used in a variety of building materials and household products, including mattresses. Other products that contain formaldehyde include car emissions (the biggest threat to the public), cigarettes, glues, pressed wood products and insulation.
Exposure occurs primarily from inhaling formaldehyde fumes or vapors from the air, or from absorbing liquids containing formaldehyde through the skin. Most people come into contact with small amounts of formaldehyde everyday, however risk factors like smoking, working in construction, being in the medical field and using products made with formaldehyde increase your risk for exposure side effects.
4. Antimony
Antimony is a poisonous chemical similar to arsenic, however the difference is that antimony is a metal whereas arsenic is more of a powder. Because it doesn’t carry heat well, antimony compounds are used to make flame-proofing materials, paints, ceramic enamels, glass and pottery. Antimony exposure has been shown to contribute to reproductive problems, including problems with fertility and miscarriage. Exposure to relatively high concentrations of antimony is also known to cause irritation of the eyes, skin and lungs, and in high amounts can damage the liver and the heart when people are exposed long-term.
5. Synthetic Latex
Latex is commonly used in mattresses, even organic ones, however the jury is still out regarding its safety. It’s a major component of mattresses because it molds to the body, helping to relieve pressure points. Latex is produced from trees using either the Talalay process, which uses more harmful, carcinogenic VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds), or the Dunlop process, which produces mattresses that are considered too firm for many consumers.
Both types are chemical processes needed to turn rubber sap from tress into mattress-friendly latex rubber, and both use VOCs by necessity. While some of these compounds are washed out once the rubber is solidly formed, some toxic VOC’s remain and can be released into the air.
The Benefits of Buying An “Organic” Mattress
As you can see, traditional mattresses are made with a variety of toxic chemicals. Not only are you putting your health at risk by exposing yourself regularly to these chemicals, but like many people you might find that synthetic mattresses cause you to feel hot when you sleep and to toss and turn often. Contrary to what you might expect, organic mattress made with natural, organic fibers can be very comfortable. That’s right — certain studies have even shown that those who sleep on natural fiber mattresses such as wool tend to toss and turn less, resulting in a better night’s sleep.
1. Organic Wool Is Eco-Friendly & Free From Chemicals
The most popular options for non-toxic materials in organic mattresses are wool and cotton. Organic wool is a sustainable and environmentally friendly resource because sheep are not killed to gather the wool. Organic wool, specifically, is produced without the use of any hormones, chemicals or pesticides.
Federal requirements for organic livestock production including wool require that: Livestock feed and forage be certified organic; synthetic hormones and genetic engineering are prohibited; use of synthetic pesticides (internal, external and on pastures) are prohibited, and producers must practice good cultural and management practices when feeding handling livestock.
2. Organic Cotton Doesn’t Contain Pesticides & Supports Organic Farming
3. Organic Mattresses Work Well With Other Beneficial Products, Such as Earthing Sheets
Have you heard of earthing? It turns out that our body runs through a type of electrical current. As the Journal of Environmental and Public Health states, “the Earth’s surface possesses a limitless and continuously renewed supply of free or mobile electrons … which may be important for setting the biological clock, regulating circadian rhythms, and balancing cortisol levels.”
In other words, our body is naturally able to absorb electrical charges from the earth since our skin acts like a “conductor.” Hence, walking on the grass with bare feet can help us get these beneficial electrical charges, and it turns out so can sleeping on something called an “earthing sheet“. Earthing sheets are a type of sheet that helps ground you to the earth and transmits natural electrical charges, helping you to get the benefits of earthing while you sleep. You can now find fitted sheets online that are naturally-colored, 100 percent cotton, and available in different sizes to fit most mattresses.
4. You’re Likely to Sleep Better
If you’ve ever woken up with back pain due to getting poor sleeping, you’ve experienced first hand how a high-quality mattress can help with proper posture, orthopedic support and spinal alignment.