Organic always means certified organic. To call any product organic it must be certified by an organization that certifies products to be organic, a third-party organic certifying agent.
Eco-friendly, environmentally friendly and natural are just claims.
Certified Organic: The Gold Standard
When it comes to organic products, the word "organic" should always come with a certified stamp of approval. To claim a product is organic, it has to be certified by a third-party organization. In our case, we proudly boast GOTS (global organic textile standard) and GOLS (global organic latex standard) certifications.
Look for these logos to be sure you're getting the real deal:
Most claiming to have organic mattresses contain both organic materials and natural components in their organic mattresses.
But, here's the catch – not all "organic" mattresses are created equal. Some manufacturers might switch from organic to non-organic materials once their certification expires. Always check for expiration dates on certifications. It's like the best-before date for your mattress's organic goodness!
Moreover, there are some companies that will even try to pass off a supplier certificate as their own. We're put together a guide on how to tell if an organic certification is real.
Organic Mattress Components that are NOT Organic
In the world of organic mattresses, natural latex foam is a common ingredient. But remember, being labeled "organic" requires certification. Control Union is the company that certifies latex as organic under the Global Organic Latex Standards (GOLS). When you see "certified organic latex," it means at least 95% of the latex is made from certified organic ingredients. Sadly, some companies cut corners by including only a small fraction of certified organic latex. Imagine, just 1 out of 8 inches being genuinely organic!
Keep in mind that latex foam can be made natural, synthetic (man-made), or blended for a combination of natural and synthetics ingredients. learn more about latex foam.
2 Components that are Usually Organic
1) Organic Cotton
Organic cotton is grown without synthetic chemicals like fertilizers or pesticides and is not genetically modified in any way.
It’s healthier for you as residue from chemicals used in organic cotton agriculture can be taken into the body through the skin.
Unbleached organic cotton is even better as it ensures no harsh bleaches have been used on the cotton.
2) Organic Wool
There are pros and cons to organic wool used in mattresses.
Pros - Wool is good at wicking away moisture and helping you keep cool. How does it do this? It contains a natural wax called lanolin. It’s a greasy yellow wax produced by sheep which keeps their hairs dry and soft through harsh weather.
Cons – Wool is an animal fiber. With this comes maintenance. Wool, like any animal fiber, needs to be washed at least once a year. Many are also allergic to wool so finding an organic mattress that doesn't contain wool is difficult.
So what’s in Organic Mattresses?
Organic mattresses are typically made from GOLS certified organic latex foam as a support layer, topped with certified organic wool to soften it up and wrapped in certified organic cotton.
3 Tips for Your Organic Mattress Hunt:
- Always ask if each component is certified organic which is as close to 100% natural as possible because 100% natural doesn't really exist.
- Dive deep and ask about every layer, especially when you're shopping for an organic mattress for kids.
- Inquire about what holds these layers together – the type of glue matters! Look for GREENGUARD certification. If a seller can't answer these questions confidently, it's time to run the other way!
If they stumble when answering any of these questions or cannot back up their claims with certifications like these, RUN!
Organic Mattress with Springs?
Innersprings may be used as a replacement to latex foam for support.
You need to keep in mind that springs do not come close to offering the durability and pressure relief natural latex offers.
It’s also a nesting ground for dust mites and their feces to accumulate, providing a large, warm, open area. We aren't allergic to dust mites, we're allergic to their feces so this is not ideal sleep environment for kids or adults with allergies.
If you'd like the best to both worlds, comfort and health, check out how our mattresses are made.
