Is An Organic Mattress Really Worth The Money?

The buzzword "toxins" seems to be everywhere, taking up more and more space in the collective consciousness. But there are a few major strides society has made towards cleaner living, and thus, a cleaner planet. When it comes to your bed — aka the place where you spend nearly a third of your life — it's always a good idea to invest in high-quality materials. According to Mattress Guides, an organic option will run you anywhere between $2000 and $2500 while a conventional mattress costs between $1000 to $1500. However, with a high price tag and relatively little regulation on what are considered "clean" ingredients, it's best to do your research before you spring for a new bed.

First of all, start by looking into various brands' manufacturing processes and ingredients. The Sleep Foundation recommends locating mattresses that contain certified organic materials along with the necessary certifications from either the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) or the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS). These two have the best reputation amongst various agencies that can let you know whether or not your mattress is actually made without pesticides or other chemicals. 

According to Vox, traditional mattress companies often use additives such as memory foam and cooling layers to cover up the fact they often use questionable ingredients. Even companies that claim to be green often use cotton and foam that has been sprayed with chemicals that you inhale all night long. Furthermore, many companies only disclose the fact that their foam may be untreated but declines to mention the source everything else within the layers of material on your bed.

Throughout the night, your body repairs and restores itself. It takes up space, relaxes, and fully lets go of the day. When it's surrounded by chemicals, it may be more difficult to do that effectively. Plus, many mattresses contain VOCs or organic volatile compounds that you may be breathing in all night long. These VOCs are responsible for things like irritation within your throat and eyes, trouble breathing, various skin issues, nausea, and headaches, Vox notes. Making matters even more concerning, these VOCs are linked to more serious disorders such as nervous system problems and kidney or liver damage after frequent long-term exposure. Essentially, they're compounds that you don't want to be around for an extended period of time.

By finding a GOTS or GOLS-certified mattress, you can ensure that the materials are free from these chemicals — making it much easier to sleep at night. Plus, the Sleep Institute explains, these natural elements also hold up a lot better than the synthetics, meaning that you'll get to sleep on your clean bed for much longer than you would your conventional mattress.

Whenever you're looking at a product that you'll use for sleep, it's best to take your time and look through all of the certifications behind the marketing jargon. If you find a truly organic mattress, the health benefits may be well worth the sticker price.