Nowadays, people are more concerned about the products they buy as the thought that knocks their mind is whether the product we are buying will impact the environment or is it harmless? So is the case with the bedroom items; people now prefer to set an eco friendly mattress on their beds. Sleeping on a mattress made up of sustainable and natural products give benefits not only to the person sleeping on it but also benefits the environment.
Many products and brands available in market claim that they are offering natural products, but in reality, these claims are just like a grain of salt in the pot. Here, we will discuss in details the factors which play their role in making a mattress eco-friendly, different mattress options along with other prerequisites such as a good mattress foundation.
Why Are Regular Beds Not Environmentally Friendly?
The composition of traditional mattresses includes some glues and chemicals which are harmful to your health as well as for your surroundings. When latex was applied for war purposes, at that time synthetic foam was manufactured. Although synthetic foams are less costly and usually more comfortable as compared to other forms of the mattress, for their composition non-renewable resources are used.
Furthermore, the chemicals which are used for the making of foam are released into the surrounding through water and air. In traditional mattresses, the chemicals and glues also leech contaminants into your house, and many of them are connected with different side effects including endocrine disruption, cancer, allergies, and respiratory discomfort.
Given below are the top reasons why traditional innerspring, synthetic latex, and memory foam mattresses are NOT eco-friendly.
- Chemicals/ Glues
- Non-Biodegradable, Non-Recyclable
- Synthetic Fabrics
- Uses Non-Renewable Resources
- Chemicals Pollute Indoor Air Quality
- Manufacturing Pollutes Environment
- Inefficient & Long-Distance Shipping
What Makes an Eco-Friendly or Natural Mattress?
As there is no particular definition for the term eco-friendly, so whenever we hear this, we consider something which will not harm the environment as compared to similar alternative products. On the same line, when the matter is an eco friendly mattress, then you would want to check the following traits.
- No VOCs
- Made of Renewable Resources
- Zero-Emissions Manufacturing
- Natural and Organic Materials
- Efficient Shipping Methods
- Durable to Reduce Waste
Options Available For Natural Mattress
Currently, in the market, following options for eco-friendly or natural mattress are available:
- 100% Natural Latex,
- Improved Innerspring
- Plant-based Memory Foam
- Hybrids
All these mattresses differ in terms of price, the material used, and longevity. The fabrics and other materials are of importance along with the mattress foundation. It is not recommended to put a new mattress on your old bed foundation. The kind of foundation you require may vary based on the mattress type; sometimes, the foundation is designed specifically to complement the mattress.
So, keep all these in mind while you are going to buy your new mattress and foundation. The natural mattresses will give your supportive and comfortable sleep surface!