How to...Choose a Healthy Mattress

What to consider when buying a non-toxic and sustainable mattress.

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The mattress market in the United States offers a bewildering array of options, with hundreds of brands claiming to offer their customers the latest in ‘mattress technology’ from ice fabric to advanced sleep-tracking sensors. Sadly, many of these claims are nothing more than hyped marketing packaged up with a thin veil of pseudoscience – and won’t result in a better night’s rest.

So, in recognition of World Sleep Day 2024, we thought we’d speak to the team at Naturalmat, the UK's leading organic mattress and bed manufacturer. They helped us decode the market and get the lowdown on how to go about choosing the best healthy mattress for your home, to support good sleep patterns.

To start, the three main types of mattresses are innerspring (also known as pocket-sprung), foam, and hybrid (a mix of foam and springs). Despite the messaging from many mattress retailers, there are only two types of foam – synthetic polyurethane (of which memory foam is a subset) and natural latex. 

Comfort and support

“The most important factors to look for in a new mattress are comfort and support,” explains Mark Tremlett, co-founder of Naturalmat. “You don’t want the mattress to cause pressure to your body, which causes tossing and turning, which means you wake up tired. And you want the mattress to hold you in proper alignment from head to toe, so you don’t wake up with a backache.” There are some other factors to look for too, including motion transfer, edge support and temperature.

Your mattress should keep your spine in its natural S curve and allow you to sink into the surface just the right amount to relieve pressure points across your shoulder and hips. Broadly speaking, firmer mattresses are better for back and stomach sleepers and for people weighing more than two hundred and thirty pounds, while softer mattresses are recommended for side sleepers. Of course, the only way to know what a mattress’ 'firm' or 'soft' description really means is to lie down on it.

Mark Tremlett, co-founder of Naturalmat

Natural vs synthetic foam

There are few who will disagree that plant-derived natural latex is better for the planet than synthetic foam. Synthetics are almost exclusively plastics derived from fossil fuels that require an abundance of chemical processing in order to exist. Their production sees by-products created, while residual toxins are left in the sheets of foam, which can be released into the air over time.

Conversely, natural latex is made from liquid extruded from rubber trees and it requires no inputs of toxic by-products or chemicals during production. The rubber trees should come from sustainably managed forests, and they aren’t harmed in the process; for them, it’s like giving blood. The liquid is whipped until frothy and then baked. The resulting material can be both biodegradable and recyclable.

Latex is denser and heavier than polyurethane foam, in addition to being more durable, and often cooler. “Synthetics absorb heat and moisture. Natural fibers do the opposite,” says Tremlett. Memory foam mattresses are designed to mold to the body in response to heat and pressure. But by retaining that heat, you’ll sleep hotter than you would with a spring or natural fiber alternative. Latex foam is more expensive than synthetic foam. It is also bouncier, which puts it on many ‘Best Mattresses for Sex’ lists.

Naturalmat's natural fiber Lambswool Mattress. Photo courtesy of Naturalmat

Naturalmat's pocket-sprung Sumptuous Mattress. Photo courtesy of Naturalmat

Healthy Materials

Despite the hundreds of players in the industry, across the US, five mattress companies account for an estimated 65 to 70 percent of manufacturing. They sell the same product to various retailers, who may adjust small design details before adding a proprietary name and marketing the mattress as exclusive. Most mattresses sold across the country—estimated at 80 percent—still use only synthetic polyurethane foams.

However, a select number of independent manufacturers, including Naturalmat, Naturepedic, and Avocado, are pushing against the tide by offering products made from natural materials. These typically include varying mixes of sheep’s wool, latex, and coir (coconut fiber), chosen for their environmental, health, and sleep-enhancing properties.

Sheep’s wool is a natural wonder material—an insulator that keeps you warm in winter and cool in summer. Its fibers wick away excess heat and moisture, but not all sheep’s wool is the same—finer fibers dissipate heat better and are more breathable. Tremlett explains that wool also has natural antimicrobial and flame-resistant properties, allowing it to meet fire safety standards without the addition of toxic fire retardants. When practiced correctly, sheep bred for their wool are unharmed in the annual shearing process, which typically takes place in spring.

Natural latex is hypoallergenic, and resistant to dust mites, mildew, and mold. If you are sensitive to dust mites, choosing a natural latex mattress can often relieve allergies, allowing for a much sounder, less congested sleep. It also offers good elasticity and durability.

Highly sustainable and versatile, organic coconut fiber is stripped, soaked, dried, and twisted to create miniature coils, which are then pressed into breathable sheets of specified density. This bouncy material, known as coir, mimics the function of traditional springs in a natural fiber mattress.

Hand-tufting a mattress topper. Photo courtesy of Naturalmat

Rubber tree tapping. Photo courtesy of Naturalmat

The Haldon Bed in oak, with natural fiber mattress. Photo courtesy of Naturalmat

Off-gassing

New mattresses, especially synthetic foam models that have been boxed or wrapped in plastic, often give off an unpleasant smell for a week or two after delivery. This is the mattress off-gassing or releasing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). If you opt for a synthetic foam mattress, look for those with foam that’s CertiPUR-US certified, which gives you the assurance that the foam is free of harmful chemicals, including TDCPP, PBDEs, and flame retardants. An added benefit of natural materials is that they do not off-gas.

Environmental considerations

The final thing to keep in mind when choosing your mattress is that synthetic foam will not biodegrade. Coupled with a proliferation of low-quality products, 100-day sleep guarantees, and changing preferences, people have been replacing their mattresses much more frequently than they used to, meaning millions of old mattresses are ending up in landfill each year. “This is creating a mountain of waste – and an environmental disaster,” says Tremlett. “We need to close the loop and move to a mattress industry without waste; considering the materials we choose, our commitments to repair rather than replace; and how we upcycle or recycle mattresses that are no longer wanted.”

You should expect a good mattress to last at least 8 to 10 years, after which it may need repair (this is a service that Naturalmat now offers their customers in Europe). It’s useful to turn or flip your mattress a few times per year and to be conscious of lumps or indents over time, or if you are experiencing trouble sleeping or pain when waking.

Final words

Selecting a mattress is a personal choice and an investment, so it's worth doing your homework. Following research and testing for this article, our preference is towards healthy, natural fiber options. Naturalmat is an industry leader here (and we happen to sleep on a Naturalmat mattress, from their 'Superb' range). Other companies that offer natural fiber mattresses whose products we tested and liked include Avocado Green Mattress and the Halcyon Collection by Naturepedic.

This guide was written as part of a paid partnership. Naturalmat was established back in 1999 and has been a pioneer in the manufacture of healthy and sustainable mattresses since. They have excellent health and sustainability credentials, including B Corp certification.

Photography: Naturalmat