8 Best Natural, Organic, Non-Toxic Mattress Toppers for Restful Sleep
Mattress toppers can be great sustainable option for sprucing up an old mattress. A mattress topper, placed on top of your existing mattress, might be the solution you need, either to make it firmer or softer, according to your needs.
While it’s not a replacement for a new mattress that’s completely worn out or sagging in the middle, it can be a solution if your mattress just needs a little something extra to provide you the comfort and support you may be lacking.
It also reduces pressure on springs and can delay sagging, as well as wear and tear, lengthening the life of your mattress, keeping bucks in your pocket and mattresses out of landfills.
This guide explores what makes a good mattress topper, what to look for when shopping, and some non-toxic mattress topper options.
This post does contain some affiliate links which means The Honest Consumer will receive a commission if you decide to purchase, however, at no additional cost to you!
Are There Toxic Chemicals in Traditional Mattress Toppers?
Mattresses and their accouterments, including toppers, are known to release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene, acetaldehyde and formaldehyde, especially if they’re made out of synthetics like polyurethane foam.
Although children face a greater risk of being negatively affected by VOCs off-gassed from a mattress or topper, it’s still a good idea to keep rooms well-ventilated, air out your bedding, and opt for mattresses and toppers made from natural and organic materials.
Synthetic mattresses and toppers are also flammable, which means they’re required by federal law to have flame retardants added. PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers) used to be commonly present in flame retardants.
Although its use has significantly declined, it’s merely been placed with other chemicals that are also toxic.
To further eliminate exposure to chemicals, avoid bedding labeled as antimicrobial or antibacterial. This may indicate the presence of harmful chemicals like triclosan, a known endocrine-disrupting chemical that can also be harmful to the environment.
What Materials Should Consumers Be Aware Of When Buying Mattress Toppers?
Is Foam Eco-friendly?
Foam is a common material for mattresses and toppers. It’s one of the cheaper options and can be vegan-friendly; and, more recently, memory foam has gained popularity. However, it’s made from polyurethane.
Remember: this is a synthetic product and it’s derived from petroleum, increasing our reliance on fossil fuels which contribute to anthropogenic climate change.
Harmful Chemicals in Mattress Toppers
What’s more, when synthetic mattresses or toppers are dumped or disposed of in landfills they release toxic chemicals such as hydrogen cyanide, isocyanates, and flame retardants into the environment.
In an eco-system this can cycle back to animal life, which raises the question of whether even synthetics are truly vegan.
What Materials to Look for in Eco-friendly Mattress Toppers
When shopping for a non-toxic mattress topper, look for toppers made with natural and organic materials, and seek chemical-free alternatives. These emit less or no VOCs and toxic chemicals, and foster eco-friendly manufacturing methods.
Natural vs. Synthetic Latex
Latex provides support and comfort and is an option for vegans. Make sure you’re buying natural latex instead of the synthetic variety.
Natural latex is also antimicrobial, dust-mite resistant, and can reduce the noise of a tossing partner.
However, be mindful that they tend to retain the most body heat and can be one of the more expensive options.
Natural Materials
Wool, down, and feathers are natural choices that can add a layer of luxurious softness.
These materials are hypoallergenic and temperature-regulating, keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer.
It’s also a good choice if you want to keep away those bedbugs. They’re a great eco-friendly choice, but not suitable for vegans or those allergic to these materials.
Third Pary Certifications
Keep an eye out for certifications like CertiPUR-US® which ensures there are no harmful levels of chemicals on your topper.
For toppers sourced from animal materials, look for labels such as the Responsible Down Standard or Responsible Wool Standard that keep products cruelty-free.
Support brands using natural and organic materials that employ eco-friendly, sustainable, cruelty-free, and socially-conscious methods from source to sale.
8 Eco-Friendly Mattress Topper Brands
These are five high quality green mattress topper brands that use sustainable materials to create some of the best organic and non-toxic mattress toppers.
Nolah’s CertiPUR-US Mattress Topper
Made in America with AirFoam™️, the Nolah Mattress Topper adds comfort and support to any mattress. . Nolah’s AirFoam™️ is CertiPUR-US® certified and temperature neutral.
This mattress topper comes wrapped in a breathable organic cotton cover that wicks away moisture to keep you cool and dry.
Nolah’s topper has multiple options allowing consumers to choose from luxury firm or plush. I’ve been using Nolah’s mattress topper for a year now and really love how it adds a bit of extra cushion to my bed!
Their non-toxic mattress toppers range in price from $299-$450.
Avocado Mattress Toppers Made from Natural Wool
As a Climate Neutral Certified® mattress and bedding brand, Avocado has everything you might need for your bedroom, from sheets, pillows, and duvets to mattresses, bed frames, and of course, toppers.
Avocado toppers feature three different options including the Organic Latex Mattress Topper, the Vegan Mattress Topper, and the Alpaca Wool Plush Topper.
The Organic Latex Mattress Topper features GOLS organic certified latex and GOTS organic certified wool, plus reinforced seams, within an internally quilted ticking made with GOTS organic certified cotton.
PC: Avocado
The Vegan Mattress Topper is exactly the same as the Organic Latex Mattress Topper, but uses cotton instead of wool.
The Alpaca Wool Plush Topper features certified organic and natural materials, including natural alpaca and GOTS organic certified wool and cotton. The plush topper design adds softness and luxury to your bed. Avocado's sustainable practices include responsibly sourcing their materials.
Their organic materials include GOLS organic certified latex harvested from their own tree farms; GOTS organic and OEKO-TEK Standard 100 certified wool from their own sheep farms; and GOTS organic certified cotton. Avocado Green Mattress Toppers range from $349-$800.
Plushbeds American Made Mattress Topper
Plushbeds crafts mattresses and mattress toppers from pure, botanical materials because they believe the air you breathe should be clean and healthy.
Plushbeds uses sustainable materials such as natural latex, chemical free wool, and organic cotton to create their mattress toppers.
The toppers are ethically made in the USA and they even have a research team and innovation lab in their certified organic California manufacturing facility dedicated to discovering new sustainable practices and materials.
Plushbeds toppers range from $230-$550 depending on the material and bed size.
Eco-Terra's Natural Latex Mattress Topper
Offering comfort and support, Eco-Terra’s mattress topper is made of single-source 100% natural latex. Containing no synthetics, fillers, or chemicals, their topper is also Oeko-Tex Standard 100 and Eco-Institut certified.
Their toppers are ethically made in the USA. Their mattress topper ranges in price from $173 to $336 depending on bed size.
Savvy Rest's Natural Latex & Organic Wool Mattress Topper
With Savvy Rest you have a choice between GOTS-certified organic natural latex mattress toppers, one filled with natural and domestically sourced wool, and one with GOTS-certified organic wool.
Their toppers are also certified by GREENGUARD GOLD, ensuring limitations on off-gassing of VOCs. Savvy Rest's mattress toppers range from $500-$1400.
Savvy Rest is a certified B corporation and ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan). Savvy Rest has chosen employee ownership because they believe every voice matters.
Boll & Branch Mattress Topper Free from Harmful Chemicals
Made with humanely treated, free-range New Zealand sheep’s wool, Boll & Branch adds an extra layer of comfort with their organic cotton, wool, and poly mattress topper.
No harmful chemicals, pesticides, or GMOs are used in their products, packaging is made from recycled materials, and they are SA8000 certified, ensuring fair treatment for workers.
Boll & Branch's mattress toppers range from $450-$750 depending on mattress size.
Brentwood Home's Mattress Toppers Made in the USA
Brentwood Home features a few different options for eco-friendly mattress toppers including the Organic Latex Mattress Topper, the Cedar Natural Luxe Topper, and the Memory Foam Mattress Topper.
The Organic Latex Mattress Topper features100% organic certified, natural latex, GOLS organic latex wrapped in a breathable 100% GOTS organic cotton jersey.
The Cedar Natural Latex Mattress Topper, featuring GOLS organic certified latex, GOTS organic certified wool, and a delicate GOTS organic certified cotton cover.
The Memory Foam Mattress Topper is infused with cooling gel, with airy open cell technology and formulated with up to 20% BioFoam®.
Covers are made with soft, breathable and sustainable Tencel® and feature a non-slip bottom.
All Dunlop latex sourced from our rubber forests and factories in India and Guatemala. Brentwood Home's wool and cotton are ethically sourced from collectives in India.
All mattress toppers are 100% carbon offset and made in Los Angeles. Brentwood Home's mattress toppers range from $139-$600.
Nest's Cooling Mattress Topper
If you’re looking for a topper with cooling features, Nest has a great option. The Cooling Topper adds airflow to your mattress, it’s made with their own Energex™ Foam and is certified by CertiPUR-US® with a fire barrier made of non-chemical hydrogenated silica.
Made in the USA, their foams are also allowed time to air out in factories, which drastically decreases any residual off-gassing.
The Soft Latex Topper features Organic Knit Cotton and Joma Wool cover is quilted with an eco-friendly comfort foam that encases the 100% OEKO-TEX® Natural Dunlop Latex comfort layer.
The Washable Wool Topper features natural wool filled cotton mattress pad that is 1.5 inches thick, made with Shropshire natural wool quilted to a soft 270 thread count 100% natural cotton percale cover.
The Organic Merino Wool Topper is ideal for anyone with multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) or those who have allergies to down feathers and polyester fibers and are looking for healthier alternatives. Superfine Merinos are regarded as having the finest and softest wool of any sheep.
Unlike other wool, Merino wool is much finer, softer, and, best of all, itch-free for all.
GOTS organic wool comes from sheep that graze on organic pastures. Nest's mattress toppers range from $143-$700.
What Makes a Good Mattress Topper?
The answer to this question depends very much on your needs and what you require from a mattress. Here are a few things to consider when shopping for a new mattress topper.
Thickness & Firmness Options: Mattress toppers can be anywhere from one to three inches thick. Again, it depends on your current mattress and your needs. If your mattress is super lumpy, the thicker the topper the better: a thicker topper offers more support.
Best Option Based on Mattress Fit : It goes without saying that you want to buy a mattress topper that fits your bed size. Make sure your fitted sheet will be able to fit over the topper too!
Density of Mattress Topper: This is different to thickness in that it refers to the amount of material in the topper. The higher the density, usually the better the support.
Differentiating : There is a difference between mattress toppers, pads, and protectors. Mattress pads and mattress protectors usually just act as a barrier between your mattress and sheets, protecting the mattress from spills and stains or warding off allergens and dust mites.
Materials: Mattress toppers are made out of different materials. What you choose will depend on your mattress requirements, as well as your environmental, animal, health, and budget concerns. Consider choosing natural materials and avoid synthetic materials as these usually have a greater environmental impact and are not as breathable creating a hotter body temperature making them not too great for sleeping. An organic topper is a great choice!
Hopefully this guide helped shed some light on picking out a natural mattress topper & explore some options for choosing the right organic mattress topper!
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