4 types of eco friendly mattress

You only need to have a couple of bad nights sleep on a lumpy mattress to realise how important it is to get it right.

The last time I bought a mattress I sent it straight back to the manufacturer – I couldn’t live with the smell as it off-gased. So I’ve stuck with my 100 year old feather mattress a friend gave me!

There are mattresses available for every person, condition and budget you can think of! Foam mattresses are breathable which makes them a good choice for people with allergies to the house dust mite, while Tempur Mattresses conform to your body shape which is said to reduce tossing and turning and therefore promote a better night’s sleep.

Research shows that many mattresses are made with stuffings that are full of toxic chemicals; some of them potentially carcinogenic.

That doesn’t exactly ensure a good night’s sleep does it?

Added to which, I see people tossing old mattresses out on the kerbside and I’m well aware most are made from synthetic fibres which don’t biodegrade. This means a conventional mattress can be a hazard to our health and the environment.

Fortunately there are some more eco friendly and healthier options on the market:

Latex

Latex is a white liquid which comes from the trunks of rubber trees. Latex mattresses are breathable so you don’t overheat and they are very durable.

For those with allergies to the house dust mite, latex mattresses are perfect because they are naturally antimicrobial.

Horsehair

We have an antique chair in our living room that is stuffed with horsehair and I can’t tell you how indestructible this piece of furniture is! You can be forgiven for thinking sleeping on horsehair would be uncomfortable, and while it’s not springy, it’s great if you like a firmer base to lie on.

Coir

Coir is derived from coconut fibres; you might have seen it in your local garden centre made into seedling pots. Coir is firmer and lighter than the pure latex and is very robust. Many natural mattress fibres including cashmere and wool are not suitable for vegans, but coir ticks all the boxes.

Organic wool

Apparently wool-stuffed mattress can outlast internally sprung products by decades, cutting down on waste. Wool mattresses need care and attention to keep them looking good, but isn’t that something we should be doing to ALL of our possessions? Wool helps regulate your body heat which leads to a more comfortable nights sleep and organic wool is free from pesticides.

What about you – you spend one third of your life in bed; is it time to upgrade your mattress to a healthier alternative?