Comparing Conventional to Organic Mattresses: Why Choose Organic?

Ryan
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Sleep is important.  And our sleep environment is integral to that important process.  As a consumer I know that I want a high quality product that fits my budget.  The choice to go organic, it turns out, can be economical without sacrificing quality or sustainability.  That helps me sleep.  Exploring the options and comparing conventional to organic products will give you, as a conscientious consumer, some tools tohelp determine why an organic sleep experience is worth the investment that can save you money, help avoid hassles, and improve health.   A good place to start is by comparing conventional mattresses to organic mattresses.

Conventional mattresses last five years, maybe ten. These mattresses are made of petroleum based highly complex materials that require chemicals and processes that pollute the environment.  More often than not, these processes yield a product that off gasses.  Off gassing is the emission of noxious gasses into the air from the foam and plastics conventional mattresses are made of. Off-gassing is known to cause headaches and allergic reactions that can be very severe as well as potentially causing other negative health effects not yet scientifically recognized.   Additionally, conventional mattresses are often treated with chemicals to meet fire retardant standards set by the government.  One of the scary things about flame-retardants is that there is no mandate which requires manufacturers to list chemicals used to meet these standards; so these unknown volatile and damaging components become part of your bed.  In short, conventional mattresses not only are products that take a long time to decompose but the indoor air pollution they create provide a fairly toxic environment for sleep. 

Natural and organic mattresses can easily last twenty or more years.  They are made with very few materials, most meeting organic certification standards, such as wool, cotton, and natural latex. To meet the important fire retardant standards, most organic mattress manufacturers use wool as a fire retardant.  Wool has benefits beyond a natural fire retardant; it is dust mite resistant, anti microbial, and mildew resistant, making it an ideal choice for allergy sufferers. Wool also helps regulate body heat and wicks away moisture.  This wool barrier between the sleeper and the bed is quilted into an organic cotton encasement, which covers the whole mattress.  Natural latex, organic cotton and wool are all sustainable options that can be re-grown with minimal impact. Both natural Dunlop and Talalay Latex/Rubber will biodegrade over time when exposed to UV light and extreme temperatures. What this means is that while your mattress layers are safely encased in their organic mattress casing they will easily last 20 years but when they are exposed to the outside elements they will decompose like any organic material will. Choosing products with organic components are less harmful to the environment and to the consumer.

Not only are organic products more ecologically sound, these products can actually save the consumer money.  An organic mattress purchased for two thousand dollars lasting for fifteen years or longer will save money, time, and hassle when compared to purchasing as many as three or more conventional mattresses at eight hundred dollars or more in the same time span. Conventional mattresses are less expensive than organic mattresses, but in the long run the organic choices are a better value all around.  For a sound night’s sleep, choosing organic sleep products will save resources, time, effort and money while providing a more healthful sleeping environment.