Getting a good night’s sleep is vital for both our mental and physical health, but could there be toxins lurking in our bedding? In this guide, we round up some of the UK’s best non-toxic mattress brands and explore what really goes into making a mattress.
A good mattress is essential. The right mattress can help to improve sleep quality and comfort and assist in pressure relief and relieving common ailments such as back pain.
We spend up to a third of our lives in bed. As such having a non-toxic and environmentally friendly mattress is important for both our own health and the health of the planet .
What are mattresses made from?
Modern mattresses contain a variety of different materials. This includes potentially harmful man-made materials.
If you are buying a mattress with synthetic foams such as memory foam mattresses, it is important to note that these are not natural.
Many standard mattresses may contain:
- Polyester
- Polyurethane foam
- Latex foam
- Felt
- Wool fibres
- Cotton fibres
What toxins are found in mattresses?
As with many things in the modern world, many standard mattresses have often been exposed to a plethora of harmful chemicals and toxins.
Flame retardants
Many flame retardants contain highly toxic chemicals. If exposed to these in large quantities, they can cause everything from hormone disruption to neurological damage.
Most mattresses at the consumer level don’t contain these substances in quantities high enough to pose a drastic risk. However, it isn’t great to be exposed to these chemicals at any level. Prolonged exposure, such as through mattress use can also increase risk of toxicity buildup. This is when toxins accumulate in the body.
Many types of fire retardants also present a risk to those who are exposed to them in mattress production supply chains.
Fire retardants also pose an environmental risk. Exposure to flame retardants has been found to disrupt wildlife reproduction and is toxic to many aquatic organisms.
VOCs
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) leech from polyurethane foam used in mattress production and from flame retardants. They are more likely to leech when the heat from your body heats up the mattress.
These harmful substances have been linked to breathing problems as well as irritation of the eyes and throat. In more severe instances, they can cause potential damage to the nervous system and even contribute to some cancers.
Phthalates
Phthalates, often used for waterproofing, are common in mattresses or mattress covers designed for children. However, exposure to phthalates has been linked to cancers, asthma, behavioural issues and even low IQ and neurodevelopment problems.
Phthalates are also released in higher quantities when our beds heat up as we sleep.
What are non-toxic and natural mattresses in the UK made from?
Non-toxic mattresses are created without the use of dangerous chemicals. They use natural materials instead of harmful synthetics and don’t expose products to harmful toxins.
Materials used to make non-toxic mattresses embrace a more natural approach. Many of these mattresses include organic components, hold organic certification and incorporate products such as:
- Natural latex
- Organic cotton
- Wool (preferably RWS certified)
- Flax
Natural materials such as wool are naturally fire retardant so don’t need the harmful chemicals added that some synthetic mattresses do.
Natural latex is often used as a synthetic foam alternative.
Non-toxic, natural mattresses are not only better for our health but have temperature-regulating properties and allow breathability, making for a more comfortable night’s sleep. And, as well as having a reduced environmental impact, they can help to reduce allergy and asthma issues.
Certifications to look for when choosing a non-toxic mattress
When looking for a non-toxic mattress, some certifications to look out for include:
- GOTS – Global Organic Textile Standard certification means that a product complies with standards that required organic production as well as other social and environmental criteria.
- GOLS – Much like GOTS, The Global Organic Latex Standard ensures that the latex used is a certified organic material. This is as well as adhering to other welfare and sustainability criteria in latex production.
- GRS- Global Recycled Standard makes sure that a material is tracked and verified to ensure legitimate and responsible recycled content.
If you are wanting to find sustainable furniture brands as well as the best organic mattresses, be sure to check out our article on ethical furniture companies.
Non-toxic mattresses for UK buyers
So, which brands are taking a natural approach to mattress production?
1. Spring King @ Mattress Next Day
Based: UK Ships to: UK
Made in: UK
Price: £169 – £379
Sustainability creds: Tree planting programs, net zero goals, mattress recycling service, Climate Positive workforce, use of natural materials, handcrafted product
Handcrafted mattresses from Spring King offer orthopaedic benefits and great support for a comfortable night’s sleep. The brand uses natural fillings, such as cotton, silk and cashmere to provide comfort and durability.
The Spring King Memory Ortho mattress is an excellent choice for those that like a firm mattress.
Spring King’s use of natural fibres shows a more eco-friendly approach to bedding. Available through Mattress Next Day, purchases help to support reforestation and tree planting programs that have already planted over 57,000 trees.
2. Sleepeezee @ Mattress Online
Based: UK. Ships to: UK
Made in: UK
Price: £220- £795
Sustainability creds (Sleepeezee): Supports charitable initiatives, supports Campaign for Wool, use of natural materials
Available through the Mattress Online platform, Sleepezee has been making high quality beds for nearly a century. The brand believes that no detail should be overlooked, resulting in products that are of superb quality and luxuriously comfortable. The 1,000 Pocket Natural Adjustable Mattress is one to check out.
Sleepeezee have made commendable contributions to charitable causes, including having donated more than £100,000 to Macmillan Cancer Support. The organisation also supports British sheep farmers and holds an impressive Royal Warrant.
3. Gainsborough @ Mattress Next Day
Based: UK Ships to: UK
Made in: UK
Price: £360 – £840
Sustainability creds: Tree planting programs and net zero goals from Mattress Next Day natural materials
With beginnings in a small workshop, Gainsborough has grown into an impressive organisation making high quality mattresses and beds.
Through the Mattress Next Day platform, the brand has a range from medium to extra firm mattresses on offer. The Gainsborough Tartus is a good choice for extra firm sleepers.
Gainsborough uses natural materials in its products, including cashmere, silk, Merino wool and mohair. When ordering through Mattress Next Day you support tree planting programs.
4. Silent Night
Based: UK. Ships to: UK
Price: £99- £869
Sustainability creds: Signed up to the Climate Pledge, Carbon Neutral, use of some natural materials, repurposes manufacturing waste to avoid contributing to landfill
One of the best-known bed retailers in the UK, Silent Night has beds for the whole family. These range from cot mattresses with washable covers that are free from chemical treatments, to super king spring mattresses with hypoallergenic knit covers.
The Natural Pocket Mattress is an eco-friendly choice for those that prefer a firm mattress.
Silent Night has a good range of sustainable policies and has impressively reduced its carbon emissions by nearly 50% in just four years. The label also has science-based targets to further reduce emissions.
5. Snoozel Green
Based: UK. Ships to: UK mainland
Made in: Sri Lanka
Price: £219 – £1,050
Sustainability creds: GOLS, GOTS, Trees for the Future, organic materials
Using expertly selected organic materials, Snoozel Green makes mattresses that are sustainable and support fair supply chains.
Made from organic natural latex, wool and organic cotton, the Snoozel organic mattress is naturally hypoallergenic and antibacterial.
With the philosophy that ‘we can all sleep naturally’ Snoozel ensures products are crafted from natural materials. The company avoids the use of toxic fire retardants and other harmful chemicals and uses certified organic wool and cotton.
6. Relyon @ Mattress Next Day
Based: UK. Ships to: UK
Made in: UK
Price: £289 – £1,089
Sustainability creds: Tree planting programs, net zero goals, mattress recycling service, ISO4001 certification
Another brand taking a handcrafted approach, non-toxic mattresses from this UK brand incorporate natural materials.
Featuring over 2,500 pocket springs, the Rodez mattress offers a soft and snuggly night’s sleep. Natural materials such as wool are used in the brand’s extensive mattress collection.
Reylon has good human rights and fair supply chain policies, although it is unclear how well these are policed. The label has shown a strong commitment to limiting its environmental impact and has certifications to back up its environmental claims.
7. Bed Butler @ Mattress Next Day
Based: UK. Ships to: UK
Made in: UK
Price: £499 – £1,550
Sustainability creds: Tree planting programs, net zero goals, natural materials, handmade products
Offering orthopaedic support at a more budget friendly price than many luxury mattress companies, Bed Butler has collections incorporating natural materials.
Products like the Landsdowne mattress include materials such as silk, wool and cashmere to provide both cushioning and support. The use of natural fillings also assists in regulating body temperature.
Mattress Next Day has some good environmental policies, including net zero goals, and it’s great that Bed Butler uses natural materials. We’d love to see Bed Butler provide more evidence of sustainable policies and practices across the company.
8. OTTY Sleep (Pure Hybrid Bamboo & Charcoal)
Based: UK Ships to: UK
Price: £299 – £1,599
Sustainability creds: Use of natural and innovative materials
Conveniently coming in a box, mattresses from Otty incorporate features including pocket springs and memory foam combined with innovative materials to keep you feeling comfortable.
Mattresses such as the OTTY Pure Hybrid Bamboo & Charcoal Mattress incorporate charcoal and bamboo-derived materials, taking advantage of their moisture-wicking properties.
OTTY Sleep should be commended for incorporating natural and sustainable materials in its products. It would be great to also see further information or certifications regarding sourcing and supply chains.
9. Hypnos Mattress @ Mattress Next Day
Based: UK Ships to: UK
Price: £369 – £1,749
Sustainability creds: Tree planting programs, net zero goals, mattress recycling service, Climate Positive workforce
Holding a coveted Royal Warrant, Hypnos are known for quality mattresses. The company stocks worldwide hotel chains and creates mattresses that facilitate rest and rejuvenation.
Available through Mattress Next Day are great styles such as the Hypnos Elite Luxury Mattress.
Mattress Next Day is on a journey to become Net Zero. The platform supports tree-planting programs and is making an effort to reduce the plastic it uses in packaging.
10. Mattress Online
Based: UK Ships to: Worldwide
Price: £105 – £1,850
Sustainability creds: Optional mattress recycling service, hosts some sustainable brands
Mattress Online is a one-stop shop for mattresses. The platform hosts a wide variety from a range of brands, including well-known bedding furniture names such as Casper and Simba.
Eco friendly options include the Millbrook Wool Ortho 1000 Pocket Mattress.
For an extra fee the platform offers a service in which old mattresses can be picked up for recycling.
11. Una Mattress
Based: UK Ships to: Worldwide
Made in: Sri Lanka, India, Germany
Price: £315 – £2,195
Sustainability creds: GOLS certified products, GOTS certified products, ClimatePartner certified climate neutral
Featuring adjustable firmness, Una Mattress has a variety of mattresses for the whole family. The brand has everything from junior mattresses to UK emperor size mattresses to ensure every night is a comfortable one. Be sure to check out the Organic Mattress Deluxe.
Una Mattress operates with a philosophy of embracing sustainability and comfort. The brand uses organic and natural materials, such as organic cotton. Una also works to create fairer supply chains and has travelled to its factories to ensure safe working conditions.
12. Ethical Bedding
Based: UK. Ships to: Worldwide
Made in: UK
Price: £999 – £2,199
Sustainability creds: Use of recycled materials, use of organic materials, 1% for the Planet member, vegan, Oeko-Tex standard certified, B Corp certified
Having appeared on the entrepreneurial sensation Dragon’s Den, Ethical Bedding has expanded from bed dressings to include the NatureCire Lux Mattress. Handmade in the UK and with 7,000 pocket springs, this mattress is designed for ultimate comfort.
Holding impressive B Corp certification, Ethical Bedding has taken an innovative approach to materials, using materials derived from bamboo and coconut to create products. Looking out for people, the planet and our furry friends, the company has vegan products and supports tree-planting programs.
13. Simba Sleep
Based: UK. Ships to: Worldwide
Price: £1,579 – £2,749
Sustainability creds: B Corp certified, carbon neutral delivery, sustainable and organic materials, GOTS certified cotton, GRS certified materials
Made from recyclable materials and with carbon-neutral delivery, the Simba Organic Go Hybrid Mattress is made for sweet dreams. The brand offers a 200 night trial, to make sure new owners find the perfect mattress.
Simba Sleep has made conscious choices to adopt a more sustainable outlook. The brand uses organic and recycled materials to limit its impact. Its commitment to sustainable practices is further evidenced by its B Corp certification.
14. Owl & Lark
Based: UK. Ships to: UK
Price: £1,100 – £2,950
Sustainability creds: Ethical supply chain commitments, natural materials, ten year warranty supporting product longevity
Having been included in well-known publications including Cosmopolitan, House & Garden, and Glamour, Owl & Lark operates with the belief that a good night’s sleep improves everything from memory to empathy. The company’s luxurious mattresses are designed to provide both comfort and support.
Incorporating materials such as wool and cashmere, Owl & Lark takes a natural approach to material selection. The label has also made commitments to ensure fair working conditions and limit environmental impacts. We look forward to seeing if it is on track to meet these.
15. Dreams
Based: UK. Ships to: UK
Made in: UK
Price: £59 – £3,499
Sustainability creds: Signed up to the BRC Climate Action Roadmap, recycling service available to customers, renewable electricity across company sites, electric vehicle rollout, bed refurbishment program, community give back projects
The maker of many non-toxic mattresses, UK company Dreams is making great strides in becoming a truly sustainable organisation.
Products such as the Flaxby Nature’s Finest mattress combine sustainability and comfort with natural fillings, a pillow top feature, and recyclable spring unit.
Dreams takes a more comprehensive approach to sustainability than most mattress companies. The organisation considers more than just sustainable materials. Everything from energy usage at company sites to delivery vehicle emissions are factored into its sustainable policies and practices.
Helping us to sleep easier
When searching for your next new mattress, it may be a good idea to look for a more natural option. Opting for an eco-friendly, organic product can help to reduce environmental and health risks.
Giving customers the option to avoid the risks associated with the toxins and standard synthetic materials in conventional mattresses, these UK non-toxic mattress brands are helping us all to sleep easier.
If you’re looking to update other items at home with more sustainable options, check out our article on ethical furniture brands in the UK.
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