A recent Businesswire study discovered that more than 30% of global consumers are willing to pay more for sustainably produced products, and as many as 80% of US consumers say sustainability influences their regular buying decisions.
These facts demonstrate there are record numbers of consumers who want to buy Earth-minded products.
One such product is organic wool mattresses, which is one of the eco-friendliest bedding options available.
In this blog post we unpack what an organic wool mattress is, details about how it’s made, and why it’s worth considering.
What Are Organic Wool Mattresses?
An organic wool mattress is a mattress made with certified organic wool as an insulative and supportive layer. It comes from sheep and is still simple to source, clean, and ship.
There are several reasons wool is a popular choice for organic mattress manufacturers. Here are the most important:
- Wool is a certifiably organic product. Since wool comes from sheep and is therefore a naturally-occurring material, it can be certified as organic. Factors that determine whether wool is organic include the conditions sheep are grown and cared for in as well as the lack of harmful chemicals used to clean and process the wool.
- Wool is naturally flame retardant. Since wool has high water and nitrogen content, it requires a significant strength and volume of flame to come anywhere near catching fire. Wool passes Underwriter Laboratories’ (UL) flame retardancy tests meaning mattresses that use wool are safe for use under a broad range of circumstances.
- Wool is durable and flexible throughout a range of temperatures. One reason wool offers so much warmth in the winter and coolness in the summer is because it’s naturally occurring. That means air has an easier time passing through its fibers, unlike synthetic fibers which are much more densely packed together.
Without wool, mattress manufacturers must make bedding support layers with only cotton, latex, or foam. This is problematic for a few reasons:
- Cotton-only beds lack the luxury top layer that wool provides. If your mattress is made only with springs, cotton, and latex, it may not have the soft, supportive feel you’re looking for. Some beds have been made strictly of springs and cotton, and that means no transitional support layer, because latex is usually used for that.
- Organic mattresses still must pass flame retardation tests. Wool is the only completely organic substance that passes flame retardancy tests at similar or greater levels than manmade substances. Without wool, mattress manufacturers turn to undesirable chemicals like boric acid and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).
- Foam-only mattresses deteriorate faster. Mattress companies that don’t use materials as long-lasting and supportive as wool usually turn to polyurethane foam. While poly foam is fast and easy to make, it doesn’t provide robust support longer than a few years. Wool is a powerful substance that can last up to 20 years with little to no loss in its supportive characteristics.
An organic wool mattress is a great start for those looking to transition away from conventional mattresses. If you’re sleeping on an organic mattress for the first time, however, something may still feel “off.”
That’s where you can add a topper. Toppers are any supplementary mattress layers that make your bedding more comfortable or durable. Let’s take a look at organic wool mattress toppers.
Organic Wool Mattress Topper
An organic wool mattress topper is a bedding layer that acts as an additional comfort layer for the sleeper. These toppers are filled with organic wool and covered with organic quilted cotton.
It’s important to know that mattress toppers and mattress pads are not the same. A mattress pad may include a protective layer against spills and accidents, whereas toppers a more substantive comfort layer to your mattress. Mattress pads are usually used without a mattress topper whereas a topper may be used individually or in addition to a mattress pad.
Organic latex toppers are still more prevalent than organic wool mattress toppers because they’re used more often by manufacturers. Organic wool toppers feel fluffier to the sleeper where organic latex feels spongier.
If you’re looking for a topper that feels comfortable and supports the contours of your body, our organic latex topper is the right choice. Its additional two inches of plush support extend the lifespan of your mattress and make sleeping every day an even more inviting experience.
Organic Cotton and Wool Mattress
An organic cotton and wool mattress is a mattress that uses both certified organic wool and organic cotton. You probably didn’t need us to tell you that, but it’s eye-opening for some to know that both materials are used frequently in modern organic bedding.
Organic cotton and wool mattresses are about the eco-friendliest you can get when it comes to bedding. So, how do wool and cotton work together? We’ve perfected that very combination.
Our Natural Escape hybrid mattress is the ultimate combination of organic latex, cotton, and wool. Here are some details that make it a standout product:
- Both organic cotton and wool are part of our quilted cover. We source the best organic materials we can find and then hand-cut all of the panels that become our quilted covers. This ensures our production line generates as little waste as possible, too.
- Wool provides zero-maintenance temperature control while cotton provides a smooth surface. Though wool is great at temperature regulation, it’s not the best surface to lay on. That’s why our quilted covers (and most high quality mattress covers) are primarily cotton. Wool provides natural stain resistance and cotton provides a consistent and smooth mattress texture.
- Organic cotton and wool have superior product lifespans compared to manmade foam. While polyurethane is a useful material for other applications, it was never meant to be used in mattresses. Polyurethane foam mattresses last up to eight years under normal use, while certified organic mattresses can last up to 10 to 15. We go one step further and offer a 20-year warranty on all of our mattresses.
Love the sound of our mattresses and want to know if the entire family can enjoy them? That’s one of the reasons mattress maker Tim Masters started our company. Keep reading to discover our organic crib mattress.
Organic Wool Crib Mattress
An organic wool crib mattress is made with the same excellent materials adult-sized mattresses are made with, but for infants and babies. Many families want or need their children to benefit from the same organic materials they’re sleeping on.
Our crib mattress, the Emily Organic crib mattress, is 27.25in x 52in x 6in. This is the perfect fit for a standard-sized crib.
Frequently Asked Questions About Organic Wool Mattresses
Buying a mattress is a big decision, so it shouldn’t be made hastily. If wool in a mattress still has you scratching your head a bit, don’t worry; you’re far from alone!
We looked up the most frequently asked questions about organic wool in mattresses. Here’s what we found, including our answers:
Is Organic Wool Safe for Mattresses?
Yes, organic wool is completely safe for use in mattresses. Organic wool goes through a complete rinsing, washing, and drying process that prepares it for factory use.
Organic wool is also one of the only completely natural flame-retardant substances that’s also useful as a bedding material. Due to its high fiber content, it also creates a feeling of warmth in the winter and coolness in the summer.
Is Wool a Good Material for a Mattress?
Yes; wool is great for mattresses. Wool has been used for hundreds of years in bedding of all kinds, from being used as makeshift insulation to an intentional choice for mattresses.
What Is The Healthiest Mattress Material?
In 99% of circumstances, certified organic latex is the healthiest mattress material. This is true for several reasons:
- 96% of global consumers and 99% of American consumers have no latex allergy
- Latex is a thoroughly washed, allergen-free material (meaning no vulcanization chemical residue)
- Latex is heat- and dust mite-resistant, offering superior durability throughout the life of the mattress
What’s the Most Environmentally Friendly Mattress?
The most environmentally friendly mattress is the product that makes the most efficient use of organic materials and produces the least amount of waste. This includes selecting and designing materials to be as recyclable as possible.
Any environmentally friendly mattress implies a manufacturer that values an Earth-conscious production line, recycling materials, and minimizing their reliance on packaging. The industry’s leading environmentally-friendly mattresses use organic cotton, latex, wool, and wood.
Ready for an organic wool mattress that helps you sleep perfectly all year round? Check out our mattresses now–all of which use organic wool. Have any concerns before buying? Our customer service team is ready to answer any questions you may have.
