If you want to promote healthy sleep habits, it may be time to reduce the toxins in your bedroom. Believe it or not, your mattress can actually be a source of toxins and can have a negative impact on your health and the environment. The good news is, there are mattresses that are free of these toxins, leading to improved overall health and a better night’s sleep. Read on to learn more about what toxins you should be aware of and how to find a mattress that’s better for your health.
What to Avoid and Why
There are a few common mattress materials that you should avoid because they could be harmful to your health and the environment. These include foam mattresses that release VOCs or volatile organic compounds into your home. Conventional cotton that is grown with pesticides and herbicides which can have a negative impact on your health and on our environment. And, repeated exposure to chemical flame retardants in conventional mattresses has been proven to cause skin irritations, hormone disruptions, reproductive issues, and cancer.
Polyurethane Foams
Avoid mattresses made with polyurethane foam mattresses whenever possible. This foam can release gasses into the air in a process called off-gassing. Breathing in these toxic fumes every night can be harmful to your health. According to the Sleep Foundation, “a bed with strong off-gassing odors may cause unwanted symptoms, such as headaches, nausea, or dizziness. Individuals with respiratory issues, such as asthma or allergies, could also experience irritation of the airway and difficulty breathing.” Memory foam, gel foam and polyurethane foam mattresses have the highest levels of off-gassing.
Cotton Grown with Pesticides and Herbicides
If you opt for a mattress made with cotton fabric or cotton batting, it is important to be aware that most fields use pesticides and herbicides when growing conventional cotton. This means that the cotton in your mattress will have pesticide and herbicide residues. This could be harmful to your health, especially if you have sensitive skin or a weakened immune system. Conventional cotton also has negative effects on the environment. The carbon footprint of organic cotton is much lower than traditional cotton. A study reported by the Soil Association found a 40% reduction in global warming potential, 72% lower primary energy demand, and lower water consumption for organic cotton compared to conventional cotton.
Flame Retardants
Avoid flame retardants chemicals if possible. Flame retardants are chemicals that are sometimes put on mattresses and furniture to prevent or slow fires. Flame retardants may seem like a beneficial addition to flammable furniture, but the health and environmental negatives outweigh any benefits. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, exposure to flame retardants has been shown to cause a host of health problems, including endocrine and thyroid disruption, impacts on the immune system, reproductive toxicity, cancer, adverse effects on fetal and child development, and disruptions to neurologic function. One of the easiest ways to reduce your and your child’s exposure to flame retardants is to make sure your mattresses are free of them.
Choose a certified organic mattress from My Green Mattress
If you’re ready to eliminate the harmful toxins in your bedroom, start by choosing a 100% certified organic mattress. At My Green Mattress, our mattresses are free from foams that off-gas VOCs and that are free from harmful flame retardants. We are proud to handcraft all of our mattresses in our family-owned factory that has earned the GOTS and GOLS Organic Factory Certification from the Control Union. At My Green Mattress, we offer the most affordable and diverse line of mattresses made in an organic-certified factory.
If you’re ready to make the switch to a mattress that is safer for your health and the environment, browse our selection of mattresses made for every type of sleeper. We have a wide selection of mattresses, including mattresses made for couples, kids, babies, and bunk beds. Our mattresses are made from Earth’s finest materials including organic cotton, organic wool, and organic latex. Do what is best for the environment and your health and make the switch to a healthy, organic mattress from My Green Mattress today.
