You may be wondering how mattresses are made. This article outlines the main types of materials and the technologies used to create them. The different methods of construction include Handmade, Hybrid, and Steel technology. The standards and environmental requirements are also covered.
All-natural materials
Natural mattresses are a better choice for comfort, durability and breathability. They’re also better for your health. When you sleep on a chemical mattress, you’re exposed to a variety of harmful chemicals that may be absorbed into your skin while you’re asleep.
Some natural mattresses are made from wool, latex or cotton. Each of these materials have different properties and advantages, so choose carefully.
Wool, for example, offers natural fire resistance, but is not as bouncy as foam. However, wool does offer great moisture wicking properties. It draws perspiration away from the body, keeping you cool in hot weather and warm in winter.
Organic latex is a naturally resilient, bouncy, supportive material. It’s produced from the sap of tropical rubber trees. This material is a renewable resource, so it can be recycled for other fills.
Cotton is another important material used in organic mattresses. The cotton used to make this product is grown without the use of harmful chemicals. In addition, it is treated with non-toxic dyes.
Polyurethane is also used in latex mattresses. However, polyurethane is not an organic material, and it’s not used in any organic manufacturing.
Choosing an organic or green mattress means choosing a product that has been certified by an independent third party. These certifications are a critical guide to the safety and quality of the material.
Handmade construction
The latest craze is making a bed in your own home. There’s also a whole host of online and offline retail outlets selling all manner of sleepytime luxuries. Regardless of your budget and preferences, there’s a bed to suit your fancy. To boot, there’s a company out there that does the lion’s share of the legwork for you. Known as the Saatva Company, this company has a plethora of offerings in the sleeper category. Amongst their wares are a number of all natural, organic mattresses, pillow tops and bed frames abound. Unlike most of their competition, Saatva doesn’t spout all their customers’ cash like a hound dog on a leash. Rather, Saatva sells their products at a fraction of the price of your typical mattress retailer. Touted as the world’s first certified green supplier of mattress and bed frames, the company has a plethora of eucalyptus based mattress and bed frames to choose from. Whether you’re looking for an affordable bed for your master bedroom or an ergonomic mattress for the den, Saatva has you covered. In the process, they cut out the middleman and let you pick and choose your wares. As a bonus, you can even customize your own.
Hybrid technology
If you’re looking for a combination of durability, responsiveness, and cooling technologies, you may want to consider a hybrid mattress. These mattresses combine the support of an innerspring with the cushioning of foam. You can choose from latex, memory foam, and polyfoam.
Hybrid mattresses are a good choice for many sleepers. Side sleepers in particular enjoy a more even pressure distribution while sleeping on a firm surface. This is because the individual pocket coils in a hybrid mattress have more motion isolation and sturdiness than a traditional innerspring mattress.
Another benefit of a hybrid mattress is that they’re more versatile. They can be used for a variety of sleepers, from side and back sleepers to those who prefer to sleep on their stomachs.
Hybrids offer a balance of comfort and support, making them an ideal choice for many people. Hybrids are also a good solution if you suffer from lower back pain.
The biggest drawback of a hybrid mattress is that it can be harder to maneuver than a classic innerspring or memory foam mattress. This may be less of a problem for those who sleep on their stomachs, but it can become a real issue for others. To keep a hybrid in top shape, be sure to rotate it head to foot at least once per three months.
CertiPUR-US certified foam
CertiPUR-US certification is a type of label that is used to assure consumers that foam mattresses are free from potentially harmful substances. It does not certify the entire mattress. Instead, it is meant to help you choose a safe, long-lasting, and durable foam mattress.
The CertiPUR-US program was created by an association of foam manufacturers and environmentalists. To earn the CertiPUR-US seal, foams must meet strict standards.
Those standards involve a small chamber test to verify that the foam is free of formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a harmful chemical that can compromise the quality of indoor air.
While VOCs are a part of air pollution, they are not common components of the foam chemistry. However, some toxic chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde, and phthalates are found in foams. These compounds can cause health risks such as reproductive problems in humans, carcinogens, and unborn child damage.
Aside from the VOCs, some foams can contain other potentially harmful materials such as mercury, lead, and ozone-depleting substances. Many of these materials have been banned or deemed to be unsafe by regulatory agencies.
To get a CertiPUR-US certification, mattresses must meet rigorous durability and emissions standards. All of this testing is conducted by accredited laboratories.
Steel
When it comes to selecting a new mattress for your bedroom, there are many options on the market. You can opt for one made from all-natural materials, or go with a hybrid design that’s more for your personal style.
An eco-friendly mattress may not only benefit the environment, but it may also reduce your overall carbon footprint. This is largely due to the fact that these products utilize sustainable farming practices, such as recycling and the use of non-toxic materials. In addition, the manufacturing processes used to create these items are often accompanied by animal ethical treatment.
Despite these benefits, it’s not always easy to find a mattress that is both eco-friendly and affordable. For this reason, you should consider a few key points when looking for the best fit for your needs.
The most important of these is your sleep quality. If you’re a side sleeper, you’re going to want a firm mattress that doesn’t squish your shoulders. Similarly, if you like to roll around a lot, you’ll need a mattress with some air flow. A hybrid model that contains both coils and foam might be more convenient for your sleeping needs.
The Hyper-Elastic Polymer is a strong but moldable gel-like material. It’s not the sexiest material, but it does have a cool factor.
Cotton
If you’re looking for a mattress that is made from organic materials, you might be interested in this model from WinkBeds. The EcoCloud mattress has a GOTS-certified cover, and it comes with a 120-night sleep trial.
Eco-friendly mattresses reduce the ecological cost to the planet. Many use sustainable farming practices and animal ethical treatment. These beds are often made with memory foam, wool, latex, and a combination of the three.
Eco-friendly mattresses can also be made with a variety of other natural materials. Some hybrid models substitute wool for cotton, while others contain latex.
Mattresses with eco-friendly certifications are less likely to be tested for harmful substances. They may also use forestry management to ensure that the materials are environmentally sound.
For example, GOTS and OEKO-TEX standards have been developed to test textiles for harmful substances. This allows manufacturers to demonstrate that the material used is safe.
Another eco-friendly standard is the GREENGUARD indoor air quality certification. It tests for VOC emissions. GREENGUARD Gold requires even lower VOC levels.
There are also other certifications that a manufacturer might consider when purchasing a new bed. The Global Organic Textile Standard, for instance, looks at the entire supply chain and considers the ecological cost.
Environmental standards
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly mattress, you should consider checking for a number of environmental certifications. These certifications can help you determine whether a product is a sustainable choice, or just an imitator.
The Global Organic Textile Standard, also known as GOTS, is one of the world’s leading standards for organic fibres. Its criteria consider both ecological and economic costs.
Many mattress companies are focusing on sustainable materials. This has resulted in consumers having a variety of natural mattress options to choose from. Some companies have also stopped using toxic chemical additives.
The Global Organic Latex Standard also sets rigorous environmental standards for mattresses. The standard requires a minimum amount of chemical additives, a sustainable harvesting process, and organic harvesting.
There are also industry-backed standards for foam. Companies that produce foam-based mattresses can earn the CertiPUR-US certification. This certification ensures that the foam is free of harmful ingredients.
Another important certification is the Forest Stewardship Council. The FSC certifies the forest management of the land where the material was grown. Aside from ensuring the forest’s sustainability, the certification confirms that the land is being managed in a way that benefits local people.
There are also certifications for the materials used to manufacture the mattress, like the Global Organic Textile Standard. Those materials can be wool, cotton, or latex.
