Organic mattress toppers are a great way to spice up your sleeping space. They can extend the life of your mattress while making sure you’re feeling comfy and well-rested. But, like most products on the market, mattress toppers are not created equal.
In fact, mattress topper materials could pose a health risk for you and your family. Materials like foam, vinyl, and synthetic latex are made with harsh chemicals that could off gas, causing irritation and potentially illness. However, toxins in mattress toppers shouldn’t stop you from enjoying sleep, and there are several companies that feel the same.
Non-toxic mattress toppers ensure you’re sleeping on quality bedding, not chemicals. If you’re looking to add a mattress topper to your bed setup, consider a non-toxic option that will help you sleep soundly, both literally and figuratively.
With a toxin-free mattress topper, you don’t have to worry about skin or respiratory irritation or other scary side effects. There is a range of organic mattress toppers with enough variety to make the whole family happy. I’ve already put in the work to find the best organic mattress toppers on the market, and I’ve compiled them all here.
You will sleep over 220,000 hours of your life, so it’s important to ensure that you sleep in a healthy environment.
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Toxins in Mattress Toppers
Keep an eye out for these toxins commonly found in conventional mattress toppers. Remember that brands often will “greenwash” their products, meaning they position their products to be healthy and eco-friendly when they actually aren’t. Doing your research is key when making a conscious decision on a non-toxic mattress topper.
VOCs in Foam
Foam mattresses have become increasingly popular over the past decade. Plenty of bed-in-a-box companies have popped into the landscape, often selling memory foam or other foam bedding for a reasonable price.
Unfortunately, it’s common for foam mattresses to be made from petroleum-based foam, meaning you’re literally sleeping on the same material we use to produce gasoline. When mattresses are made from petroleum-based foam, they’re lightweight and inexpensive, but they also break down over time, releasing Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) into the air you’re breathing.
If you’re consistently breathing in the chemical dust caused by the breakdown of your petroleum-based mattress or mattress topper, you could face some serious related health problems. For example, polyurethane foam has been linked to mammary tumors caused by exposure to two chemicals known as TDI and Propylene oxide.
Polyurethane foam products also off gas a neurotoxin known as Toluene. If this isn’t scary enough, sleeping on a foam mattress for an extended period of time could cause skin, eyes, and throat irritation along with damage to the kidneys, liver, and central nervous system.
Synthetic Latex
There is a difference between synthetic latex and natural latex. Here, we are talking about man-made, synthetic latex manufactured with petroleum-based materials.
The two most common compounds in synthetic latex are styrene and butadiene. Both of these chemicals are known as VOCs. Long-term exposure could lead to an increased risk of leukemia and lymphoma. They can also cause central nervous system dysfunction, hearing loss, headache, depression, and fatigue.
Synthetic latex is very common in mattresses and mattress toppers. You can also find synthetic latex in a number of other products, including shoes, gloves, and other apparel. It’s important to note that all synthetic latex poses the same risk.
Fire Retardants
Because materials like foam and synthetic latex are made from petroleum-based compounds, these mattresses and mattress toppers are incredibly flammable. Because of flammability standards, manufacturers either use chemical flame retardants or other more natural materials to make their products flame resistant. It’s important to know what your mattress and mattress topper uses to meet flammability standards. You want to avoid chemical flame retardants.
The final most common flame retardant is called Halogenated Flame Retardants (HFRs), and it’s arguably the worst because their effects can span generations. Some of the adverse health effects caused by long-term exposure to HFRs include thyroid dysfunction, damage to the brain and nervous system, delayed puberty, and cancer, which has been found throughout several generations.
Common fire retardants include chemicals like antimony. Antimony is considered a heavy metal and can cause irritation to the eyes, skin, and throat.
Vinyl
Vinyl is another man-made, petroleum-based material that can negatively impact your health with long-term exposure. Common compounds found in vinyl include antimony, phthalates, and lead.
Phthalates can lead to altered behavioral patterns in children, disruption to puberty, asthma, and allergies.
Another harmful compound associated with Vinyl is dioxins, which are released during the manufacturing process. It is linked to developmental problems, congenital disabilities, and cancer.
What to Look for in Mattress Toppers
Now that we’ve got the lengthy list of toxic materials commonly used in mattress toppers behind us, we can focus on what to look for in mattress toppers. A certified organic mattress topper is the safest bet for your sleeping environment; thankfully, there are plenty of options. However, if you’re ever unsure of certification, don’t be afraid to do your research to ensure you’re making an informed decision.
Cotton
Cotton is common and familiar, making most of us feel more comfortable with the choice. Cotton is also found in most mattress toppers, either as a cover or as part of the actual stuffing. Regardless, cotton is a comfortable, breathable material that’s quite popular in the bedding space.
It’s important to keep in mind that not all cotton is made the same. Traditional cotton is often riddled with pesticides and other chemicals that can negatively impact your health. In fact, conventional cotton uses a daunting 16 percent of the world’s pesticides, which is more than any other conventional crop in the world.
Instead, look for certified organic cotton, which we will talk more about later. Certified organic cotton is a great choice when shopping for a mattress topper. Organic cotton is a long-lasting, natural alternative to synthetic latex or foam.
Wool
Wool is a great natural alternative to synthetic latex or foam mattress toppers. It’s all-natural and repels allergens, dust mites, mold, and mildew. It’s ideal for those who struggle with allergies or asthma.
Wool is very durable and can keep you warm in the winter months and cool in the summer months.
You often see wool mattress toppers joined by natural latex for optimal temperature control, but you can find mattress toppers almost entirely made from wool. Wool is also free from any harmful chemicals since it’s naturally flame retardant all on its own.
Natural, Organic Latex
I mentioned earlier that not all latex is made the same. If you’re looking for an organic mattress topper, you want organic latex, or Dunlop latex, that is harvested from the rubber tree and not made in a lab. When shopping for a natural latex mattress topper, you want to look for certified organic latex. We’ll talk more about what a certified organic latex mattress topper looks like below.
Natural latex comes without the laundry list of chemicals and fire retardants that synthetic latex includes. Natural, organic latex is durable, temperature regulating, and incredibly comfy while remaining a healthy choice for long-term use.
Organic Certifications
When shopping for organic mattress toppers, you want to ensure you’re making the healthiest decision for yourself and your family. So look for these certifications when shopping for non-toxic mattress toppers to ensure you’re getting a chemical-free, toxin-free product.
GOTS
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is a certification that rigorously tests the growing, harvesting, manufacturing, and selling standard that a product goes through to ensure it’s toxin-free and ethically made. Look for GOTS certifications when shopping for cotton products, yarn, and other textiles.
If you see the GOTS certification symbol, you know the product you’re considering has been tested from start to finish to ensure it’s toxin-free and safe for the whole family.
Oeko-Tex
Oeko-Tex is another great certification to look for when shopping for organic mattress toppers. With Oeko-Tex, you can ensure your product is free from hundreds of toxic chemicals.
Oeko-Tex allows conventional cotton and some toxins at lower levels. However, it’s still important that you know the materials in your products. Looking for organic cotton and Okeo-Tex is an excellent choice.
Oeko-Tex is a great indicator that the product you’re considering is safe and free from toxins.
GOLS
GOLS is the Global Organic Latex Standard, meaning this certification ensures the authenticity of organic latex products. Having a GOLS certification ensures your latex product is completely natural, harvested from a tree, and not made in a lab.
GOLS provides rigorous testing for the entire process, including harvesting, manufacturing, and trade. Seeing this is a good indicator that you won’t be bringing home any toxic chemical that could harm your health.
The Best Non-Toxic, Organic Mattress Toppers
Below you will find a variety of non-toxic, organic mattress toppers so you and your family can sleep soundly.
Soaring Heart
Soaring Heart makes top-quality bedding products, and that doesn’t stop with their mattress toppers. Soaring Heart sells an organic wool mattress topper and an organic latex mattress topper.
Organic Wool Mattress Topper by Soaring Heart
The Soaring Heart organic wool mattress topper comes with two inches of wool made from a blend of eight different types of wool. Since wool is insulative, it will keep you cool in the warm months and warm in the cool months.
However, its temperature regulation isn’t the only reason to grab an organic wool mattress topper from Soaring Heart. It’s also mildew and dust mite resistant, making it perfect for year-round use.
If you’re looking for a little extra comfort, try the Delux Organic Wool Mattress Topper by Soaring Heart. It has twice the amount of wool as the original.
SHOP SOARING HEART ORGANIC WOOL MATTRESS TOPPER
Organic Latex Mattress Topper by Soaring Heart
The latex mattress topper by Soaring Heart is made with premium, GOLS-certified organic Dunlop Latex. This non-toxic latex is free from synthetics and wrapped with two inches of high-quality wool. The wool is sourced from a small farm harboring eight different sheep breeds, providing you with dust and mildew resistance for years to come. It’s also important to note this non-toxic latex topper is ideal for supporting joint and spine health while you sleep.
Price Range: $799.00-$949.00
Certifications: GOTS and GOLS
SHOP SOARING HEART ORGANIC LATEX MATTRESS TOPPER
Holy Lamb Organics
Holy Lamb Organics not only make organic mattress toppers to die for, but they also practice sustainable business techniques. They strive for no waste in their manufacturing process. Their organic textiles are made by hand using heritage methods and all organic materials from the Holy Lamb flock of sheep. In addition, they promote fair labor practices, inclusion, and diversity in their facilities.
Certified Organic Quilted Topper
Holy Lamb Organics makes an organic quilted topper stuffed with certified organic sheep’s wool and wrapped in GOTS certified organic cotton. You can choose between two thickness levels titled “Deep Sleep” with up to two inches of fluff and “Ulitmate,” which provides up to three inches of fluff. Regardless, you’ll find comfort in the non-toxic quilted toppers by Holy Lamb Organics.
SHOP HOLY LAMB ORGANIC QUILTED TOPPER
Certified Organic Latex Topper
If wool and cotton aren’t your thing, Holy Lamb Organics organic latex topper may be the choice for you! This non-toxic mattress topper is made with two inches of organic Dunlop Latex. Dunlop Latex is a soft latex that can conform to your body, regulating sleep and supporting the body to make sure you wake up rested and pain-free. The latex is wrapped in organic wool and cased in organic cotton. The latex topper is roughly three inches thick and perfect for year-round use.
Price Range: $245.00-$943.95
Certifications: GOTS and GOLS
SHOP HOLY LAMB ORGANIC LATEX TOPPER
My Green Mattress
My Green Mattress was started by Tim Masters because his daughter struggled with allergies and eczema. Green Mattress diligently crafted healthy mattresses and mattress accessories from that moment on.
They even manufacture their bedding products in their own GOTS and GOLS certified factory located in Illinois. You can ensure a healthy, non-toxic bedding product when you buy with My Green Mattress because they meticulously track the organic materials used to make their products. Combined with their certifications, My Green Mattress is a safe bet for an organic mattress topper.
My Green Mattress offers a certified organic latex mattress topper perfect for those who prefer a firm surface or a cushioned surface when sleeping. The certified organic latex provides enough cushion to be cozy, but you won’t find yourself sinking or wallowing in a hole. Instead, you’ll find comfort in the premium textiles used to make their organic latex mattress topper. It’s made with two inches of organic latex wrapped in an organic cotton cover.
Organic latex is ideal for sleep because it hugs the curves of the body and cushions pressure points like your joints and spine, leaving you well rested and ready to face the day. The size ranges from twin to California king. In addition, the cotton cover can be unzipped and washed separately.
Price Range: $185.00
Certifications: GOTS and GOLS
SHOP GREEN MATTRESS ORGANIC LATEX TOPPER
Avocado
The Avocado recommendation is on hold temporarily while the details of the class action brought forth against Avocado are being disclosed.
You may have heard of Avocado because of its trendy, environmentally friendly mattresses. They create certified organic products out of their certified organic factory located in Los Angeles, California. Avocado sets itself apart as one of the most sustainable bedding brands by running everything on renewable energy. They are the only bedding brand in the world to be Climate Neutral Certified. They also offer a range of products to keep your sleeping environment toxin-free.
Alpaca Wool Plush Mattress Topper
Avocado’s Alpaca Wool Plush Mattress Topper is made with natural alpaca wool (once used by Incan royalty), certified organic sheep’s wool, and certified organic cotton. The alpaca wool and sheep’s wool create a luxurious softness, wrapped in a certified organic cotton cover. You can guarantee this organic mattress topper will keep you comfortable for years to come!
SHOP AVOCADO ALPACA WOOL PLUSH MATTRESS TOPPER
Organic Latex Mattress Topper
Avocado’s Organic Latex Mattress Topper is made with certified organic latex from Avocado’s own tree farm. They also use GOTS and Oeko-Tex certified organic cotton to ensure your mattress topper conforms to your body and provides peek comfort. This mattress topper comes with two options of firmness that are sure to please everyone. If you feel that your mattress is too firm, you can go for the Plush Topper if your mattress is too soft, spring for the Firm Topper. All of Avocado’s topper comes with hand-stitched straps to make sure the topper stays in place.
Price Range: $349.00 – $799.00
Certifications: GOTS, GOLS, Oeko-Tex
SHOP AVOCADO ORGANIC LATEX MATTRESS TOPPER
Coyuchi
Coyuchi has been dedicated to sustainability and non-toxic products since they emerged on the scene. They work directly with Chetna, an organization that lends help to the sustainable farming sectors of India. They also participate in 1% for the Planet, meaning one percent of their profits goes towards Fibershed, a non-profit battling climate change. If that doesn’t sell you on their commitment to sustainability and fair farming practices, they also put a percentage of their profits into an account for farmers, field workers, and manufacturers to use as they see fit. Not to mention, they offer top-quality bedding that’s healthy for you and the environment.
Coyuchi offers the Climate Beneficial Wool Mattress Topper. Their premium organic mattress topper is made with climate beneficial wool and is harvested and manufactured locally with biodegradable materials. The wool is covered with a certified organic cotton cover, complete with straps to keep the mattress topper in place. The quality Coyuchi provides is next level since they hand stitch the nine-inch quilted squares to ensure the wool stays in place for years to come.
Certifications: GOTS
Price Range: $348.00 – $498.00
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White Lotus Home
At White Lotus Home, all of their products are made by hand in Brunswick, New Jersey, and they are committed to making textiles that are non-toxic for you and the environment. They are members of the Organic Trade Association and Green America. They are also a GOTS certified organic organization, meaning all of its cotton products are non-toxic and healthy for everyday use. White Lotus Home offers a range of organic mattress toppers perfect for the whole family.
White Lotus offers a certified organic cotton mattress topper made with sustainably sourced organic cotton. You can choose between two or four inches of cotton for extra comfort. It’s also made with zero fire retardant chemicals, ensuring you’re safe from toxins.
White Lotus Home also provides an organic wool topper made with GOTS certified organic cotton and organic wool. This mattress topper is made with three layers of plush wool encased in a cotton cover. Wool is ideal for keeping dust mites and allergens down, and it’s perfect for every season.
Certifications: GOTS and OEKO-TEX
Price Range: $410.00 – $2,118.00
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Happsy
Happsy was the first company to create a certified organic bed in a box. They offer affordable mattresses and mattress toppers that remain healthy for you and the planet without breaking the bank. They believe everyone should have the opportunity to sleep on a healthy mattress, regardless of their financial standing, which is why they created Happsy in the first place.
Their products are made with GOTS and GOLS certified materials that are ethically sourced and meticulously crafted into their quality products. Happsy runs with a small team, so customer service is always great. Plus, their luxurious mattress toppers are perfect for those looking for a little extra comfort without the chemicals.
The Happsy Organic Mattress Topper is made with GOTS certified organic cotton and GOLS certified organic latex. They offer a size range to fit any size mattress, and they are one of the more affordable organic mattress toppers in this lineup.
You don’t have to worry about toxins, harsh chemicals, or off gassing. Instead, you can rest comfortably knowing you’re sleeping on the healthiest materials that won’t have a negative impact on your health in the long run. Happsy is known for its affordable organic bedding, and this mattress topper is no exception.
Certifications: GOTS and GOLS
Price Range: $249.00 – $499.00
Brentwood Home
Brentwood Home has worked to continuously improve its impact on the planet. Brentwood Home now only uses certified organic cotton and latex from their own farms and only sources their certified organic cotton from ethical sources. They are working with the National Forest Foundation to plant 10,000 trees in the US, and they are also 100 percent carbon negative, meaning they offset more carbon emissions than they produce.
Brentwood Home offers a mattress topper called the Cedar Natural Luxe Topper, made with GOLS certified latex and GOTS certified organic cotton. This mattress topper comes with two inches of soft latex that molds to your body and decreases motion transfer, meaning your partner is less likely to wake you up when moving.
This plush, organic mattress topper is manufactured in southern California with materials sourced from sustainable farms. Brentwood sources its latex from a farm they co-own, and the cotton and wool are ethically sourced from sustainable collectives from India.
The Cedar Natural Luxe Mattress Topper is made with certified organic two-inch Dunlop latex and an organic cotton and wool cover that will keep you comfortable, regardless of the season. The sizes range from a queen to a California King. They also come with a five-year limited warranty in case something happens.
Price Range: $179.00 – $399.00
Certifications: GOTS, GOLS
SHOP BRENTWOOD CEDAR NATURAL LUXE TOPPER
Rawganique
Rawganique’s purpose is to support those who are sensitive to chemicals often found in conventional bedding and textiles. They source their materials from the USA, Europe, and Canada, and they provide all the information you need to make an informed purchase.
In addition, they have a range of non-toxic products, including their organic mattress toppers. Rawganique provides more options than some of the previous brands in this post, so even if wool or latex isn’t your thing, you still have a non-toxic option.
Rawganique has a range of certified organic bedding, including several options for non-toxic mattress toppers.
They offer an organic latex and cotton sateen mattress topper called the Florida 100% Natural Rubber Latex Topper. Both the latex and the cotton are GOTS certified.
They also provide a simple certified organic cotton topper named Laguna 100% Cotton topper and the Louisiana Organic Cotton Topper. Both are GOTS Certified.
If wool is more your speed, they also sell an organic wool mattress topper called the Maybourne Organic Wool Mattress Topper.
Rawganique provides a range of options to meet everyone’s needs while remaining non-toxic and organic.
Certifications: GOTS
Price Range: $410.00 – $1,270.00
SHOP RAWGANIQUE MATTRESS TOPPERS
Final Thoughts on Organic Mattress Toppers
You will spend years of your life asleep, meaning it’s essential for your sleeping environment to be healthy and toxin free. Mattress toppers can extend the life of your mattress while giving you little extra comfort, as well.
Unfortunately, all mattress toppers are not created equal. The most common mattress toppers are made with polyurethane based foams and synthetic latex. Foam and synthetic latex mattresses can off gas harmful chemicals like VOCs, flame retardants, and other chemicals.
Long term exposure to these chemicals can cause a variety of health effects, including cancer, thyroid dysfunction, damage to the brain and central nervous system, hormone dysfunction, reproductive problems, and more.
To avoid these health concerns, look for a certified organic mattress topper made from organic cotton, wool, or natural latex. Also, look for the GOTS, OEKO-TEX, and GOLS certifications to ensure you’re choosing a non-toxic mattress topper.
It can be overwhelming to find truly safe products; I have created my Amazon Storefront for vetted non-toxic products like organic mattress toppers.
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