14 March 2019
What a headache 🤕 right? Well we decode what GOTS, GOLS, Greenguard, Organic, Certi-Pur USA and more mean to make your shopping process a bit easier. Link in bio to find out more.
.
.
.
Want an easy way to live healthier?
Sign up for our newsletter! Curated environmental health news delivered to your inbox every three weeks.
By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy.
One tip as you look at these labels: while avoiding synthetic foam altogether is best, if that isn't possible for you, there are three certifications (Certi-PUR, Oeko-Tex, and Greenguard) that can help you find the healthiest foams. For natural materials like latex or cotton, GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard) or GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) have got you covered.
Wondering about VOCs (volatile organic compounds)? These are unhealthy chemicals that slowly leak out of foam and other materials and end up in the air you breathe. Many of the labels restrict VOC emissions, but just so you know, the strongest restriction for total VOCs is GREENGUARD Gold. If you are especially concerned about VOCs, look for mattresses with that label.
Good luck, and once the hunt is done, enjoy sleeping on a mattress that is not only comfy but also healthier for you and the planet.
a) Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
What is it? Certifies the processing, manufacturing, packaging, labelling, trading, and distribution of mattresses and textiles made from at least 70% certified organic natural fibers. There are two label grades: 1) "organic" (over 95% organic fibers) and 2) "made with X% organic materials" (70-95% organic content). See our article, what does organic mean?
Read details on standards or search the product database (select Retailing or Mail Order).
Environmental Health: Many toxic chemical restrictions, including any chemicals linked with cancer, reproductive problems, genetic defects, or organ damage, or are harmful to the environment. Mattresses cannot be made of polyurethane foam. Natural latex mattresses can receive GOTS certification.
b) Oeko-Tex Standard 100
What is it? Certifies that mattresses and textiles do not contain or release certain harmful chemicals. Every component of the mattress (all inner and outer materials) must meet the chemical restrictions to earn the certification. Search the product database (look for the three mattress categories under Product Type).
Environmental Health: Many toxic chemical restrictions, including limits on emissions of total and specific VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Read details on chemical standards here. Synthetic foams are allowed as long as they meet the chemical restrictions.
c) Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS)
What is it? Certifies latex mattresses containing at least 95% organic latex, with chemical restrictions for both the latex and non-latex parts. Read details on the standard.
Environmental Health: Emissions of total and specific VOCs are restricted. Use of certain toxic flame retardants and other chemicals are banned. Cotton fills and coverings must be certified by GOTS or Organic Content Standard-100 (see below). Synthetic latex and other synthetic foams are not permitted. Synthetic fabrics and fibers are permitted in interiors of products.
d) GREENGUARD and GREENGURAD Gold
What is it? Restricts emissions of VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from mattresses and other products. There are two labels: 1) GREENGUARD and 2) GREENGUARD Gold (previously called Greenguard Children & Schools Certification)
Environmental Health: Emissions of total and specific VOCs are restricted. GREENGUARD Gold has stricter restrictions. Read details on the emissions limits (see p.3). Search the product database (select the certification type and the product type in sidebar). Read more details on the standard (registration required to access free PDF). Some certified products have an additional formaldehyde-free verification.
e) CertiPUR-US
What is it? Certifies that polyurethane foam in mattresses (and other products) meet standards for chemical ingredients, emissions of VOCs, and durability. View a list of companies selling products containing certified foam (including but not limited to mattresses).
Environmental Health: Requires that polyurethane foam be made without heavy metals and without certain types of phthalates and flame retardants. This does not mean the products are completely free of potentially harmful phthalates or flame retardants. Emissions of total and specific VOCs are restricted. Read about the chemical restrictions.
f) Organic Content Standard
What is it? Verifies that mattresses and other products contain the stated amount of organic material, ranging from 5-100%. There are two seals: Organic 100 (for 100% organic) and Organic Blended (for all other amounts).
Environmental Health: Assures presence and amount of stated organic content. Organic materials must be grown and processed per established standards like USDA Certified Organic. Chemicals added to raw materials during manufacturing (dyes, finishes, etc.) are not addressed. View a list of companies certified to the organic standard.
g) USDA Certified Organic
What is it? USDA seal verifies that agricultural products are grown and processed per organic standards. "Certified organic" means at least 95% of the ingredients are organic. "Made with organic" means 70-94% of ingredients are organic. Only "certified organic" products can bear the seal. Fiber materials in mattresses can include cotton, wool, hemp, and linen.
Environmental Health: Fiber materials must be grown and processed per USDA Organic standards for food, without use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. GOTS and GOLS (see above) both meet USDA Organic standards. Note that USDA Organic does not address toxic chemicals that may be found in the non-organic components. Read What Is An Organic Mattress? from the Organic Trade Association.
When it comes to choosing a non-toxic mattress, the multitude of options can be a little overwhelming. Our basic advice is to look for two things. First, no added chemicals such as flame retardants and antimicrobials. Second, as many natural materials as possible. By looking for these two things, you've got your bases covered on indoor air quality, not causing future health problems, and being good for the planet. You can also check out our mattress roundup where we helped you out by doing some of the research for you.
No added chemicals
The main chemicals that are added to mattresses are flame retardants. No one wants their mattress to light on fire, but there are now other ways to meet flammability standards without chemicals. Using raw materials like wool that are naturally flame resistant, and other materials like silica are non-toxic ways to prevent your mattress from going up in flames.
"[Flame retardants] are not chemically bound, they are just added. They evaporate from products and can pass right through fabric," explained Dr. Courtney Carignan, Assistant Professor at Michigan State University. As they escape from products, "they stick to our hands and get into our bodies."
Because they are able to get into your body, that is how they start to impact your health.
"In adults, some flame retardants have been associated with changes in thyroid function... There are also a number of studies showing flame retardant exposure prenatally can affect child neurodevelopment…. In my study, I found declining trends with exposure to organophosphate flame retardants and measures of female fertility…. Some flame retardants can also act as obesogens," shared Dr. Carignan.
This list is not exhaustive, but it does give a pretty good idea of why we recommend avoiding flame retardants when you can.
Even though know all of this, flame retardants are still added to some mattresses. Because we all spend so much time sleeping on mattresses, and in rooms around them, they are one of the most common ways we introduce flame retardant chemicals into the dust throughout our homes. By choosing a mattress without added flame retardants, you can easily reduce the amount of these chemicals in your everyday environment.
Antimicrobials are another chemical thing that sounds good, but just aren't. While we know some microbes can make people sick, antimicrobials that are added to things like mattresses and mattress covers often don't really do much. We are living in a world where everyone is over-sanitizing and actually getting to a point where we are only breeding stronger bad bugs. It is better just to clean your mattress (you can sprinkle it with baking soda and vacuum it easily) and make sure it is aired out and fully dry. This is healthier for everyone, and actually works!
Natural materials
Look for mattresses that are made of organic materials. Wool is actually flame resistant naturally, and both wool and cotton have wicking properties that will help keep them from holding any moisture if you get warm at night. These are better options for fillers than the standard polyurethane foam. Polyurethane foam is used in a lot of mattresses and is also used to make memory foam. You want to avoid polyurethane foam, if you can, for two reasons. The first is that this is usually where the flame retardant chemicals are added and escape from. Second is that the foam itself can release gases known as volatile organic compounds (also known as VOCs). You end up breathing these in, and they can irritate your airways and cause other problems similar to those caused by flame retardants.
Latex also comes in a few different types. Natural latex comes from the sap of rubber trees, sort of like maple syrup comes from maple trees. If minimally processed, latex foam is renewable and doesn't emit VOCs like polyurethane foam does. This is a safer option for squishy fillings in your mattresses. Be aware though, not all mattresses with natural latex are free of synthetic foam. Some use a mixture of both natural latex and other foam to reduce cost or get the desired firmness more easily. Bottom line, read the tag all the way through and don't just assume that if it says natural latex you're in the clear. Look explicitly for it to say 100% natural latex.
Certifications
To help you figure all of this out, there are a lot of different third-party certifications for mattresses. The best certifications to look for to help you find a mattress without chemicals and with as much natural material as possible are GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard), or OEKO-TEX. All of these certify the products that are used in making the mattresses and mean they meet a third-party standard of high quality. You can learn more about what these certification mean, and others to look for, in our mattress label education piece.
Good luck in your mattress search! May you have many sweet (and healthy) dreams.
Want an easy way to live healthier?
Sign up for our newsletter! Curated environmental health news delivered to your inbox every three weeks.
By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy.