Shopping for a good quality, non-toxic mattress can be an overwhelming experience. More choices than ever before can be found in retail shops, showrooms and online. Start researching and you’ll quickly find yourself navigating through options galore and an endless maze of marketing promises and “best deal” advertising. However, with a little know-how you can quickly weed out the hype and make an informed purchase that fits your comfort needs and budget. Here are four key considerations when shopping for a healthy, natural alternative to conventional mattresses:

1. Materials:
Stay away from synthetic materials such as vinyl/PVC, polyurethane foam and chemically treated fabrics as these contain out-gassing chemicals that introduce health and toxicity concerns. 

For latex mattresses look for at least 95% natural latex rubber content. Pure, natural latex breathes and does not retain body heat like memory foam or other petroleum based latex foams.  Avoid natural latex blended with synthetic materials or fillers and chemical coatings. These “hybrids” breakdown faster and promote out-gassing. To ensure purity, choose Dunlop and/or Talalay natural latex that has been minimally processed or certified organic. 

Make sure mattress covers, casings and fiber padding are certified organic to meet the Global Organic Textile Standard, GOTS. This standard requires that all fiber and fabrics must be made from certified materials that meet the USDA's National Organic Program (NOP) standard and are processed in accordance with GOTS.

2. Fire Protection:
Avoid harmful brominated fire retardants and PBDE’s, polybrominated diphenylethers, a class of toxic chemicals commonly used in conventional mattresses to prevent the spread of fire. Opt for mattresses with a non-toxic fire retardant such as a layer of organic wool or Naturepedic’s fire protection system made of baking soda and hydrated silica permanently bonded to a cellulose fiber.

3. Durability:
Choose mattresses manufactured by specialists in their field such as Savvy Rest, Naturepedic, Suite Sleep and Sleeptek. They guarantee their workmanship and offer a warranty of at least 10 years. Make sure mattress materials and components have been tested not only for purity but also for performance. Check for reinforced stitched seams, tightly woven fabrics, quality zippers, even surfaces and strong support components such as binding, innersprings and foundation frames. 

4. Comfort:
Try before you buy. Determining the comfort of a natural mattress is dependent on much more than the latex ILD measurements or coil count. An advertised “firm” mattress in one brand can feel very different from another brand. Not all natural latex mattresses are made alike and the same goes for natural innerspring beds. Visit a retailer that offers a variety of natural mattresses to try and compare. Seek out knowledgeable sales people who can help you determine the appropriate firmness and support.