Now you know the problem.
Here's what to look for instead.
The research is clear. Conventional mattresses are loaded with chemicals that off-gas, leach, and accumulate over time. This guide translates that science into a simple framework for finding a mattress that actually supports your health.
Read the underlying research firstSeek these. Avoid those.
Materials determine everything — what off-gasses, what leaches, what accumulates. This is the single most fundamental thing you can evaluate.
Derived from Hevea tree milk — not petroleum. Naturally resilient, breathable, and inherently resistant to dust mites and mold without chemical treatment. Critically, it does not degrade into microplastics. Look for GOLS certification and confirm it's not synthetic or blended.
Naturally flame-resistant without chemical treatment — one of the only materials that can meet federal fire regulations without chemical additives. Also naturally moisture-wicking and temperature-regulating. Look for GOTS-certified wool and confirm it isn't backed with chemical batting.
Used for covers, ticking, and comfort layers. Grown and processed without synthetic pesticides or chemical finishes. GOTS-certified organic cotton is the gold standard. Does not off-gas.
An inert, non-emitting support material. Individually wrapped coils provide motion isolation and airflow. Pair with organic comfort layers for a fully low-chemical mattress.
A plant-derived fiber increasingly used as a clean flame barrier alternative. Made from fermented plant starch, it provides fire resistance without halogenated or organophosphate chemicals. MADE SAFE approved.
Found in the vast majority of conventional mattresses — including "memory foam" and "plant-based foam." Petroleum-derived, highly flammable, a major source of VOC off-gassing, and degrades into microplastics over time. Requires chemical flame retardant treatment that compounds the exposure.
PBDEs, OPEs, chlorinated retardants — these leach slowly over years and can't be aired out. Linked to hormone disruption, neurodevelopmental damage, and cancer. Manufacturers are not required to disclose which ones they use.
Used as a cheap flame barrier in many budget mattresses. Safe when fully sealed — dangerous when the cover is ever removed or worn. Tiny inhalable glass fragments can contaminate an entire bedroom. Multiple states have moved to ban it.
Used in waterproof mattress covers and crib mattresses. As PVC is exposed to heat and moisture — both present in normal sleep — it leaches phthalates and heavy metals that disrupt hormones and childhood development.
Often marketed as latex but derived from petroleum-based styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). Blended latex mixes natural and synthetic. Only GOLS-certified 100% natural latex is genuinely clean — "latex" alone means nothing.
The certifications that actually matter
Third-party certifications are the most reliable signal available — but they vary enormously in scope. Here's what each one actually covers, and where its limits are.
Covers the entire textile supply chain from field to finished fabric. Prohibits chemical flame retardants, polyurethane, and hazardous dyes. One of the most comprehensive certifications available.
Ensures latex content is at least 95% organic and sourced from certified rubber plantations. Prohibits chemical flame retardants and polyurethane. Essential for any latex mattress.
Screens against thousands of known toxic chemicals. Prohibits flame retardants, fiberglass, PFAS, and phthalates. Among the most rigorous consumer safety certifications for mattresses.
Tests the finished product for over 350 harmful substances — including pesticides, heavy metals, phthalates, and formaldehyde. Applies to every component of the tested product, not just one material. When granted at the factory level, it means the facility itself meets environmental and safety standards.
Certifies that certain harmful substances weren't used in the polyurethane foam only. Covers nothing else — flame barriers, adhesives, covers, and other components are out of scope. The foam itself still off-gases.
Certifies VOC emissions fall below a threshold — not that the mattress is VOC-free. Doesn't address the materials themselves, only the level of off-gassing at a given point in time.
No regulatory definition on mattress labels. A mattress can legally call itself "natural," "plant-based," or "eco-friendly" while containing polyurethane, chemical flame retardants, and fiberglass.
10 questions to ask any mattress brand
Before committing to any mattress — even one with certifications — ask these questions. How a brand responds tells you as much as the answer itself. Check them off as you research.
Your pre-purchase due diligence checklist.
Click each question as you verify it. A brand that's transparent will answer every one of these directly and without hesitation.
Marketing phrases that should give you pause
The mattress industry has become expert at language that sounds clean without committing to anything. These are the most common phrases — and what they actually mean.
Still polyurethane foam — just with 5–20% soy or castor oil substituted in. The majority is still petroleum-derived, still off-gases VOCs, and still requires chemical flame retardant treatment.
Without GOLS certification, this frequently means synthetic or blended rubber. Synthetic latex is petroleum-derived styrene-butadiene. Confirm GOLS and 100% natural sourcing before trusting this label.
A 2025 study found a compliance-labeled mattress containing 1,800 ppm of an EPA-banned flame retardant. Compliance means it passed a burn test — not that its ingredients are safe for long-term human exposure.
Without explanation, these features almost always mean PFAS treatment — the bioaccumulative "forever chemicals." Natural wool alternatives exist but are rarely what conventional brands use.
Commonly overstated. CertiPUR-US only certifies the polyurethane foam — not covers, flame barriers, or adhesives. A mattress can be CertiPUR certified and still contain fiberglass or chemical flame retardants.
"Non-toxic" has no regulatory definition for mattresses and requires no certification. "Low VOC" without a specific test result is equally meaningless. Ask for actual emission data from a third-party lab.
What a genuinely clean mattress looks like
Every component matters. Here's the complete profile of a clean mattress — what it's made of, how it handles fire safety, what certifications it should carry, and what it must never contain.
The Clean Mattress Profile
Two answers to the same question.
We evaluated every brand against the criteria on this page before carrying them. Naturepedic and Aireloom by Kluft represent two distinct paths — one is the most certified organic mattress in America, the other is 80+ years of luxury artisan craftsmanship with premium natural materials. Here's how they each hold up.
Naturepedic was built specifically to answer the question this buying guide asks. Their entire factory carries GOTS certification — not just their materials, but every finished product. They are the first and only brand to achieve EWG VERIFIED status for mattresses, and they carry GOLS, MADE SAFE, GREENGUARD Gold, and UL Formaldehyde Free on top of it. Every criterion on this page, they have addressed by design.
Aireloom occupies a different position on the spectrum: not the most certified brand in the industry, but one of the most enduring names in luxury handcrafted sleep. Their Karpen Natural and Karpen Luxury collections are built around layers of natural latex, Joma wool, cashmere, silk, and alpaca — premium natural materials that don't appear in most mattresses at any price. The story is craftsmanship, heritage, and sensory luxury. The certifications are more limited, and we believe in being honest about that.
Est in 1956
With nearly seven decades of experience, we’ve built our name on craftsmanship, care, and a deep understanding of what makes a house feel like home.
Designed for Life
We choose every piece for its lasting quality, timeless style, and ability to bring comfort and character to everyday living.
People first, always
From the way we design to the way we serve, we put people at the heart of everything we do.