By the look of things, it seems like the efforts of environmentalists are bearing fruits. These days, society is very conscious of sustainable living. And a good example is the increase in demand for organic and natural mattresses. From a general point of view, these two things may seem almost the same. But, there is a big difference. And if you don\u2019t understand it, there is a possibility of ending up with the wrong bed.<\/p>\n
Organic and natural mattresses are better alternatives to conventional beds. And even though both are safer and environmentally friendlier, they are not the same. In our guide below, we will compare organic vs. natural mattresses so that you can make the right choice.<\/p>\n
Before we dive into what each of these beds entails, we must clarify the biggest difference between them. Many people use these terms interchangeably, and it\u2019s wrong because one can easily be misled into buying the wrong bed.<\/p>\n
Organic beds are those that are made from purely organic materials free from any synthetics. Natural beds, on the other hand, are obtained from nature but do contain some synthetic materials. Nowadays, natural is mostly a marketing gimmick that manufacturers use to persuade buyers into buying their products.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n To further explain the difference between natural and organic mattresses, let\u2019s look at an ingredient commonly used in both.<\/strong> <\/em>The cotton used in both these beds is quite different. The one in organic mattresses is not treated, and it\u2019s free of pesticides. In natural beds, however, the cotton used isn\u2019t subjected to these strict requirements. Whether it has been treated with pesticides or not, it will be used in making the bed.<\/p>\n Another difference is that 100% natural bed materials last longer than their synthetic counterparts.<\/strong> <\/em>An organic bed will last for longer than a natural one. This is because the latter often features a combination of both natural and synthetic materials. If you are buying a latex bed, confirm whether it combines both synthetic and natural latex. Or it is made using pure organic latex.<\/p>\n This is not a difference, but it is a similarity. Both organic and natural beds must contain natural fire retardants such as wool<\/a>. If you find out that a bed contains fire retardants such as fiberglass<\/a>, it can\u2019t be placed into these two categories.<\/p>\n For marketing purposes, many mattress brands are overdoing it when it comes to mattress terminology. Nowadays, both manufacturers and retailers will loosely use any terms that will make their products sound healthier, safer, and environmentally friendlier. As a consumer, if you are not careful, it is very easy for you to get carried away with these terminologies, only to be disappointed later. In the mattress industry, a term that is commonly misused is organic. Today, we will make sure you fully understand what organic beds are and how to differentiate them from natural and conventional mattresses.<\/p>\n The term organic mattresses refer to beds whose materials weren\u2019t only sourced from natural materials. But these materials were grown, obtained, and processed in high standards. For a mattress to be referred to as organic, it must be free of pesticides and fertilizers. The manufacturers must not add any chemicals to the materials when assembling the bed.<\/p>\n There is a fine line between certified organic beds and certified organic components. Most mattresses brands feature the latter. With certification for organic components, that mattress only has either one or two components made from organic materials. But an organic bed should have everything made of organic materials.<\/p>\n Examples of certificates for organic components include;<\/p>\n There is another certification known as USDA organic. This is given to products that fulfill the organic standards set by the US Department of Agriculture. This certificate is awarded to beds that comprise more than 95% organic materials. With the remaining 5%, there is room for the use of inorganic compounds. Therefore, the mattress isn\u2019t 100% organic. This is also the case with GOTS certification, which stands for Global Organic Textile Standard.<\/p>\n From the above, it is clear that even with certification, one can\u2019t fully believe that a particular mattress is 100% organic. It is this uncertainty that makes it harder for sleepers to find purely organic mattresses.<\/p>\n On the other end of the spectrum, we have natural mattresses. These aren\u2019t subjected to strict standards such as the ones for organic beds. The term natural implies that the bed is made using materials that have been sourced from animals or plants. Whether the plants or animals were grown healthily, that is the least of their concern.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, the term natural is slowly losing its meaning in the mattress industry. Because a bed labeled as natural can comprise of cotton that was treated with pesticides, grown using fertilizers, and processed with chemicals so that it can perform much better in various aspects.<\/p>\n Natural beds can contain both organic and synthetic materials. And even though such beds do have certifications, these mostly aim to verify the quality of materials and not to prove that the bed is organic. Finding a natural mattress is super easy. The market is filled with hundreds of options.<\/p>\n Most of us are accustomed to conventional mattresses. Organic and natural beds, on the other hand, are made from materials that exist in the environment. Even if some synthetic components are added, they aren\u2019t of significant size. Here are the different types of natural and organic mattresses.<\/p>\n The above are the different types of organic and natural mattresses. On the other hand, we have conventional mattresses that most of us are accustomed to. These do not utilize natural resources, and mostly comprise of synthetic materials. Even though conventional mattresses aren\u2019t made or obtained through sustainable processes, they are equally as comfortable and suitable for various types of sleepers.<\/p>\n Examples of conventional beds include innerspring, memory foam, air mattresses, and blended foam. Other than differing in materials used, organic beds cost way more than conventional mattresses. The price difference is attributed to how the materials are grown and processed. Synthetic will always be cheaper to produce than organic. Secondly, organic and natural beds offer an added level of safety, contributing to an increment in the price tag.<\/p>\n Finding a mattress that is 100% organic isn\u2019t easy. And you will have to part with a significant amount of money. Most mattresses fall under the \u2018Natural Bed\u2019 category. The reason is, they are made using natural materials as well as chemicals and synthetic compounds. Both organic and fiberglass free natural mattresses<\/a> do contain certain levels of toxic chemicals. And if indeed the synthetic materials are toxic-free, there should be a certification to prove that. Please do not rely on manufacturer claims because sometimes they may not be completely honest.<\/p>\n Depending on your preferences, both mattress types do have their pros and cons. Starting with organic beds, these are expensive but are strictly made using 100% natural materials. If it’s wool or latex, the material isn\u2019t treated with any chemicals, and it has been grown in an ethical and environmentally friendly manner. Natural mattresses, on the other hand, contain organic and synthetic materials. The materials used in natural beds aren\u2019t subjected to strict standards, like organic beds. They are more affordable and very comfortable.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By the look of things, it seems like the efforts of environmentalists are bearing fruits. These days, society is very … <\/p>\nWhat are Organic Beds?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Characteristics of Organic Mattresses<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Why Does Certification Matter in Organic Beds?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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What About Natural Beds?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
What are the Different Types of Organic and Natural Mattresses?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Organic vs. Conventional Mattresses<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Are Both Organic and Natural Mattresses Toxic-Free?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
The Bottom Line – Which is Better?<\/strong><\/h2>\n