We’ve collated everything we know about natural mattresses to provide you with everything you could need when buying your very own.
100% natural mattresses more popular now than ever before, mainly because they are made from fibres that are sourced or grown from nature. This means there are no synthetic fibres in them. Our mattresses come in different styles to suit every sleep position and weight. There is bound to be a mattress that’s right for you.
Mattresses created from natural materials include fibres like horsetail, bamboo, wool, cotton, mohair, flax and alpaca. These fibres all have their own unique properties that are perfect for giving you a great night’s sleep. The natural fibre range at Winston’s Beds includes everything from wool to cashmere mattresses.
The most significant benefit that a mattress has to offer is that they’re made from organic materials, which makes for a much more eco-friendly mattress than their rivals. This is important for those who want to ensure a healthy sleep environment.
Each fibre has its beneficial qualities:
Cotton
Wool
Bamboo
Silk
Horsetail
Alpaca
Our mattresses are durable, sturdy, comfortable and hygienic. The fibres within them work together to keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. They also take away moisture from your body, helping to keep the mattress dry, which allows it to last longer.
We believe that the perfect night’s sleep begins with the best possible materials, which is why all Winstons Beds mattresses contain the most exquisite natural fillings, many of which are home-grown in Great Britain. The quality of a natural mattress is unbeatable, and the benefits of natural mattresses are endless. Not only are they highly breathable, but they’re also responsive and outlast their synthetic competitors.
First, let’s discuss what’s wrong with most mattresses you’ll find on the market today.
Today, most mattresses are constructed with petroleum-based foam, treated with flame retardants full of chemicals and encased in PVC vinyl. Unfortunately, toxic formaldehyde is also found in the adhesives used to make foam mattresses which means that your mattress discharges toxic fumes while you sleep.
These off-gassing fumes, known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), have been linked with many health ailments, including reproductive, behavioural problems, thyroid and cancer. It’s difficult to rest peacefully knowing you are resting in a mattress full of toxic substances – mainly since we sleep for roughly 1/3 of our lives.
A natural mattress is made from materials which are free from synthetic fibres. Natural mattresses are luxurious and highly comfortable.
Types of natural mattresses include wool, cotton, alpaca, horsetail, cashmere and much more. Each mattress is made from non-toxic materials and is a popular choice for the environmentally conscious.
Typically, a natural mattress will retain heat during the winter and regulate air during the warmer months. This responsiveness to temperature makes it the mattress of choice for those who overheat while sleeping.
Here are things to look for in a non-toxic natural mattress:
In a category as confusing as natural mattresses, certifications are an essential guide to the mattress’s quality, safety and eco-friendly properties.
Let’s take a look at the certifications:
Buying a natural mattress can be a minefield, with many retailers deceiving the buyer, so let’s get to the truth.
To understand natural mattresses, it is essential to separate the mattress into three parts:
The Outer Cover
The Fillings
The Spring Core
Covers
Wool & Cotton
Fillings
Foam
Wool
Cotton
Coir Fibre
The Mattress Core
Pocket Springs
One of the most significant rewards of choosing a natural mattress is that it is ideal for people who suffer from allergies. Unfortunately, the use of toxic flame-retardant chemicals on synthetic mattresses has been connected to many health issues. Natural mattresses apply silicon dioxide as a flame retardant. Silicon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical with no known adverse side effects; wool can also ensure mattresses are safe, fully compliant and as natural as possible.
Natural mattresses from Winstons Beds will last longer than a synthetic mattress which is on average 8 years, whereas a Winstons Beds mattress will last 30 years (Hence the 30-year guarantee we offer on all our natural mattresses). Natural mattresses can also incorporate the same construction techniques and designs as any other standard synthetic mattress. For example, you can get natural mattresses that are pocket sprung and even those incorporating foam into their construction. In addition, you can use mattress toppers on natural mattresses in the same way you do with standard mattresses.
Here’s what you can expect from the prices of natural fibres:
The above list is the majority of fillings that you will find in a mattress. They will come in different combinations and will range from low end to high-end quality mattresses. When purchasing your new mattress, you need to look at the GSM of each filling for you to understand the value for money.
The most expensive and luxurious fillings are most commonly animal fibres, and this is due to the process involved in harvesting the wool. Therefore, they carry the premium price compared to plant fibres which are more widely available and come at a more affordable price.
While cheap synthetic mattresses frequently dominate the mattress market, traditional mattress-makers like Winstons Beds continue to build long-lasting natural mattresses. This means we still make mattresses one at a time by hand that are double-sided and comprised of natural materials such as cotton, wool, alpaca, bamboo, cashmere, silk, mohair, horsehair and Latex. Fortunately, discerning consumers continue to invest in the durability, comfort and health benefits offered by our time-honoured practices.
The Benefits of Natural Materials:
Wool & Cotton
Horsetail
While the case can easily be made that everyone requires a natural mattress, there are people whose health would be significantly improved by using a natural mattress. People of all ages who struggle with asthma, respiratory conditions or allergies are particularly vulnerable to the chemicals found in a non-natural mattress. These conditions have been connected to the chemicals found in non-natural mattresses.
Adults sleep up to 8 hours a day. While they sleep, their brains recharge by connecting synapses, repairing and nourishing cells, moving memories from short-term to long-term memory. Now picture how the chemicals from a non-natural mattress can impact that process. One of the most prominent offenders in a non-natural mattress is flame retardants. These chemicals are highly toxic. For example, research shows that exposure to certain fire retardants found in mattresses results in glucose sensitivity and weight gain.
Besides being incredibly comfortable, there are direct benefits of sleeping on a natural mattress.
Here are just some of the reasons why a natural mattress is worth it:
Organic mattresses are made using non-toxic, fully certified organic fibres such as wool, cotton and horsetail. These are entirely natural fibres that contain zero chemicals. But it’s easy to fall foul of creative marketing, so you’ll find some mattresses marked ‘made with organic materials, but those could be 10% organic instead of 100%. The benchmark to look out for is mattresses made with GOTS-certified fibres, which stands for Global Organic Textile Standard. This certifies that organic raw fibres were used in making the mattress and demonstrates that the finished product meets the GOTS organic standards. So why would you want to buy an organic mattress? For some sleepers, specific chemicals and synthetic fibres used in traditional mattresses can act as irritants, particularly if you have respiratory problems or skin problems like eczema. So an organic mattress is a guarantee of healthier sleep. Natural mattresses vary from organic mattresses as they may still incorporate some synthetic fibres. Although a natural mattress may contain some chemicals, there should be far fewer of them. Most natural mattresses use silk, bamboo, horsetail, cashmere, cotton and organic wool. These fillings are 100% natural and not man-made, as well as highly comfortable and environmentally friendly.
At Winstons Beds, we’ve designed the best natural mattresses that are certified, customer tested, and represent genuine value for money. They offer the highest level of support and superior comfort and more gsm of luxurious natural fillings as the most expensive mattresses globally, from extra firm to soft. If you’ve never purchased a natural mattress before and want to know more, have a look through our range, or chat with one of our mattress experts, who will be happy to tell you all about them.
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