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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 are 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. 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 Winstons 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 eco-friendlier mattress than their rivals. This is important for those who want to ensure a healthy sleep environment.
Each fibre has its beneficial qualities:
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 health problems, including reproductive, behavioural, and thyroid problems, as well as cancer. It’s difficult to rest peacefully knowing you are resting in a mattress full of toxic substances – mainly since we sleep for roughly a third 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 ffor those who want a restful night’s sleep no matter the temperature.
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.
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 is the most essential layer, as it is closest to your skin and the barrier between your skin and the fillings.
So, your first question should be: Does the cover have chemical fire retardants applied? Unfortunately, many environmental certification schemes ban only the most toxic fire-retardant chemicals and can mislead buyers by indicating fire retardants are somehow natural.
At Winston’sWinstons Beds, we call this ‘greenwash’, making something appear eco-friendly when in reality it is not. Nonetheless – some natural products can pass the UK Fire Regulations without the use of chemicals.
For example, natural mattress covers can be made chemical-free from wool and cotton. Wool and cotton covers can be pricey, but when dense enough will naturally pass the BS7177 fire test. Top-quality wool and cotton covers are always best as they are robust and thick.
The comfort layer in between the cover and the spring core.
A natural mattress should have natural fillings. It is always best to have either a layer of wool, cotton, alpaca, bamboo, horsehair, latex or mohair under your cover fabric for ventilation and fire safety.
The fillings under the mattress cover should never be constructed using adhesives unless the adhesive is a natural product. It’s best if the fillings are stitched or hand teased.
A synthetic mattress lasts eight years on average, whereas a Winstons Beds natural 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. And 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 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.
Adults sleep up to 8 hours a day. So getting a quality night’s sleep is key. Making sure your mattress is healthy for you and your sleep is important and opting for a natural mattress could help you get a better night’s sleep.
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. 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. 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 mattress solutions that are certified, customer tested, and represent genuine value for money. They offer the highest level of support and superior comfort. 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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