need cheap healthy mattress suggestions

[newmum35]

(mods: had no idea where to put this so if this is in the wrong forum please move it..)

anyone have any suggestions for a cheap (under $100) mattress that is also healthy? (fewer chemicals or offgassing)

I've looked at airbeds but aren't they PVC vinyl? (which would off-gas) - Im sensitive to smells and odors most people wouldn't notice so I'm not sure I like the idea of vinyl although I certainly like the price (seen a lot for $50 range)  Also it would be used daily or near daily for probably at least a year and not sure how well these are made to last this long if anyone has any recommendations let me know.

Can't afford a natural organic mattress right now although I know this would be ideal... any suggestions for anything else that might work- all foam mattresses that are cheap and comfy - I want something lightweight not heavy. We do have an all foam queen sized one that is VERY heavy for some strange reason even though it is only like half the thickness of a standard mattress. Came rolled up and had to expand. I hate that one. Can't even move it its that heavy. kills my back to sleep on it too.

Then I have a twin sized all foam mattress got years ago that they no longer sell that I absolutely love it is lightweight, although I am guessing foam isn't the healthiest thing for off-gassing either? Never noticed anything though myself.

 Looking for a full or queen size, undecided yet but I need suggestions - and this would be used on the FLOOR and not on a bedframe or boxspring and is a temporary solution that may be semi-permanent (a year or possibly two)

any floor sleepers know of anything comfy, cheap and healthy too? lol
 

[Louisep]

I'm no expert but asked a similar question awhile back and the general consensus seemed to be that Ikea mattresses are the best bet if you're on a budget. They meet European standards for mattresses which are higher than US except for the fire retardant which US law states must be in all mattresses. I think I remember other posters say mattresses stuffed with wool would be an option too, no idea how much they cost.

A futon mattress at Ikea might be within your budget.

[gorgorita]

Was in the same boat this summer. I couldn't afford organic or natural mattress but the one we had was killing my back. Researched every option, it seemed.  We checked Ikea mattresses. they are not cheap and from what I understand, they are chemically fire retardant per US law. If you want something for this little money, I can only recommend white lotus. We bought raw green cotton from them ( king size, so we paid about $150) and made our own mattress. I will not get into how we did it - it's another story. The cotton comes in a roll that you can unroll flat - it's like a mattress without a mattress case. They also sell foam. I would buy that and cover it with a futon cover, for example. Be creative here:)

I love my new all cotton mattress.It smelled like cotton oil for a month, but both me and DH loved it. (i am too very sensitive to smell-hate parfumes of any kind, but this smell was so natural). My back was happy from the day we changed the matterss. 

the web site is whitelotus.net, i think

good luck! if you have any questions, call them - they are amazing at helping ( they told me how to make a mattress, although they make them for money) or pm me.

[newmum35]

what is "raw green cotton" ? 

I did check out the site briefly and the premade items are so expensive! Was it time consuming to make your own mattress?  (cause I have none of that either) lol

Im still leaning towards an airbed, just a little worried about the smell, have narrowed it down to my top choice which is a raised airbed (same height as regular bed- didnt realize they made those now, have slept on one low to ground in the past) and some reviews saying bad smell others not. then, even if I dont notice a smell, its like vinyl plastic right? So all that bad stuff in the air.  Bummer having something cheap has to be unhealthy too.

Yes please pm me and let me know how you did it and how much you think it would cost for a queen size
 

Originally Posted by gorgorita 

Was in the same boat this summer. I couldn't afford organic or natural mattress but the one we had was killing my back. Researched every option, it seemed.  We checked Ikea mattresses. they are not cheap and from what I understand, they are chemically fire retardant per US law. If you want something for this little money, I can only recommend white lotus. We bought raw green cotton from them ( king size, so we paid about $150) and made our own mattress. I will not get into how we did it - it's another story. The cotton comes in a roll that you can unroll flat - it's like a mattress without a mattress case. They also sell foam. I would buy that and cover it with a futon cover, for example. Be creative here:)

I love my new all cotton mattress.It smelled like cotton oil for a month, but both me and DH loved it. (i am too very sensitive to smell-hate parfumes of any kind, but this smell was so natural). My back was happy from the day we changed the matterss. 

the web site is whitelotus.net, i think

good luck! if you have any questions, call them - they are amazing at helping ( they told me how to make a mattress, although they make them for money) or pm me.

[Big D]

Air beds (IME) are usually vinyl.  Also, I doubt you could find one that would actually last a year with everyday use.  We've had several in our family for camping or overnight guests and I hate sleeping on them with anyone else because the lighter person always rolls into the heavier person.  They also tend to gradually loose air overtime, so I imagine you'd have to re-pump it up every day or so.  I have no other solutions for you, but did want to let you know my experience with air mattresses.

[newmum35]

any other suggestions?  I ended up getting the airbed. (it was within budget) ...It stinks. literally. after 4 hours of the window open (mid winter and middle of night) I had to deflate it and put it in the basement. my eyes were burning and I just couldn't take it any more. I'm considering getting this wrap for it, which is supposed to prevent off gassing, which will set me back another $40 (but will still be cheaper than anything else Im guessing)

http://www.offgassing-mattress-wraps.com/mattress-wraps.htm

I'm guessing I will also have to cut a hole or slot in the wrap where the fan is, in order to use the fan to pump air into it when needed (its an awesome high rise model- love it otherwise!!) and maybe tape over that area and then just remove the tape when I need to pump more air in. Havent decided yet.

Before I decide what to do (returning it is an option for only 5 more days I think) I thought I'd check in to see if anyone else has any other options or advice for Cheap and healthy beds!  I was searching again tonight and ran across something interesting.. I guess in the recent past aerobed had a "pvc-free" model but apparently none of the links work anymore so this is no longer made (I wonder why??) otherwise I was considering returning mine for that model until I realized, I can't find it anywhere online so it is no longer available.