Can we talk about organic/chemical free mattresses?

[catherinevictoria]

I am feeling flushed just looking at the pricetags. We bought an organic crib mattress for our dd before she was born. She ended up cosleeping most nights, but at three, she's used it a lot. I feel good about buying it because it fit in her toddler bed and I know it's really nice. Now I'm looking into buying a full, and replacing our conventional mattress. I was hoping organic futons would be less than mattresses, but that's not the case, is it?

It's sucks, pardon my language. It's like right after you read about how bad it is to sleep on cheap, standard, toxic mattresses, you scroll down and BLAM! The price just smacks you in the face. I realize it's a worthy investment. But still, what's the deal? How many people do this? I will probably end up buying her an organic mattress, but then what about our own. Since we co-sleep most nights and are trying for another one, shouldn't I replace that one? We are moving, which is good, because it's an opportunity to get rid of the old one, but also an expensive time to buy new.

What do you think?

[wetcement101]

I'm starting to investigate this stuff myself. One thing to keep in mind is that mattress by law must be treated with flame retardant chemicals. It could still be worth going organic, but it's not any more 'natural' than a conventional mattress. My sister's MD wrote a script so she could get a non-treated mattress because of her allergies. But I think I prefer the chemical exposure to the risk of fire...
I can't remember where, but I read that the memory foam mattresses are a good non-organic option because the latex doesn't off gas or anything. It's also better because dust mites, etc can't live in it.
Please share your findings!

[AniellasMommy]

I was going to come on and post about the same thing. I am looking for mattress for DD. These are by far the least expensive I have found and will make you one w/out chemicals with an RX http://www.whitelotus.net/

[AniellasMommy]

So Im back from researching and Im thinking its worth the investment to get the mattress and not just try to cover a cheaper one. My daughter is going to spend soo much time sleeping there and I want to KNOW that no chemicals are getting to her...so Im opting for a prescription bed. I think Im gonna get one for me too.

[ccknox]

The Living Green area is alway talking about beds "memory" foam is suppose to be the worst off gassing thing. I an on the not waining flame retardants in my bed end of the spectrum. I don't remember what site I read about the actually risks of fire for your mattress but it's really low. Here are a few threads I've found I too am in the market for a new bed but having trouble with the price tags.

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=877799
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=868484
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=692712

there are more.

[leerypolyp]

Memory foam isn't latex.

And I love White Lotus -- we used to live near one, and had a futon mattress as well as a crib mattress. The thing about cotton futons is that they're really frickin' heavy, and hard to flip around like you need to for even wear.

We have a latex mattress from FloBeds for us, and an Ikea latex mattress for our daughter (Ikea uses less hazardous flame retardants in all their products, btw.)

Oh, and the thing about the flame retardants over the risk of fire? Total BS. Don't buy into the idea that astonishingly toxic chemicals (that have been banned in Europe) are the only thing standing between you and a bedtime inferno. Simply untrue. Wool is naturally flame retardant, so is borax in cotton (that's what White Lotus uses). The only reason mattresses and furniture "need" that crap is that they're made of freaky flammable petrochemical foam that combusts like a torch.

[catherinevictoria]

thank you for your replies. Yes, I did see white lotus.
Wool is a natural flame retardant, so if you get a mixed wool and cotton bed, you won't need an Rx! Isn't that great. Oh the miracles of wool....

Anyway, I hear what everyone is saying. It probably is worth the money - I mean, it is definitely worth the money. But it's hard to spend it.

Thanks!

[Unconventional1]

Hey all-

I made my own latex mattress and put a wool topper on it. I currently only have a 3 inch layer of foam (dense) and a 2.5 inch wool topper, but I will soon be adding another 3 inch layer. For my queen latex and wool, and my sons twin latex and wool we have spent $1000. We are looking at another $500? to add the other medium density layer of foam. All in all about $1500 for both beds- not bad since they are chemical free, and very comfy. If you go this route- get the cover (or make one) for the latex because it doesn't break down as fast (can last 30 years) as without one, and it is much easier to handle when covered. We use the wool for a natural fire retardant (the Ikea mattresses use borax which still is not that good for you). The second latex company I am listing makes custom covers out of any material (including organic cotton)- I haven't priced them yet- but if you build a mattress over a few months like I am, then you can order the cover to fit your needs. They also do custom cushions so that your furniture can have natural latex w/cotton batting. Another bonus to a latex mattress is that there is no need for a box spring (mine is on the floor and very comfortable) and there are no areas that put pressure on your body unevenly like a spring mattress.

Here are the websites that I have ordered from:

http://www.absolutecomfortonsale.com/latexfoam.htm
They have two densities (I have the firm) and they seem well made and are 100% natural latex.

Here is the wool topper I got:
https://www.immunesupport.com/shop/p...t__code/N0168P
There are some that are nicer, but way more expensive- they use peroxide to clean the wool, instead of some of the harsher chemicals usually used to process wool.

This is the other latex company- scroll all the way to the bottom to get to the natural latex pad:
http://www.foamorder.com/mattress_pads.html

I personally like the other companies style of latex better, but these guys are cheaper.


Just PM me if you have any other specific ?'s about my mattress.

[leerypolyp]

Wow, that's awesome! I had no idea you could do that.

[Unconventional1]

Also, as of July of '07 conventional mattresses contain even more flame retardants than ever before- now they spray it on the pad that is directly on the underside of the cover (only one sheet away from your skin)!!!

[WhaleinGaloshes]

I took the plunge with a natural latex mattress and don't regret it. One thing to consider to help ease the sticker-shock slightly is that the latex should outlast a conventional mattress, maybe even have double the life. The one I got has a 20 year warranty and is expected to last longer than that, which seems par for the course. They resist dust and mold and all that, and are considerably more durable.

[Unconventional1]

bump

[bkbabymomma]

Question for those of you that have latex matresses -- are these something you could cut yourself, if later you wanted a different size? I'm just wondering, if we invest in a king now, but want to convert it to two twins when the DC are ready to sleep on their own, could I just take a utility knife and cut the dern thing down the middle? I have no idea what the latex looks or feels like, so I'm curious.

[WhaleinGaloshes]

My mattress is 6 inches thick, so it couldn't be cut with a utility knife. But it's one solid piece of natural rubber so it could be cut by someone, I'd think. The latex core is zipped into a cover.

Check out the cross-sections on this page:

http://www.theorganicmattressstore.com/oms.html

and I'd even call and ask.

[bkbabymomma]

Thanks for the reply -- maybe if I buy two thinner latex mattresses and stack them as someone suggested earlier in this thread, they would be easier to cut down. It would be nice to have options (make two twins, downsize to queen) if we decide we don't want a king after the kids move out.

[LoganBsMom]

Sometimes when you order a king size you can order it as 2 seperate pieces (basicly 2 twin size pieces put in one cover). I know they have that option at foamorder.com, I am not sure if it is a little extra.

I am also sort of "building my own" bed with pieces latexfrom foamorder.com. I am doing queen size, 6" firm and 2" soft in an organice cotton cover, around $1000 with shipping, and I think I am going to get an organic wool topper and pillows from organicgrace.com. I definatly found the best prices at organicgrace.com, but the shipping ($500 for a mattress) was too much and killed my budget. But they have the best selection and prices on toppers and pillows that I could find.

Trying to find an affordable, cofortable, organic mattress has been quite a challange!

[boigrrrlwonder]

How would I go about getting a prescription? I'm allergic to wool (and vegan to boot).

[Meems]

one of the websites i looked at said that they need a letter from a licensed MD that states "so and so needs a non- flame retardant mattress"

[gwynthfair]

I don't think it's true that all mattresses have to contain flame retardant chemicals or you need a doctor's note. I think all mattresses have to meet certain flammability standards. The crib mattress I bought at tinybirdorganics.com did not require a doctor's note. My parents and aunt also bought organic mattresses and didn't need a note or prescription.

[BathrobeGoddess]

moved to natural home