Home Update: NEW organic mattress review: SavvyRest Serenity Mattress
Home Update: NEW organic mattress review
Background: I spent 15 years curating a low-tox home. Carefully buying and/or replacing items with lower tox versions; everything from cookware, to mattresses, to furniture, to toys, to carpeting, decor, dehumidifiers and filters etc.
Sadly, we lost our home in the Pacific Palisades fires in January of this year (2025) and so are slowly rebuilding our low-tox home from scratch. I am turning to some old favorite products and brands, as well as trying out some new ones. I decided to review them all and will be posting them to substack and my blog. Hope this is helpful if you are also slowly building your own low- tox home!
SAVVYREST : CUSTOMIZABLE SERENITY MATTRESS
I have something to admit: I am kind of jealous of my son’s mattress. Let me explain.
My 15 year old was way overdue for a new mattress. I am embarrassed to admit, but he still had his twin organic mattress that we got him when we moved to California at age 4. Last year were going to get him a new mattress, but life happened and then the fire burned our house down and- well- it was definitely time for a new mattress.
This time, however, I wanted to get him a mattress that met various requirements
1. Organic and non-toxic materials (of course!) If you want to read more about toxins in conventional mattresses and why its really important to invest in organic, non-toxic materials read my post “ NON-TOXIC MATTRESS GUIDE” . In a nutshell though, conventional mattresses are made mostly of PU foam and can emit a long list of chemicals. A recent study from this year found that conventional mattresses released:
Phthalates (some in levels that exceeded levels permitted in children’s products in the US). Phthalates are well studied endocrine disruptors linked to: obesity, infertility, and higher prenatal exposure level have been linked to higher incidences of ADHD and lower cognitive abilities in later childhood
Flame retardants: some mattresses contained banned or highly restricted flame retardants at levels as high as 3% of the mattress’ total weight. Flame retardants are also endocrine disruptors and many are carcinogenic.
UV filters which would then be readily available to be inhaled, absorbed via the skin or ingested via dust particles
Other chemicals we know can be found in conventional mattresses include VOCS, arsenic, and solvent-based glue, which is often use to bind the layers of PU foam in a mattress. Some mattresses can contain up to 10 lbs of adhesives! These release VOCs and formaldehyde, a known carcinogen).
What am I looking for? certified organic cotton, wool and/or certified organic latex
2. Certifications:
GOTS organic cotton: the Global Organic Textile Standards is the strictest organic certification available. Products with this certification must contain at least 95% certified organic fibers and the remainder are highly restricted (no flame retardants nor PFAS chemicals are allowed)
GOLS latex: The Global Organic Latex Standard. Products that have this certification must contain at least 95% certified organic latex. (the remaining 5% of ingredients are highly restricted- no flame retardants nor PFAS chemicals are allowed, however synthetic chemicals are required to make tree sap into latex foam). There are two types of natural latex: Dunlop and Talalay. While they both come from the same sap from the same type of tree, the manufacturing process is slightly different. Additional processing used in Talalay latex can never be certified as organic. These latex bed can be Oeko Tex certified. Please note: natural latex still requires synthetic chemicals to produce
3. Would grow with my son.
Like I said, he is 15. He is already taller than me (weighs less) and will definitely continue growing. I wanted a mattress that he could personalize and would be comfortable today and in the future. This is, in my experience, the hardest thing to find! However I was thrilled to find it in Savvy Rest’s Serenity Mattress.
Savvy Rest: This company has mattresses that are:
GOTS certified materials and GOLS certified latex (their Dunlop latex is GOLS - note their Talalay is not GOLS certified), models with and without springs, and customized firmness on each side for couples. I love the variety and the fact that if you want a spring-less mattress: they have it!
The one we chose for my son is their Serenity mattress.
Available in Twin, Twin XL, Full, Full xl, Queen, King & CA King
FULLY CUSTOMIZABLE: Three layers of natural latex allow you to fully customize your firmness. Additionally I love that you can move the layers around - so that the firmness can change if your opinions change (ideal for a growing teen and adult!). IE: my 15 year old son might want something firmer in 3 years as he grows, in which case he can move the layers around and make a firmer mattress than he one he currently sleeps on)
Their unity mattress takes this a step further, allowing you to customize each side in their larger models- ideal for couples
So, needless to say, my son LOVES his mattress. He is sleeping like a king- making for a much less moody teen ( but no promises- I can’t promise a less moody teen- I can promise a well rested teen (or adult!) ). And while I love my own mattress, I will occasionally take a nap in his bed… because I truly love his mattress too!
If you are interested in learning more or purchasing a Savvy Rest mattress or product (we also have two of their pillows and are big fans. They come super filled, allowing you to take out any fill you don’t want.. basically allowing you to customize the pillows too) you can use this link and use my discount code AIDASPICKS for 20% off.