It took me 10 years to get a non-toxic mattress for myself. My kids have slept in organic mattresses since day 1, but not so for me. 10 years ago King sized organic mattresses were ridiculously expensive (some still are) and so I spent years not being able to afford it and then when I was ready I took like a year researching. Just when I was getting ready to buy one Covid hit and it took me a couple more months to buy one.. online! So, yes, I totally understand when many of you tell me its just not in the cards right now. 

Is there anything you can do to off set any toxins being released from your conventional mattress? 

Yes! 

There are something  you can do (and which I did!)

Will these actions provide you with as “ clean” and “ non-toxic” of a sleep experience as a fully non-toxic, organic mattress? 

No ( which is why for babies I really do encourage you to try to source an organic mattress if at all possible), not really, BUt they can definitely reduce some toxin exposure while you sleep..... and small steps matter !

• if you are wondering what toxins exactly are found in most conventional mattresses please read my ‘Non-Toxic Mattress Guide’ post

THINGS YOU CAN DO

Implement one of these, or all of these to help reduce daily exposure

1. Low density, food-grade polyethylene encasement cover: (I did not do this) this is a safe/ stable plastic. It needs to be a cover that completely encapsulates the mattress and it needs to be thick enough to efficiently reducing VOC and other chemical emissions from your mattress

Downside: honestly, elimination of all VOC emissions would require a relatively thick plastic cover which is hard to find and would be noisy. A thinner cover will only reduce a bit not eliminate.

Harlow's Earth Crib Mattress Cover- 
No-Chem Bed Solutions 

2. Create some distance between your mattress and yourself. How? The first thing I purchased years ago was a natural latex mattress topper ... if you buy a 4″ organic topper and put that on top of your regular mattress that means you are sleeping about 4” above your mattress. Look for GOLS certified organic latex, which will ensure the latex is pure and non-toxic (latex does have a slight natural smell that will dissipate with time) you could also add a GOTS certified organic cotton or wool mattress topper too to add distance too

The company I purchased my organic latex topper from is no longer in business but these are great quality options:

• My Green Mattress offers some of the best priced GOLS organic latex toppers, starting at $185 for a Twin

• Avocado Mattress has GOLS organic latex mattress toppers

• Naturepedic has both GOLS organic latex toppers and GOTS organic wool mattress toppers

• White Lotus Home Wool Mattress Topper with 100% Organic Twill Outer Case

• White Lotus Home Organic Cotton Mattress Topper 

3. Start with non-toxic pillows. I am working on a post on this that I hope to share next week! Stay tuned!

Some of the pillow we use at home are from:

Avocado Mattress Green Pillow :   made with GOLS organic certified latex and GOTS organic kapok and customizable

Happy Organic Latex Pillow : solid piece of GOLS certified latex makes this pillow ideal for those who enjoy memory foam pillows.

Naturepedic GOTS organic cotton and GOLS pillows:

Holy Lamb Organics Wool Bed Pillow 

4. Air purifier: if you have a good one use it in your bedroom while you sleep. If you dont have one I highly recommend you get one if you can afford it now. Among the many toxins it will be filtering out will be VOCs stemming from your mattress (but also dust that we know can harbor dozens of really bad chemicals that come from inside our homes including flame retardants, phthalates, PFAs chemicals and more). If an air purifier is not an option, adding ventilation to the room during the day can help but if you close the windows this doesn’t add much value specifically for VOCs from mattress.

If you are looking to buy an air filter… please make sure to look over my Air Filter Buying Guide.  Some popular air filters are cheaper to buy but the long term carrying cost (requiring more frequent changes of filters ) are actually higher if you compare cost of ownership over 5 years.

My favorite air filters- the hands down most effective but also the most expensive are:

Austin Air

IQ air  

Bottom line? We are all at different stages in our non-toxic living journey’s ... and thats ok. 

Do what you can when you can... and if you ever feel frustrated remember : it took me 10 years !!!