what to look out for
FAQs
When I started researching organic mattresses, I quickly realised that understanding certifications was the single most important thing I could do before spending over $1,000 on a new mattress. The marketing language in this industry is overwhelming: “natural,” “eco-friendly,” “green,” “chemical-free”, while almost none of it is regulated or verified.
The Organic Certifications Explained
GOTS stands for Global Organic Textile Standard. It is the gold standard for organic textiles and covers the entire supply chain, so from the farm where the cotton or wool is grown, through processing and manufacturing, all the way to the finished product. To qualify, a product must contain a minimum of 95% certified organic fibres. GOTS also prohibits the use of toxic chemicals throughout production and requires safe, ethical working conditions. When you see GOTS on a mattress, it means the cotton and wool components have been rigorously verified.
GOLS stands for Global Organic Latex Standard. It is specifically for latex which is the natural rubber derived from rubber trees. To carry GOLS certification, the latex product must contain a minimum of 95% certified organic raw material. It also prohibits the use of harmful processing chemicals. A mattress that carries both GOTS and GOLS has certified both its textile and its latex components which are the two most important materials in most organic mattresses.
GREENGUARD Gold is a certification by UL Solutions that tests finished products for chemical emissions, and specifically volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Products are tested against more than 10,000 VOCs and chemicals to ensure emissions are at extremely low levels. GREENGUARD Gold is the more rigorous version of the standard GREENGUARD certification and is specifically designed for products used in environments with vulnerable populations, including schools and healthcare facilities. A mattress carrying GREENGUARD Gold has been independently verified to have minimal chemical off-gassing.
MADE SAFE is one of the most comprehensive product safety certifications available. To achieve it, every single ingredient in the product must be screened against a list of over 15,000 substances known or suspected to harm human health including carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, neurotoxins, reproductive toxins and environmental toxins. Some of the substances banned from MADE SAFE certified products that are commonly found in conventional mattresses include formaldehyde, benzenes, toluene diisocyanates and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Only a handful of mattress brands hold this certification.
OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 is an independent certification that tests every component of a product for harmful levels of toxic substances including pesticides, heavy metals, formaldehyde and a wide range of other chemicals. Class I is the highest safety classification, originally designed for products used by babies and toddlers. Crucially, many brands advertise OEKO-TEX certification but apply it only to the fabric cover, which leaves the foam, coils and adhesives untested. Always check whether the certification applies to the entire mattress or just one component. Avocado is the first innerspring mattress brand in America to hold OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 Class I certification for the entire mattress.
California Proposition 65, officially the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, requires businesses to provide warnings about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. A mattress that is fully Prop 65 compliant contains none of these substances at harmful levels. It is one of the strictest chemical safety standards in the United States and is particularly meaningful for families with young children or pregnant women.
FSC stands for Forest Stewardship Council. It certifies that wood and plant-based materials, including the rubber used to make natural latex come from responsibly managed forests or plantations. An FSC-certified rubber tree plantation means the latex in your mattress has been sourced sustainably and ethically.
Start with certifications GOTS, GOLS and GREENGUARD Gold as a minimum. Then look at the full ingredient list – trustworthy brands publish every material and every supplier. Also check how the layers are held together chemical adhesives are a hidden source of off-gassing that most brands never mention. Look at what the fire barrier is made from – organic wool is the gold standard, fiberglass is a serious red flag! And finally check the trial period and warranty, brands that are confident in their product offer generous guarantees.
Marketing Vs Reality
Less than 2% of mattresses on the market carry genuine organic certifications. The rest rely on unregulated marketing language to appeal to health-conscious consumers. If you are looking for a truly natural, healthy mattress, knowing the difference between a marketing claim and a verified certification is the single most important thing you can do before you buy.
VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are chemicals that evaporate at room temperature and enter the air as gases. Many conventional mattress materials off-gas VOCs including formaldehyde, benzene and toluene for months or years after purchase. Exposure to VOCs has been linked to headaches, respiratory irritation, skin reactions and in some cases longer-term health concerns. Because you spend 8 hours every night breathing the air immediately around your mattress, VOC emissions from mattresses are a particularly significant concern. GREENGUARD Gold certification verifies that a mattress emits VOCs at extremely low levels.
An organic mattress is one where the materials have been independently certified by recognised third-party organisations, not just labelled “natural” or “organic” by the brand itself. The key certifications to look out for are GOTS (for textiles), GOLS (for latex) and GREENGUARD Gold (for chemical emissions). A mattress that carries all three has been verified at every level of production.
This is one of the most important distinctions in the entire industry. “Natural” is an unregulated marketing term, basically any brand can use it without meeting any standard. “Organic” should mean third-party certified, but unfortunately many brands use it loosely too. The only way to know for certain is to look for verifiable third-party certifications, so look out for: GOTS, GOLS, GREENGUARD Gold or MADE SAFE. If a brand cannot point to one of these, treat any organic claim with scepticism.
Greenwashing is when a brand uses environmental or health-focused language; “natural,” “eco-friendly,” “non-toxic,” “green” without any verified evidence to back it up. It is extremely common in the mattress industry. Less than 2% of mattresses on the market carry genuine organic certifications. The rest rely on unregulated language to appeal to health-conscious consumers.
For most people – yes. The average person spends 8 hours every night in direct contact with their mattress. Conventional mattresses typically contain petroleum-based synthetic foams, chemical flame retardants and adhesives that off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for months or years. For pregnant women, young children, people with eczema, allergies or chemical sensitivities the case for a certified organic mattress is particularly strong.