Best Natural And Non-Toxic Mattress Brands UK
Are you looking for a natural or organic mattress? If you want a sleep environment free from harmful chemicals, here are the 5 best non-toxic mattresses in the UK.
After my second child was born, I found myself urgently in need of a new non-toxic mattress.
My requirements felt quite simple. It needed to be:
Made from natural, sustainable materials to match my eco-friendly values
Free from toxic chemicals and flame retardants because I would have a newborn next to me
Preferably organic, but I was aware this might be out of my price range
Comfortable. Obviously.
I browsed some eco blogs and was shocked to realise that 90% of the “non-toxic” mattresses they had recommended, were made from fossil fuel-derived polyurethane foam.
Foam is highly flammable and doused in flame-retardant chemicals that create cyanide gas when they burn (l have a separate post on why I avoid flame retardants).
I realised I’d have to start contacting mattress brands myself - not what you want when you’re in hospital with a new baby!
This list of natural mattress brands isn’t huge, but I thought I’d share my favourites for anyone who is fed up with doing research and wants to know which mattresses in the UK are genuinely non-toxic.
I am also creating a list of organic children’s cot bed and crib mattresses so sign up to my mailing list if you’d like to know when this comes out.
My goal is to make sustainable living easier for you by doing all the research. Some blog posts contain affiliate links to eco-conscious products at no extra cost to you.
1. Quicklinks
If you don’t have time to read my research on natural mattress brands, here are some short cuts to help you find the right product for you:
Cheapest eco-friendly mattress (synthetic but chemical-free) - Silent Night
Certified organic mattress - Snoozel Green
Natural mattresses for the whole family - Natural Mat
Non-toxic mattress for vegans - Ethical Bedding
Luxury natural mattress - Winston
2. What is the healthiest mattress to sleep on?
The healthiest mattress to sleep on is one made from natural fibres with no toxic chemicals added to it.
Natural non-toxic mattress fabrics:
Organic cotton
Natural latex
Wool
Are organic mattresses better?
An organic mattress isn’t physically better, as in it won’t make a difference to the support you get when you sleep. However, it is the highest standard for non-toxic materials and proves the mattress is natural and safe.
For example, cotton requires a vast amount of pesticides to grow and it is often genetically modified (GMO). Certified organic cotton isn’t allowed to be GMO and only a small number of safer and restricted pesticides are allowed.
It also uses significantly less water and energy so it’s better for the environment than conventional cotton which has a devastating environmental impact.
Organic certifications to look for:
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS)
Soil Association
Organic Farmers and Growers (OF&G)
If a mattress doesn’t have a certification, there is no evidence it is organic. It also might mean one material is organic, but others aren’t, so just be aware if you’d prefer a completely non-toxic one.
If you can’t afford an organic mattress, one made from natural materials is still much more non-toxic than the synthetic foam alternative.
3. The benefits of a natural mattress
When you’re paying extra for non-toxic, sustainable materials, you might wonder if a natural mattress is genuinely better for you than a synthetic foam one.
The answer is a big fat yes - a natural mattress is better for you thanks to three main benefits. It helps you regulate your temperature, is made without harmful chemicals that could impact your health and is durable, reducing your discomfort and staying supportive over a longer time frame.
Here are some more details about the benefits of a natural mattress. If you’d prefer to skip ahead to the list of natural mattresses click here.
Temperature regulation
Have you found yourself waking up feeling hot and sweaty on a foam mattress? Memory foam in particular retains heat.
If your body temperature stops you from sleeping at night, a natural mattress may be better for you.
A mattress made from natural fibres, like wool, helps regulate your temperature. They hold in warmth in the winter, and are cooling in the summer, how cool is that?
Made without harmful chemicals
A foam mattress is highly flammable meaning it has toxic flame retardant chemicals added to it to meet the strict fire safety regulations.
This is highly problematic because when the foam burns, it produces toxic gases, like cyanide, that are even more dangerous than the fire itself.
Flame retardants have also been linked to a variety of health problems so if you want a mattress that is better for your health, look for natural fibres.
Wool is naturally flame retardant, so it doesn’t need any chemicals added to it.
Latex foam is flammable, so make sure that you check it doesn’t contain flame retardant chemicals. To avoid flame retardants, manufacturers must use the mineral graphite in natural latex mattresses.
Other harmful substances that are added to foam mattresses:
PVC coatings - PVC is the most toxic kind of plastic due to the presence of hormone-disrupting chemicals, like phthalates.
Adhesives + glues - these can contain VOCs like carcinogenic formaldehyde
Dichlorobenzene - carcinogenic and used in foam production
PFAS - toxic forever chemicals, used to make products water-resistant but are linked to cancer and infertility.
4. How long do natural mattresses last?
When I started shopping for a new mattress, I wanted to know if a natural mattress would last a long time and be a good investment.
I found that many factors affect how long a mattress lasts, such as:
The materials used
The quality
The type of mattress
Your body weight
A synthetic foam mattress lasts around 7 years whereas a natural latex mattress should last 10-12 years, with the best quality ones sometimes lasting up to 20 years.
If you want to invest in a mattress that is going to last a long time, then it’s worth knowing that natural materials are much more durable than synthetic foams due to how fast fossil-fuel-derived foams break down.
5. Do natural mattresses smell?
You might wonder if natural mattresses made with wool will smell like, well, sheep.
The good news is that mattresses made from natural materials tend to have much less smell compared to their synthetic counterparts.
However, if you have a particularly sensitive nose, you might pick up on the subtle, earthy scent of natural materials like organic latex, wool, or cotton. This smell is generally mild and does fade over time, unlike the strong off-gassing odours from synthetic mattresses, which can linger and potentially cause irritation.
So, while there might be a faint natural scent initially, it won’t affect your health and dissipates relatively quickly.
6. Natural + non-toxic mattress brands in the UK
Natural Mat
Ethical Bedding (Vegan)
Mattress: CocoCore Natural Bamboo Mattress
Size: Single - Emperor
Type: Pocket Spring
Made from: 17 layers of bamboo, coconut, recycled denim, corn-based polyester, organic flax, hemp and 100% organic cotton.
Certifications: Cruelty-Free International, B Corporation, 1% For The Planet, Vegan Friendly
Flame Retardants: None (meets Fire Safety Regulations)
Manufacture: handmade in the UK
Guarantee: 15 years
Cost: £1550+
“Environmental sustainability is at the heart of every decision we make at Ethical Bedding.”
As Ethical Bedding’s mattress is handmade, it takes 4 weeks for it to be made and delivered. If you’re not happy with it, they’ll refund you and come and collect it for free. How’s that for customer service?
Ethical Bedding is, as the name suggests, a brand that sells sustainable sheets, duvets, and towels.
They have clearly put a lot of effort into creating a sustainable, non-toxic mattress from eco-conscious materials, and they’re also one of the only vegan options (that isn’t foam) on the market.
They use organic cotton and any polyester used comes from recycled clothing, or from plastic bottles that are at high risk of ending up in the ocean.
Ethical bedding discount code
Get 50% off in Ethical Bedding’s Black Friday sale. Simply add any full-price product to your basket and it will automatically apply.
Natural Mat (organic)
Mattress: 6x natural mattresses for adults
Type: Pocket Spring or Natural Fibre
Size: Child, teen, adult (single-emperor)
Made from: organic wool, cashmere, coconut coir, natural latex, bamboo, and recycled denim (depends on type)
Certifications: Soil Association organic wool, OF&G wool, Global Organic Latex Standard coir, OEKO-TEX 100 latex, GOTS organic cotton. B Corporation, Living Wage Employer
Flame Retardants: None (meets Fire Safety Regulations)
Manufacture: handmade in Devon, UK
Guarantee: 10 years
Cost: £995 - £3370 (adult sizes) £85+ (children)
Most mattresses contain fire retardants but Natural Mat’s unique cotton and wool herringbone weave allows them to pass all fire safety standards without chemicals.
All mattresses are made by people earning fair wages in a solar-powered factory in Devon.
Natural Mat only use biodegradable and recyclable materials and you’ll find no VOCs in its products.
“Our mission is to help people sleep in a healthier and more sustainable way.”
Most popular: The Lambswool - organic lambswool, natural latex, coir
Most luxurious: The Sumptuous Mattress - organic wool, cashmere, horsehair, coir, natural latex and steel pocket springs
Cheapest: The Splendid Mattress - recycled denim, organic wool, steel pocket springs
For Children: Nursery mattresses
Natural Mat Discount code
Get 5% off when you sign up for the Natural Mat mailing list.
Silent night (recycled)
Mattress: Eco Comfort Range
Type: Pocket spring or Miracoil continuous spring
Size: Cot bed, single, double, king, super-king
Made from: 100% recycled plastic bottles
Certifications: Carbon Neutral business
Flame Retardants: None in the Eco Comfort Range (meets Fire Safety Regulations)
Manufacture: made in the UK
Guarantee: 5 years warranty
Cost: £279+ (adult) £109+ (children)
Silent Night Review:
I have been using the Silent Night Eco Comfort Miracoil Luxury Mattress for four years now and it is still going strong. Both my partner and I find it comfortable and I expect it to last us a long time.
Silent Night, owned by Dreams, makes mattresses using synthetic foams, however, its Eco Comfort Range is foam and flame-retardant chemical-free.
I’m aware it is not a natural or organic option, but I’ve included it for those with a smaller budget who want an eco-friendly mattress.
Because it is made with polyester, not wool, it is also suitable for vegans.
The popular UK company has made an effort to reduce its environmental impact by partnering with the Marine Conservation Society (MSC) and using polyester from recycled plastic bottles.
Silent Night also has a zero-to-landfill pledge that includes a mattress disposal service. They collect and strip mattresses, repurposing the foams and fillings into different products.
Snoozel Green (organic)
Mattress: Organic Mattress
Type: Pocket spring hybrid
Size: single, double, king, super-king
Made from: Organic cotton, organic wool, organic latex,
Certifications: Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS)
Flame Retardants: None (meets Fire Safety Regulations)
Manufacture: handmade in Sri Lanka
Guarantee: 5 years warranty
Cost: £699+
“Everything we make will use premium organic materials, be health-focused, eco-conscious & socially responsible.”
Snoozel Green uses natural latex (a by-product from Hevea rubber trees) combined with graphite to create a naturally fireproof mattress.
The certified organic latex grows in Sri Lanka, where the product is made, and is combined with organic Himalayan wool and cotton to produce a non-toxic and sustainable mattress.
Snoozel Green’s organic mattress is free from chemical glues, petroleum derivatives, synthetic foam, and pesticides.
Winstons
Mattress: Natural mattress
Type: Pocket spring
Size: Single - large emperor
Made from: Cotton, wool, flax, coir
Certifications: Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
Flame Retardants: 4 types do, the rest are free from flame retardants (more info below)
Manufacture: Handcrafted in England
Guarantee: 10-30 years warranty
Cost: £849+
Winston has been making luxury mattresses in Great Britain for 95 years and they look incredibly comfy.
Which Winstons mattresses contain flame-retardant chemicals?
While the majority of Winston mattresses are made from chemical-free natural materials, I noticed that two of the pocket-sprung mattresses contained foam.
I contacted Winstons and was told that four models contained flame retardants.
The Essentials (pocket sprung) - in the foam
The Elite (pocket sprung) - in the foam
The Alderley (pocket sprung/ natural)- has flame retardant on the cover
The Pashmina (pocket sprung/natural) has a flame retardant on the cover
Unfortunately, customer services didn’t have information on exactly what is used so I’d recommend avoiding these four if you’re concerned about flame retardants.
Winstons mattresses can be split into four categories:
Pocket Sprung - moulds to the body to provide better support
Natural - made with natural and organic materials
Zip and link - two levels of firmness in one mattress. Ideal for partners who have different weights or preferences
Cushion top - an extra layer of cushioning to provide comfort for restless sleepers (and their partners)
I hope you found this helpful. What’s most important to you when buying a new mattress?
Sustainably Lazy is making sustainable choices simpler for conscious consumers around the world. If you love what we do, please support our work by sharing this post with your friends. For the price of a cuppa you can help us inspire thousands more people.
