Product FAQs » Mattresses » Mattress Safety

Mattress Safety

Are the mattresses fire retardant?

Yes, all mattresses sold in the US must be flame retardant by law. Most materials used in mattresses, such as foam, latex, and wool, do not require to be treated with any chemicals to comply with the flammability standards.

Cotton batting is the only component that needs to be treated with flame retardants. Manufacturers use odorless and natural boric acid (borate, borax) as a fire retardant. Boric acid is not a known carcinogen by the EPA, the state of California, or the IARC International Agency for Research on Cancer. Manufacturers also use fire retardant on the mattress cover fabric for most mattresses as a fire barrier. Another added benefit of boric acid in mattresses is the bed bug and dust mite factor.

If you want to avoid all fire retardant chemicals, consider Natural/Green or Organic mattresses made with wool. Wool is a natural fire retardant. It also regulates your body temperature when you sleep. Mattresses made with wool meet flammability standards and don’t need to be treated with boric acid.

You can also purchase certain mattresses without fire retardants with a doctor’s prescription from a licensed healthcare professional.

Do you sell mattresses free of chemicals & toxins?

Mattresses must be flame retardant as required by state law. Most conventional and futon mattresses are treated with borate acid (a fire retardant) by fire standards.

If you are looking for a more natural sleep solution, there are two options you can choose from:

Wool Mattresses

Pure wool is naturally flame-retardant. Mattresses that have their top layer made of wool usually don’t get treated with chemicals. Wool not only works as a flame retardant but also repels dust mites and regulates your body temperature when you sleep, it wicks away moisture during hot months and keeps your body warm during cold months. These mattresses meet flammability standards.

Rx Mattresses

If you are interested in buying a chemical-free non-toxic mattress without wool, you will need your doctor’s approval. The flameproof mattress regulation allows doctors (including physicians and chiropractors) to prescribe fire-retardant-free mattresses for patients should they conclude that the health risks posed by toxic fire retardants will interfere with the patient’s well-being.

If you have a proper doctor’s prescription, you can order a custom-made chemical-free mattress with no borate acid.

Chemical-free mattresses are almost always made in the USA of USDA Certified Organic Cotton, GOTS Certified Organic Wool, GOLS Certified Organic Dunlop Latex, and other organic and natural materials.

Manufacturers of Rx Mattresses:

What should my prescription for a chemical-free mattress say?

If you want to purchase a chemical-free (borate-free) mattress, you will need to send us a doctor’s prescription (Rx) or a letter stating that you need a chemical-free mattress.

Ex. “Due to the allergy and skin sensitivities, the patient requires a mattress without flame retardant/boric acid.”

What are the safety precautions I need to know?

The mattresses we sell are NOT fire-proof. Although the mattresses meet fire safety standards issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, they will burn if ignited.

Compared to older mattresses, your new mattress will, if ignited, burn more slowly and less intensely, giving you more time to escape.

  • Don’t smoke in bed. This is a common cause of fatal bedroom fires.
  • Keep matches and lighters away from children. Playing with fire can be deadly.
  • Using candles in a bedroom is strongly discouraged. Even a small candle can ignite a deadly fire.
  • Keep space heaters far away from beds and other flammable items. Follow all of the space heater manufacturer’s instructions and warnings.
  • Don’t run electrical cords under your bed or trap them against a wall. The heat from cords can build up and cause a fire. Avoid placing lamps where they can fall on the bed.
  • Don’t sleep with a baby or let a baby sleep in an adult bed. Babies can suffocate or be strangled if trapped between a mattress and a wall or bed frame, or if an adult rolls over them.
  • Discard the plastic wrapping on your mattress. A child or pet can become entangled and suffocate.
  • Promptly dispose of the old mattress to avoid a fire hazard.

Why buy a natural or organic mattress?

Buying a natural or organic mattress offers several benefits. These mattresses are made from eco-friendly, sustainable materials like organic cotton, wool, and natural latex, which are free from harmful chemicals and synthetic materials. This reduces exposure to toxins and allergens, promoting better health and sleep quality. Additionally, organic mattresses are often more durable and biodegradable, making them an environmentally responsible choice. They provide excellent support and comfort, contributing to overall well-being. Investing in a natural or organic mattress supports sustainable farming practices and reduces environmental impact.

What is the difference between natural and organic cotton?

The word “Organic” and better yet “Certified Organic” means a product meets certain environmental standards. Anything labeled Organic must be approved by the USDA. Organic mostly refers to raw materials that are grown, produced, and processed without the use of toxic chemicals like pesticides and artificial growth agents. No harsh chemicals may be used in the processing of those materials either — that means the cleaners or dyes that are used must also be certified organic.

On the other hand, making a mattress completely organic can be expensive. “Natural” or “Green” products are those that have not been bleached or altered in any chemical way. Many companies opt to simply make their products more natural, swapping out some chemical ingredients for environmentally-friendly ones. Natural products are often made with organic ingredients, but must also incorporate environmentally sensitive manufacturing and operational practices to be truly sustainable.

In the United States, cotton is grown just like major food crops, meaning that there are tight restrictions on what can and cannot be used as a pesticide. Worldwide studies consistently show no pesticide residue on the raw fiber or the final textile products made from the fiber.

Natural Cotton (or Green Cotton) is power-washed before being made into layers of batting and remains the most popular eco-friendly mattress fill. It is conventionally grown, so it may or may not have been treated with pesticides in its lifecycle. After harvesting, however, Natural Cotton is not sprayed with any further dyes or chemicals. The end result is purely unbleached, untreated, raw cotton. However, if your concern is the pesticides used during the initial growing cycle, you may personally feel more at ease with a cotton mattress whose growth can be certified to organic standards.

Organic Cotton is exactly as it sounds — 100% GOTS-certified or USDA-certified organic cotton. The entire lifecycle of the cotton plant can be certified, from soil to seed to the final harvesting. Organic cotton is a sustainable alternative to chemically based or synthetic fibers wherein the entire lifecycle of the plant can be certified organic. There are strict standards in the United States for organic cotton, and it’s not easy to become a certified operation.

“Organic” means the cotton is produced according to a set of USDA requirements, enforced by certifying agents who must annually inspect fields and the operation for adherence to the National Organic Program (NOP). NOP standards require a three-year conversion for land before organic crops can be harvested. Generally, organic production means higher costs, which typically translate into premiums of 50% to 100% in raw fiber prices.

What’s the difference between GOTS-certified organic and USDA-certified organic materials?

The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and the USDA organic certification are two of the most widely recognized organic textile standards in the world. Both standards set strict requirements for the production and processing of organic textiles, but there are some key differences between the two.

GOTS Organic Certification

  • GOTS covers the entire textile supply chain, from the cultivation of organic fibers to the final production of finished textiles.
  • Requirements: GOTS requires that organic fibers be used in the final product and that the processing of these fibers be done in a way that minimizes environmental impact. GOTS also has strict requirements for social responsibility, such as prohibiting child labor and ensuring fair wages.

USDA Organic Certification

  • USDA organic certification covers the production of agricultural products, including fibers. However, it does not cover the processing of these fibers into textiles.
  • Requirements: USDA organic certification requires that agricultural products be grown and processed without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. USDA organic certification also has strict requirements for animal welfare.

The main difference between GOTS and USDA organic certification is that GOTS covers the entire textile supply chain, while USDA organic certification only covers the production of agricultural products. This means that GOTS-certified textiles are guaranteed to be made from organic fibers that have been processed in an environmentally and socially responsible way. USDA organic-certified textiles, on the other hand, may only be made from organic fibers, but the processing of these fibers may not meet the same standards as GOTS.

Another key difference is that GOTS has stricter requirements for social responsibility than USDA organic certification. GOTS prohibits child labor and requires fair wages, while USDA organic certification does not have these same requirements.

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