A Traveler's Dream Bedroom: Green Tips for Buying an Eco-Friendly Mattress

It's always a treat for a traveler like me to come home and rest on a cozy bed after a long day of exploring. But wouldn't it be more of a treat to come home to an environmentally-sound bedroom? That be the ultimate escape, right? If you're dreaming of having an eco-friendly bedroom, the bed is an excellent place to start. Since we spend approximately 25 years of our life asleep, the bed we buy is very important. Sadly, a lot of people buy a cheap mattress and don't think twice about how it impacts the environment.


Many mattresses are bad for the environment. Like cheap clothes, they only last for a short time and then they end up in landfills, left there to rot for years. Since the rubbish we send to landfill sites emits all kinds of toxins, buying an eco-friendly mattress will make a huge difference. Read on for a guide to buying a ‘green’ mattress.

Built to Last

One of the main advantages of an eco-friendly mattress is that it is built to last for a long time. Modern mattresses are mass-produced and at the cheaper end of the market, it’s common to discard them after only a few years. Buying two cheap mattresses that barely last five years a piece isn’t a great decision on your part, so find one that is environmentally friendly and long-lasting. 

Whilst it is unreasonable to expect any mattress to last a lifetime, it isn’t unreasonable to expect it to last more than ten years. Look for eco-friendly mattress brands that offer a 20+ year warranty. This is better for your pocket and the environment. 

Made from Eco-Friendly Materials

Aside from lasting much longer than the average mattress, eco-friendly mattresses are made from organic materials that are kinder to the environment. These include natural materials such as wool, bamboo, and other plant-based products. Eco-friendly mattress manufacturers source materials that are grown and harvested in a manner that doesn’t harm the environment. 

Cheap mattresses are usually full of harmful materials such as plastic and latex, which are non-biodegradable and last for decades. These materials often end up in our eco-systems, where they cause irreparable damage to the environment.

The production processes of eco-friendly mattresses are more focussed on producing a product that has green credentials, rather than a product that is cheap and appealing to mass-market buyers. 

Some manufacturers also use recycled products in their mattress production. For example, a well-known UK brand of mattress claims to use 15 recycled plastic bottles in each ‘green’ mattress it produces, which means less plastic ends up in our oceans and landfill sites. In addition, they have partnered with the Marine Conservation Society, which removes plastic refuse from oceans and coastal areas. 

When searching for an eco-friendly mattress, look for a brand that clearly states what materials are used in the manufacturing process. If a brand can’t tell you this, walk away. 

Green Mattresses Smell Better!

Buy a cheap mattress and the first thing you’ll notice is that it has a nasty, chemical-laden smell. This is because they are invariably packed full of VOCs, also known as volatile organic compounds. Some experts say the smell doesn’t mean such mattresses are hazardous to our health, but if a mattress smells like a chemical plant, it’s definitely not good for the environment. 

Buying an eco-friendly mattress made from organic materials means your nose won’t be assailed by nasty smells. This reduces the level of toxins you are exposed to in your home, and a toxin-free environment is much better for everyone. 

Use your nose when buying a green mattress. If you can smell a toxic cocktail of chemicals, it’s likely the brand is not as eco-friendly as it claims to be. 

Try not to be too swayed by marketing hype when buying a mattress. Look for companies that are very clear about their eco-friendly credentials. They are the ones that use certified materials and offer a long warranty. Be prepared to spend a bit more too. 

GUEST POST AUTHOR: Jessica Peters is a freelance writer from Melbourne who blogs about health and fitness. Jessica is an avid traveler and regularly crosses the globe to learn about other cultures while blogging from her laptop.

You Might Also Like

0 comments

Top Categories