We spend approximately eight hours a night sleeping, almost one-third of our lives! Given that sleep is when the body does much of its repair and rejuvenation work, we commonly expect that mattresses and bedding materials are nontoxic. Yet this is one thing we find that almost no one talks about: the toxic chemicals found in bedding. We’re about to change that.
Made Safe’s new report, Detox Your Sleep, is a ground-breaking look at toxic chemicals in conventional bedding. Luckily, it’s also the first-of-its-kind look at safer materials and a list of Made Safe certified options. The report contains all the information you need to create a healthier sleep environment. Here’s a look at some of the highlights…
What’s Your Mattress Made Of? Most mattresses and pillows are made with polyurethane foam (which is foam derived from petrochemical). Because polyurethane foam is highly flammable, it’s treated with flame retardants, which are linked to endocrine disruption, lower IQ, hyperactivity, altered sexual development, fertility issues, thyroid dysfunction, and cancer. (Natural materials like wool and cotton are less flammable than polyurethane foam, so they don’t need added flame retardants.) Baby mattresses are often made with waterproof vinyl, which can off-gas plasticizing phthalates and harmful VOCs directly into the baby’s sleep environment.
How Clean Are Your Sheets? Sheets labeled “wrinkle-free,” “no wrinkle,” “no iron,” and other terms often have a formaldehyde finish, and formaldehyde is a known carcinogen.
How Can We Buy Better? It’s best to look for mattresses, pillow tops and sheets made mostly from organic cotton or wool, and natural latex that hasn’t been mixed with chemicals. It can be hard to figure out what a mattress is made with because most don’t come with material lists. Often times the more natural ones do. Before you invest in a bed, you should ask a lot of questions in order to obtain the answers about what was used to make your mattress.
The good news is that you can also look for the MADE SAFE seal, the first certification to screen bedding (and lots of other everyday products) for toxic chemicals known to harm humans or ecosystems.
Mattresses | Naturepedic Serenade mattress: handmade from organic cotton, organic latex, and other certified organic materials. A more affordable option is the Happy mattress, also made from organic materials. Shop now
Sheets | Organic Percale sheet collection from Coyuchi – affordable and organic! Shop now
Baby Bedding | Breeze Breathable 2-Stage Crib Mattress from Lullaby Earth: features a firmer side for infants and a firm cushion side for toddlers, so it converts as your child grows. Shop now
Check out the Detox Your Sleep report for more products certified made with safe materials, and more tips for creating a healthy sleep environment.
Discover more ways to detox your sleep and your life with these tips from Made Safe here.
