The craze for eco-friendly living style has seen an upsurge in India. People have started to opt for sustainable products to ensure that we live in harmony with Mother Nature. For many of us, pampering and self-love are all about going for a salon session or eating the food of our choice. We thoroughly ignore the comfort that ensures a good night's sleep, which is where eco-friendly mattresses come into the picture.
What is the difference between an eco-friendly and a conventional mattress?
Unlike conventional beddings made from polyester or polyurethane foam, sustainable mattresses are made from natural materials such as natural fibres, coir, cotton and bamboo. Chemically treated mattresses tend to release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) over a period of time. Exposure to VOC may lead to nausea, headaches, allergies, dizziness or nasal irritation. On the other hand, organic bedding is free from these toxic chemicals. Before purchasing, we must check the organic mattresses for GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification. GOTS-certified products carry assurance of socially and environmentally friendly processing.
The Eco-friendly Movement In India
The human race is in constant tussle with the environment. Because of how our actions are causing climate change and other environmental issues, it is crucial to find ways to reduce Earth's carbon footprint. We can do our bit by making small lifestyle changes, and Indians have already started taking it seriously. Around 70% of Indian customers prioritise sustainability while purchasing, which is way too high than the global average of 37%. The trend of thoughtful buying, keeping the social and environmental factors in mind, has gained popularity, highlighting how Indians focus on a better environment and better self.
Top 5 Sustainable Mattresses For The Conscious Indian Home
While purchasing eco-friendly mattresses, the questions that might knock our minds are what brands offer eco-friendly mattresses or which type of mattress is best. Let's get the answers to these questions in the upcoming section.
Brands Offering Sustainable Mattresses in India
Various eco-friendly mattress brands are offering excellent quality products in the market. A few to be named are:
Organic Latex Mattress
The search of those looking for plush comfort and tremendous back support akin to the 5-star hotel mattress ends at organic latex mattresses. These are hypoallergenic and ensure that the dust particles do not seep into the mattress, reducing the risk of allergies and other respiratory issues. Natural latex is used in manufacturing these beddings, sourced and processed from organic latex.
Suggested list of latex mattresses:
- NESTIN Mattress Premium Natural Pure Latex Mattress
- Wakefit Latex 8-inch Queen Latex Foam Mattress
- Diamond Plus Orthopedic Euro Top 8 Inch Latex Foam With Spring King Size Mattress (with 2 Free Pillows)
- Naturopathy Orthopedic 6 Inches HR & Latex Foam Mattress In King Size (Get 2 Free Pillows)
Organic Cotton Mattress
The cotton mattresses were part of every household a few years ago until the companies started using the foam. Foam is an artificial material, whereas cotton is a natural material. Organic Cotton Mattresses are durable, ensuring that we are not running to the market every 5 to 8 years to get a new mattress.
Suggested list of cotton mattresses:
- spinecure mattress Spinecure Box Type, Gadda for floor & Bed
- Anand Textile Soft Multicolour 6X4ft / Gadda 6 inch Double Cotton Mattress
- MOROFEEL Soft Series 4-inch Double Cotton Mattress
- spinecure mattress Box Type Cotton Mattress with free Pillow
Bamboo Mattress
Naturally hypoallergenic, bamboo mattresses are breathable, antimicrobial and made from rapidly renewable resources. Bamboo helps soothe common skin problems such as acne and eczema. Mattresses made of bamboo have antibacterial qualities and avoid night sweats, ensuring that we sleep peacefully.
Suggested list of bamboo mattresses:
- Dual Comfort Avenue Queen Bed Mattress With High Resiliency Foam
- SLEEP SPA MEMOLATEX Visco Pro Memory Foam with Bamboo Charcoal fabric
Natural Coir Mattress
The coir mattresses are made from biodegradable coconut husk fibres and are best for those struggling with back pain. Coir mattresses are temperature-friendly and help to keep the body cool in the summer. These eco-friendly mattresses are hygroscopic, which absorbs the body's moisture during humid weather.
Suggested list of natural coir mattresses:
- Rutile 6 Inch Coir Queen Size Mattress,
- Coir Pad 4 Inch Coir Single Size Mattress
- Spine Support 6 Inch Orthopedic Extra Firm Rubberised Coir Mattress
- KURLON Natural Product, Firm Support, Rutile 5 inch Single Coir Mattress
Recycled Memory Foam Mattress
Recycled memory foam mattresses are made from recycled materials using eco-friendly manufacturing processes. These mattresses help reduce pressure point problems and ensure that our hips, spine, and neck remain aligned while we lie down.
Suggested list of memory foam mattresses:
- Wakefit Orthopedic 5 inch Double Memory Foam Mattress
- Ultima 4 Degree Cooler with AirGen Upgrade 8 inch Memory Foam King Size Mattress
- Ultima 4 Degree Cooler with AirGen Upgrade 8 inch Memory Foam Single Mattress
- Sleepwell Ortho | Quilted | 6 inch Queen Memory Foam Mattress
The Health And Environmental Benefits Of Sustainable Mattresses
The last thing that will cross our minds in this fast-paced life is to think of having an eco-friendly mattress. Nevertheless, it has a substantial importance in our life. We all need a sound and peaceful sleep to awaken fresh and face the world with a smile. It has been proved that a comfy and sustainable mattress is crucial in improving people's quality of sleep, well-being, and health. If tossing and turning on the bed and finding it difficult to sleep is our bedtime routine, it's time to change our mattresses.
After discussing the health benefits, it is essential to understand the impact of sustainable mattresses on the environment. Once the mattress reaches the end of its lifespan, we dump it in the landfills. After being disposed of, traditional mattresses take up a lot of space and do not decompose, ultimately polluting the area. Now, imagine how many such mattresses are getting dumped every day. On the other hand, sustainable mattresses have a lower carbon footprint than conventional mattresses because they are made from natural materials. These mattresses decompose naturally without causing any harm to the environment.
Caring for Your Sustainable Mattress
We must maintain and clean the eco-friendly mattresses properly to ensure their longevity.
Quick tips and cleaning methods:
- Steam Cleaning: This method is widely used to clean the mattresses deeply. High-pressure steam removes the allergens, bacteria and dirt from the mattress and dust mites without using chemical-based cleaners.
- Natural Ingredients: Natural ingredients such as baking soda and vinegar are beneficial in cleaning sustainable mattresses. Soda absorbs the odours and gives a fresh smell to the mattress. Meanwhile, water mixed with vinegar helps disinfect spills and stains.
- Mattress Cover: Eco-conscious buyers can also go for organic mattress covers. These covers protect the mattress from stains and spills while maintaining hygiene. Bamboo fabric or organic cotton covers are considered to be a good choice.
Products for sustainable mattress care
Mattress Steaming
- 4 Units Single Service Single Bed Mattress Steaming
- 3 Units Single Service King Bed Mattress Steaming
- 5 Units Single Service Queen Bed Mattress Steaming
Mattress Protector
- 100% Waterproof Breathable and Non-Allergenic Premium Cotton Mattress Protector
- SleepyHeads Fitted King Size Waterproof Mattress Cover
- Mattress Protector
It may sound alarming, but it is high time that we address environmental issues on priority. The ecological disruption, rising global temperature and extreme weather conditions indicate how nature struggles to cope with human actions. We, as consumers, should understand the importance of small lifestyle changes that can significantly impact the environment. We should focus on recycling, reducing waste and purchasing products with less packaging. Small steps such as conserving energy, reducing water wastage, opting for sustainable transportation, and minimising single-use plastics are crucial to having a sustainable society. These actions taken by us create the Ripple Effect. People around us see us making eco-conscious choices and may adopt them. Eventually, our efforts will be multiplied, and we can contribute to a better world. The comment box is open, and we invite you all to share how you are making organic choices and your experience of using sustainable mattresses. Let us know which mattress is best in India if you have to choose.