Areas of Expertise: ALL-NATURAL, ORGANIC CERTIFICATIONS; HYBRID POCKETED COILS-LATEX, HANDCRAFTED
Tim Masters ~ My Green Mattress founder and CEO
Tim Masters, the owner of My Green Mattress (MGM) has been handcrafting mattresses for over 25 years, and while we are always looking for ways to make our mattresses and our customer service the best in this industry we are constantly looking to interact and educate consumers about what makes a good quality and safe mattress. As a family-owned and operated factory-direct company, My Green Mattress is not only passing the savings on to consumers but also focuses on the highest quality, components, and materials.
We can speak about material safety and certifications, what they mean and why we chose to use such materials … for example, one of our lines is Green Guard Gold certified and is handcrafted with organic and all-natural materials. (such as GOTS-certified organic cotton, GOLS-certified organic Dunlop latex, and Oeko-Tex textile-certified 100% all natural Eco-wool sourced from California) and whether organic, natural or not ….no mattresses should contain dangerous chemical flame retardants or polyurethane foams that can off-gas VOCs (volatile organic compounds) for many years.
What are all these certifications? What do they mean?
With a “Green Mattress”, you should have no doubts about safety … any “Green Mattresses” should be certified by third parties … and we recommend looking for a Green Guard Gold certification, which means that the mattress has been tested and proven to emit low levels of VOCs and are therefore safe for environments where children and sensitive adults spend time, like in school and hospitals. Organic Cotton fabrics and filling materials should be GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified meaning that the cotton is an organic material from its raw state through the manufacturing process. Organic Dunlop latex is a renewable resource as latex is tapped from the rubber tree. Look for latex that is GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard) certified meaning that the raw latex is grown organically and the product remains organic through its processing. Wool is another example and should be Oeko-Tex certified meaning that it has undergone lab testing for a wide range of harmful substances and the wool is proven to contain less of each of those substances than allowed by the Oeko-Tex standards.
A truly green mattress should never use chemical flame retardants or polyurethane foams. Chemical flame retardants often used in mattresses and other furniture items have been shown to cause dangerous impacts to our health including a weakened immune system, hormone disruptions, and even cancer. Instead, look for wool quilted to organic cotton that acts as a natural flame retardant.
One of the most popular types of mattresses on the market today is a hybrid mattress made with a pocketed coil innerspring and a foam comfort layer. We recommend shopping for a mattress that is a natural, hybrid mattress made with a 3-zoned pocketed coil innerspring, 3-inches of organic Dunlop latex, and is finished with natural wool quilted with an organic cotton fabric. A zoned innerspring will ensure proper alignment of your spine by concentrating the coils through the center third of the mattress to support the heaviest part of the body. Individually pocketed coils are highly responsive and interact appropriately to contour to each part of your body. Since the coils aren’t linked together motion transfer is reduced, meaning if your sleeping partner moves you won’t. Organic Dunlop latex is a healthy, alternative to other foams, and is conforming, breathable, cool, and resistant to dust mites, mold, and mildew.
At My Green Mattress, we are dedicated to providing healthy and safe mattresses for adults, children, and babies. We strive to educate our customers about the benefits of green mattresses, as well as how to choose the best mattress – one that is comfortable and fits within your budget – for you. We are happy to guide each customer through the buying process. We invite you to use our online chat, send us an email, give us a call, or post a question here in The Mattress Underground’s discussion forums.