Eco-Friendly and Natural Mattresses in Australia: What the Labels Mean

There is no one term that would make a mattress environmentally friendly. CertiPUR-US tests foams for banned chemicals and emissions. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 tests fabrics for harmful components. "Natural", "organic", and "non-toxic" terms are meaningless without further details, so always enquire about a specific certificate and the part of the mattress it applies to.

When shopping for an environmentally friendly mattress in Australia, you will face many of various green badges, leaves, and soft terms such as "pure" and "natural". Some are derived from independent tests, while others are just fancy words used by a copywriter. This guide is intended to help you learn more about two of the most popular certifications for mattresses, the things they test for, the things they do not cover, and how to verify any claims on your own.

What makes a mattress eco-friendly?

"Eco-friendly" consists of three distinct questions. The mattress could do well in one but poorly in another, which makes it beneficial to examine each separately.

Materials

What is it made from, and where did that come from? Cotton, wool, and natural latex are sustainable materials. Polyurethane foam, memory foam, and synthetic latex are all derived from petroleum. Metal springs come from mining and refining steel. There’s no inherently right or wrong material choice.

Chemicals and emissions

This is the "non-toxic" question. It deals with the pollutants that the mattress releases into your bedroom (volatile organic compounds, or VOCs) and whether there are any restricted materials, such as particular flame retardants, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and phthalates. The most mattress certifications concentrate on this aspect.

How long it lasts and where it ends up

A more sustainable mattress is one that doesn’t need to be replaced early. A cheap mattress that sags in three years can leave a bigger footprint than a well-made one that lasts ten. Our mattress lifespan guide explains how long each type of mattress lasts. There’s also the end-of-life issue: an estimated 1.8 million mattresses are thrown out in Australia every year.

Mattress certifications explained

These are the two certifications you’ll see most often on Australian mattress listings. 

CertiPUR-US (foam)

CertiPUR-US examines the flexible polyurethane foam that is typically found in most memory and hybrid mattress products. The certified foam does not contain ozone depleters, PBDE and "Tris" flame retardants, mercury, lead and other heavy metals, formaldehyde, or regulated phthalates. Additionally, it must have low VOC emissions of 0.5 parts per million or lower.

What it doesn’t mean: The certification process for CertiPUR-US concerns the foam alone. It does not cover anything else, including the fabric, springs or adhesives, nor is it organic or natural.

OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (fabric and textiles)

The OEKO-TEX Standard 100 checks more than 1,000 harmful substances in textiles. There are four different classes in this standard. The first class includes baby products with the most strict requirements, while Class II includes products with a lot of body contact, which is the position of most mattress fabrics. Class III involves products with less or no body contact, while the fourth class includes furnishing materials. Certificates last for one year, and there is a unique number for every certificate, which can be checked on the Internet.

What it doesn't mean: The OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is just a safety certification, but not the organic or sustainable production mark. This is usually applied to only one element of a product (cover fabric), not a whole mattress.

"Natural", "organic" and "non-toxic": the words with no certificate behind them

There are no definitions of either "natural" or "non-toxic" mattresses in Australia or any other place. Only in the case of "organic", there must be an organic certification of some kind that validates its use – but it might only refer to one layer of the mattress, not the entire product. Mattresses made of petroleum-based foam with a layer of natural latex on top could be called "natural".

The word itself says nothing. What is important to know is what certification stands behind it and what layers of the mattress it applies to.

Under Australian Consumer Law, an environmental claim needs to be substantiated and accurate, and therefore, a reputable store would have no trouble providing the answer. To take a closer look at the material used in our beds, click on the non-toxic mattress page.

Natural latex mattresses: the honest pros and cons

Natural latex is made from the sap of the rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). The trees are tapped, not cut down, so the raw material is renewable. Latex is durable, bouncy and breathable, and it often outlasts lower-density foams. These are real strengths.

The trade-offs get less attention. Most natural latex is grown in South and South-east Asia and shipped a long way to Australia. Latex mattresses are heavy, which adds to freight emissions, and they usually cost much more. Not everyone likes the springy feel, either.

Natural vs blended vs synthetic latex

“Latex” on a label can mean three different things. Natural latex is made from rubber tree sap. Synthetic latex (usually SBR) is made from petroleum. Blended latex is a mix of the two. Unless the label states the percentage of natural latex or shows an organic latex certificate, the latex may be blended. 

Dunlop vs Talalay

These are two ways of turning liquid latex into foam. The Dunlop process is simpler and makes a denser, firmer foam, and most certified organic latex is Dunlop. The Talalay process adds vacuum and freezing steps for a lighter, more even feel, and uses more energy. 

Are there eco-friendly mattress brands in Australia?

Yes. Such mattresses usually fall into three categories:

• The natural or organic brands that depend on latex, wool and organic cotton and which have organic certifications. These brands are priced high in the market.
• Conventional brands, which are mostly online, use certified foams and fabrics (like CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX). They focus on safer materials and lower emissions rather than organic sourcing. 
• Brands that have concerns about the end of life phase and which are involved in collection or recycling of the mattress.
• While making comparisons, make sure that the certifications and part of the mattress covered by them are lined up, not the packaging colour.

How to check a mattress claim in five minutes

1. Check the certificate name: If a mattress is labelled “eco-friendly” or “non-toxic” but doesn't mention a certificate, ask the brand which certification it has.
2. Find out what the certificate covers: Some certificates apply only to the cover fabric or foam, while others may cover the latex core or the finished mattress.
3. Check the certificate online: You can use the OEKO-TEX and CertiPUR-US websites to see if a certificate is genuine. It only takes a few minutes.
4. Look at the expiry date: OEKO-TEX certificates are generally valid for 12 months, so make sure the certificate is still current before depending on it.
5. Ask what happens to old mattresses and returns: Check whether the retailer collects old or returned mattresses and where they are taken afterwards.

What happens to your old mattress

Old mattresses are often overlooked when people think about their environmental impact. In Australia, many still end up in landfills, while others are dumped illegally.

Pocket springs can make recycling more difficult. Although the steel can be reused, the fabric pockets around each spring take time to separate. When replacing a hybrid mattress, it's better to use a specialist mattress recycler rather than depending on regular kerbside pickup.

To be clear, WowBeds doesn't currently offer old mattress removal when delivering a new one. If you need help finding a mattress recycler nearby, email us and we'll share the details, or contact your local council for advice.

Trial returns work a little differently. If your WowBeds mattress isn’t right for you during the 120-night trial, one of our local charity partners will usually collect it. They first try to pass it on to someone in need. If it can't be reused, it will be sent for professional recycling.

Where WowBeds fits

We don’t sell an organic or latex mattress, and we’d rather say that plainly than borrow a label we haven’t earned. Both our mattresses are pocket spring and foam hybrids, and in both, the fabric and foams are certified by OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and CertiPUR-US. This means our foams are made without the restricted substances listed above and are tested for low emissions. 

Duo Mattress

Inside the Duo Mattress (32cm, available in Medium, Medium Firm or Firm):

• Bamboo fabric mattress cover with Ventex mesh on the sides
• Convoluted foam and cooling gel memory foam<
• Over 1,800 individually pocketed micro springs made from steel
• Comfort foam
• 7 zonal support pocket springs made from twice-tempered steel
• High density foam mattress edge

Dreamer Mattress 

Inside the Dreamer Mattress (26 cm, Medium Firm): twice-tempered steel pocket spring base with comfort foam, convoluted foam and gel memory foam, foam edge and Ventex mesh sides. Its fabric and foams carry the same OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and CertiPUR-US certifications. 

Both mattresses ship compressed as a mattress in a box. The instructions on how to unpack your order are covered in our unboxing guide, and 10 reasons to buy a hybrid mattress will explain how springs and foam work together.

All WowBeds mattresses come with a 120-night trial and a 10-year warranty, because a mattress you’re happy to keep for a decade is a more eco-friendly mattress. 

FAQs

Is latex better for the environment?
Natural latex comes from a renewable source and can last for many years, making it a good option. However, it is often imported, and some mattresses labelled as “latex” contain a mix of natural and petroleum-based synthetic latex.

Certified organic latex that lasts a long time can be a good choice. Still, a blended latex mattress isn't always better for the environment than a well-made hybrid mattress with certified foam and fabric. It depends on the materials used and how long the mattress lasts.

What does non-toxic mean on a mattress?
There is no official legal definition of this term. Most brands use it to mean that the materials have been tested for harmful substances or low chemical emissions. To be sure, ask the brand which certificate backs up the claim. CertiPUR-US is commonly used for foam, while OEKO-TEX Standard 100 is used for fabrics.

Do I need an organic mattress for a baby or child?
Not always. If you're mainly concerned about chemical exposure, checking the material certifications is more useful than depending on the word “organic”. For fabrics, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class I has the strictest requirements and is designed for products used by babies. Organic certification, on the other hand, focuses on how materials are grown and processed. These certifications cover different things, so it's important to understand what each one means. Our baby mattress guide explains what else to look for when choosing a mattress for your baby.

Is the new mattress smell harmful?
That smell is called off-gassing. It happens when new foam and adhesives release small amounts of chemicals known as VOCs into the air. Certified foams are tested to make sure their emissions are low.

Like all new mattresses, a WowBeds mattress has a “new mattress” smell after unboxing. This fades over the first few days, and airing the room for as long as possible helps.