Find a mattress without harmful chemicals
You know that smell that sometimes comes from a new rug, or worse—a new mattress. It’s often from chemicals used in the manufacturing process.
But as Consumer Reports explains, there are mattresses made without as many potentially harmful chemicals. CR experts reveal which top performers also come with fewer chemicals, plus sheets to complete your new bed.
When you’re online shopping for a new mattress, you’re likely to come across the term “off gassing.” It basically refers to that chemical smell you notice when you cut into the packaging around a new mattress. What you’re actually smelling are volatile organic compounds, or VOCs.
Consumer Reports says you can choose a mattress with fewer VOCS. Begin by looking at the labelling. But don’t be fooled by a mattress that’s labelLed “natural,” because there’s no formal certification for what that means. And a mattress can be labelled “organic” even if it only has a small amount of organic material.
Consumer Reports says a reliable label is the Global Organic Textile Standard, or GOTS. It requires the materials used in a mattress to contain a minimum amount of certified organic materials and ensures that no hazardous chemical flame retardants and polyurethane foam were used to make it.
You’ll find a similar standard for latex mattresses with the GOLS label, or Global Organic Latex Standard.
But labels don’t matter if your mattress isn’t comfortable. That’s why Consumer Reports performs tests that include determining how well a mattress supports different sized sleepers in different positions and whether a mattress will hold its shape after eight years of simulated use.
The following Consumer Reports tested mattresses come from the U.S. but also ship to Canada.
My Green Mattress Natural Escape for US$1,500 (also certified by GOTS and GOLS) is very good option for all types and sizes of sleepers.
If you prefer a softer mattress, consider the Birch by Helix Natural Mattress for US$1,299 (GOTS). Its support is just so-so for large or tall side sleepers, but CR’s tests found it fits the bill for everyone else.
And once you’ve got your new mattress, ditch the synthetic polyester sheets and opt for cotton. CR recommends a 100 per cent cotton set, the L.L.Bean Pima Cotton Percale, for US$149 (queen size).
Consumer Reports says when it comes to shopping for sheets, you don’t need to spend a fortune for a higher thread count. Testing has found that it doesn’t necessarily mean better durability.
Files from Consumer Reports
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.