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
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Canada Post’s newest stamp features special cookies for Islamic holiday
Canada Post’s newest specialty stamps feature “melt-in-your-mouth” desserts to mark two Islamic festivals, the crown corporation announced Thursday.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
A dog and a bird formed an unlikely friendship. Their separation has infuriated followers
Peggy is a stout and muscular Staffordshire bull terrier, and Molly is a magpie, an Australian bird best known for swooping on humans during breeding season, not for befriending dogs. But in an emotional video posted online, Peggy’s owners announced that the animals had been separated.
Statistics Canada reports real GDP up 0.6 per cent in January as Quebec strikes end
Canada's real gross domestic product grew 0.6 per cent in January, helped by the end of public sector strikes in Quebec in November and December, Statistics Canada said Thursday.
Ukrainian child asylum seekers in St. John’s get class of their own
Roughly 50 children will gathered in a St. John’s classroom for the first time on Saturday for unique lessons on Ukrainian language, culture and history.