Which mattresses and pillows contain no plastic, fill, cover and glue included?
This category is being vetted. Nothing here is a recommendation yet.
Where plastic hides in mattresses and pillows
Most mattresses are mostly foam, and foam is polyurethane. The alternatives are natural latex, wool, cotton, coir and steel coils, and each has a catch. "Natural latex" is often blended with synthetic SBR latex. Pocketed coils are usually wrapped in nonwoven polypropylene. Layers are glued together. Every mattress sold in the US has to pass an open-flame test, and the barrier that passes is a treated fabric or a chemical worth naming. Covers are sewn with polyester thread. Pillows follow the same pattern, with buckwheat, kapok, wool and latex as the plastic-free fills.
What to check before you buy
- The core: coils, wool or natural latex, or polyurethane or memory foam?
- The latex: 100% natural, or blended with SBR?
- The coils: wrapped in cotton, or in nonwoven polypropylene?
- The fire barrier: wool or a named fabric, or a chemical treatment?
- The glue between layers: named, or unspecified?
- The cover and thread: cotton, wool or linen, or polyester?
- Packaging: paper, or vacuum-sealed plastic film?