We use mattress pads for extra comfort, which means that no matter which one you purchase, it will be stuffed with something. Most of today’s fillers use either organic materials like down and cotton, or synthetic materials like polyfiber. When it comes to the water-resistant outer layer, popular organic materials include cotton and rayon, while synthetic options include nylon, polyester, and vinyl. We recommend choosing mattress pads made with GOLS certified natural latex and GOTS certified organic cotton. If you have to opt for down, look for down certified by the Global Traceable Down Standard or the Responsible Down Standard.  

Materials

Polyurethane Foam

Polyurethane foam is a common material in mattresses and is made from polyurethane (aka plastic). As we know, plastic is made from crude oil (aka fossil fuels) and has significant emissions, resource use, and waste implications. Additionally, polyurethane foam is unfortunately a significant source of VOC emissions. Why do VOCs matter, you ask? According to the EPA, exposure to VOCs can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, and nausea, not to mention liver, kidney, and central nervous system damage. Some VOCs are also carcinogens… which is so not what we want for our sacred sleeping spaces. Interestingly enough, the environmental conditions of sleep – including elevated temperatures, humidity, and CO2 concentrations (from sweating and respiration) – can actually increase VOC emissions. Additionally, low ventilation in bedrooms and the coverage provided by a snuggly blanket can create higher concentrations of VOCs.

Down

Down refers to the soft layer of clusters taken from the chest area of a goose, swan, or duck. These clusters are round and fluffy like a dandelion or cotton ball. Down is soft, light, and airy, insulates better than feathers, and doesn’t flatten out as quickly since it doesn’t have quills. All of these attributes make down more valuable than feathers. 

The down industry produces 270,000 metric tons of down annually. In theory, as long as the commercial poultry industry is in existence, down and feathers could be a byproduct that (again, theoretically) limits the amount of waste to landfill during processing. The unfortunate reality is that in conventional down production, waterfowl are often plucked while they’re alive. This practice is outlawed in the U.S., but it still takes place in Hungary, Poland, and China, the world’s largest down producers. In fact, it’s estimated that 50-80% of the down on the market is live-plucked. That’s a lot of unnecessary suffering. The upside is that down and feathers are recyclable, limiting their environmental footprint if disposed of properly. Since down retains its structure over time, it can be collected, cleaned and used all over again in new products without any degradation of quality. Buy recycled down to decrease the need to pluck more material.

If you choose to buy down products, check for certifications by Global Traceable Down Standard or Responsible Down Standard. More on that below. 

Polyfiber

Synthetic alternatives to down, like those made from polyester, aren’t the most glamorous or innocent of options. These materials are derived from crude oil, which means they’re extracted from fossil fuels, require a lot of energy to produce, and are non-renewable.  The reality is that most mattress pads are made from synthetic materials because they are more affordable than other options. 

If you’re on a budget or can’t stomach down in any form, keep an eye out for mattress pads made with recycled polyfibers. Recycled polyester requires two-thirds the amount of water it takes to produce virgin polyester and can cut down on energy use by 59%. Not too shabby. Whether you end up with virgin or recycled polyfibers, however, there’s still the problem of microplastics. Polyfibers shed microplastics when they’re laundered (which should happen every few months, BTW) and those microplastics can accumulate in our bodies and in waterways. 

Natural Latex

Natural latex is made from the sap of rubber trees, which is whipped into a froth, poured into molds, and baked into layers. Rubber trees can produce sap for more than 20 years and don’t need to be cut down during sap collection. This is great news for the health of the trees and the soil, since the longer a tree remains in the ground, the more nutrients the tree can absorb and the soil can retain. We are huge proponents of natural latex for its supportive, durable, and naturally antimicrobial properties. The latex production industry has faced criticism for contributing to deforestation, carbon emissions, and biodiversity loss in Southeast Asia where the majority of rubber trees are grown. In Cambodia alone, rubber tree plantations have led to a quarter of the country’s deforestation. While global demand for latex has led to these issues, rubber is still a highly recyclable material, which is definitely a plus if you dispose of your mattress properly. 

Synthetic Latex

While natural latex itself is a low-impact material, it sometimes is mixed with synthetic foam or harsh chemicals to produce synthetic latex. Be mindful of the other ingredients beyond latex when choosing a mattress. To avoid nasty additives, like VOCs, look for latex products with the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) certification.

Cotton

Some mattress pads are covered in and/or filled with cotton because it’s plush, durable, and relatively affordable compared to down. As a renewable material, you might think cotton is a wiser choice than polyfiber, but it’s no silver bullet. Cotton comes with a significant environmental toll, particularly due to land degradation, the use of agrochemicals (like pesticides), and high water consumption. In fact, cotton uses nine times more water in its production than polyester. However, cotton also uses 25% less energy to manufacture compared to polyester. 

If you’re sold on cotton, try to go organic. Organic cotton produces 46% less CO2e compared to conventional cotton because it’s grown without harmful chemicals and typically utilizes rain more than irrigated water. Whether you end up with organic or conventional cotton in your mattress pad, look out for GOTS or OEXO-TEX certifications.

Rayon

Rayon was first produced and sold in the United States in 1911 as "artificial silk." It is a fiber (and yarn) made from regenerated wood cellulose. While it is manmade, it’s not synthetic because it is made from plants. It has more in common with cotton and linen than petroleum-based synthetic fibers like nylon or polyester, but can still provide waterproofing since the textile can be tightly knit. Another benefit? One study showed that rayon fibers can degrade in natural aquatic environments , unlike polyester fibers. Booyah! On the other hand, the wood pulp used to make rayon often comes from mature forests (leading to deforestation), and the processing of the wood pulp requires harsh chemicals that can cause water and air pollution. All in all, opt for organic cotton over rayon.

Nylon and Polyester

Nylon and polyester are two of the most widely used synthetic fibers in the US, and are both made from petroleum. The manufacturing of nylon emits nitrous oxide -- which can deplete the ozone layer. Polyester has the cute nickname of the "workhorse fiber" of the textile industry because it is so commonly used. Polyester, unlike nylon, can be recycled -- and this reduces the environmental impact and pollution associated with virgin polyester. In fact, when polyester is recycled, it is estimated to reduce associated air pollution by as much as 85%.  Opt for recycled polyester over virgin polyester or nylon. 

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

PVC, or vinyl, is a commonly used building and construction material. It is considered a ‘commodity plastic’, which means that it’s used in all sorts of products. Unfortunately, PVC has some very serious health and environmental concerns associated with its production and use. 

The production of vinyl is responsible for about 40% of global chlorine production and is the largest single use of chlorine gas. Chlorine itself does not pose significant environmental harm, but, when combined with other materials, can rapidly form chemicals that can pollute waterways and bioaccumulate (aka build up over time) in ecosystems. Additionally, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) identified vinyl chloride as a known human carcinogen. Similarly, many of the byproducts from producing PVC are considered global pollutants – which have been shown to cause a range of health hazards including birth defects, cancer, endocrine disruption, impaired development, neurotoxicity, reproductive disruptions, and immune suppression. 

PVC is also often mixed with other additives, like metal stabilizers, such as lead, cadmium, and organotins, which don’t really break down. PVC pipes have been shown to release lead into the water flowing through them, which then enters the waterways and can cause developmental, neurological, and reproductive damage to both humans and marine life. 

Another thing. Due to these additives, very little PVC is recycled since it contains a variable mix of additives, meaning each material requires a different recycling process. Additionally, recycled PVC does not function as well as virgin PVC. Even in the EU, where there are more advanced systems for PVC recycling, less than 3% is recycled and it is more often down-cycled than upcycled – creating no real reduction in the overall production of virgin PVC. 

Certifications

Here are some certifications to look for when shopping this category.

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