Home & Garden Home The 10 Best Eco-Friendly Mattress Toppers Find a sustainable topper to comfort you and protect your mattress. By Neeti Mehra Neeti Mehra Neeti is a freelance writer for Treehugger who covers sustainability and conscious living. She has edited three magazines during her career and she is currently a columnist and is a contributor to a host of publications. Learn about our editorial process Updated January 24, 2023 Home Green Living Pest Control Natural Cleaning DIY Family Thrift & Minimalism Sustainable Eating We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Treehugger / Chloe Jeong A good mattress topper can give an older mattress an upgrade, saving you from buying a complete replacement. It extends the life of the mattress and can increase your comfort in bed, depending on your preferences. Toppers are available in all sizes, in varying thickness and a wide range of materials. However, many made of foam or latex that have gone through various chemical and toxic processes. The cocktail of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that regular mattress toppers release in the air, such as benzene and formaldehyde, can create air quality concerns. We spend a lot of time in close contact with a mattress or topper, which means a lot of potential exposure to any possible off-gassing. We've done the research to find the best eco-friendly mattress toppers on the market, so that you can make a choice that will truly help you rest easy. The Rundown Best Overall: Avocado Organic Latex Mattress Topper at Avocadogreenmattress.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Organic: Birch Organic Mattress Topper at Birchliving.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Foam: Tuft & Needle Queen 2 Inch Adaptive Foam Mattress Topper at Amazon ($235) Jump to Review Best for Hip and Back Pain: Saatva Mattress Topper at Saatva ($445) Jump to Review Best Cooling: Coyuchi Climate Beneficial Mattress Topper at Coyuchi.com ($498) Jump to Review Best Down Alternative: Parachute Down Alternative Mattress Topper at Parachute ($200) Jump to Review Best Natural Latex: Sleep On Latex Pure Green Mattress Topper at Amazon ($165) Jump to Review Best Firm: Latex for Less Topper at Amazon ($194) Jump to Review Best for Dorms: Sleep On Latex Pure Green Mattress Topper at Amazon ($165) Jump to Review Best Fleece: Soaring Heart Holy Lamb Fleece Wool Topper at Soaringheart.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Overall Avocado Organic Latex Mattress Topper Avocado View On Avocadogreenmattress.com Our top pick of eco-conscious mattress toppers is from green bedding company Avocado, whose organic latex topper adds just the right amount of cushioning while scoring high on sustainability. Available in cloud-like plush or the resilient firm styles, this lovely topper with an Avocado green trim is layered for maximum comfort and minimum fuss. A layer of organic wool and a layer of 2-inch-thick natural latex are wrapped in a ticking of organic cotton. Each layer carries its own third-party certifications: The wool is certified by GOTS and OEKO-TEX, the latex is certified by the Global Organic Latex Standard, and the cotton is also GOTS-certified. The seams have been reinforced and won’t snap. The topper is MADE SAFE and GREENGUARD Gold certified, meaning it’s been tested safe from chemical emissions and VOCs. With easy zipper access to adjust the latex, if this all wasn’t enough, Avocado even offers a generous one-year sleep trial. In addition to the certifications we mentioned above, we also like that Avocado is carbon-neutral certified, so any emissions associated with manufacturing and shipping are offset by credits that support forest projects and renewable energy. If you prefer to avoid wool, Avocado also offers a vegan mattress topper. Primary Materials: Dunlop latex, organic wool, organic cotton | Height: 2.75 inches Best Organic Birch Organic Mattress Topper Birchliving View On Birchliving.com For an organic mattress topper, look no further than Birch’s buoyant, contoured pad that is GREENGUARD Gold and GOTS certified. The quilted cover is made from GOTS certified cotton. The dense wool batting acts as a fire retardant layer and is Wool Integrity NZ certified, meaning it is sourced ethically and sustainably from free-range pasture-fed sheep. The core is made from eco-INSTITUT certified Talalay latex, which cushions your joints while offering cloud-like comfort. Perfect for side and back sleepers, this three-inch-thick mattress topper is available in several sizes. Made without using any polyurethane-based foams and noxious chemicals, you can snuggle in safely on this thermoregulating, breathable mattress topper. This topper is not suitable for vegans. Primary Materials: Natural latex, organic cotton, organic wool | Height: 3 inches Home Best Foam Tuft & Needle Queen 2 Inch Adaptive Foam Mattress Topper Amazon View On Amazon $235 View On Wayfair $200 View On Home Depot $235 Although it's made from foam, Tuft & Needle’s mattress topper has the credentials that make it safe to use and that’s why it has made it to our list. The topper has been certified by CertiPUR-US, meaning it meets the rigorous standards for emissions, content, performance, and durability. It also has a UL GREENGUARD Gold certification, meaning it supports a healthy indoor environment, and is also Intertek’s Clean Air certified, showing a commitment to low indoor emissions. Lined with non-slip silicone beading at the base, this breathable 2-inch thick foam topper won’t slide around your bed at night. Primary Material: Responsive foam | Height: 2 inches Is Bamboo Fabric Truly Sustainable? Best for Hip and Back Pain Saatva Mattress Topper Saatva View On Saatva $445 Saatva’s soft and buoyant mattress topper, made from Talalay latex, is great for side sleepers and helps reduce pressure on your joints, which in turn may with hip and back pain. Made from natural Talalay latex, this topper is breathable and OEKO-TEX certified. The latex is wrapped in a layer of breathable organic cotton. Though the topper is just 1.5 inches thick, it is resilient and hugs the contours of your body, saving you from a night of tossing and turning to find the best position to slumber in. Primary Materials: Natural latex, organic cotton | Height: 1.5 inches Best Cooling Coyuchi Climate Beneficial Mattress Topper coyuchi View On Coyuchi.com $498 Coyuchi’s Climate Beneficial Wool mattress topper gives you the insulation that you need in winter, while keeping you cool in summer, thanks to wool’s ability to naturally regulate temperature. It is made with ethically-sourced wool from a northern Californian ranch. Then, in a historical mill in Michigan, the wool is washed, disentangled, and air dried, keeping the process simple and natural using biodegradable soap, steam, and humidity. The shell is made from breathable GOTS-certified organic cotton, keeping stuffiness at bay. We love the thoughtful detail, such as the carefully hand-knotted squares that keep the wool from sliding around. In line with its commitment to the environment, Coyuchi donates to charity through 1% For The Planet with each purchase of their products. Primary Material: Wool | Height: 1.5 inches Best Down Alternative Parachute Down Alternative Mattress Topper Parachute View On Parachute $200 Although they're not made with natural materials, down alternative toppers are more affordable than their down siblings and are suitable for people who suffer from allergies to feathers. You’ll feel like you’re sleeping on a marshmallow on Parachute’s generous three-inch thick down alternative mattress topper. Encased in a sateen cotton shell, the filling is made of fluffy microfiber that’s layered and designed so that the fiber doesn’t bunch up in spots. You’ll feel like you’re sinking in a cloud on this OEKO-TEX certified topper that mimics the experience of sleeping on down. Primary Material: Microfiber fill | Height: 3 inches Best Natural Latex Sleep On Latex Pure Green Mattress Topper Amazon View On Amazon $165 View On Sleeponlatex.com $100 Pure Green 100% Natural Latex Mattress Topper Review Using natural latex harvested from an organic rubber plantation in Sri Lanka, this mattress topper ticks the right boxes when it comes to comfort, safety, and durability. It has been certified by GOLS, OEKO-TEX, eco-INSTITUT, and Greenguard Gold. Natural latex, unlike foam, gives contoured support to your body as you sleep. You can choose a topper which is an inch, two inches, or even three inches in height and in soft, medium, and firm options, to keep you comfortable through the night. You can buy an optional cover for it. What Testers Say "After a few weeks of sleeping on a 2-inch thick 100% natural latex mattress topper from Sleep On Latex, I'm sold on it as an option for those looking to refresh their bedding. It's like having a brand new bed, and at a price that won't break the bank." ~ Treehugger contributor Derek Markham Primary Materials: Natural latex | Height: 1, 2, or 3 inches Best Firm Latex for Less Topper Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon $194 View On Latexforless.com Sinking in the plushness of a super-soft mattress isn’t fun for everyone. If this is you, a firm mattress topper can come to the rescue. We like the Latex for Less Natural Latex mattress topper. The natural, single-source Talalay latex is made from natural rubber sourced from Sri Lanka. The latex topper is OEKO-TEX and Eco-Institut certified, while the cover wrapped around it is GOTS certified. ILD stands for Indentation Load Deflection, which is a measure of firmness of Talalay latex. The higher the ILD, the firmer the mattress. Depending on how firm you like your topper to be, choose between the medium (28 ILD) or the firm (36 ILD). Giving universal support to your shoulders, hips, knees and back by distributing your body weight, you will never have that sinking feeling again when you lie down to sleep. What Testers Say "Sleeping on latex was unlike anything I've experienced before. It was really heavenly. It felt soft, bouncy, and jiggly, yet firm at the same time." ~ Katherine Martinko, Treehugger Senior Editor Primary Material: Talalay latex | Height: 2 or 3 inches Best for Dorms Sleep On Latex Pure Green Mattress Topper Amazon View On Amazon $165 View On Sleeponlatex.com $100 Dorm mattresses aren’t known for their comfort, so a topper is a good way to improve a student's sleep without hauling a whole mattress to campus. For college budgets, we like the Sleep On Latex Pure Green Natural Latex Mattress Topper. Many college dorms have Twin XL mattresses, and Sleep On Latex offers its affordable toppers in this sometimes hard-to-find size as well as a regular twin size. It’s always a good idea to check with your school about what size bed you can expect. You can get the best price when you select the soft option in the 1-inch thickness, or for a little more, thicker and other levels of firmness are also available. Primary Material: Natural latex | Height: 1, 2, or 3 inches Best Fleece Soaring Heart Holy Lamb Fleece Wool Topper soaring-heart View On Soaringheart.com With an organic cotton knit yarn backing (instead of tanned skin) woven (not glued) to an eco-wool fleece, this mattress topper couldn’t be simpler. The fleece is milled and the organic cotton is woven in Massachusetts, and fleece is sourced in the United States, too. At the end of life, its is fully biodegradable. The topper is available in seven sizes: California king, king, queen, full, extra-long twin (for dorm rooms), twin, and crib. However, note that this mattress topper cannot be washed in the washing machine and comes with special cleaning instructions. Primary Material: Wool and organic cotton yarn | Height: 1 inch Final Verdict Our top pick for a sustainable mattress topper is the Avocado Organic Latex topper. If you're looking to add a soft layer to your bed, consider the Down Alternative Mattress Topper. What to Consider When Shopping for an Eco-Friendly Mattress Topper Material and Firmness Michael Breus, PhD Sleep Specialist and founder of The Sleep Doctor, says that a mattress topper is a good way to soften a mattress that's too firm. He recommends looking for a topper made from natural fibers. If you’re looking for just comfort, you can look for a plush topper made from organic cotton or wool. If you’re however looking for contoured support, choose a natural latex topper which props you up. If you sleep flat out on your back or stomach, look for a firmer topper, whereas if you sleep on the side, a softer topper will work the trick. Thickness The thickness of toppers can range commonly from 2 inches till 4 inches (going up to 8 inches approximately). Pick what will be comfortable for your style of sleeping. For instance, if you’re a side sleeper, then a medium thick mattress (around 3 inches), will help you drift off in absolute bliss. Certifications Before you buy, check for the appropriate sustainable certifications. For this piece, we’ve picked eco-friendly mattress toppers made mindfully from natural materials and non-toxic foam. These come with appropriate certifications such as OEKO-TEX, certifying the product as safe for human use and free from harmful chemicals; GOTS, an organic textile standard; GOLS, indicating organic latex; MADE SAFE, a non-toxic seal of products and eco-INSTITUT, signifying low-polluting and low-emitting indoor products. Frequently Asked Questions How long do mattress toppers last? The life of a good quality mattress topper can stretch anything from around three years to about a decade, depending on the quality and use. You can extend the life of a topper by showing it some TLC. Avocado Mattress recommends that for the first six months you rotate the topper head-to-toe (don’t flip it) to keep it in ship-shape, ensuring that it wears out evenly. After this, you can rotate it every other month, so that it doesn’t sag in spots. Are gel mattress toppers eco-friendly? Gel mattress toppers are becoming popular, especially if you’re a hot sleeper and wake up sweat slicked by the morning. A gel mattress topper usually has gel beads added or gel infused into synthetic memory foam and can contain concerning chemicals. Also, memory foam is usually made from low-resistance polyurethane to make it viscose and elastic.If you do buy a gel mattress topper, check for appropriate certifications ensuring it is low polluting and is free from harmful chemicals. An alternative to a gel mattress topper is a wool mattress topper that helps you sleep cooler naturally. How do you clean a mattress topper? Check the manufacturer's care instructions beforehand on how to clean your mattress topper. On occasion you can remove it from the bed and spread it on the floor and gently vacuum it. Spot-cleaning (using warm water and an eco-friendly detergent) is recommended to remove stubborn stains. Why Trust Treehugger? We want to take the anxiety out of shopping for sustainable bedding, so we conduct rigorous research to find the most eco-friendly options available. For Treehugger's selection, we’ve picked eco-friendly mattress toppers made mindfully from natural materials and non-toxic foam. These come with appropriate certifications such as OEKO-TEX, certifying the product as safe for human use and free from harmful chemicals; GOTS, an organic textile standard; OLS, indicating organic latex; MADE SAFE, a non-toxic seal of products and eco-INSTITUT, signifying low-polluting and low-emitting indoor products. Treehugger also tests top products, and interviewed experts about what to look for in mattress toppers. Writer Neeti Mehra is a slow-living expert who also has years of experience covering luxury markets. 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