Last fall, Chris and I started waking up with aches and decided it was time to invest in the place we spend one third of each day. During a Costco run we saw the Casper mattress in a box and almost bought it if it wasn’t for them being out of the size we were looking for. I headed online to compare prices and soon found myself in a deep dark hole learning about mattress toxicity and how nasty the place we spend ⅓ of our day really is. My search for a cleaner mattress brought me to mattresses that were thousands of dollars so I stopped. I convinced myself the toxins weren't that bad and we could get a decently priced mattress from the local store, air it out, and it would be fine. We headed to the store to try out mattresses and again almost left with one, but decided to sleep on it.
We got home from the store and I felt a bit queasy and had a sore throat into the next day. Even the mattresses that have been airing out for who knows how long, seemed to affect me. So back online I went, researching, and reading, to finally buying a mattress online. It's a weird thing to buy online and there are a few things I learned along the way. Here are my 6 tips for online mattress shopping, specifically if you are looking for a less-toxic mattresses.
- Read lots of reviews.
Going to a store to figure out the firmness and feel you like is usually the first step, but most places aren't going to have organic latex mattresses for you to test out. After all my research, I concluded real natural latex was the purest material out there and a hybrid (spring on the bottom, latex on top) was the best compromise of material and price. Keep in mind most people need a firmer mattress even though the soft, cushy ones feel good in the store. Reading lots and lots of reviews was more helpful than testing out cheaper mattresses in the store. You could get a idea of how couples with different firmness preferences faired on the same mattress or how online mattress testers compare similar mattresses.
Warning: Be prepared for mattress ads for a LONG time!
- Research certifications
I was quick to notice many companies have caught on to customers becoming more conscious of what a mattress is made of and how it's made. Many companies boast certifications that don’t mean much. CertiPur for example is on almost every mattress made with foam. It certifies that specific toxins and flame retardants aren’t used, many of which aren’t used in mattress production anymore and because it bans specific flame retardants it may allow other toxins or flame retardants! Certifications to look for are GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) and GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard), OEKO-TEX Standard 100, and Greenguard Gold. For details on what each certification means I've posted the direct links below.
https://www.global-standard.org/the-standard/general-description.html
https://www.oeko-tex.com/en/our-standards/standard-100-by-oeko-tex
http://greenguard.org/en/CertificationPrograms/CertificationPrograms_childrenSchools.aspx
Keep in mind one part of a mattress could be certified while other parts are not. Look for detailed descriptions, not just blanket statements. Also, look for certified factories, not just certified material. If a company is truly certified it should have the official logo on its website.
3. Test out the Customer Service
If you’ve narrowed down your search to a few different mattresses/companies, come up with a question or two, and contact customer service. This will give you a good idea of what your experience with the company will be like. Are they quick to respond, do they give adequate answers, do they sound like they are local or outsourced, etc. This can be especially important in the unfortunate event you need their assistance through the return process. You can also get an idea of the customer service by reading reviews! Search for third party reviewers or the most honest place...Facebook comments.
- Understand the Warranty
Most companies boast their long warranties. In the beginning, I thought warranty was a good gauge for the product’s lifespan when really it is just the timeframe in which the company is willing to replace the product. There are lots of factors that will void the warranty like not using the correct frame, a stain, etc. Most warranties are also pro-rated after a certain number of years, so even though the company might replace the mattress, you may still have to pay for a percentage to have it replaced. My takeaway was to focus on the mattress and the overall integrity of the company and not the warranty.
- Know the Trial Period
Obviously buying online means you don’t get to test the mattress before you buy it. To compensate for this, almost every online mattress company allows a trial period within which if you are not satisfied, you can return it and get your money back. Trials range from 30 days to 1 year. If you are trying something completely new like memory foam or latex, you might want a longer trial period to determine if you like it. If a major concern for you is how hot a mattress sleeps, you might want to start your trial period in the summer months or make sure the trial will allow you to test the mattress in multiple seasons.
- Get a Feel for the Return Policy
You might wonder, if you don’t like the mattress, how you are going to get it compressed and back in the box to return. I too was curious and had to do some research. Since companies can’t resell a used mattress, most will let you donate to a charity and send in a donation receipt to get a full refund. Make sure you know if this is an option and if the company will help you find a charity or help you transport if you can't yourself. This would be a great time to try out tip #3! You may also want to check what charities in your area accept mattress donations, as many will not. Some companies say they will pick up the mattress for free, but for most companies, that means they will arrange for a disposal service to pick it up and haul it to the dump.
My last bonus tip
Once you pick a mattress, if you can hold off until a holiday, almost every company runs a sale. If you can't wait, most companies have a code for 100 or so dollars off right on the website. If you do search third party review sites, many will offer similar codes and you can sometimes find a bigger discount.
In the process of searching and learning about clean, less toxic mattresses, we bought and "returned" a Tuft N Needle mattress, (shout out to their top notch customer service), and bought and LOVE our My Green Mattress. In my next blog I will share some of the research and details of three comparable mattresses I would recommend to anyone searching for a better and cleaner night's sleep!
