Avocado Mattress Review + Why You Need an Organic Mattress
Time for a new mattress? Find out why you need to ditch your old mattress and get an organic one instead. I’ll also share what to look for when you’re mattress shopping, and why I recommend Avocado Green Mattress.
This post contains affiliate links. Please read my affiliate disclosure.
Disclaimer: I have an affiliate partnership with Avocado Green Mattress. However, I only write posts about products I truly believe in, and actually paid out of my own pocket to try the Avocado mattress myself.
I’m almost ashamed to admit it, but here goes… I had my old bed mattress for 16 years.
Wow! That’s a long time to have a mattress, especially when the warranty on it was just 10 years. But let me tell you, even after just a couple of years I could feel the mattress sagging. I had to flip it over every few months. I tossed and turned when I slept on it. I regularly had kinks in my neck. So it was functional as a bed, but truthfully I didn’t really have a restful night’s sleep on it.
And all of this paled in comparison to what my husband was going through. Soon after we got our bed, he began having back issues. Since then he’s been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, ankylosing spondylitis, and rheumatoid arthritis. He’s also dealt with sleep issues that cause him to toss and turn constantly throughout the night and waking up nearly every hour – which means he’d wake up feeling sleepy and unrested.
I never knew that a bed can make a huge difference for us. That’s why I had put off looking for a new bed for so many years.
When I was ready to buy a bed, I was overwhelmed with all the options: natural, latex, organic and natural materials, chemical-free, foam, wool, Tempurpedic, Sleep Number… the choices were limitless. In fact, it took me a couple of years (literally) to end up with a bed mattress I was happy with.
Can you relate? Are you overwhelmed by all the choices in bed mattresses? Just the organic/natural market alone can be daunting.
I did a ton of research, and finally found a bed that didn’t break the bank. Keep reading and I’ll tell you why.
The Chemicals Lurking in Your Mattress
We spend 90% of our time indoors, and indoor air can be 5 times more polluted than outdoor air. That’s crazy to think about right? This is a big reason I’m always talking about ditching chemicals and indoor pollutants for natural alternatives.
Well, here’s another staggering fact: one-third of our lives are spent in bed. So how does your mattress stack up? For me, it wasn’t good.
I had a conventional bed mattress, and frankly I’ve done enough research to know that most conventional mattresses are coated with toxic flame retardants, such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), to ensure they confirm to the Federal Standards on flammability.1 These chemicals in these flame retardants are linked to thyroid hormone disruption, permanent learning and memory impairment, behavioral changes, hearing deficits, delayed puberty onset, decreased sperm count, fetal malformations and, possibly, cancer.2
Pretty scary, right?
Well… guess what? Those memory foam beds may actually be WORSE since there’s more filling compared to the inner spring-type mattress. In either case, both types of mattresses have chemical off-gassing (emitting the chemical isocynate – which is linked to headaches and respiratory irritations). In addition, the chemicals that glue the mattress together (including formaldehyde) has been linked with asthma, allergies, and lung, nose and throat cancers.3
Plus, over time memory foam beds lose their ability to support the back over time. This leads to back pain and may cause sleep disorders.
Okay, so conventional inner spring and memory foam mattresses are out. What about organic or natural mattresses?
The Problem with Many Organic and Natural Mattresses
I know what you’re thinking… Just like food organic must be better when it comes to mattresses, right? That’s what I thought too. In fact, that’s what I originally looked for when I was shopping for a new bed.
But here’s the thing, mattress manufacturers often use marketing terms to sell their products. Keywords like “plant derived” can still be made with petroleum-based products. Bamboo mattresses may not even contain much bamboo in the mattress foam.
There’s a handful of mattresses that are certified organic. The problem is that many don’t have the support needed for most people. After just a couple of years, organic mattresses can start sagging (which can lead to back pain and sleep issues) and in the end don’t last that long. Plus, they’re incredibly expensive for just a short life cycle.
Thinking about a latex mattress? I did too. In fact, I almost bought one because I knew that latex mattresses aren’t treated with flame retardants. But guess what? Most latex mattresses aren’t natural. They’re typically made from synthetic latex – which goes back to off-gassing chemicals in the mattress. And certified latex mattresses are incredibly expensive. I’ve tried many latex beds myself and just didn’t feel like they provided the support I needed.
So now organic and latex mattresses are out. What’s left?
Why I Choose an Avocado Green Mattress
I had literally been shopping for a non-toxic mattress for years and couldn’t find anything that met my needs. I wanted a mattress that provided excellent durability and back support, yet didn’t have toxic off-gases or chemical fire retardants. I found that mattresses had one or the other but none held up to all my requirements until I found Avocado Green Mattress. What I love most about Avocado is the comfort and support. It’s got a medium-firm feel that’s perfect for side sleepers (like me), as well as stomach and back sleepers too. And if you want a soft-firm feel, you can easily add an Avocado Mattress Topper.
I went to a local Avocado Green Mattress store to test the mattresses myself. As soon as I laid down, I could tell Avocado was the one. It supports my hips and shoulders like nothing else. I have more restful sleep. I’m getting relief in my neck and lower back from a bed that actually supports my body. And I sleep better at night knowing that Avocado Green Mattress is made with non-toxic materials.
And the best part? Avocado Green Mattress was the most reasonable in price too. Many organic and non-toxic mattresses retail for thousands of dollars. When I priced out the cost to replace all 4 of our mattresses, I got sticker shock. But when I looked at Avocado Latex Mattress, I was surprised and relieved to see that organic mattresses start at just $799.
Click to learn more about Avocado Green Mattress
Why I Chose Avocado Green Mattress
I had a pretty long laundry list of requirements for a new bed mattress, and Avocado exceeded all of them. That’s why I chose them. Here’s why:
1. GOTS Organic Certified
Avocado Green Mattresses are organic mattresses, pillows, and bedding are GOTS organic certified products (CU863637), a standard that is endorsed by the USDA’s National Organic Program.
The mattresses are made with organic latex (instead of polyurethane foam), organic wool (which is naturally odor and fire resistant and regulates to your body to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer), and organic cotton (made without pesticides and herbicides).
In addition, the organic latex, wool, and cotton used are STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX. That means there’s no harmful substances, like toxic chemicals, pesticides and dyes in their materials, which means you can sleep safer at night knowing there won’t be any toxic chemicals absorbed by your body.
This is huge considering many so-called natural or eco-friendly mattresses can still be made with a cotton liner produced from cotton exposed to pesticides, or adhesives that are made from toxic chemicals.
2. GREENGUARD Gold Certified
This was a huge deal to me in my mattress search. Avocado Green Mattresses are GREENGUARD Gold Certified, which means means their finished products have been scientifically tested for prolonged exposure in environmental chambers and proven to meet the most rigorous emission standards for chemical exposure and pollutants, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, and phthalates. That means no formaldehyde! There aren’t many mattress companies that meet this standard.
That also means they don’t use flame retardants (just organic wool to make the mattresses naturally flame resistant) or chemical adhesives (rather the mattresses are hand-tufted together).
3. Rated #1 for Back Pain
Avocado Green Mattress was rated #1 by the U.S. News & World Report as the best mattress for back pain. Wow! That’s huge right?
According to the study, “The reason the Avocado Green made our best overall list is because the organic latex hybrid mattress contains five zones of individually pocketed coils that promote spinal alignment and alleviate pressure points … this means a more restful night’s sleep for most sleeping positions and proper support for individuals with back pain.”
Avocado Green Mattresses also have a reinforced steel perimeter that supports the body to the edge of the mattress. With its unique design of the mattresses, they can be rotated, but never need to be flipped.
And that’s not all. Avocado has been voted by Good Housekeeping as the best organic mattress, and endorsed by the American Chiropractic Association.
I’ve been sleeping on my Avocado Green Mattress for four weeks, and I’ve never felt so rested. I usually have a kink in my neck (I use Avocado Pillow too) in the morning or some lower back pain, but now I feel great. My husband has arthritis and degenerative disc disease, so he’s in constant pain. He loves our Avocado Green Mattress too.
4. Individually Wrapped Coils
One of the reasons, I wanted a new mattress was to get rid of my coiled mattress. I’ve read about the connection between innerspring coils and EMF radiation. Learn more about EMF and how to reduce your exposure here.
At first, I wasn’t sure I wanted a mattress with innersprings due to the EMF exposure. But latex only mattresses often lacked the support we wanted for our back pain. Then I found that Avocado individually wraps their innerspring (which are made from recycled steel) in high-grade food-grade polypropylene for durability. These innerspring coils are arranged in various sizes, gauges, and turn support the body’s natural curves and maximize support.
Avocado addresses EMF and their innersprings here. I was impressed that Avocado Green Mattress addressed the question from their customers and showed their results.
5. American Made
I’m a big fan of supporting American-made products and companies. Avocado Green Mattress makes their own mattresses with organic materials both from the U.S. and imported abroad. They are only one of five companies of the hundreds of mattress brand in the U.S. to operate a GOTS and GOLS organic certified production facility.
6. 25-Year Limited Warranty
Avocado Green Mattress has one of the best mattress warranties in the industry. For the first 10 years, you can get full replacement value and shipping costs included. For years 11-25, you’ll get prorated coverage. That’s reassuring to know that you’ve got a warranty fo rthe investment you put in. Avocado Green Mattress has one of the best mattress warranties in the industry. For the first 10 years, you can get full replacement value and shipping costs included. For years 11-25, you’ll get prorated coverage. That’s reassuring to know that you’ve got a warranty fo rthe investment you put in.
Click to learn more about Avocado Green Mattress
7. Try It for a Year
One of the hardest things about buying a new bed is figuring out whether or not it’s a good fit. You can try Avocado Green Mattress for a year, and if you don’t like it then you can get your money back hassle-free. Avocado Green Mattress will even donate the mattress to a local charity or arrange for recycling pickup. Read more about the 1-year sleep trial here.
I know getting a new mattress is an investment. Wouldn’t you rather try something that has a money-back guarantee AND allows you to try it for a year? That’s amazing customer service right there. There’s even financing available for 0% APR.
If you’re not ready for a new bed yet, try an Avocado Pillow to get a better night’s sleep on a pillow made without toxic chemicals. Or try organic Avocado Bedding. There’s even kids beds, crib mattresses, and so much more. There’s something for everyone to get started with Avocado Green Mattress.
What We Got
We got the Eco Organic Mattress, which is the best affordable organic mattress made with organic latex, wool, and cotton supported with coils made from recycled steel. We bought 3 full size mattresses for our boys, and got a king mattress for the master bedroom. We honestly haven’t slept better in ages. It feels like sleeping on a cloud. As a stomach sleeper, my husband says it’s so comfortable. I’m a side sleeper myself, and it’s heavenly.
The Avocado Green Mattress cost was also a huge benefit – as it’s very economical compared to other organic and latex mattresses.
Click to learn more about Avocado Green Mattress
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Photos courtesy of Avocado Green Mattress.
