Best Options for Organic Mattress Toppers

At the Natural Mattress Company VT, we sell three different types of mattress toppers: latex, wool and cotton. Each one of these options will have different benefits.

Toppers in general, add a touch of pillowy, cradling comfort to your mattress. They can be used to alleviate hip, shoulder and back pain if your mattress is too firm. They can also extend the life of your current mattress. If you have purchased a foam mattress and are having trouble with temperature regulation (sleeping hot)! A topper made with natural breathable materials can provide the perfect barrier between you and your memory foam mattress that may be retaining heat.

Natural latex toppers will increase the softness of your mattress while providing pressure point relief and additional support. The topper will contour your body and have a spongier feeling then a wool topper. Latex toppers can vary in firmness and type of latex. Talalay latex is softer than Dunlop. Latex toppers come in different thicknesses such as 2 or 3 inch. If you are looking to drastically change the feel of your mattress you may want to opt for a 3 inch Talalay topper. If you would just like to add a little bit more softness a 2 inch Dunlop topper should suffice. Latex is very durable and a topper can last 10 years or more.

Wool toppers are similar to putting a traditional pillow top on your mattress. Sort of like a thicker blanket that will hold up longer over time. It will add some softness and make your mattress more cozy. Wool has a fluffier feel as opposed to latex which feels more spongy. Wool toppers do tend to compress quicker than latex, however they are at a lower price point. You can add to the life of your topper by flipping and rotating on a regular basis. Just like latex toppers, wool topper can come in different thicknesses. The thicker the topper, the more it will changing the feel of your mattress. A thicker topper will last longer, as it will not compress as quickly. Deciding which topper is best for you depends on how much you want to change the feel of your mattress to a fluffier feel, as opposed to a a conventional mattress which will have more bounciness.

Organic Cotton toppers provide similar benefits to one made out of wool. The cotton topper will most likely feel a little firmer and may not compress as quickly as wool. It is still a good idea to flip and rotate a cotton topper to extend the toppers life.

Mattress toppers are usually not a good option if your current mattress has a dip. They could provide a little extra comfort but will not disguise the dip. If the mattress is dipping to much, it is probably time to replace the mattress, instead of buying a topper.

Latex is usually produced is Southeast Asia, where as both wool and cotton toppers can be made through materials grown in the USA. All three toppers can provide the health benefits of sleeping on natural breathable materials that are non-toxic and can alleviate pain caused by sleeping on a mattress that is not a good fit for you. Usually a mattress that is too firm. Although the toppers tend to make your mattress softer, they still will provide good support.

Take a look at some of the toppers we offer on our website.

What are the benefits of a natural latex mattress?

What is Natural Latex?

Natural latex is made from the sap of rubber trees. The sap is whipped into a froth and baked into latex layers.

Purity

The best latex mattresses are made with all natural latex meaning without synthetic latex or fillers blended in. The latex is simply natural foam rubber. The Dunlop latex used by our manufacturers is certified organic according it USDA standards. Their process is certified organic according to GOLS (global organic latex standard) established by the control union. We also have mattresses from Savvy Rest that contain Talalay Latex. It is the purest form available which is cradle to cradle GOLD certified and meets sustainable forestry guidelines. The best quality latex is comprised of 95-97% natural latex, with the remaining percentage being the curing agents that allow the sap to bake into a solid piece of latex.

Comfort

For a comfortable sleep, you need a responsive surface for pressure relief and appropriate support for your spine and shape. Latex can meet all of these needs. Several of the mattresses in our showroom offer a custom layer design. The mattress can be made very soft or firm. The firmness can be customized on each side of the mattress, if one persons needs are different from their partners. Unlike most foams, latex breathes, which discourages the build up of heat and moisture in the interior of the mattress. Latex does not have the motion transfer of innerspring mattresses so you can move around in your bed without waking your partner up.

Sustainability

Latex can be certified organic according to USDA standards. Farmers use methane digesters to power their homesteads, and only organic fertilizer is used on young trees. No chemical pesticides or herbicides are allowed. Natural latex foam is made from the sap of the rubber tree. also called rubber serum. After the sap is collected, the bark of the tree heals quickly. Rubber trees can yield sap for over 30 years. When the trees are harvested, the land is replanted. Wood from the rubber tree can be used to build furniture.

Durability

One question we often receive is do latex mattresses breakdown or sag? Yes natural latex mattresses are meant to breakdown over time. The natural latex core in the mattress will oxidize after many years of use instead of off gassing toxic chemicals in a landfill like polyurethane or memory foam. Not to worry, latex mattresses are meant to last around 20 years, which is much longer than your typical conventional mattress. When it is time for a new mattress, you can rest easy that your old latex mattress will not be leaving a nasty carbon footprint behind.  Latex mattresses are not immune to dips or sags, especially if an individual is sleeping on a mattress that is too soft. However, memory foam is more known to have issues with dips or sags due to the fact they retain body heat. It is the chemical reaction between the foam and the body heat that allows the memory foam to gently contour to the body. While this offers pressure point relief at first, eventually memory foam can struggle to bounce back, causing significant dips. The latex mattress company’s we represent have long warranties to handle dips, sags or manufacturer defects.

Please visit our website to take a look at all the different latex mattress options we have available to try in our showroom.

Premium Organic Mattresses from Vermont

Why Purchase an Organic Wool Topper?

Medical professionals and sleep experts have, for years, recommended about 8 hours of sleep per day. While not everyone follows that rule to a t the fact is that people, on average, spend about one-third of their lives in bed. We need and use that third of our lives to rest up and prepare our bodies and minds for the other two-thirds each day, which can be very demanding. For this reason, it should be obvious that decisions about your organic mattress and wool mattress topper shouldn’t be taken lightly – especially if you want to sleep heavily!

Organic wool toppers are generally used to soften up a mattress and provide extra pressure point relief. Wool is a sustainable and renewable source that has been used in bedding for generations. Listed below are some of the advantage of using an organic wool topper versus a synthetic fiber. If you have a mattress, but you’re considering adding an organic wool topper, we have a lot of great options – but we also like to inform our customers as much as possible to help them make an educated purchasing decision about the best sleep solutions for them. So let’s dive in…

Why Choose Wool?

Allergy Mitigation

Most people know that wool wicks away moisture, which obviously helps prevent bacterial growth, mold and mildew. But did you know that organic wool is also naturally resistant to dust mites, one of the worst allergens impacting allergy sufferers as they sleep?

Temperature Regulation and Comfort

We typically think about being cozy and warm in bed, but in most climates you have to be concerned – at least for part of the year – about being too hot. Depending on your bedding and region you live in, this could be an issue most of the year, if not year-round. The good news is that with an organic wool mattress topper, you get the best of both worlds. As a natural insulator, wool keeps you warm when you need it, but it breaths and wicks away moisture when you don’t.

On average, we sweat up to 3 pints – think beer glasses – of moisture each night. An organic wool mattress topper prevents you from waking up in clammy, uncomfortable bedding.

Wool also doesn’t promote static cling or electricity.

Wool Topper Comfort

Tests on wool have determined that it recovers 95% of its original thickness when compressed, which is 15-30% higher than typical synthetic materials. As a result, people who sleep on an organic wool topper get the added benefit of superior pressure point relief. Sufferers of back or neck pain know how important this can be.

Wool = REM Sleep

Sleep experts have long spoken about the importance of “REM” (rapid eye movement) sleep due to the benefits to the brain function, including learning and memory retention. Studies show that people who sleep on wool have lower heart rates, experience less sleep disturbance and longer duration REM sleep.

Mattress Topper Safety

Given its natural flame resistance, wool is a safe natural mattress topper option.

Environmentally Friendly Mattress Toppers

♬ Baa baa black sheep do you have any wool? ♬

Black Sheep: I sure do. You making a mattress topper?

Rarely do sheep cross our minds, but nursery rhyme’s aside – that’s really where we get wool! And as such, it’s a sustainable, renewable and biodegradable material.

Organic Wool Mattress Topper FAQs

How long will a wool topper last?

Wool is a healthier choice to sleep on as it offers a low cost organic option and provides the best comfort for years to come. Most wool toppers will come with a 5 year warranty, longer than most topper warranties.

Does a wool mattress topper have a smell?

Like many types of mattresses, you’ll likely detect a distinct, sweet smell when you first roll out your organic wool mattress topper – but it will dissipate over the course of a few days. The appealing scent actually helps create a comforting and relaxing sleep environment, and serves as a reminder that you’re laying on a material free of harmful synthetics, chemicals and toxins.

 

How to choose the right pillow

The right pillow can impact your life in meaningful ways. Unfortunately, most people don’t shop for pillows with fit and comfort in mind. One of the biggest pillow shopping mistakes made is choosing a pillow based purely on your bed’s size.

Just because you have a king mattress doesn’t mean you need a king pillow. Your body shape, size, and sleeping position should be what dictates your pillow, never the size of your bed.

Your pillow’s primary job is to align and support your head and neck with your spine. When you sleep, you are giving your neck a rest from its day to day strain.

Here are a few of the factors that should come into play when choosing a pillow that will properly support and align your spine.

Your Body Composition

Your body shape and weight distribution should factor into your pillow selection. A person with a more narrow frame and slighter shoulders needs a much flatter pillow than someone with a more substantial frame or broader shoulders, even if they both share the same sleep position.

If you are a large chested woman, you know that having a pillow that can support your upper body without your shoulders rolling into one another is amazing!

(Bonus: a well-fitted pillow helps prevent cleavage lines!)

If you sleep on your side, you only need a pillow loft that fills the space between your earlobe to your shoulder. Here is where body size and shape come into play. Some people have broad shoulders, some have long necks, some have squatty shoulders, and others have short necks. Using the pillow filling rule of thumb from the earlobe to the shoulder is always a good starting point.

Your Day Job

If you work at a desk during the day, it’s even more important to have a supportive pillow. Your shoulders are slumped and rolled in. To have a pillow to open up the shoulders while you sleep is a great benefit.

Hand or Arm Discomfort

If your arms or hands are going numb in the night, your pillow does not offer you enough lift support. The weight of your head and your upper body is creating pressure and causing blood flood issues, which leads to numbness. Using a pillow that offers some buoyant support will solve this.

Your Sleeping Style

Depending on the way you sleep, you will need a pillow that fits your needs. There are three main sleepers: back sleeper, stomach sleeper, and side sleeper.

Stomach Sleeper: If you are a stomach sleeper and don’t feel complete without a pillow, then a thin and soft pillow is best. If your pillow is too high, it could cause a pinched neck. The best pillow for a stomach sleeper is Soft and thin.

Back Sleeper: These sleepers need to be aware of a pillow that pushes their head too far forward. A head that is raised too high can cause a stiff neck. Four to six inches of loft and medium support will create the ideal comfort for back sleepers. The Sage Sleep Pillow Collection made from natural shredded rubber provides the perfect support for your head and neck at the end of a long day.

This organic dream nestles your head into the perfect firmness that you desire. Easily adjustable by removing or adding material-you style your pillow your way.

Side Sleeper: This is the most popular sleep position and takes the most requirement out of its pillow. Side sleepers have the longest distance between their ear and shoulder and need a pillow to cover that distance. Without the right alignment, a side sleeper may get a strained and pinched neck.

The crescent-shaped Sage Sleep pillow is ideal for side-sleepers. The organic cotton and breathable hemp fibers provide instant comfort and circulation. Unlike synthetic materials, it regulates body temperatures, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It also offers the best support for all you side-sleepers!

Organic Pillows are different from any other pillow on the market. First and foremost, almost all of our pillows are customizable. No matter what those infomercial guys say, there is NO one pillow for ALL people.

Our bodies are all shaped differently. We carry our weight differently, and we have aches and pains that are unique to each one of us.

Having a pillow that you can customize to your personal preference is key.

We have a selection of side sleeper pillows that look a little different. There “crescent” shaped pillow offers unique support to give you a “lift” from your mattress to relieve shoulder pressure. It’s perfect for side-sleepers and back-sleepers, especially if you ever wake up with numbness in your arms or hands. Plus, it’s shape is excellent for all of you “pillow huggers,” too!

Temperature Regulation

The average person perspires about a pint of moisture per night. If you have a pillow that sleeps hot, you’ll sweat more, which causes tossing and turning. All of which adds up to interrupted sleep.

Pillows that don’t breathe and that get too hot—like those made from memory foam materials—retain moisture and can eventually grow mold, bacteria, and yeast.

Not only is this pretty gross, but it can also lead to allergy symptoms and skin breakouts, no matter how fancy of an acne cream you’re slathering on at night.

Natural Materials

Pillows sold at the Natural Mattress VT are made from natural materials like Mother Nature’s perfect fiber- cotton.

Our signature fabrics are created from natural materials for the ultimate in health and comfort. Airy and breathable fabrics will allow your body to regulate its temperature so you can toss and turn less due to overheating.

Latex  pillows are made of  natural antimicrobial latex that won’t harbor dust mites. (Dust mites don’t like natural rubber latex.)

We think mother nature gave us everything we need to sleep well. We can’t take credit for the fantastic health benefits of these natural materials; we just figured out how to make these materials into the MOST comfortable and supportive pillows ever.

Longevity

There are 100,000 pillows sold in the US every day. The majority of these are sold at big box stores, not by people who understand how a pillow’s height, shape, or materials can impact your sleep. After a year or so of sleeping on a pillow that’s too hot, too tall, etc., most people will go in search of something new and more comfortable.

And those discarded pillows head straight for the landfill.

One of our best selling brands, Sage Sleep pillows are made from durable and long-lasting materials, like organic cotton and natural latex. Because they are customizable, you can add or remove loft (filling) to accommodate changes to your body size, shape, or sleeping styles.

A Sage Sleep pillow lasts 6x to 7x longer than a traditional box-store pillow, by design.

What Our Customers Say

Sage Sleep pillows have been designed and refined over years of experience and feedback from customers, most of which call our Sage Sleep pillows “Life-Changing”.

Words from our current and past customers are what matters most to us.

So we’re proud to say that some of the words our customers use to describe their sleep on our pillows are:

  • “Life-Changing.”
  • “Clean Sleep Never Felt so Good”
  • “Being fit for a pillow is as important as being fit for a bra.”
  • “My neck pain is gone after years of searching for a pillow that works for me.”

You Deserve More From Your Pillow

We sweat, on average, one pint of moisture per night. We wear creams and hair products. Our skin cells flake off while we are sleeping.

Our pillow is what you are laying your head on for ⅓ of each day. It can contribute to a good night’s sleep and better health or cause discomfort, pain, allergies, and interrupted rest.

Your pillow deserves more. More thoughtfulness in its design, more natural fibers in its materials, more long-lasting durability, more customization to fit your body. And you deserve more from your pillow.

You deserve an organic pillow from the Natural Mattress VT!

Why buy an Organic or Natural Futon?

An organic futon is made of organic cotton and wool. The wool is a natural fire retardant so there is no need to spray fire retardant chemicals. Wool is moisture, mildew, and dust mite resistant – as well as thermal regulating. The futons are encased in 100% organic cotton twill. An organic futon is supremely comfortable and long lasting.

An organic futon is perfect for anyone who enjoys the classic firm feel of a futon or is trying to better utilize their space. An organic futon can fold, which make them perfect for studios, small apartments, multipurpose rooms, sofa set up, or a comfy, healthy guest bed.

Traditional futons are made of high-density gel, memory foam, or polyurethane foam manufactured using several toxic chemicals. While the production methods have changed over the years to minimize toxic substance use, these chemicals used no matter in how small quantities are still harmful to the human body. With an organic/natural futon, the usage of chemical substances is avoided in every stage of natural futon mattress production.

We offer futon mattresses from two different manufacturers.: White Lotus Home and and Honest Sleep. Be sure to check out our website and contact us with any additional questions!

What is Talalay Latex?

Talalay latex is one of the most luxurious mattress materials. Not only does it offer great pressure relief, it is extremely durable and very comfortable. Talalay latex is a natural product that is biodegradable. What are the benefits of Talalay latex and how does it compare to Dunlop latex and memory foam?

What is Talalay Latex? 

Talalay latex is a type of natural latex. It is known for gently cradling shoulders and hips as you sleep on your side, but any kind of sleeper can benefit. Talalay is also very breathable due to its open cell structure. It is a great material for those who tend to sleep hot. Since Talalay is a natural latex, it does not off gas harmful chemicals. If health and material purity are important to you, Talalay latex would be a fine non toxic choice for your mattress or topper.

Talalay versus Dunlop

Talalay and Dunlop are two types of natural latex, but they differ in feel and in terms of the manufacturing process. Talalay is best and most responsive for those that sleep on their side, while Dunlop is the denser of the two types of latex and offers incredible support. If you like the best of both worlds, you can choose Talalay as your top comfort layer and Dunlop for the two base layers. This will give the mattress an overall firmer feel then an all Talalay mattress.

Talalay has extra steps in the manufacturing process. As the latex is poured into the mold, it is vacuumed sealed and flash frozen before being baked. This gives Talalay the open cell structure and an overall more consistent feel than Dunlop. Because of the extra steps, Talalay is a little more expensive then Dunlop. However, with Dunlop you can simply flip the layer over to receive a firmer feel to your mattress. Talalay’s density is consistent so you do not have that flexibility.

Talalay versus Memory Foam

Talalay and memory foam both offer great pressure point relief, however there are a few major differences between these two mattress cores. Talalay latex is a natural material that is harvested from the sap of the rubber tree. Memory foam is a chemically manufactured man made product. Talalay is an eco-friendly healthy material that doesn’t sacrifice comfort.

Memory foam is comfortable at first, but it is a chemical reaction from your body heat and the foam that allows it to conform to your body’s curves. Not only is there the potential feeling of overheating while you try to sleep, but eventually memory foam might have trouble bouncing back. This will lead to dips and sags in the mattress instead of long lasting pressure point relief.

Is Talalay Latex Natural? 

Yes, Talalay latex is natural. We recommend avoiding polyurethane foam and memory foam mattresses if you wish to have a natural mattress.

What is the best Talalay Mattress? 

The best Talalay mattress is made from the highest quality natural latex that is both comfortable and safe. We offer Talalay mattresses from Savvy Rest here at The Natural Mattress Company. Savvy Rest uses Vita Talalay from Radium Foam, which is known for its material purity and durability. It is Cradle to Cradle GOLD certified and made using sustainable forestry practices. Savvy Rest is currently the only mattress manufacturer to offer GOTS-certified organic mattresses with Talalay latex.

 

Metta Bed available at The Natural Mattress Company

The Metta Organic Mattress is an extremely comfortable, certified organic, all latex mattress that delivers on the promise of a great nights sleep naturally. The mattress is conveniently delivered to your door in a single box. Talk about an easy set up. The Metta is free from fire retardant chemicals, petroleum based foams and other synthetic materials. It is made with the finest organic materials available: Organic latex, cotton and wool and is Greenguard Gold certified. You won’t find a better built bed at any price.

Using their innovative layer system the Metta has three different comfort levels: plush medium and firm. You will choose a comfort layer at the time of purchase. If within a 120 days, you want to change your comfort level you are able to do it through their latex exchange program. Best of all its free including no shipping charge.

Organic latex is supportive, responsive and does not cause you to overheat.

Organic cotton fabric used for the casing is beautiful, breathable soft and durable.

Organic wool helps you sleep cool by wicking moisture away from your body. Wool is a temperature regulator keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

You can’t beat the price! A Queen mattress is $1299.00!

How to choose the right organic mattress pad?

A mattress pad is considered essential bedding. It will protect mattress you invested in for years to come.

Why should you use a mattress pad?

The obvious answer is that the pad will keep your mattress visibily clean. It will also protect your mattress from a buildup of grimy microscopic pileup of skin oils, sweat, hair products, dust and dead skin cells. Plus any liquid you might spill on the mattress. A mattress pad will help keep your sleeping surface sanitary.

There are really two organic options for mattress pads:

Wool Mattress Pad – The weave of a wool mattress pad makes moisture bead on the surface. We wouldn’t say its moisture proof, but a wool pad is very moisture resistant. Pure wool pads should be hand washed, if it is machine washed on delicate you may experience some shrinkage.

Organic Cotton Mattress Pad – Very simple and machine washable. The pad will protect against all the dirt and grime mentioned above.

We also carry non organic wool mattress pads that are moisture proof and machine washable. They still offer wool’s great breathability resulting in maintained core body temperatures without overheating. The wool is treated with a biowash that allows it to be washable.

Please take a look at many of our mattress pad options on our website.

Vermont Organic Mattress Showroom to Reopen Monday May 18th!

For Immediate Release…

The Natural Mattress Company will reopen our showroom on Monday May 18th. The State of Vermont has mandated that retail stores need to limit patrons to 25% of the legal capacity.
We would appreciate if customers would call ahead to make an appointment, as I would like to try and limit the showroom to one customer group at a time. However, it is not absolutely necessary.

Store employees will be taking all the precautions, such as wearing face masks, sanitizing, and maintaining a six foot distance. It can even be arranged, where you enter the store on your own, and we discuss mattress options when you come outside. We want to make you feel comfortable and safe!

If you want to shop from home we are still available digitally. Whether you have a question about a mattress, bed frame or organic bedding we can help you out via e-mail or phone call.
 

Thank you so much for supporting our small local business during this difficult time. It means so much to us!

Mike

How to Support Brick and Mortar Stores Amidst Covid-19

How to Support Brick and Mortar Stores Amidst Covid-19

With quarantine extensions beginning to indicate the current, growing severity of this pandemic, many universities, public schooling, large venues, sports, and numerous other industries begin to prepare for the long-term. Uncertainty seems to be the one thing certain during the coronavirus pandemic, upheaving the lives of billions of Americans. During this stressful and unprecedented time period, it is ever-so important to find ways to support local, from retailers to restaurants. Many large corporations like UberEats and DoorDash offer free delivery from local restaurants in order to help promote the takeout business. But what about retailers? What is the best way you can support your local brick and mortar store?

 

How to Offer Financial Support

  1. The most obvious way to support your local retailers would be to purchase, if possible, any product. Big or small, all purchases help the shop pay fixed costs such as rent. However, not every store is equal. Here at the Natural Mattress Company, we know buying a mattress is a long process, including time for research and testing. However, we do offer a couple of mattresses that can be re-customized softer or firmer after purchase for no charge while our store’s showroom is closed.

  2. If possible, buy a gift card from your favorite store. This is a popular way to give money to the stores to use now, and allows you to use the gift card later, thus benefiting both parties.

 

How to Offer Other Support

  1. Promote the brand online! A positive review or just a post about the store is just as important as financial support. Remember to follow all of your favorite stores on social media and love their posts.

  2. Check out their website. Website traffic is a great way to boost a company while allowing you to continue research on the brand or product that caught your eye!

  3. Reach out. If you really would like to support your local stores, shoot them an email or leave a call! Asking what you as a customer and patron can during this time is the best and simplest way to provide support.

 

During this pandemic, it is extremely important that we rely on each other, our neighbors, friends, families, and even local businesses. Remember that eventually this will all be over, and here at the Natural Mattress Company we are very excited for the day we get to reopen our doors and talk face-to-face with our customers again. One of the best ways to support your favorite local store is to prepare for after quarantine. Stopping in to say shop or even just say hello offers us the encouragement needed to get through the trying times to follow. We miss all of you greatly and wish you and your loved ones well. Remember to stay safe, and stay inside!