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Many of us have allergies from birth or develop allergies as we get older. Symptoms can range from slight stuffiness to a rash to anaphylactic shock. Dust mites in mattresses get the most attention, but we can be allergic to anything.
What’s important is to know what is causing the allergic reaction. Sometimes it’s dust mites, but it might be chemicals or even natural materials. We often hear that someone is allergic to wool, but normally it’s the harsh bleaches, cleaning agents, dyes, and other chemicals that are used in normal wool processing.
Recommendation:
Latex and wool are probably the best materials, but some people have allergies to them. Natural materials are usually better than synthetic materials, but cotton is the worst.
Avoid:
Cotton fiber anyplace inside a mattress. It gets lumpy and hard. It attracts moisture, and along with it, dust mites, mold, mildew, and fungus. Organic cotton avoids the pesticides that are in conventially grown cotton, but dust mites breed easily in any cotton. |
Materials Scorecard
1 = Poor. 5 = Outstanding
| Material |
Temperature |
Pressure |
Motion |
Support |
Durability |
Chemicals |
Allergens |
| Natural Latex |
3 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
| Synthetic Latex |
3 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
2 |
4 |
| Memory Foam |
1 |
5 |
5 |
1 |
4 |
2 |
4 |
| Polyurethane Foam |
2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
| Organic Wool |
5 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
5 |
4 |
| Synthetic Wool |
5 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
| Innerspring |
4 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
| Organic Cotton |
3 |
1 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
5 |
1 |
| Conventional Cotton |
3 |
1 |
4 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
| Polyester Fiber |
2 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
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