Welcome. Here you will find information on the broad variety of cotton mattress products available and also recommendations on the best place to purchase them from.
The Cotton Mattress is a complete sleeping alternative to the standard inner spring mattress. It provides a firm base to sleep on and is used regularly in countries like Japan or India where a mattress can also serve as base for meditation.
An increasing number of people are turning to mattresses made of cotton (or other natural fibres) due to concern about the Electro Magnetic Field caused by inner-spring mattresses. These springs, referred to as “poison arrows” in Feng Shui, can heighten the Earth’s EMF while you sleep, causing undesirable responses in sensitive sleepers.
Cotton Mattress Variations
Often available in chemical free or organic variations, the cotton mattress is a healthy option for those sensitive to the metal or chemicals commonly used in inner-spring mattresses.
A cotton mattress can often be referred to as a futon, and may also contain a layer of wool, springs or latex to lighten the weight of a full cotton mattress. Mixing components also offers a less dense version of the pure cotton mattress.
The common varieties of cotton mattresses:
- 100% cotton: Firm & heavy. Often organic or pesticide free
- Cotton/Latex: Firm but softer than full cotton, heavy. Latex is another word for rubber and, as with most natural substances, organic latex is the healthiest option available.
- Cotton/Wool: Medium to firm, heavy. Wool is added to soften the mattress.
- Cotton/Inner Spring: The lightest and softest option but not the best option for those sensitive to metal.
Cotton Mattress Care
All mattresses with a high percentage of cotton require airing. This could involve simply rolling the mattress up on the bed base, turning the mattress over or placing it in the sun.
The size and weight of a cotton mattress should be taken into account before purchasing as they can be rather unwieldy. Most often the airing process simply requires one person to roll one end of the mattress over the other in the morning and then roll it back down in the afternoon.
To ensure that the mattress breathes effectively it is recommended that pure cotton mattresses be placed on a base made of wooden slats.
Bases for a Cotton Mattress
Cotton mattresses need to breathe and its best to ensure they keep dry by placing them on slat bases. The slat bases are traditionally lower to the ground and the planks of wood that support the mattress can be made of either solid hardwood or can be flexible.
Those mattresses with inner springs do not need the slats and can be placed on traditional bases though should still be rotated regularly.