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If you don’t know what to do, don’t do anything at all. While I’m definitely no procrastinator (just ask my husband), this adage, unfortunately, describes my approach to determining the best mattress for our master bedroom over the years.
Embarrassing, but true.
You see, my husband and I bought a sleep number bed shortly before we started our family. That was more than 15 years ago. It seemed like a good decision at the time, but the truth is, I never really liked it all that well. How much can you really determine from a few minutes laying on a bed in a showroom anyway?
Why did we buy it, you might ask? Good question! I guess it was primarily because it was the new and different sleep technology at that time and we thought the feature of being able to pump up our individual side of the bed to our personal liking (hubby likes it firmer than I do) would be conducive to slumbering marital bliss.
Yes, we basically got “sold”.
Our sleep number bed had a 20 year or so limited warranty, so about 10 years in, I realized we needed to find something else especially once I started bearing children which caused me to find the bed ever more uncomfortable for my perpetually sore back and neck from all the physical rigors of raising children (constant stooping, bending over, carrying babies on your hip etc).
Besides a lack of comfort, I didn’t find the EMFs from a plugged-in bed right about where your head is resting on a pillow to be conducive to a good night’s sleep. Either my husband, myself or whoever changed the sheets and pumped up the bed kept forgetting to unplug it!
Not to mention the toxic substances that were being outgassed by the chemicals added to the mattress for “safety” that we were breathing all night long.
With so many checks in the “replace your mattress now” category, you might wonder why I didn’t get a new bed sooner.
That’s where the “if you don’t know what to do, don’t do anything at all” comes in.
I knew I wanted a nontoxic mattress, but I didn’t want to pay a ton of money for an organic mattress only to find it just as uncomfortable and possibly more unhealthy than the bed I currently had.
My concerns about buying a new mattress were due to the recent (2007) flameproof mattress regulation which requires all mattresses to withstand a severe open flame test (2000 degrees for over a minute). This requires acutely toxic and known, cancer-causing chemicals in or next to the surface of all mattresses – even organic ones (untreated organic wool cannot pass this test as it burns at 600 degrees). Companies are not required to disclose the chemical cocktails they use in their mattresses and often deny they use them at all.
Watch out for furniture in dormitories too. The mattresses provided by colleges and boarding schools use these chemicals too.
Given all these regulations, I honestly didn’t think that the bed of my dreams had even been invented yet – truly nontoxic with a sleep technology that actually delivered a great night’s sleep. So I procrastinated my decision and did nothing.
Then, a friend of mine who is into a green and nontoxic lifestyle shared the research she had done about mattresses and why she had settled on an IntelliBED.
Sometimes the best things that come into our lives are from the recommendation of a like-minded friend.
Isn’t that the truth?
Benefits of Gel Mattresses
I dug in and started to read the research for myself. Here are the most compelling factoids I uncovered that clinched the decision for me:
- IntelliBED uses hypoallergenic, nontoxic Intelli-GEL® instead of toxic foam or fire retardant treated organic wool to cushion your hips and shoulders. This patented gel technology reduces pressure points by as much as 80% compared to even expensive memory foam or latex foam (see pressure mapping images to the right).
- Over 900 doctors, chiropractors, and orthopedic surgeons recommend the IntelliBED for their patients. The science behind this bed blows away all other sleep technologies.
- Other gel mattresses on the market are not non-toxic and don’t perform as well as Intellibed. When tested, these knock-offs perform more like other foams and nothing like the patented intelli-GEL.
- IntelliBED uses the same patented mattress technology chosen by hospital burn units as this sleep technology eliminates undue pressure on parts of the body damaged by fire exposure which would cause excruciating pain, exacerbate inflammation, and compromise tissue healing.
- Instead of a 10 minute trial in a showroom, intelliBED gives you 90 days to try out the mattress in your own home with a full money-back guarantee if you’re not completely happy.
The combination of top of the line sleep technology which no other mattress measures up to, nontoxic, non-outgassing mattress materials and a 90-day money-back guarantee made the decision very easy for my husband and myself.
In addition to the mattress, we are using the IntelliBED pillows too, which are made from the same non-toxic, hypoallergenic gel instead of toxic foam or mold-prone down or feather pillows. We love them so much that we are purchasing an IntelliBED pillow for each of our children for Christmas and plan to replace their cotton futon mattresses with Intellibeds as soon as possible.
My husband and I are totally thrilled with our new IntelliBED. After sleeping on an IntelliBED for only two weeks, my back felt like it did before I had kids, which I never thought was possible.
How to Try IntelliBED for 90 Days Risk-Free
I contacted IntelliBED and asked if it would be possible for me to share a special coupon with my readers to try it as I know from your emails that sleep and nontoxic slumber are big issues for many. For those of you in a quandary about your mattress like I was for such a long time, this coupon plus the 90-day money-back guarantee makes the decision easy and risk-free.
Use coupon HealthyHomeEconomist to get 10% off Intellibed’s Organix line of beds including organic cotton sheets, a deluxe mattress protector, and free delivery.
Click here to find out more.
IntelliBED even offers the white glove treatment at no extra cost, with the bed delivered and set up by a team of two professionals right in your own home who will also haul off your old mattress if you like! This is what we did, and it was so convenient and non-stressful.
Bye, bye Sleep Number!
UPDATE: Since this initial article was written, we’ve now replaced our three children’s natural mattresses with Intellibed mattresses too! We even got one for my son’s bed at college (check it out in this article on healthy dorm furniture).
Included in this update post are my photos and film clips after visiting the Intellibed factory in Salt Lake City, Utah to personally verify all claims about this bed.
More Information
Thank you for this in-depth review! I’ve been considering switching from my Sleep Number bed for a while now but wasn’t sure if the gel bed would really make a difference. Your personal experience and detailed insights have definitely helped clarify things for me. I love that it promotes better sleep health—sounds like it’s worth the investment!
I’m a little confused. I went to Intellibed’s website and it didn’t seem like the same company. The lady said that intellibed has its own website now and separated from the original store to be more organized. I started asking some questions because it didn’t sit quite right with me. She said their beds don’t gas off either. Their beds were way more affordable ( 1200 – 2000) than the highly expensive ( only for the elite) intellibeds that link to the company Organix now. Can you please shed some light? What are the differences if both companies are claiming they meet your standards? It would be such a relief to find beds that I could make payments that wouldn’t put my family into debt. Organix is for the rich and most of your readers are probably one income homes like mine raising beautiful children and trying to keep them healthy. Some company need to step in and fill this gap. I am willing to order from Europe ( like I did for my bed frame) if I can find affordable healthy beds.
Yes, the organic version of Intellibed has split off into Organix now. This is where to find the original gel bed written about in this article. If you need a more affordable option, I recommend considering this vendor. https://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/go/my-green-mattress/
Hi Sarah. I recently purchased a sleep number 360 smart bed. I have had it for 2 weeks. I knew I kept feeling hot while trying to sleep, which kept me waking up and trying to get repositioned. I never thought the heat was due to it’s possible EMFs or fire retardant chemicals. Wow, I am so greatful to have come across your post. Thanks a lot.
I would suggest returning the sleep number mattress since you are within the trial period and consider purchasing an Intellibed Organix mattress.
Why do you really recommend the Intellibed? Are you receiving an incentive? I am surprised that you don’t stand behind mattresses that are at least 95% organic content and carry the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification or the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS). In addition, to containing chemicals, the Intellibed is too expensive for most to buy ($5K – $10K). I wish that you would look at a variety of GOTS or GOLS mattresses and give your accessment.
Organic mattresses don’t hold up! They have body impressions within MONTHS of purchase. I bought 2 for my growing sons and they were TRASHED within a year and a half.
I would rather have an Intellibed that is just as nontoxic and safe, with MORE sleep technology behind it and lasts 20+ years rather than replace an organic mattress every 2-3 years. My boys’ Intellibeds look BRAND NEW and they are over 5 years old. In the long run, an Intellibed is WAY smarter of a purchase both for your wallet and your health.
Hello. I have the intellibed organix mattress in the online shopping cart and am trying to use your codes Ive seen listed throughout this page and comments. “HEALTHYHOME “ and “HealthyHomeEconomist”. Both these codes do not work and say “The maximum spend for this coupon is $1,000.00.” Yet the least expensive intellibed mattress is $3200. I am wondering what the specifics of this coupon is? Or am I missing something? Thank you!
The coupon should work. Let me forward your email to customer service and get this fixed. Thanks for letting me know! We will get this fixed asap.
However, if you want all the freebies, you need to call in. 801-384-6397
Hi Sarah, did you also purchase the adjustable base from Intellibed? I tried it out the intellibed on an adjustable base in a nearby store and really liked the adjust ability but don’t like the wifi = EMFs. I didn’t realize the organic version is not available in local stores so I’m hoping to order one on line this week.
No, I did not get the adjustable base due to EMF concerns. I just have the Organix mattress. Use coupon code HealthyHomeEconomist and you can get the 10% off plus all the freebies 🙂
What kind of cancer does it cause ? Sleep number
Question of 2nd best (?); Wondering if you recommend a 2nd best option that is a tad less expensive. We are looking for an organic mattress for our 2.5 yr old who is just about to transition to a big bed and leave the crib. Thank you!
Unfortunately, a good mattress that doesn’t offgas and threaten health is not an inexpensive choice. You get what you pay for. I don’t have any other suggestions for you unfortunately.