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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
http://naturallysaferproducts.com/pulling-the-wool-over-your-eyes/
Nice article, but the question is still not answered as to how the mattress somehow defies science by not catching fire being blowtorched at 2000 degrees for 70 seconds when untreated wool catches fire at 600 degrees. Can the company post the chemical free certification test results from federal regulators? I’m extremely curious here. Also, I’ve been told that wool mattresses are sweaty to sleep on and not comfortable in the summer or in warm climes. Thanks!
The silica that Intellibed uses to bypass flame retardant requirements is a very hazardous substance, linked to lung cancer.
http://Www.Silica-safe.org
Um, this is for silica dust from construction sites. Not silica (glass) thread.
Ivy, all disclosures were contained within the post 🙂
The Wool Bed company assures their wool is untreated and explains why this complies with the 2007 new requirements for flame retardants in mattresses.
http://www.surroundewe.com/mobile/WhyChooseWool.asp
I read the link and it doesn’t say anything about how this mattress complies with the regulation. It just dodges the question. The open flame test is 2000 degrees for a little over one minute (70 seconds) … untreated wool does not pass as it burns at 600 degrees.
From the link you provided I quote:
CPSC has stated that mattress manufacturers aren’t required to use these flame-retardant chemicals to meet the new standard. “Manufacturers can use any number of means, including natural fibers and treated fibers, which are inherently flame-resistant, high-performance, and rayon-based,” said Davis. “Our scientists at CPSC, as well as outside experts, evaluated and tested the chemicals currently used. We looked at all kinds of scenarios. In the end, the test proves that there is no appreciable risk to consumers.”
So some conscious manufacturers, those in the market of truly non-toxic bedding, are free to ignore this regulation, if they use naturally flame resistant fibers, like wool.
My wool mattress came with a certification stating that the wool had not been subjected to any treatment. I even poked a hole in the seams and grabbed a bunch of wool. It smelled as if it came straight from the sheep. In fact it even had the occasional plant fiber that is bound to escape truly manual shearing, cleaning, and stuffing.
Correct. Flame retardants are not required, but passing the open flame test is required. Your wool does not pass without something additional being added to it. Intellibed uses silica (glass) thread, which is considered very safe.
You really need to question what you are being told by your manufacturer and no, a manufacturer can’t just “ignore” this regulation. I don’t wish to get into a spitting contest here, if you are happy with your bed, then great! 🙂 But, the truth is that untreated wool does not pass the open flame test required by the new 2007 regulation which is a blow torch at 2000 degrees for 70 seconds. Wool, while flame resistant, can only withstand up to 600 degrees. If your bed is older than 2007, then yes, it is likely untreated as it would have passed the old cigarette lighter test.
Ask your manufacturer the specific question of how does this supposedly untreated wool bed can pass the blowtorch at 2000 degrees for 70 seconds test when untreated wool can only withstand to 600 degrees?
I got my daughter her bed from Shepherds Dream. It’s 100% wool and I asked them specifically about flame retardants and they said they weren’t used. A twin sized bed will end up costing $2000, but I think it’s worth it. I feel like the intellibed has too many unknowns and I’d feel better going with something more natural.
How are the federal regulations for the open flame test met then since 100% untreated wool does not pass without added chemicals?
Because wool is naturally flame retardant. You can hold a match to wool and the flame will extinguish itself.
I too bought a 100% wool bed from surroundewe.com, and it came with a certification that the wool was virgin and untreated.
Mercola too offers untreated wool bedding. That some suppliers treat wool with harmful chemicals doesn’t mean that all do (same difference between organic and non-organic farmers).
Sarah, you need to provide references (that don’t come from the intel lined page) to back your claim that all wool for bedding is treated.
I did a lot of research on this two years ago, and I even asked several suppliers for written certifications on the quality of the wool and any treatments of it. The bed I bought came with such a certification.
Wool burns at 600 degrees and yes is naturally flame retardant to a cigarette lighter but not beyond the 600 degrees. The open flame test is 2000 degrees with a blow torch for 70 seconds to pass the regulations as discussed in the article. Untreated wool does not pass and hence does not meet the federal regulations without the addition of chemicals. Here’s more information:
Here’s one for you:
I’m glad you are happy with your bed 🙂 However, as I stated in the post, I was seeking more than an organic certification which I am quite frankly dubious of given how strict this federal regulation is with regard to the open flame test. I also needed the top sleep technology available today which a wool mattress does not offer.
Is co-sleeping with babies safe on these beds?? It wouldnt have been safe on the memory foam mattress we tried. So we’re still on our old firm but sunken in mattress 🙁
Yes, it is. We have an Intellibed, which we bought right after I found out I was pregnant with our third child. We knew we were going to co-sleep, so this was a requirement that we checked for. We wish we’d gotten the gel crib mattress as this may have made it easier to move her to her own bed. We are very happy with our mattress, which we’ve had for over 3 years. My back felt better during my pregnancy (and since) than it did before pregnancy (since I was about 12 years old I’ve had back problems). I’m not a huge fan of the gel pillows, but they have other good pillows from Intellibed- its very individual, IMO.
Duke University will test foam samples for free to see if they contain flame retardants and other toxic chemicals. Amazing service.
Unfortunately, upholstered furniture like sofas and chairs, carpet padding, as well as beds, are doused with flame retardant.
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/09/how-to-test-a-couch-for-toxins/380823/
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/11/26/couch-flame-retardant-testing.aspx
Thanks for this information, Beth. Very very helpful.
I sleep on a 4″ comfort dreams “mem-cool” topper available from o.co
My problems include I prefer sleeping on my side, and my skin needs to breathe. My arms will lose circulation if there is any stiffness. And it feels hot if it isn’t breathable when I’m sunk in. But whatever is in it doesn’t bother me. It seems to be open cell (you can breathe even if you push your face into it), conducts heat, and is soft enough to sink to take pressure off.
The gel might work if there was enough of an airgap on top.
Dear Sarah,
I learn so much from your articles, and really appreciate your generosity in sharing so much valuable information.
My only concern about the mattress described here is that, according to the video, it has tempered-steel inner springs. My inclination is to avoid all metal in or around my bed since it can conduct EMF frequencies. Maybe there is something about the “tempered” steel that prevents it from being a conductor. That is something I would want to check.
Thanks again for all you do!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth
Yes, there are some steel springs in this mattress. I am not concerned about this. I think mercury amalgams and/or metal dental implants would be a much more serious concern for conducting EMF radiation than bed springs to be honest. We have nothing plugged in our bedrooms at night (no alarm clock, no cell phones, nothing electrical) and turn off our wifi while we sleep so the EMF exposure is minimal to none. I am very cautious about EMFs, but the truth is, if you really want to avoid them completely, you need to go off grid and live in a National Park somewhere.
Hi Elizabeth,
I was considering the Intellibed but, like you, the inner steel springs gave me pause. Similar to Sarah, I don’t have anything plugged in by my bed and I also turn my wifi off at night. However, several of my neighbors’ wifi streams into my house all night long and I have a cell phone tower near my house so I don’t want to sleep on top of an antenna. I think whether or not the Intellibed would work for you would depend on your circumstances and how close you live to neighbors and things like cell phone towers.
Is your claim all organic matressss like savvy rest are treated with fire retardants?
My research tells me that federal regulations require all mattresses to pass an open flame test which untreated organic wool does not pass. I do not know what savvy rest is made out of …. you will have to research that for yourself. The company is not required to disclose to you what they use in their bed to meet these regulations by the way. Do I trust a company just because it makes an organic product? No I do not. What I can tell you also is that no organic mattress on the market comes close to matching the support, reduction in inflammation etc of the intelliBED. So, even if an organic mattress didn’t have fire retardants, I would not buy one .. I wanted nontoxic AND top tier support. If organic alone is enough for you, then that is your choice 🙂