Non Toxic Mattresses 

4 Living are delighted to offer for sale the Essentia range of non toxic memory foam mattresses. Essentia is the only manufacturer of natural, non toxic memory foam in the world. This ground breaking natural foam mattress means that at last durability and purity can be delivered in one comfortable, non toxic and 100% natural mattress

What are non toxic mattresses?

A non toxic mattress is a natural latex foam mattress manufactured without the use or inclusion, of any toxic materials. They have been designed to offer a healthy alternative to the usual memory foam mattresses and are manufactured using entirely natural and organic essential oils, plant extracts and water. Essentia's patented natural memory foam has all the benefits of memory foam, without any of the harmful additives.

What common toxins do normal mattresses contain?

Normal mattresses may contain significant amounts of Methyl benzene or Toluene, prolonged exposure to which may affect a developing foetus. Other toxic chemicals commonly found in mattresses are: 4-Aminobiphenyl, 4-trans-pentyl-cyclohexyl, Acetone, 1,1,1, 2-Tetrachloroethane, Asbestos Fluorinated polymers, Azoxylbenzene, Benzonitrile, Beryllium and Compounds, Carbon Tetrachloride, Cellulose nitrate plastic polymers, Chlorofluorocarbons, Chloroform, Chromium and Compounds, Cobalt and Compounds, Cyanide, Dimethylacetamide, Dimethylformamide, Dioxins and furans, Epichlorohydrin, Glycol ethers, Halogenated benzenes, Halogenated napthalenes, Halogenated triphenyls, Halons, Haologenated idphenyl ethers, Hexachlorobutadiene, Indium, Lead carbonate, Lead hydrocarbonate, Lead sulphate, Magnesium, Methylene dianiline, Molybdenum, Organo-tin compounds, Perfluorocarbons benzene, Phenylcyclohexane benzidine, Polychlorinated phenols, Rhenium, Rubidium, Samarium, Strontium, Tellerium, Thallium and compounds, Toluene diisocyanate, Toluene–neoprene, Vinilideine chloride and Vinyl acetate.

What other nasties are found in traditional mattresses?

Toxic fire retardants

Most of the major mattress manufacturers use a highly toxic fire retardant simply because it is cheaper than using a non toxic fire retardant. Among the dangerous chemicals found in these toxic fire retardants are Boric acid, a toxin known to inhibit development and reproduction, Antimony which causes heart and lung damage and is a suspected carcinogen and Decabromodiphenyl Oxide which causes hair and memory loss and is very possibly carcinogenic.

All these harmful chemicals can be absorbed into the skin as they leech through mattress covers and pillow cases and can cause skin irritations, learning deficiencies and memory loss, cancers, heart, lung and kidney damage, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and birth defects.

Other harmful chemicals used to make mattresses fire retardant are; Vinylidene Chloride, Bromine and Formaldehyde which between them are responsible for skin irritations and discolouration, burns and blisters, ulcers, symptoms of drunkenness, blurred vision and eye damage, lung congestion, liver and kidney damage, tumours, pulmonary oedema, pneumonia, convulsions and diarrhea.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are small, blood sucking insects that live in the crevices and cracks in bedding and bed frames. They hide in mattresses and in box springs, waiting until just before dawn when they appear to feast on our blood or the blood of any other mammals.

They feed without interruption by cleverly anaesthetising the area they are feeding from and it is only after the anaesthetic has worn off, that we even realise we have been bitten at all. In many cases the irritation suffered as a result of a bed bug bite is our first indication that there is a problem. This usually prompts further investigation and it doesn’t take long to find them, if you know where to look and what to look for.

There are four indicators of the presence bed bugs. Firstly there are the itchy bite marks that appear on your body, then there are the blood stains on your sheets, thirdly, the sweet odour of bed bug discharge and lastly, their discarded skins.

To treat bed bug bites, simply apply a topical cream to the bitten area, this will reduce the itch and in doing so, protect from further infection through scratching. Antihistamines may be necessary to treat any allergic reactions

Bed bugs can be prevented through washing bed linens and pillows in hot soapy water with bleach every 10 days and by vacuuming or steam cleaning the bed frames, top and bottom. Thoroughly clean any second-hand furniture before bringing it into the home and if you’ve been travelling, closely inspect both your luggage and clothing before taking it back into the house. Get rid of your infested mattress and buy a new one with a bed bug repellent.

Dust mites

Dust mites are tiny, spider like creatures that thrive in sprung mattresses. At 0.3mm in length they cannot be seen with the naked eye and just a gram of house dust can contain up to 100,000 of them. Female dust mites can live for 2 months, twice as long as males and in that time, lay up to 200 eggs.

The dust mite loves warmth, darkness and humidity so your mattress and bedding are the perfect habitat for them. They feed on discarded human and animal skin and once full, will defecate. Dust mite faeces which collect inside the mattress, can cause an allergic reaction among some people, severely impacting on health and sleep quality.

If you are allergic to dust mites, you may suffer from a range of issues including asthma, rhinitis, hay fever, itching and headaches, fatigue, rashes and eczema, even depression. Figures from the American Lung Association suggest that between 50 and 80% of all asthma and hay fever cases are triggered by an allergic reaction to dust mites.

According to the American Lung Association, approximately 50-80% of asthma and hay fever cases are triggered by a reaction to dust mites. The American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology [AAAAI] recently concluded that natural materials in mattresses are far less likely to cause allergic reactions than synthetic materials.

Why choose natural memory foam mattresses?

Dust mites thrive in sprung mattresses because of their open-air spring system and loosely constructed layers. The solid foam core of an Essentia mattress is a natural dust mite deterrent which presents a healthy, allergen free sleeping environment allowing you to sleep better and feel better.

In addition, natural memory foam mattresses are manufactured without any of the toxic chemicals or fire retardants mentioned above.

Why buy an Essentia mattress?

Essentia mattresses are made with the world's only natural memory foam. They are 80% more breathable than any other make of foam. They naturally support the body using no glues or adhesives of any kind. They are long lasting, entirely non toxic and afford the proper spinal alignment and support by distributing the pressure evenly. This assists movement on the mattress and its natural ventilation maintains a fresh sleep surface. There are no chemical odours.

Non Toxic Mattresses – Click here to browse the Essentia range.