Question from TA
Debra, do you know if wool alone is sufficient to pass the flame test required by law for mattresses? I see natural mattress companies that claim they use no fire retardant because wool is naturally flame resistant, and that’s how they pass the flame test. But then I see other natural mattress companies claiming that wool alone won’t pass the test and therefore some type of fire retardant must be used (and they sometimes directly state that companies who claim to use only wool aren’t telling the full story, because they must be using something else to pass the test). Shopping around for natural mattresses gets very confusing and frustrating.
On a similar note, how can one be sure of ANY of the claims made by mattress companies? They say their mattresses are incredibly pure, free from any toxic chemicals, and so forth. But then I find something on another site stating that the mattresses from the super-pure-and-natural company have been tested by a lab and found to contain toluene and formaldehyde. Is it possible those are false accusations, perhaps from a competitor who wants to hurt their business? Yes. Is it possible that those things are true and we’d be breathing in those chemicals if we bought said mattress? Yes.
When spending thousands of dollars on a natural mattress, how can one be sure that the product truly is as wonderful as it appears to be? If I were to spend the money on a Savvy Rest mattress, for instance, can I trust that wool really is the only fire retardant being used and that we won’t be breathing in toluene and formaldehyde and other harmful chemicals if we sleep on it for the next 20 years?
Debra’s Answer
Yes, wool alone is sufficient to pass the flame test required by law for mattresses.
As for your other question, it’s difficult. By law companies are supposed to tell the truth. But they don’t always. Over the years I have gotten to know some of the companies and trust them because of our long-standing relationship. Some companies aren’t interested in talking with me, and I also hear things. But you can also just look at their website and see what they are promoting. For example, if a company promotes that they are “certified” by a certification they created and they are the only product certified, well, what does that sound like to you?
Also, look at their certification certificates. Are they up-to-date? If you go to the website of the certifier, can you confirm the product is certified?
The companies I trust are the ones who have current third party certifications and are forthcoming about their materials, particularly describing them on their website. They welcome my phone calls. Some, I’ve even visited their manufacturing facilities. I even SLEPT in the workrooms where they make Shepherd’s Dream mattresses.
I don’t like companies mudslinging each other. For me, the best presentation a company can make is to clearly present their materials and let the customer decide.
