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I recently helped an old college buddy choose a non-toxic bunk bed for his twins.
The research and testing for that article seamlessly morphed into the research and testing for this article…so I’ve written and published them side-by-side.
You may feel overwhelmed by the choices available if you’re in the market for a new organic bunk bed mattress.
In this article, I’ll simplify the process by highlighting the key factors you should consider when choosing a bunk bed mattress.
I’ll even recommend my favorite products in various price ranges to get you started!
✔ 100% Natural Latex
✔ 100% Non-Toxic
✔ GREENGUARD Gold Certified
Sizes Available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, Split Queen, King, Split King, Cal King, Split Cal King
They Say: The Natural Bliss® 100% Natural Latex Mattress is handcrafted in the USA, with the finest quality 100% natural latex - no blends, no synthetics, and no chemicals. It has a soft, GOTS-certified, stretch organic cotton cover, and it is hypoallergenic, vegan, wool-free, and animal-free. It is also GREENGUARD Gold certified. Enjoy nature’s secret for healthy sleep.
We Say: If you’re looking for an all-natural latex bunk bed mattress handcrafted in the USA, then the PlushBeds Natural Bliss may be perfect for you...and your children.
I’m no stranger to PlushBeds. I awarded them as the overall winner in my best organic mattress roundup over a year ago, and it’s a testament to the mattress quality that Mrs. M and I are still sleeping on it to this day.
However, that was The Botanical Bliss (too thick for a bunk bed), and I’m now talking about The Natural Bliss.
The Natural Bliss is made with 100% natural latex (no blends, no synthetics, and no harsh chemicals).
It comes in various sizes and thicknesses to fit any bed, but for this article, we’re only interested in the 8” thick model and the twin or full sizes (these are standard bunk bed sizes - twin mattresses fit most bunk bed frames).
The GOTS-certified, stretch organic cotton cover is super soft to the touch, and the entire mattress is hypoallergenic and vegan. Plus, it’s also GREENGUARD Gold certified, so you can sleep easy knowing there will be no mattress off-gassing in your children’s bedroom!
The only real downside is that the PlushBeds Natural Bliss is one of the more expensive all-natural latex mattresses on the market. However, given its quality construction and materials, it’s well worth the investment.
Free U.S. shipping is available on all orders, and your investment is covered by a 100-night sleep trial and lifetime guarantee.
If you have the budget available, don’t hesitate. This is a seriously impressive mattress!
✔ 2 Firmnesses in 1
✔ No Harsh Chemicals
✔ 20-Year Warranty
Sizes Available: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, Split Queen, King, Cal King, Split King, Split Cal King, Split Queen
They Say: Our 2-sided 100% natural latex mattress is made with the finest quality natural latex, organic cotton, and pure, natural wool. Get 2 firmnesses in 1 latex mattress for natural, superior support at a great price. Certified by GOTS and Eco-Institut for purity.
We Say: This double-sided natural latex mattress from Latex For Less is another mattress I tested for several months.
I’ve donated most of the mattresses I’ve tested to friends, family, or local charities. However, this is one of the few mattresses I’ve kept in storage for a rainy day.
And I’m so glad I did because, at 7” thick, it makes a perfect bunk bed mattress!
It’s made with 100% natural latex, organic cotton, and pure, natural wool and certified by GOTS and Eco-Institut.
The mattress arrived in a small box and unfolded quickly with minimal smell. I opened it outside on a sunny day, and there was zero odor within an hour.
The organic cover is super soft. I love the addition of all-natural California wool to regulate your body temperature and provide a flame-resistant fire barrier without the need for synthetic chemicals or scratchy fiberglass!
The latex inside is sustainably harvested from the Hevea Brasiliensis tree and is botanical, meaning there are no harsh chemicals. It has a buoyant, cloud-like feeling that’s incredibly comfortable.
The real genius of this mattress is the dual firmness options. One side is medium, and the other is firm. Making it perfect for all but the very fussiest of fussy sleepers.
This mattress is handcrafted in the U.S., and Latex For Less is so confident of the quality that they offer a 20-year warranty.
You also get 120 nights to try this mattress out at home. You can return it for a full refund if you're not impressed. They’ll even cover the return shipping. Awesome!
✔ Latex-Free
✔ Ideal for Hot Sleepers
✔ Great Value
Sizes Available: Twin, Twin XL, Full
They Say: Nothing but sweet dreams ahead with the cradling comfort of our Juniper Kids’ Mattress. The cooling gel memory foam layer, formulated with up to 20% with plant-based BioFoam®, sleeps cooler than traditional memory foam, providing a hugging sensation that contours growing bodies. The Juniper’s medium-firm feel supports healthy alignment of the back and spine while relieving pressure points.
We Say: Brentwood Home is an eco-friendly powerhouse of a company, with eco-credentials and certifications coming out of their ears.
It’s now turned all that green experience to the bunk bed mattress market…and produced the simply outstanding memory foam Juniper Kids Mattress.
The Brentwood Home Juniper Kids Mattress is an excellent choice for a bunk bed. It’s made with cooling gel memory foam and BioFoam, which helps keep the mattress cooler than traditional memory foam.
The medium-firm feel of the mattress supports the healthy alignment of the back and spine, while also relieving pressure points.
It’s GREENGUARD Gold certified for safe emissions and uses safe, healthy materials like GOTS-certified organic cotton and CertiPUR-US certified foams.
There are also no chemical flame retardants, heavy metals, or phthalates. It’s also latex-free and 100% hypoallergenic!
This mattress’s low profile nature (just 6” thick) makes it perfect for bunk beds.
It’s an incredibly well-made bunk bed mattress that will give years of comfortable sleep. All for less than 500 bucks for a Twin. Well played, Brentwood Home…WELL PLAYED! ????
Still not convinced? Not a problem! You can try this little beauty out at home for an entire year and return for a refund if you’re not 100% happy. Brentwood Home will even donate your unwanted mattress to a local worthy cause to prevent unnecessary waste and shipping emissions.
Free U.S. shipping and a 25-year warranty are also available to sweeten the deal further.
✔ CertiPUR-US® Certified Foam
✔ OEKO-TEX Certified Organic Cotton
✔ Waterproof Mattress Protector & Pillow Included
Sizes Available: Twin, Full, Queen
They Say: The 5 Little Monkeys’ sleep system bed has created the ideal sleeping environment for your child. Our sleep system includes a triple-layered mattress made using CertiPUR-US® certified memory foam, waterproof kids mattress protector, and a custom fill pillow.
We Say: I came across 5 Little Monkeys when researching and testing for my eco-friendly bed frames article. Their platform foundation impressed me and made the list of bed frame recommendations.
I also briefly mentioned The Sleep System and made a mental note to go back and thoroughly test it one day. I’m so glad that that one day has finally arrived!
As parents, we’re always looking for ways to make our child’s sleep environment more comfortable and healthy…and 5 Little Monkeys offers just that with The Sleep System.
For just shy of 750 bucks (for a twin), you get a certified memory foam mattress, mattress protector, and pillow.
At 8” thick, this organic beauty of a mattress is the perfect size for a bunk bed. It’s made with temperature regulating technology to keep little ones comfortable, and the cover is removable and washable to ensure good sleep hygiene.
It uses a unique cradling technology to reduce restless movement and uncomfortable sleep positions, while the adaptive pressure relief ensures consistent weight distribution for better skeletal.
The waterproof mattress protector creates a protective barrier from allergens, and the pillow is anatomically correct for smaller bodies.
And the best part? This incredible three-part sleep system is toxin-free and allergy proof!
Free shipping is available on U.S. orders, and you get a 100-night sleep trial to decide whether or not to keep it. Simply return for a full refund, no questions asked, if you decide it’s not for you.
If you decide to keep The Sleep System after the first 100 days, you’re covered with a 15-year mattress warranty.
According to Cleveland Clinic, children often need around 12 hours of sleep a night, so ensuring their sleep environment is as comfortable and safe as possible is crucial.
When it comes to choosing a bunk mattress, there are multiple factors you need to consider.
You can’t just throw any old mattress onto a bunk bed. Most standard mattresses are too thick.
There are two types of mattresses commonly used on bunk beds:
The thickness of a bunk bed mattress is crucial because it needs to fit snugly between the bunk bed rails. If it’s too thick, it won’t fit, and your child could get hurt by falling out of bed.
Most bunk beds recommend a maximum mattress thickness of 8”.
Some may be able to accommodate a thicker mattress (especially if they have extra guard rails, etc.), but it’s always best to err on the side of caution.
Bunk beds come in two standard sizes, twin and full.
You need to ensure you get a mattress that fits the specific size of your bunk bed. A twin mattress won’t fit full-size bunk beds and vice versa.
If you’re unsure what size mattress you need, measure the dimensions of your bunk bed.
The firmness of your mattress is important for two reasons:
When it comes to mattress firmness for children, you should look for a medium-firm mattress. This will provide the perfect balance of comfort and support.
Most bunk bed mattresses are made from foam, latex, or innerspring:
Foam and latex are the best choices for a bunk bed mattress. They’re both comfortable and supportive and won’t sag over time as an innerspring mattress might.
Other materials that you might find in a bunk bed mattress include:
Greenwashing is rife in the mattress industry.
Many companies out there will try to trick you into thinking that their mattress is eco-friendly and non-toxic with bogus claims and vague buzz words such as ’natural’ and ’green’.
Respected third-party certifications help ensure that the materials used to make your bunk bed mattress are as sustainable and non-toxic as claimed.
Some of the leading material certifications to look out for on your next mattress include:
Read more about these and all other environmental certifications to make sure you know what you're buying.
In addition to material certifications, you should also look for business certifications.
These are awarded to manufacturers and retailers who are run ethically and sustainably. For example, using renewable energy sources or donating profits to charity.
Some of the leading business certifications to look out for on your next mattress include:
Go here to find out more about these labels.
Sustainable products are often more expensive than mass-produced products that damage the planet. This is because the materials and processes needed to produce healthy and earth-friendly products cost more.
However, if there is one place you should spend a little more to get peace of mind, it’s the mattress your child will potentially spend half their childhood on.
The price you pay will depend on the mattress's size, firmness, and material. For example, you’ll pay more for an organic latex mattress made in the U.S. than a basic innerspring mattress imported from China.
Keep in mind that you get what you pay for. A cheap, poorly-made mattress will only last a few years before it needs replacing.
It’s better to spend a little extra money on a high-quality mattress that will last for years. This will save you money in the long run.
Bunk bed weight capacities are to be taken seriously, especially when you’re talking about the weight limit of the top bunk.
With this in mind, it’s better to go for a lighter mattress on a bunk bed to ensure you’re under the weight limit (especially when older children use the bunk bed).
If you’re ever in doubt about the weight capacity of your bunk bed, always check the handbook or contact the manufacturer.
Some bunk beds can come in different designs, so you might need specially shaped mattresses to fit correctly (in an L-shaped bunk bed, for example).
I’ve covered bunk bed shape/design in more detail in my non-toxic bunk bed article.
Bunk bed mattresses can make all sorts of noise…from the springs creaking to the fabric rustling.
While this might not be a deal breaker for some people, it can be disruptive for light sleepers.
If your children are light sleepers, I recommend avoiding innerspring mattresses.
Children love sleeping in bunk beds, but they can be dangerous if misused.
According to federal law, bunk beds must meet strict guidelines and adhere to the requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA).
When using a bunk bed, please follow the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Guidance at all times.
No, you don’t need special sheets for a bunk bed mattress. However, you might consider using fitted sheets designed to stay in place on a mattress. This will help to keep your child’s bedding in place and looking neat.
I’d also strongly recommend steering clear of polyester. Instead, go for organic kids bedding to protect their health (and the environment).
You should vacuum your mattress regularly. You can also spot-clean it with a damp cloth.
Be sure to let the mattress dry fully before putting the sheets back on it.
For more mattress cleaning tips, check out Arabella’s excellent How to Deep Clean A Memory Foam Mattress and How To Clean a Latex Mattress articles.
If your budget can stretch to an organic mattress for your kids, I highly recommend it. Think of it as an investment in their future health and wellbeing.
Children are more susceptible to toxins and chemicals than adults, so it makes sense to choose an organic mattress for them.
There are many things you should avoid if you’re looking for an organic mattress for your baby. I’ve covered this in further detail in my best organic crib mattress article.
The Kiwi Bunk Bed Mattress from My Green Mattress is a decent mattress for bunk bed use. However, I didn’t like the level of support offered by the springs, so it didn’t make the list of recommendations.
When it comes to organic bunk bed mattresses, there are many things to consider before purchasing.
Price, weight capacity, noise, and safety guidelines are all key factors to take into account.
Additionally, you will need to consider the shape/design of your child’s bunk bed to ensure that the mattress fits perfectly.
Finally, for additional peace of mind, look out for green certifications.
Which best organic bunk bed mattress are you considering buying? Have you already taken the plunge and bought an organic bunk bed mattress? Do you love it or hate it? Drop me a line and let me know.
Our core values mean we always prioritize sustainability over profit. We carefully evaluate and personally test every product to ensure they meet our high standards. All products recommended in this article were tested in accordance with our Review Methodology.
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