I’m almost ashamed to admit it, but here goes… I had my old bed mattress for 16 years.
Wow! That’s a long time to have a mattress, especially when the warranty on it was just 10 years. But let me tell you, even after just a couple of years I could feel the mattress sagging. I had to flip it over every few months. I tossed and turned when I slept on it. I regularly had kinks in my neck. So it was functional as a bed, but truthfully I didn’t really have a restful night’s sleep on it.
And all of this paled in comparison to what my husband was going through. Soon after we got our bed, he began having back issues. Since then he’s been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease, ankylosing spondylitis, and rheumatoid arthritis. He’s also dealt with sleep issues that cause him to toss and turn constantly throughout the night and waking up nearly every hour – which means he’d wake up feeling sleepy and unrested.
I never knew that a bed can make a huge difference for us. That’s why I had put off looking for a new bed for so many years.
When I was ready to buy a bed, I was overwhelmed with all the options: natural, latex, organic, chemical-free, foam, wool, Tempurpedic, Sleep Number… the choices were limitless. In fact, it took me a couple of years (literally) to end up with a bed mattress I was happy with.
Can you relate? Are you overwhelmed by all the choices in bed mattresses? Just the organic/natural market alone can be daunting.
I chose a non-toxic mattress instead of an organic one. Keep reading and I’ll tell you why.
The Chemicals Lurking in Your Mattress
I had a conventional bed mattress, and frankly I’ve done enough research to know that most conventional mattresses (made with an inner spring) are made with polyurethane foam, a petroleum-based product loaded with toxic chemicals, that’s used as the filling in the mattress. Polyurethane foam emits volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that have been linked to “cardiac arrhythmias, breathlessness, chest discomfort, irritation of mucous membranes, coughing, asthma-like reactions, blurred vision, headaches, dizziness, weakness, and fatigue,” according to Healthy Child.1
But that’s not all. The same polyurethane foam that is used for the filling of a bed mattress is actually is highly flammable, so manufacturers coat Mattresses are coated with toxic flame retardants, such as polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), to ensure they confirm to the Federal Standards on flammability.2 Yep, the flame retardants in a conventional mattress is coated with PBDE – a chemical linked to thyroid hormone disruption, permanent learning and memory impairment, behavioral changes, hearing deficits, delayed puberty onset, decreased sperm count, fetal malformations and, possibly, cancer.3
Pretty scary, right?
Well… guess what? Those memory foam beds may actually be WORSE since there’s more filling compared to the inner spring-type mattress. In either case, both types of mattresses have chemical off-gassing (emitting the chemical isocynate – which is linked to headaches and respiratory irritations). In addition, the chemicals that glue the mattress together (including formaldehyde) has been linked with asthma, allergies, and lung, nose and throat cancers.4
Plus, over time memory foam beds lose their ability to support the back over time. This leads to back pain and may cause sleep disorders.
Okay, so conventional inner spring and memory foam mattresses are out. What about organic or natural mattresses?
The Problem with Organic and Natural Mattresses
I know what you’re thinking… Just like food organic must be better when it comes to mattresses, right? That’s what I thought too. In fact, that’s what I originally looked for when I was shopping for a new bed.
But here’s the thing, mattress manufacturers often use marketing terms to sell their products. Keywords like “plant derived” can still be made with petroleum-based products. Bamboo mattresses may not even contain much bamboo in the mattress foam. And labels such as”eco-friendly” or “natural” are really just marketing terms.
There’s a handful of mattresses that are certified organic. The problem is that many don’t have the support needed for most people. After just a couple of years, organic mattresses can start sagging and in the end don’t last that long. Plus, they’re incredibly expensive for just a short life cycle.
Thinking about a latex mattress? I did too. In fact, I almost bought one because I knew that latex mattresses aren’t treated with flame retardants. But guess what? Most latex mattresses aren’t natural. They’re typically made from synthetic latex – which goes back to off-gassing chemicals in the mattress. And certified latex mattresses are incredibly expensive. I’ve tried many latex beds myself and just didn’t feel like they provided the support I needed.
So now organic and latex mattresses are out. What’s left?
Why I Choose an intelliBED Non-Toxic Mattress
I had literally been shopping for a non-toxic mattress for years and couldn’t find anything that met my needs. I wanted a mattress that provided excellent durability and back support, yet didn’t have toxic off-gases or chemical fire retardants. I found that mattresses had one or the other but none held up to all my requirements until I found intelliBED. What I love most about intelliBED is the intelli-Gel technology. It supports my hips and shoulders like nothing else. I have more restful sleep. I’m getting relief in my neck and lower back from a bed that actually supports my body. And I sleep better at night knowing that intelliBED is made with non-toxic materials.
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I had a pretty long laundry list of requirements for a new bed mattress, and intelliBED exceeded all of them. That’s why I chose an intelliBED.
Here’s why you should consider it too:
1. Prevents Back Pain
While most mattresses are made mostly with foam material (which tend to sag after two years), intelliBED is made with a firm coil spring to hold the spine in alignment. Plus, the Intelli-Gel column buckling technology has ZERO sag, maintaining optimal alignment and spine support while you’re sleeping. The Intelli-Gel technology is like the column that supports the room, in this case, it’s the whole back. Intelli-Gel supports the back and the whole body evenly.
Plus, intelliBED was developed primarily for people with back pain. Top sleep doctors and chiropractors recommend intelliBED for their clients to provide a non-toxic sleep system for people with back pain, including those with scoliosis, restless leg syndrome, arthritis, herniated discs, and much more.
2. Eliminates Tossing and Turning
intelliBED reduces pressure points up to 80% compared to typical foam mattresses, which contour to the body but once compressed can create painful pressure points during sleep. Less pressure prevents tossing and turning, which helps to improve sleep.
3. Helps to Improve Sleep
Ever wake up feeling like you aren’t fully rested? That may have to do with your sleep cycle.
Your body goes through Stage 1-4 sleep and then REM (dream) sleep. It takes 45-90 minutes to go through a sleep cycle. When you sleep on your side, your body will want to move every 10-15 minutes. If you’re trying to get to a 45-90 minute sleep cycle, but your body is moving every 10-15 minutes then you won’t get through a full sleep cycle.
intelliBED helps to reduce tossing and turning to help you get a better night’s sleep.
4. Get Better Sleep Without Toxins
intelliBED mattresses are made with non-toxic materials so you can get a better night’s sleep without the toxic chemicals of conventional mattresses. Made with a pure, certified soy-based foam, silica fire blocker (no flame retardants or asbestos), and a food-grade, non-toxic mineral oil that makes up the intelli-GEL technology. intelliBED mattresses won’t off-gas and everything from the foam fillers, adhesives, and waterproofing are made from non-toxic materials.
This is huge considering many so-called natural or eco-friendly mattresses can still be made with a cotton liner produced from cotton exposed to pesticides, or adhesives that are made from toxic chemicals.
5. Try It Hassle Free
One of the hardest things about buying a new bed is figuring out whether or not it’s a good fit. You can try intelliBED for 60 days, and if you don’t like it then you can return it hassle-free. You will be reimbursed for the bed, minus $199 for shipping and $90 for the mattress protector.
I know getting a new mattress is an investment. Wouldn’t you rather try something that has a money-back guarantee AND allows you to try it for 60 days? That’s amazing customer service right there.
And if you do decide you like it, intelliBED mattresses have a 30 year warranty. Most beds are worn out within 5-10 years. With the intelli-GEL technology, intelliBED mattresses have amazing durability and wear for the entire life of the warranty.
Ready to learn more? Want to try intelliBED for yourself?
Try intelliBED for 60 Days + Exclusive Discount
Get 10% off with coupon code DMWM at intelliBED. You can try intelliBED for 60 days, and if you don’t like it then you can return it hassle-free. You will be reimbursed for the bed, minus $199 for shipping and $90 for the mattress protector.
Not sure what intelliBED mattress is the right fit for you? Call intelliBED at 1-888-GEL-BEDZ and mention you’re a Don’t Mess with Mama reader for help on how to choose a mattress based on your needs.
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If you’re not ready for a new bed yet, try an intelliPILLOW to get a better night’s sleep on a pillow made without toxic chemicals. Or try a non-toxic mattress topper. There’s something for everyone to get started with non-toxic bedding at intelliBED.
Photo credit: DepositPhotos.com / nesharm