Una, the world’s first organic ‘mattress in a box’, is set to launch on April the 16th. As well as being free from the toxic chemicals found in many memory foam mattresses, the Una mattress’s revolutionary three-layer system means firmness can be fine-tuned to optimise comfort. It is also around half the price of comparable organic mattresses.
Currently, no other mattress can be customised by the owner to optimise comfort. So how does it work? The Una mattress is made up of three layers of natural latex foam: one firm, one medium, one soft – along with an organic wool and cotton mattress cover. The layers are simply stacked inside the cover in the order the user finds most comfortable, before zipping the cover closed. So far, 8 out of 10 people who have trialled the mattress say they prefer a firm base, soft middle and medium top.
One of the biggest complaints people have about synthetic memory foam mattresses is the lack of breathability, which can lead to hot, uncomfortable nights. Each Una mattress layer is made from all-natural latex foam, making it 80% more breathable. The organic wool and cotton cover also allows air and moisture to circulate naturally. The result is a mattress that’s cool in summer and warm in winter, making it easier to sleep well all year round.
Another bug bear with synthetic memory foam mattresses is the time-lag between changing position and the foam remoulding to the body’s contours: if you turn over, you have to wait for your bed to catch up. The Una mattress has seven special zones to support the body’s contours and, as it’s made from natural latex, it can remould within seconds, making it much easier to move during sleep
There are important health issues to consider too when choosing a mattress. Debra Lynn Dadd, author and blogger, says: “You spend a third of your life in bed. If you are interested in things like organic food and natural beauty products, you should realize that you’re actually getting a greater exposure to toxic chemicals in your bed than anywhere else.”*
Most mattresses are made from polyurethane foam, a petroleum-based material that produces volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be harmful to health. This is what causes the powerful chemical smell or ‘off-gassing’ that happens when synthetic memory foam mattresses are unwrapped. The adhesives that hold mattresses together often include formaldehyde, while mattress covers contain flame-retardant chemicals: both have been linked to serious health conditions**.
Most mattresses are made from polyurethane foam, a petroleum-based material that produces volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be harmful to health. This is what causes the powerful chemical smell or ‘off-gassing’ that happens when synthetic memory foam mattresses are unwrapped. The adhesives that hold mattresses together often include formaldehyde, while mattress covers contain flame-retardant chemicals: both have been linked to serious health conditions**.
Una mattress founder Roger van Matten says: “With so many mattresses being made from inferior chemical foams and cheap synthetic fabrics, we wanted to create an affordable organic mattress that’s good for people and for the planet. By creating the first premium organic ‘mattress in a box’, at half the price of most organic mattresses*****, we’re making it possible for more people to sleep well and look after their health and their world.”