Organic Mattress Cotton

• Cotton is often referred to as “the fabric of our lives” and for good reason. We come in contact with items made from cotton every day. The clothes you wear, the sheets you sleep on, the diapers you put on your baby and even some of the food you eat have been made with cotton.
• Cotton is a natural, renewable fiber and is also biodegardable.
• Cotton breathes, so it stays cool. It is also a geat conductor of heat. In other words, it draws heat away from your skin to keep you cool, making it most comfortable to wear & sleep on.
• Cotton is hypoallergenic meaning it doesn't irritate sensitive skin or cause allergies. It is also good for asthmatics.
• Cotton absorbs moisture easily and can take up to one fifth of its weight in water before it actually feels damp. Cotton absorbs body moisture and evaporates it to the surrounding air, thus allowing your body its natural tendency to breathe - keeping you cool in summer and dry and warm in winter. Not only are you more comfortable in cotton, you are healthier sleeping on it!
• Cotton has individuality & character. Each fiber grows a little differently--with sunshine & soil--and takes on characteristics that indicate its life & style... just like the people who sleep on it.
• Cotton fiber has soft natural tips from where it is harvested from the seed boll giving a smooth sensual hand, unlike consistent length synthetics that have circular cut edges from being chopped to specific fiber length. Cotton is never itchy and its an outstanding insulator which allows it provide warmth in the summer & heat in the winter. It's not only what you want on your skin, its what you want in a mattress!

• Cotton is a natural, renewable, biodegradable and sustainable fiber. To ensure that the population can continue to reap cotton’s natural benefits, today and in the future, the U.S. cotton industry is committed to the sustainable production of cotton, including utilizing new technology that positively impacts cotton’s environmental footprint. The U.S. cotton industry supports sustainability and the goal of environmental, economic, health and social responsibility for production agriculture.
• We utilize long fiber Egyptian staple cotton grown in the western United States.

Once upon a time most of each dollar that was spent on food went to those who grew it. Today almost none of it does... Small & local farmers are the true unsung heroes of our time who still practice truly sustainable agriculture. That is, they are the ones who know how to grow our food in such a way that is not harmful to our own health, to their own health and the health of their families, and to the health of all life. Sadly, small local & organic farmers have gotten the short end of the stick in our current global commerce system. At The Futon Shop, we envision a commitment to local agriculture, where the lives of those who grow, harvest, produce and bring it to you are affected for the good.

• Our Organic Cotton comes from Texas Organic Cotton Marketing Cooperative (TOCMC), the largest organic cotton cooperative in America with 10,000 acres, grows all of the cotton used in Organic Essentials products. Unlike traditional cotton farmers, the cooperative does not use pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers and defoliants that are harmful to the environment. Organic Essentials’ mission is to expand organic agriculture by building the world’s leading brand of certified organic cotton personal care products. Organic Cotton You Can Trust!

It may cost less to manufacture and buy conventional cotton, but it’s better for the land, the farm workers and your well-being to choose organic whenever possible. Organic cotton is grown without the use of toxic pesticides or fertilizers. Methods such as beneficial insect releases, strip cutting of alfalfa and new weeding machinery help reduce the environmental impact of cotton crops. Third-party organizations certify that organic cotton farms use only these approved methods and do not spray toxic chemicals on their crops. About 25 percent of the world’s insecticide use and more than 10 percent of the world’s pesticide goes to cotton crops. Some of these chemicals are considered to be the most toxic chemicals in the world. The health risks of pesticide exposure include birth defects, reproductive disorders and weaker immune systems. With so many products made from cotton, we are all exposed to these chemicals at some point. Our organic cotton is USDA certified. USDA regulates the term “organic” as it applies to agricultural products through its National Organic Program (NOP) regulation, 7 CFR Part 205. ? Raw natural fibers, such as cotton, wool, flax, etc., are agricultural products and are covered under the NOP crop/livestock production standards. Organic farming is a healthier, more sustainable way of producing vegetables and fibers. Organic methods focus on soil health, replenishing soil fertility, promote bio diversity, and protect our air, water, soils and wildlife from toxic chemicals. Organic farming is also a powerful tool in the fight against global warming. It reduces our dependence on fossil fuels and stores carbon in the soil, where it boosts soil fertility instead of releasing it to the atmosphere as a greenhouse gas. Organic farming just makes sense—for people and for the planet.

• For consumer safety and in accordance with Federal Law 603, all mattresses made in or imported to the United States of America must be flame retardant.
• We use 2 products to make our mattress flame retardant.

1. Boric acid, also called boracic acid or orthoboric acid or Acidum Boricum, is a weak acid used as an antiseptic, insecticide, flame retardant. It exists in the form of orderless, colorless crystals or a white powder and dissolves in water. Boric acid was first prepared by Wilhelm Homberg (1652-1715) from borax, antis by the action of mineral acids, and was given the name sal sedativum Hombergi ("sedative salt of Homberg"). It is however, a naturally occurring substance. The presence of boric acid or its salts has been noted in seawater. It is also said to exist in plants and especially in almost all fruits. The free acid is found native in certain volcanic districts such as Tuscany, the Lipari Islands and Nevada, issuing mixed with steam from fissures in the ground. It can be used as an antiseptic for minor burns or cuts and is sometimes used in dressings or salves or is applied in a very dilute solution as an eye wash in a 1.5% solution or 1 tbsp (15 ml) per quart (very close to a liter) of sterilised water. Boric acid is generally considered to be safe to use in household kitchens to control ants. Boric acid is also made into a paste or gel form. Borates including boric acid have been used since the time of the Greeks for cleaning, preserving food, and other activities. Silly putty was originally made by adding boric acid to silicone oil.

2. Barrier Fabric is used in some futons instead of boric acid to maintain federal standards.

• We are happy to offer mattresses without borate or barrier fabrics. A doctor's or chiropractor’s prescription is required to make a mattress with out these additive. You may order any futon free from chemicals by calling 1-800-44-FUTON and placing your order followed by your doctors note. There is a 45.00 fee for processing sale prices still apply!