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Sleep is vitally important for our health, which is why we need a bed that supports our wellbeing.
Greenguard Gold can help you decide whether a mattress is right for your home environment.
Its a globally-recognized standard, and one that many sleep brands strive to achieve.
Thebest memory foam mattressesshould come withCertiPUR-UScertification, whileOEKO-TEXandecoINSTITUTlabels can help you determine if the mattress meets your eco-standards.
In this guide, well explore what Greenguard Gold certification is and why it matters for your mattress.
What is Greenguard Gold?
Operated by UL (Underwriters Laboratories), Greenguard Gold is an independent and globally recognized non-profit organization.
The primary concern of Greenguard Gold is indoor air quality.
Air quality can be compromised by chemicals that are released from common household products into the air.
We then breathe in this compromised air.
The items we have in the home can contribute to poor air quality by emitting chemicals as gasses.
These chemicals are known as VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) this is is what Greenguard Gold tests for.
What does Greenguard Gold test for?
VOCs are types of carbon-based chemicals that can easily become vapors or gasses.
(This is the reason why Greenguard Gold was created, which well cover in more detail below.)
VOCs are responsible for mattressoff-gassing(a chemical smell that happens when you first unwrap abed-in-a-boxmattress).
While off-gassing can be unpleasant, it’s largely considered harmless.
Opening a window while your mattress expands can help erase the off-gassing smell quicker.
How does Greenguard Gold test for VOCs?
UL completes Greenguard Gold testing in stainless steel chambers known as ‘dynamic environmental chambers’.
These chambers can be as big as a room, to ensure the mattress fits comfortably.
Each chamber is temperature and humidity controlled, so there are no background VOCs that might affect the measurements.
Chemical analysts can test for up more than 11,000 chemicals and measure the emissions given off by the product.
The emissions typically start out high, before gradually decreasing and settling at a sustained output.
Once a product has received Greenguard certification, the story is not quite over yet.
to get to maintain the certification, a product must be tested yearly.
What is the difference between Greenguard and Greenguard Gold?
Greenguard and Greenguard Gold certifications have similar requirements, but Greenguard Gold is the more advanced certification.
A Greenguard Gold product must also show a lower total VOCs emission level than a Greenguard certified product.
Greenguard Gold products must also meet the requirements of California Section 01350, a state-mandated test for VOCs.
Greenguard Gold certification was initially created for products used in childcare and healthcare facilities.
How do you find out if a mattress is Greenguard Gold certified?
Alternatively, check the product listing.
Most brands will display a Greenguard or Greenguard Gold label upfront.
