Last Updated on January 5, 2026 by Rebecca Metz
A mattress topper sits directly beneath your sheets. You spend hours every night sleeping on it, breathing near it, absorbing whatever it off-gasses. If you’re going to add something to your bed, it should be clean.
Non-toxic mattress toppers use natural latex, organic wool, and organic cotton instead of petroleum-based foams and chemical flame retardants. They can add softness, relieve pressure points, and create a healthier sleep surface on top of a mattress that still has good support.
Why Non-Toxic Materials Matter in a Topper
A topper sits directly beneath your sheets. You’re sleeping on it, breathing near it, absorbing whatever it off-gasses for hours every night.
Conventional toppers often contain:
- Polyurethane foam: Petroleum-based, known to off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- Synthetic latex: Made from styrene-butadiene rubber, a petroleum derivative
- Chemical flame retardants: Added to meet flammability standards
- “Eco” or “plant-based” foam: Usually still mostly polyurethane with a small percentage of plant-derived content
Non-toxic toppers avoid these materials entirely. They use natural latex, organic wool, and organic cotton that don’t require chemical treatments.
Materials That Work
Natural Latex
Natural latex comes from the sap of rubber trees. It’s resilient, responsive, and doesn’t trap heat the way synthetic foams do.
There are two types. Dunlop latex is denser with a more substantial feel. Talalay latex is lighter and softer, with more give. For adding plushness to a firm mattress, Talalay is usually the better choice.
Toppers typically come in 2-inch or 3-inch thicknesses. A 2-inch topper makes a noticeable difference. A 3-inch topper makes a significant one.
What to look for: GOLS certification (Global Organic Latex Standard) verifies organic content. “Natural latex” without certification may contain fillers or synthetic blends.
For more on latex types, see our latex mattress buyer’s guide.
Wool
Wool toppers add cushioning with excellent temperature regulation. They’re softer than latex and have a more pillowy feel.
Benefits of wool:
- Regulates temperature by wicking moisture away from the body
- Naturally resistant to dust mites, mold, and mildew
- Adds plush cushioning without the sinking feeling of foam
- Naturally flame-resistant (no chemical treatments needed)
What to look for: GOTS certification for organic wool. Oeko-Tex or Woolmark certification for quality standards.
Wool and Latex Combinations
Some toppers combine wool and latex for the benefits of both: the responsive cushioning of latex with the temperature regulation of wool. These tend to be thicker and more luxurious than single-material options.
Certifications That Matter
The only way to verify non-toxic claims is through third-party certifications:
- GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard): Certifies organic latex.
- GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard): Certifies organic cotton and wool.
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100: Tests for harmful substances.
- GREENGUARD Gold: Certifies low chemical emissions.
- MADE SAFE / EWG Verified: Screens for toxic chemicals.
- Woolmark: Verifies wool quality and purity.
If a topper claims to be “natural” but carries no certifications, the claim is marketing. For more on how to spot misleading labels, see our guide to greenwashing in the mattress industry.
Topper Brands We Carry
At Austin Natural Mattress, we carry toppers from brands that meet our standards for materials and certifications.
Avocado
The Avocado Eco Organic Mattress Topper comes in 2-inch and 3-inch options. Choose Medium (GOLS-certified Dunlop latex) or Plush (FSC-certified Talalay latex). GOTS-certified organic cotton cover. Vegan-certified (no wool). OEKO-TEX Standard 100, GREENGUARD Gold, EWG Verified, and MADE SAFE certified.
Naturepedic
Naturepedic offers organic latex and organic wool topper configurations. GOTS and GOLS certified. Handcrafted in Ohio. Good for sleepers with chemical sensitivities who need certified organic materials throughout.
Sleep & Beyond
The myWoolly Latex Topper combines Shropshire wool with latex for pressure relief and temperature regulation. Oeko-Tex certified. Woolmark certified wool. Good for sleepers who want the cushioning of wool with responsive latex support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a topper help with back pain?
It depends. If your mattress is too firm and creating pressure points, a plush topper can relieve that pressure. But if your mattress is sagging or too soft, a topper won’t fix the alignment problem. You need proper support underneath before a topper can help.
Can I use a topper to make my mattress firmer?
No. A topper adds material on top of your mattress. Even a “firm” topper adds cushioning, not support. If your mattress is too soft, you need a new mattress, not a topper.
What certifications should I look for?
GOLS for organic latex, GOTS for organic cotton and wool, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 for chemical safety. Multiple certifications are better than one.
What a Topper Can Do
A topper isn’t a fix for every problem. Understanding what they can and can’t do will help you decide if one is right for your situation. A quality topper is useful when:
- Your mattress is too firm. A plush latex or wool topper adds cushioning for hips and shoulders without sacrificing the support underneath.
- You need pressure relief. Side sleepers often benefit from a softer surface that contours to the body’s curves.
- Your mattress is still supportive but feels worn. A topper can refresh the comfort layer and extend the mattress’s useful life.
- You want a healthier sleep surface. If you have an older conventional mattress you’re not ready to replace, an organic topper creates a barrier between you and whatever’s in the mattress.
- You and your partner have different comfort preferences. Individual toppers on a split configuration can give each person a different feel.
What a Topper Can’t Do
A topper sits on top of your mattress. It can add to the feel, but it can’t change the underlying support.
If your mattress is sagging: A topper will just follow the sag. Your spine will still be out of alignment.
If your mattress is too soft: Adding a topper makes it softer, not firmer. Even a “firm” latex topper adds material on top. It doesn’t create support that isn’t there.
If your mattress is worn out: A topper is a band-aid, not a solution. You’ll likely end up buying both a topper and a new mattress.
How to check for sagging: Stretch a string tightly across the width of your mattress, crossing over the area where you sleep. Measure the gap between the string and the mattress surface at the deepest point. If it exceeds 1.5 inches, your mattress has excessive sagging by most industry standards. A topper will just follow that sag. You need a new mattress.
If any of these describe your situation, you’re better off investing in a new mattress. We’re happy to talk through options if you’re not sure which direction makes sense.
Not Sure If You Need a Topper or a New Mattress?
That’s a fair question, and we’re happy to help you figure it out. Come in, tell us what’s going on with your current sleep situation, and we’ll give you an honest assessment. Sometimes a topper is the right call. Sometimes it’s not.
Visit Austin Natural Mattress to experience our collection of natural and certified organic mattresses from Naturepedic, Avocado, Vispring, The Natural Mattress Home, and Posh + Lavish—plus organic bedding from Coyuchi, Naturepedic, Avocado, and Sleep & Beyond.
White-glove delivery available throughout Central Texas and the Greater Austin Metro, including Westlake, Tarrytown, Lakeway, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Lago Vista, Round Rock, Dripping Springs, and beyond.
Austin Natural Mattress
7530 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78757
(512) 452-4444
