Benefits of Buying a Mattress Made in the U.S.

Are you one of those people who’s becoming more and more concerned with where your products originate from? If so, remember to keep these thoughts in mind when it comes to mattress shopping. Here’s a hint: the place your mattress is made has lots of important implications that go way beyond how fast it will ship. Read on to learn some reasons why it’s important to buy a mattress made in the U.S.

Why buy a mattress made in the U.S.?

When purchasing a new mattress, we know you’re looking at things like comfort, quality, and price. But have you stopped to think about the potential impacts of where your mattress is produced? Here we’ve outlined some of the factors that come into play when you choose to buy a U.S.-made mattress over one that was manufactured abroad.

Mattress Quality

Mattresses made in the U.S. must comply with quality control and manufacturing regulations set by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Mattresses made in the U.S. must comply with quality control and manufacturing regulations set by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, which means they are often made of better quality materials and will last longer than those made overseas.

In general, mattresses made in the U.S. must meet standards for flammability and cannot contain chemicals or toxins including phthalates, formaldehyde, and CFCs. Many of these regulations are self-enforced though, so it’s up to the manufacturer to follow through.

Environmental Impact

Mattress manufacturing can have a huge impact on the environment, so if you’re trying to live a greener and more sustainable lifestyle, don’t leave your mattress out of the equation. One reason, which we mentioned above, is that U.S. mattress manufacturing regulations require companies to avoid chemicals (like formaldehyde) that could be toxic to the environment and human health.

Additionally, many U.S.-based manufacturing plants create less pollution than factories that make mattresses in other countries. Shipping is another environmental factor that might encourage you to buy a mattress made in the states. Shipping a mattress overseas will typically have a huge environmental impact, burning more fossil fuels and creating more pollution during shipment than a domestic-made mattress.

Some U.S.-based mattress chains, such as ZenHaven, Avocado, and Sleep On Latex even produce eco-friendly mattresses.

Many U.S.-based manufacturing plants create less pollution than factories that make mattresses in other countries.

Labor Conditions

U.S. labor laws are stricter than those in many foreign countries. Depending on where an overseas mattress is produced, workers may face poor working conditions that, in the U.S., would qualify as labor law violations. Labor issues to think about are things like low pay and unsafe working conditions. There are labor standards and requirements in the U.S. that protect workers against unfair and unsafe conditions, that aren’t always present or enforced in other countries.

Local Economics

When you buy a mattress made in the U.S. you’re supporting a local economy. This means more jobs for Americans and a percentage of your purchase price going back into manufacturing American-made goods.

Mattress Cost

Mattresses made in the U.S. can be more expensive than their foreign counterparts, leading many people to opt for the cheaper, overseas option. But cheaper price might mean cheaper quality and flimsier regulations. Many foreign-made mattresses may not be produced to the same quality or comply with the same strict environmental and labor regulations as those produced in the U.S.

One area of cost where you’re likely to win with a domestic-made mattress is shipping. Remember that your shipping costs will most likely be lower when you purchase a mattress made here in the states because the product simply doesn’t need to travel as far.

But cheaper price might mean cheaper quality and flimsier regulations.

“Made in the USA”

With all this information, you might be wondering what a “made in the USA” label even means.

For a mattress to contain a “Made in the USA” label, it must meet a set of requirements set by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC). To wear the label, “all or virtually all” of the mattress must be made in America, and it cannot contain any foreign components (beyond a negligible amount). Mattress manufacturers are able to make this claim without prior approval from the FTC, as long as their statements are truthful.

Mattress brands that make their products in America

If you’re looking to buy a U.S.-made mattress, here are some brands to look for. You can also find this information called out in our “Bonus Points” section each mattress review on our site.

And if you’re set on buying an American-made mattress, be sure to watch out for brands that claim their mattresses are “assembled” in the U.S. This could still mean that there are parts of the mattress that are made oversees and then brought to the U.S. to put together before shipping out. If you’re not sure, reach out to customer service for clarification.