Non Toxic Bed Frames: How to Choose One

You spend a lot of time in bed — ideally, around eight hours per night. However, the last thing you want is to sleep on top of a bed frame made from toxic chemicals, paints, or finishes. In fact, what your bedroom furniture is made of is just as important as how you use it when it comes to your sleep quality and health. That’s why you may want to consider a non-toxic bed frame, organic mattress, and other natural wood furniture.

If you’re not sure what a non-toxic bed frame is, though, don’t worry. This article will explain what exactly it is and why you should consider purchasing one — especially since your bed is a piece of furniture just like the other pieces you use every day. We’ll also talk you through what you should be looking for when purchasing a non-toxic bed frame.

What Is a Non-Toxic Bed Frame?

Many bed frames are made with the help of chemical varnishes, flame retardants, stains, or adhesives. The problem is that the chemicals going into those materials often contain toxins, like formaldehyde. Those harmful chemicals are called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs can easily break off from furniture, for example, your bed frame, and turn into gas in the air. This is called off-gassing and can be hazardous to your health.

Some VOCs are thought to cause cancer, while others can combine with other chemicals and become harmful. Either way, it isn’t something you want to be breathing in while you sleep. Non-toxic bed frames are a good way to avoid this as they contain either no VOCs or low VOCs.

Do Bed Frames Contain Formaldehyde?

Formaldehyde is a colorless gas that is often used to make resins that are then used to make adhesives for furniture. If you’re looking at a bed frame that is made of particleboard, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), or pressed wood, then it’s a type of engineered wood. Engineered wood is made from wood products and then pressed together with an adhesive to make the board.

Why Buy a Non-Toxic Bed Frame?

Small chemical particles emitting off your furniture into the air might seem like no big deal. However, some of the chemicals — for example, formaldehyde — are known to cause cancer. They can also cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritation or allergies. Coughing, wheezing, and asthma symptoms are also a concern, especially for those with indoor allergies.

The highest level of exposure is typically when a product is first unwrapped in your home. However, over time, furniture can continue to off-gas. Purchasing a non-toxic bed frame can help limit that exposure altogether.

Non-Toxic Beds

Before we get into the details related to what makes a non-toxic bed frame, we should talk about what goes into creating a safe, non-toxic bed. In addition to the frame, the foundation between the frame and the mattress is important. Look for slats over a traditional box spring to better support your mattress and as a more eco-friendly option.

If you’re looking for a non-toxic mattress, there are various mattress types to choose from, including memory foam mattresses. While memory foam used to be made from many different chemicals, there are memory foam options today that are low-VOC, including those from PlushBeds. For example, our Gel Memory Foam Mattress: The Ocean Mist® is CertiPUR-US and GreenGuard Gold certified. You also can’t go wrong with The Natural Bliss® Natural Latex Mattress, which is handcrafted in the USA and uses no synthetic materials or chemicals.

As you begin shopping, look for certain certifications to guarantee that the product you’re purchasing is more than just a fancy ad campaign. PlushBeds is honored to have become Greenguard Gold certified, which means that we have products with no chemical emissions from the materials used. Our products have also been deemed sanitary in a clinical setting. PlushBeds has received additional certifications, as well, including:

• Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS)
• GOTS Certified Organic Cotton
• GOTS Certified Organic Wool
• USDA Organic
• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certification
• eco-INSTITUT Certified
• Control Union Verification
• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certified
• Rainforest Alliance Certified
• CertiPUR-US Certified Foam
• Arpico Certified Organic Latex

What to Look for When Buying a Non-Toxic Bed Frame

Like any buzz phrase, everyone seems to want in on the push for non-toxic furniture. That makes purchasing a non-toxic bed frame more difficult than it might seem. Let’s talk about some of the things you want to look for when purchasing a truly non-toxic bed frame.

Non-Toxic Glues or Resins Used

There are glues and resins that are non-toxic, meaning they won’t release VOCs into your home. In addition to keeping VOCs out of your home, they also avoid xylene, toluene, light aliphatic naphtha, and N-hexane, which can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat.

With a minimalist look being the trend and an increasing demand for a natural bed, you might be looking for a solid wood frame. Unless you choose an unfinished bed, though, most commercial wooden bed frames come with some sort of coating to complete the look of the frame. Unfortunately, many finishes contain VOCs. If you want to avoid that but don’t like the look of an unfinished bed, you can look for a platform bed frame using a low-VOC product like beeswax and linseed oil — also sometimes called natural oil. You can also look for a bed frame made with reclaimed wood (though these tend to be pricier).

Another option is to go with a metal bed frame. It might sound counterintuitive but metal frames don’t use as many chemicals to hold the frame together. If it has a powder coating or is chrome, it’s considered safe. As a bonus, the durability of a metal frame can’t be beat.

PlushBeds’ Quiet Balance Bed Frame is made using a non-toxic resin. It also provides for a restful night with its unique sound-absorbing construction. The steel bed frame has a 10-year warranty and can be paired with any of our headboards, footboards, and foundations to complete your look.

Non-Chemically Treated Components

Solid wood bed frames need to be looked at carefully before purchasing. Wood bed frames are often treated to extend their look and lifetime. Treating a bed frame can reduce the moisture content and warping, as well as fungal growth. Wood — for example, poplar wood — that is stored outside before being made into furniture or some other product is also often treated to avoid fungus and pests. There are two methods to treating wood: chemical treatments or heat treatments. If you’re looking for a non-toxic bed frame, heat treatments are the best option for your wood.

An example of a heat-treated wood bed foundation is PlushBeds’ Low Profile Orthopedic Foundation. It’s made of heat-treated spruce — not particleboard — and then covered with organic cotton fabric, which gives your bed a beautiful look and gives you some high-quality sleep.

Discover Non-Toxic Bed Frames and Foundations From PlushBeds

When creating an eco-friendly bedroom, your top priority should be finding non-toxic furniture, with as close to zero-VOCs as you can find, that will ensure good sleep and air quality. However, bedrooms should also be restful and inviting spaces that you want to be in, so appearance matters.

With PlushBeds, you can find non-toxic bedroom options you want — like eco-friendly bed frames — with the look you desire. Our beds and bed frames are made using natural materials and award-winning designs that are safe for the planet and your family. If any adjustments need to be made after your purchase, your personal sleep concierge will be there to help make it perfect. Let us guide you to the quality, safe sleep environment you deserve.

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