Our Frequently Asked Questions

Organic wool supports better animal welfare. Organic sheep are reared and cared for to strict organic standards which prioritise their welfare and wellbeing. Cruel practices are prohibited and animal stress is minimised. 

Organic farmers use preventative methods to tackle disease, so the sheep are not regularly treated with pesticides, wormers or antibiotics. 

Organic sheep graze on organic land and are only fed organic feed, they are free to live naturally as they would in the wild, with plenty of outdoor space to explore – a free range life. 

Whilst we choose not to use only organic wool in our products we work hard to ensure we purchase from ethical and sustainable sources, the wool we use comes from sheep that are loved and cared for and run free in the pasture ensuring happy sheep and high-grade wool. 

All our partners adhere to the 5 Freedoms outlined in the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

• GOOD LIFESTYLE Freedom to express normal patterns of behaviour, sufficient space, suitable facilities and the company of its fellow sheep
• GOOD NUTRITION Freedom from hunger, thirst and malnutrition
• GOOD ENVIRONMENT Freedom from discomfort through shelter and provision of a comfortable environment
• GOOD HANDLING Freedom from fear, through good care and handling
• GOOD HEALTH Freedom from pain, injury and disease

We offer the opportunity to upgrade the wool in most of our mattresses to organic wool should you choose to. 

For all British wool, any chemical residue, after scouring, is approximately one part per 100,000,000. This is the same whether it is organic or non-organic wool.

Our Hatherleigh Organic Wool Mattress is handcrafted with lashings of 100% Organic, GOTs and Soil Association accredited British Wool.

[Shop Organic Mattresses]

And for your little ones we offer our Organic Children’s & Babies range. 

No, Nope, Nothing, Nada - We are proud to make truly chemical free mattresses!

Our clever Cottonsafe® cover is woven using only organic cotton and natural wool, nothing else. This amazing fabric passes the UK fire regulations naturally, no need for nasty chemical fire retardants.

You won’t find any foams, chemicals, fire retardant chemicals or spray adhesives in our products. 

But what about the Vegan range we hear you say.

Information about the polyester used in mattresses is often misleading and wrong, misinformation encourages customers to believe that ‘natural’ products are far superior to the synthetic alternatives. Much is written for commercial advantage and is simply not based on fact.

Polyester, used in mattresses, is non-toxic, highly breathable and does not contribute to plastic (microfibre) pollution.

Our Vegan Purity covers are naturally fire resistant and with added benefits including being hypoallergenic and highly breathable it’s the perfect alternative to a natural product. The fabric is also OEKO-TEX Certified, but if you’re still unsure take a look at our blog about polyester in mattresses.

All our Cottonsafe® mattresses, futons, Futomats and children’s items are handmade to order in our Devon based workshop, so it does take a little bit longer to produce our items than other high-volume, machine made, off the shelf alternatives, but our super team of skilled craftspeople work really to get your order to you as soon as possible. 

We currently take orders for delivery locations outside of mainland UK (including Northern Ireland) by email or phone 01395 239 832, get in touch for a custom delivery quote.

Our current despatch lead times are updated regularly, for full details please refer to our Delivery information 

Please note: despatch dates refer to the date the item leaves our workshop and are not the date of delivery.

No-one likes paying for delivery, we’re no different. We try to keep our delivery costs to a minimum and avoid charging where possible.

Our adult bed mattresses (and super king futomats) ordered for delivery to the UK Mainland and Scottish Highlands are delivered by Higher Jump Logistics, a national delivery service, two-man team to the room of your choice. 

Once your item has been dispatched from our workshop you will receive an email or text message offering the opportunity to book in a date for delivery. The night before your delivery you will receive a 3-hour time slot for the day of delivery.  

For UK Mainland and Scottish Highland deliveries of our Children’s and Nursery mattresses, futons, futomats and toppers, we use DX. One of our friendly admin team will get in touch to book a delivery date with you at your earliest convenience.

For UK Mainland and Scottish Highland deliveries of our cots and bedding, we use DPD. Smaller items are usually despatched within 48 - 72 working hours from order, once your order has been dispatched you will receive a text message from DPD providing you with a 2 – 3 hour window on the morning of your delivery. 

We currently take orders for delivery locations outside of the UK Mainland and Scottish highlands (including Northern Ireland) by email or phone 01395 239 832, we can discuss your queries regarding shipping and delivery when you place your order.

Yes! 

Contact us by email or phone 01395 239832 for a quote and to discuss shipping and delivery lead times.

The short answer is Yes! 

Protectors not only keep your sleeping environment clean and hygienic but they help to extend the life of your mattress and pillows. 

We’ve opted for 100% waterproof mattress and pillow protectors, because a protector that isn’t waterproof doesn’t really protect. Many waterproof protectors feel thick and rubbery and can be noisy when you move during the night. Using nanotechnology, the protectors have silent, ultra-thin, non-toxic, aerosol-free, biodegradable, waterproof layer.

Waterproof protectors will be your secret weapon against accidental spillages, unsightly stains and a hygienic sleeping environment. 

Designed for bed use only, our Futomat mattresses are a good alternative for customers looking for a firmer, more traditional Japanese style bed mattress.

Our Futomats will feel significantly different to that of a traditional bed mattress. Like a futon the body will sink into a Futomat rather than lie on top, the layers will settle over time making the fillings firmer.

Our natural Futomat mattresses are around 6 inches deep and have the same luxury fillings as our futon mattresses, covered in a Cottonsafe® mattress cover we use felt tufts instead of buttons.

If you need any further guidance on our Futomats or help deciding which one is right for you then don’t hesitate to get in touch. 

If you’ve purchased one of our mattresses and you’re not completely happy with it get in touch within 40 days and we’ll help you find one that is better for you.

We get it – buying a new mattress is a big investment and purchasing online can feel a bit daunting when you haven’t always had the opportunity to come to our Exeter Showroom for a bounce before you purchase.

Rest assured, we want you to be completely happy with your purchase the first time, we take the upmost pride in every one of the mattresses we make. We’ve introduced our sleep guarantee for those occasions when it’s just not right.

Why 40 nights? Research shows that it can take the body up to 40 nights to adjust to a new mattress, so we recommend you sleep on your new mattress for at least two weeks to give your body time to adjust to it, but if you still don’t love it then get in touch with our super team and we would be more than happy to discuss your issues and advise you on an alternative mattress.

We are happy to exchange your mattress for a different type or tension. The only cost to you will be a contribution to cover the collection of the old mattress and the delivery of your new one, depending on your location this is typically around £100 - £150.

If you choose a higher priced mattress you will need to pay the balance, if you choose a less expensive mattress, we will refund you the difference.

Please note that our 40 night reassurance guarantee applies to our Bedroom and Tween mattresses only. It excludes all toppers, futons, Futomats, children’s and cot mattresses, ex-display/clearance and any made to measure or bespoke mattresses, where our standard returns policy applies.

For more details regarding our 40 nights reassurance guarantee please see here

We work hard to ensure we purchase from ethical and sustainable sources, across our range of products we use different fibres and a number of these have their own certifications.

For example, the fabric we use to cover our vegan products is both OEKO-TEX and Allergy UK certified. 

Our organic wool is GOTS and Soil Association Certified

The bamboo in the duvets is GOTS and Soil Association Certified

Our Vegan mattresses are Vegan Society Accredited

We get asked a lot if we’re certified, we’d love to be and have long term aspirations but as a small business quite honestly right now we don’t have the budget which is why we only source our materials from reputable suppliers.

Look out for details on the product pages for information about any certifications that the fibres hold. 

Firstly, we just want to say we’re sorry to hear you suffer with MCS, we hear from so many people like you, you are not alone.

We’ve removed all the chemicals from our products, you won’t find any fire retardants, glues, solvents, adhesives or essential oils in a single one of our fibres, and we don’t use any through the manufacturing process. 

We’ve chosen a range of fibres which are known for their hypoallergenic qualities. However, we recognise that individuals may still find they have sensitivities to these materials. 

We offer a free sampling service of all our materials, we send these individually packaged for you to test at home before you might a decision on which of our products would be best for you. 

Our knowledgeable team are on hand to guide you through our range to help you create the healthiest sleeping environment. 

If you have any questions get in touch – 01395 239 832

If you would like to order samples of our futon fabrics head on over to our fabric page, samples are free and are usually dispatched within 48 working hours. 

If you suffer with any allergies or chemical sensitivities we offer a free sampling service of all our materials, we send these individually packaged for you to test at home before you might a decision on which of our products would be best for you. 

Our knowledgeable team are on hand to guide you through our range to help you create the healthiest sleeping environment. 

If you have any questions get in touch – 01395 239 832

Mattress feel is subjective to the individual, there are a number of key things you need to think about when choosing a mattress – size, tension (or firmness), sleep position, body type, fillings and any sleep concerns. 

If you need any support deciding which mattress is right for you then don’t hesitate to get in touch in the meantime we’ve put together our helpful mattress buying guide to help you along the way. 

We all have different preferences of comfort and sleep style, and if you lie face down then you will consider yourself a front sleeper. 

Before we delve into the best mattress for your sleep style there are a few things to note. Making a decision around the best tension of mattress will also depend on your build, body type and personal comfort preference. If you have a heavier frame, you may find that a softer mattress aligns with your sleep style, or you may find you require extra support. 

Support in your mattress is particularly important if you are a front sleeper. Maintaining neutral spine alignment and avoiding sinking which could cause the back to arch will help to reduce the risk of lower back or hip pain. 

A firmer mattress will provide both the right levels of comfort and support to help preserve a neutral position and generally it is recommended that you should consider a medium, medium-firm or firm mattress if you sleep on your stomach.

Pocket sprung mattresses are a great option for front sleepers because only the individual points of contact respond to the body. Our pocket sprung mattresses have layers of additional materials from wool and cashmere to silk and bamboo, providing a sense of luxury and comfort whilst remaining supportive and responsive to the body thanks to those clever Active Support Technology® pocket springs. 

If you sleep on your front take a look at our Sidmouth Non-Turn Mattress for a true medium or for a firmer feel our Widecombe Wool Mattress is made with 100% wool filling and is available in both a firm or medium tension spring. 

For more guidance on our mattress firmness take a look at our mattress firmness guide. 

Still need more help? Call us on 01392 239 832.

Sleeping on your side is the most popular sleep position, whether that be curled up in the foetal position or a sleepy track athlete (think running man!) this is widely considered the most comfortable sleeping position by the majority of adults. 

With proper body alignment (and the right mattress), side sleeping can help to reduce lower back and joint pain, however some side sleepers complain of stiffness in the shoulders or hip pain at night, this is most likely caused by their mattress being too firm. 

It is generally recommended that if you sleep on your side you should choose a soft or medium tension in your mattress. When you sleep on your side you put pressure on key contact points including your shoulders and hips, and so a soft or medium mattress will mould and cushion your body reducing the pressure on these areas. 

As with any sleep position, spinal alignment is important and you should always choose a mattress that helps you to maintain a neutral position in your spine. 

Sleep comfort is incredibly personal and when making a decision about the best type of mattress you might also want consider your body type and most importantly - your personal comfort preference. 

Keep guidance about the best mattress for your sleep position in mind but ultimately you should sleep on the mattress you find most comfortable. 

Pocket sprung mattresses are a great option if you sleep on your side, the springs respond to particular areas of pressure, and you can choose your ideal firmness. Our pocket sprung mattresses have layers of additional materials from wool and cashmere to silk and bamboo, providing luxurious comfort as well as reducing pressure points such as your shoulders and hips.  

For ultimate natural comfort our Exeter Cashmere Mattress is available with a soft, medium or firm pocket spring and has thick luxurious layers of cashmere and hand teased British wool, perfect for relieving pressure.

Memory foam mattresses have been recommended for years for side sleepers because they contour, or mould, to your body, but memory foam is loaded with nasty chemicals and fire retardants and is far less breathable than our natural or vegan mattresses. 

Side sleepers can have a tendency to overheat while sleeping, foam mattresses restrict airflow and can cause overheating and sweating.

For the feel of memory foam that’s good for you and the planet take a look at our Vegan range. Our polished thread polyester rebounds and creates the same adaptive spongy feel as any memory foam mattress without any of the chemicals and this breathable fibre evaporates moisture quickly, so it’s the perfect alternative. 

For more guidance on our mattress firmness take a look at our mattress firmness guide. 

Still need more help? Call us on 01392 239 832.

Yes we do! 

Polyester gets a bad press because it is a man-made fibre – but polyester is incredibly strong and gives great longevity! Furthermore it has a carbon footprint of about 3.8 Kg CO2e/Kg. This is about 40% less than that of cotton. so it has a lower environmental impact and is great for the circular economy. 

Interestingly polyester can also be used in organic mattresses under the GOTS regulations due to its very low off-gassing properties. 

An exceptionally breathable fibre, polyester evaporates moisture quickly, it’s non-allergenic which makes it the perfect sleeping solution for those suffering with multiple chemical sensitives and other allergies. 

Most importantly, polyester is inherently fire retardant, so there is no need for it to be impregnated with the toxic cocktail of chemicals currently used in other foam and synthetic mattresses.

There is also currently no plant-based fibre that naturally passes the stringent UK fire regulations which means it is currently impossible to supply a completely natural, chemical free vegan mattress, which is why we’ve opted to use polyester in our vegan range of products.

Polyester supports with the loft of cotton, without it cotton fibre would be flat as a pancake, so it brings added value to the comfort of natural fibres, polyester is thermally bonded into the cotton filling in our products.

Our pocket springs are individually cased in polyester to protect the springs and ensure their longevity for years to come. 

All out mattresses are hand tufted to hold the individual fibres within the mattress in place, this means the covers cannot be removed for washing or any other reason.

Information regarding the care of our products can be found here, and if you have any queries give us a call on 01395 239 832 or email us at sales@cottonsafenaturalmattress.co.uk

Please refer to our care guides for your item.

The short and completely honest answer to this is no, but there are several advantages to purchasing a topper.

You can find out about the benefits of adding a topper to a mattress in our guide – should I buy a topper. 

Visitors to our showroom often find that a combination of a new topper with their new mattress helps them to create the perfect feel for their sleeping environment. A topper can be a great way of giving creating the perfect top surface feel, particularly if you prefer a firmer mattress that hugs your body.

Along with a mattress protector, a topper provides an excellent protection for your mattress. Accidents happen, particularly with little ones racing around or a set of muddy paws. 

A well cared for topper can extend the life of your mattress up to five years, and beyond – and we know mattresses are an investment that you want to last. 

Our natural range of mattresses are available as Zip & Link, these mattresses arrive in two halves and have a zip that allows them to be attached together. They are ideal for people but have tricky access in their homes, or for a twin room that requires a large double bed on occasions. Whilst it is not substantial, a small dip does occur between the mattresses when they are zipped together, a light topper, such as our Cotton Topper, is an excellent way of covering this gap.  

In most cases yes, a topper can fix an uncomfortable mattress. 

You can find out about the benefits of adding a topper to a mattress in our guide – should I buy a topper. 

Our mattresses are Stockholm Convention Complaint, which means they are completely safe to dispose of and recycle. 

We’ve removed all the chemicals from our mattresses, which means they don’t off gas and we’ve labelled them as such. Which means when your mattress comes to the end of its life you can strip your mattress down into its individual fibres and they can be taken to any recycling centre and safely disposed of. 

All of the natural fibres within our mattresses are 100% biodegradable, including our Cottonsafe® covers. 

Mattress recycling is an area of great debate in the industry and we have been campaigning tirelessly to have all mattresses sold to include labels detailing their contents, much like you would see on a food item at the supermarket. This would not only ensure the public were fully informed of what chemicals are within their mattresses, but it would also help us to better understand how to manage the waste and ensure safe, recyclable and biodegradable items, like ours could be better utilised in the circular economy.

If you would like any further information please don’t hesitate to get in touch, you can find out more about the Stockholm Convention here.

Please refer to our care guides for your item.

If your mattress is a “double sided” mattress, then yes it requires regular flipping and rotating. 

We recommend you flip and rotate your new mattress weekly for the first 4 – 6 months to ensure an even settlement across the top surface, after that monthly or seasonally will suffice.

If you have purchased either our Sidmouth Non-Turn or Vegan Luxury Non-Turn then please do not flip your mattress, these only require rotating.

For more information on caring for your Cottonsafe product please refer to our care guides. 

A Zip & Link mattress is two long single mattresses (90 x 200cm) with a zip along the side for them to be attached together to make a Superking mattress (180 x 200cm).

Our natural range of mattresses are available as Zip & Link, these mattresses arrive in two halves and have a zip that allows them to be attached together. 

They are ideal for people but have tricky access in their homes, or for a twin room that requires a large double bed on occasions.

We do! Our showroom is attached to our workshop in Woodbury, Devon. 

We would love for you to visit us, we’re open Monday to Thursday 9am – 5pm and Fridays 9am – 1pm. We have our full range of adult bed mattresses ready for a bounce. 

We can arrange for weekend showroom visits by appointment, please get in touch to book an appointment. 

We’d love to have a showroom in every county across the UK, but we’re a small family business, so currently we are only based in Woodbury, we do have big aspirations, so watch this space – but in the meantime, if visiting us in sunny Devon isn’t a viable option we can arrange a video consultation, to book an appointment drop us an email sales@cottonsafenaturalmattress.co.uk or call us on 01395 239 832.

Don’t forget we offer our 40 nights reassurance guarantee on all our adult bed mattresses and our tween mattress.

Our Vegan mattresses are made using a combination of natural and man-made fibres. 

You will find cotton and bamboo within the Vegan Luxury and Vegan Choice, but our hero in the vegan range remains polyester.

An exceptionally breathable fibre, polyester evaporates moisture quickly, it’s non-allergenic which makes it the perfect sleeping solution for those suffering with multiple chemical sensitives and other allergies. 

Most importantly, polyester is inherently fire retardant, so there is no need for it to be impregnated with the toxic cocktail of chemicals currently used in other foam and synthetic mattresses.

There is also currently no plant-based fibre that naturally passes the stringent UK fire regulations which means it is currently impossible to supply a completely natural, chemical free vegan mattress, which is why we’ve opted to use polyester in our vegan range of products.

We can! Drop us an email sales@cottonsafenaturalmattress.co.uk or call us on 01395 239 832 to discuss your requirements. 

Everything has an odour, and some people are more sensitive than others to smell. 

Our Vegan range is about as close to odourless as you’ll get from any mattress, our polyester has no traceable smell and the cotton within the Vegan Luxury and Vegan Choice is very lightly scented. 

Our natural range of products all contain sheep’s wool, the lanolin in the wool has an odour which most people notice when their new mattress arrives. Depending on the quantity of wool in the mattress (which varies based on the product and size) some of the items have a stronger scent than others. 

The smell is most noticeable when your new items comes out of the packaging and will dissipate quickly. 

If, like us, you’re country folk, you may not even notice it, but if you’re concerned at all or are particularly sensitive to odours then don’t hesitate to get in touch to discuss options.

Our children’s mattresses are designed to support the body of a developing child from the age of 2 – 10 (12 maximum). 

Children’s mattresses are not appropriate for adults, they do not offer the right level of support, even for an adult who prefers a firmer feel. The mattress will settle much quicker under an adult weight, regular adult use of a children’s mattress will invalidate your warranty. 

If you are one of the many parents who finds themselves tucked up in bed with your little ones on a regular basis then we recommend our Appledore or Vegan Choice mattresses. Both these mattresses have been designed to be both exceptionally comfortable and supportive for adults and children alike and have been developed to ensure they support a developing child’s spine and body.  

A well cared for mattress should last for up to 10 years and beyond. We’re confident about the quality and craftmanship of our mattresses, that is why we offer a 10 warranty on all adult bed mattresses, except the Vegan Value. 

For more information about the warranty on our individual products please refer to our Terms and Conditions.

Yes we offer Klarna pay in 3.