Here are our top picks for organic, non-toxic, and sustainable futon mattresses. We made sure to include some traditional Shikibuton mattresses in this list (we see you Tokyo).
Table of Contents
- Rawganique Zen Sleeper Firm Organic Cotton and Wool Futon
- Savvy Rest Pastoral
- Why we like Savvy Rest
- Rawganique Homesteader Medium-Firm Vegan 100% Organic Cotton Futon Mattress
- Rawganique Farmstead Medium-Firm Organic Cotton and Wool Futon
- Rawganique Fairhaven Vegan Firm 100% Organic Cotton Futon Mattress
- The Futon Shop (TFS) Organic Wool and Cotton Shiki Futon Mattress
- The Futon Shop Teddy Organic Wool Futon Mattress
- The Futon Shop Organic Cotton Futon Mattress
If you like a firmer sleeping surface, a traditional futon can be a great choice for a mattress. Futons can also be super soft and pillowy too, though, so don’t discount these simple mattresses if you like to sink into your sleep surface!
To care for your futon or Shikibuton, air it out regularly (once a week or so) and flip it over and rotate it frequently to avoid the fill from settling and compressing.
To support good air flow and prevent mildew and mold, use a Tatami mat or coconut coir paid under the futon.
Here are our top choices for the best organic futon mattresses. You’ll notice that most of our top picks are from Rawganique, a favorite company here at Leaf Score because of their impressive commitment to keeping synthetic materials and hazardous chemicals out of their product range. Rawganique also offers futons with an impressive level of firmness suitable for sleeping on every night, while most futons are only intended for occasional use or for sitting.
The Futon Shop is another top choice for a futon, with a range of softer options for kids and smaller adults. Other great choices for futons include one of our top mattress picks: Savvy Rest!
Rawganique Zen Sleeper Firm Organic Cotton and Wool Futon
Highlights: Firm futon mattress handmade in the US using US-grown organic cotton with a wool wrap as a natural flame retardant. Available from Twin to Cali King.
The Zen Sleeper from Rawganique is a fantastic organic cotton and wool futon that offers firm support. It is mostly made of organic cotton (95%), but Rawganique includes a layer of organic wool (5%) as a natural flame retardant. That means you don’t need a prescription for the thicker mattresses, unlike with the pure cotton options from Rawganique.
The Zen Sleeper has 15% more fill than the Farmstead futon mattress from Rawganique, to make it firmer and better suited for heavier adults.
All of the cotton in these mattresses is grown in the US and is USDA certified organic. Even the thread used to sew it together is organic cotton, though the tufts are cotton-covered nylon thread for strength.
The futon is available in sizes twin, double, queen, eastern kind, twin XL, and Cali king. You can also purchase a cushion or mattress sample. Each size is available as a 1.5-inch massage mat, 3-inch stowaway, 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-inch futon mattress. The Zen Sleeper weighs from 18 lbs. up to 185 lbs. for the Cali King 8-inch.
Why we like Rawganique
Rawganique offers four futons at the time of writing, two of which are vegan and two with wool. These are all available in a variety of sizes from Twin to Cali King and as massage mats up to 8-inch thick mattresses. You can also get a sample cushion ideal for use as a meditation cushion in order to assess the materials and construction first, in case you’re concerned over allergy potential or quality.
Each futon is custom-made to order, meaning you can expect yours to ship within 10-14 days of ordering. Because they’re made to order, though, using only natural materials, the futons are non-returnable. Rawganique also sells a zippered organic cotton barrier mattress cover.
Savvy Rest Pastoral
Highlights: An affordable hand-tufted certified organic wool and cotton mattress flexible enough to be considered a futon. Available in twin to Cali king sizes and handmade to order in the U.S.!
Savvy Rest specializes in mattresses but lends it expertise to what is, essentially, a futon. The Pastoral is handmade to order in a GOTS-certified facility in the U.S. It is breathable and lighter than many futons, weighing just 48 lbs. for a Cali king size (though 22 lbs. for a twin). It’s also a touch more affordable than options from Rawganique and The Futon Shop.
The Pastoral comprises certified organic wool batting in an organic cotton twill cover, with linen thread used for the stitching and hand-tufting.
The construction of this mattress makes it flexible enough to bend like a futon. You can purchase it in sizes twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and Cali king, all with a mattress height of 4.5-inches. You can also purchase the futon in custom sizes.
Savvy Rest recommends you use the Pastoral on a bed rug over a slatted foundation, platform bed, or platform bed insert. It also recommends you rotate and flip the Pastoral regularly and try to sleep on different parts of the mattress for at least the first six months to avoid serious mattress compression.
Because Savvy Rest makes everything to order, the Pastoral takes 3-4 weeks to ship after ordering and is non-returnable.
Why we like Savvy Rest
Savvy Rest is one of our favorite companies at Leaf Score for mattresses and bedding. That’s because this company predominantly uses natural and organic materials that are better for people and planet. These products are both affordable and top-quality, making it easier for more families to go green!
Savvy Rest is employee-owned (since 2012) and is a certified Benefit Corporation (B Corp) that donates a portion of profits to American Forests to help with forest conservation and restoration. It is also a member of the Carbon Fund, helping to support reforestation along the Mississippi River. Savvy Rest also donates new pillows and blankets to shelters.
Rawganique Homesteader Medium-Firm Vegan 100% Organic Cotton Futon Mattress
Highlights: A medium-firm vegan futon made entirely of USDA certified organic cotton. Available in thicknesses 1.5-inch to 8-inch and sizes Twin to Cali king. Made to order in the U.S.
The Rawganique Homesteader Futon is a vegan-friendly 100% organic cotton futon offering medium-firm support. Like its firmer counterpart, the Fairhaven, this mattress doesn’t contain any wool or latex and is available in sizes twin to Cali king and in various thicknesses 1.5-inch to 8-inch. For anything over 5-inch you’ll need a doctor’s prescription to get around the federal flammability requirements.
This futon weighs from 16 lbs. for the 1.5-inch twin up to 186 lbs. for the Cali king 8-inch futon.
If you don’t need a vegan futon, check out the Rawganique Farmstead Futon, made exactly the same way as the Homesteader, just with a wool wrap as a flame barrier.
Rawganique Farmstead Medium-Firm Organic Cotton and Wool Futon
Highlight: Medium-firm futon custom-made to order using USDA organic cotton with a dash of wool as a natural flame retardant. Available in sizes twin to Cali king and from 1.5-inches to 8-inches deep. Chemical-free and hypoallergenic!
The Farmstead organic cotton and wool futon from Rawganique is a little softer than the Zen Sleeper, but still offers medium-firm support. This is thanks to the layers of USDA organic cotton making up 95% of the futon, with a layer of organic wool as a natural flame barrier. The futon is sewn together with organic cotton but the tufting is cotton-covered nylon (for strength).
You can purchase this futon in sizes twin, double, queen, eastern kind, twin XL, and Cali king. Choose between a 1.5-inch massage mat, 3-inch stowaway, 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-inch futon mattress. The futons weigh from 18 lbs. at the lightest to 166 lbs. at the largest and deepest (Cali king 8-inch).
If you’re not sure about the firmness or materials, note that the full futons are not returnable. As such, you might want to check out the cushion or mattress sample first.
To keep your futon in good shape, beat and air it, and rotate it regularly (once a week or more). You can spot clean the futon as needed, using a wet brush or damp cloth. Rawganique offers a zippered organic cotton barrier mattress cover too.
Rawganique Fairhaven Vegan Firm 100% Organic Cotton Futon Mattress
Highlight: A pure organic cotton futon suitable for vegans, with no wool, latex, or chemical flame retardants. Offers firm support for stomach and back sleepers. Available in twin to Cali king and in 1.5-inch to 8-inch thicknesses (doctor’s prescription needed for mattresses over 5-inches thick).
If you’re looking for a vegan futon made without wool or latex, check out Rawganique’s Fairhaven firm Organic Cotton Futon Mattress. Made with 15% more fill than the Rawganique Homesteader model, the Fairhaven is a great choice for larger adults and anyone who sleeps on their back or stomach.
This futon is made entirely of USDA organic cotton, meaning no latex or wool and no synthetic materials or hazardous chemicals (the tufting is cotton-covered nylon, though, for strength and durability). Because there’s no wool or chemical flame retardant, you’ll need a doctor’s prescription to purchase this futon in a build thicker than five inches.
If you don’t need the vegan version, check out the Zen Sleeper, which is essentially the same just with a wool wrap.
The Futon Shop (TFS) Organic Wool and Cotton Shiki Futon Mattress
From: $451.19-$1,503.96
Highlights: The best of both worlds – this traditional Japanese style futon comprises organic wool and organic cotton and is extra-soft/soft, making it pillowy and a good choice for lighter adults and children or for sitting.
The Futon Shop Organic Wool and Cotton Shiki Futon Mattress, or Shikibuton, is a classic Japanese style, handmade futon. It comprises layers of certified organic cotton and organic wool encased in organic cotton twill. This all-organic futon is free of foam and synthetic fibers, with no chemical flame retardants or other hazardous chemicals.
Ideal for side sleepers and for sitting, and for smaller sleepers who weigh under 140 lbs., this mattress is rated as extra-soft to soft. This means it offers gentle support at the shoulders, hips, and knees and is a little more like a pillow than a firm mattress. If you sleep on your front or back, a firmer mattress may be a better option, such as the organic cotton mattress.
Thanks to the breathable and lightweight fibers in the Wool and Cotton Futon, and the natural thermoregulating properties of wool, this futon supports a good night’s sleep. The cotton and wool futon works great with a traditional Tatami Mat or coir pad or on a platform bed or sofa bed frame. It’s not intended for a slatted bed frame though as it’s bendable and rollable. This does make it a great choice to roll up and store when not in use.
The Wool and Organic Cotton Shiki Futon Mattress comprises 100% USDA certified organic cotton and 100% GOTS certified organic American grown chemical-free wool. The covers are made with 7 oz. GOTS certified organic cotton fabric. These futons also carry Oeko-Tex 100 certification.
TFS also includes PLA fiber derived from potatoes in these mattresses, in place of synthetic polyester. PLA filling offers softness and resilience to prevent compression and body impressions. Paired with cotton and wool, potato PLA adds to the sustainability of the mattress and helps keep the mattress weight down too.
You can choose between a 3-inch and 5-inch option for the wool and cotton futon. The 3-inch twin-size mattress weighs 24 lbs., while the 5-inch king-size mattress weighs 60 lbs. The Shikibuton is available in Twin, Twin XL, Full/Double, Queen, Eastern King, and Cali King. You can also add a Tatami Mat if you need one, a coir pad bed rug, and an organic cotton mattress protector.
The mattress arrives compressed in a box and needs to be left to fluff out for a day or so before use.
Why we like The Futon Shop
The Futon Shop has been in business for more than 45 years and has a comfortable reputation as one of the best futon makers around. This 1% for the Planet member makes mattresses, futons, sofas, and bedding by hand in its San Francisco factory using natural and certified organic materials.
Everything is free of hazardous chemicals, meaning no chemical flame retardants, no synthetic foam or other synthetic materials. Instead, The Futon Shop specializes in using organic, natural, recognizable, healthy, and safe materials like organic wool, organic cotton, coconut coir, and natural latex.
The Futon Shop makes every Shikibuton to order in its California factory, meaning no mattresses are lying about in warehouses gathering dust and mold. We also love that The Futon Shop sells direct to consumers because this means these quality products are super affordable!
TFS offers a 30-Day Comfort Guarantee. This means if you don’t love your futon, you can exchange it after sleeping on it for 15-25 nights. The one-time exchange works for a different model in the same size and of equal or lesser value. Or, you can trade your futon for credit against a higher price option, or donate the mattress if you can’t mail it back. If you choose the latter route, TFS will credit you with 50% of the purchase price with proof of donation.
The Futon Shop Teddy Organic Wool Futon Mattress
From: $1,456.19-$4,853.96
Highlights: Soft, simple, 8-inch organic wool futon encased in organic cotton. Great for lighter adults, children, side sleepers, and for sitting. Available in custom sizes!
The Teddy Organic Wool Futon Mattress is an 8-inch mattress filled with organic wool encased in GOTS organic cotton. This is a rare futon comprising solely organic wool filling. It offers soft support, making it a good choice for side sleepers and for sitting, or for smaller individuals and children.
Each mattress is made by hand in San Francisco, including the felting of the organic wool, building, and tufting the mattress. There are no chemical flame retardants, other hazardous chemicals, or any synthetic materials in this futon, just organic wool and organic cotton!
The Teddy Organic Wool Mattress is available in Twin, Twin XL, Full/Double, Queen, Eastern King, and Cali King. You can also buy this mattress in a custom size! This mattress is quite a bit heavier than the 3- and 5-inch Shikibuton options from TFS. The twin-size weighs in at 54 lbs. and the Cali King is 90 lbs.
Add a Tatami Mat if you need one, or a coir pad bed rug, and an organic cotton mattress protector.
The Futon Shop Organic Cotton Futon Mattress
From: $611.46-$1,222.92
Highlights: A medium-firm organic cotton futon available in a range of sizes including as a loveseat. Best for occasional use for sleeping by stomach and side sleepers. Made by hand in the U.S. using sustainable, renewable, certified organic and natural materials.
If you’re looking for a firmer futon mattress, the Organic Cotton Futon Mattress from The Futon Shop is a great choice. This mattress is medium-firm thanks to a filling comprising solely six inches of USDA Organic Cotton. This is sandwiched between two layers of PLA fiber derived from potato starch, with a GOTS organic cotton encasement or poly cotton ticking if you prefer. The mattress is also Oeko-Tex 100 certified.
Simple and soft for sitting, this mattress is meant for occasional use for sleeping but isn’t recommended for sleeping every night. If you are a side sleeper or stomach sleeper, this mattress is a good choice as it offers medium-firm support. For anyone weighing more than 230 lbs., however, a firmer mattress is a better choice.
As a traditional futon mattress, the organic cotton futon needs to be aired out, flipped, and rotated weekly. TFS recommends that you do this twice a week for the first two months.
This Organic Cotton Futon Mattress is available in Twin, Twin XL, Full/Double, Queen, Eastern King, and Cali King. It is also available in Twin Loveseat, Full Loveseat, and Queen Loveseat sizes. The twin-size weighs 54 lbs. while the king-size weighs 90 lbs.