What You Should Know About “Natural” Soybean Foam Mattresses

Woman's hand leaving an imprint on a soybean foam mattress

Soy foam mattresses may sound like a sustainable choice – but are they really?

 

Many mattress brands tout soy-based foam as a green alternative, leading consumers to believe they’re sleeping on something natural and eco-conscious. Sounds great, right? Sounds natural … right? Unfortunately, if you dig a little deeper, the reality isn’t quite so simple.

 

There are so many different types of foam mattresses now being marketed to sleepers, which makes it tough to decipher fact from fiction. So, here’s the truth: most so-called “soy mattresses” still contain a significant amount of conventional polyurethane foam, with only a small percentage of soy oil blended in.

 

In this blog, we’re unpacking the facts behind soybean foam, how it compares to organic alternatives and what you should really look for when shopping for a healthier mattress.

What Is Soybean Foam? 

Soybeans growing on a soy plantSoybeans growing on a soy plant

As “clean living” becomes more mainstream, so-called plant-based soybean foam mattresses – also marketed as bio-foam, soy foam or something with “eco” in the name – have grown in popularity. But the truth behind these mattresses might surprise you.

 

Words like "soy" and "eco" may evoke natural feelings, but no amount of green branding or pastoral imagery can change the reality: soybean foam often contains only a small fraction of soy (sometimes as little as 3–5%, and rarely more than 20%). The rest? Conventional polyurethane foam derived from petroleum. Think of it this way: adding a splash of soy milk to your dairy-milk latte doesn’t make it a soy-latte. Likewise, blending a small amount of soy oil into a petroleum-based mattress doesn’t make it plant-based. It just makes it marketing.

 

And here’s another layer: soybeans themselves aren’t exactly a natural or organic solution. Most soy in the U.S. is genetically modified and grown using synthetic pesticides and herbicides. So even if these mattresses did contain more soy (which they don’t), that wouldn’t make them cleaner or more sustainable. In fact, it could raise more red flags.

 

At the end of the day, soybean foam is still primarily made from petrochemicals. For those seeking a truly healthier, low-tox alternative to conventional memory foam, soy foam mattresses fall short.

 

Why to Avoid Polyurethane Foam?

Polyurethane foam mattresses (including both memory foam and soy foam varieties) are highly flammable. In fact, polyurethane foam is among the most flammable materials used in mattresses today. To meet flammability standards, manufacturers often treat these mattresses with chemical flame retardants. Many of these flame retardants release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that off-gas into your indoor air, and these VOCs don’t just linger – they’re inhaled night after night, for one-third of your life.

 

It’s not just speculation. A 2025 CNN investigation highlighted growing concerns around toxic chemicals found in crib mattresses and children's bedding, drawing attention to the real-world health risks linked to flame retardants and VOC exposure during sleep. Research continues to link these exposures to a range of short- and long-term health effects, making the materials inside your mattress more important than ever.

Soy Foam Mattresses and Greenwashing 

Soy foam sounds healthy, doesn’t it? It sounds natural, plant-based, green. The initial green angle for soy foam was that it used renewable, plant-based resources to supplement non-renewable petroleum. Mattress and furniture company marketers soon found that marketing could intentionally lead consumers to make seemingly logical – albeit false – assumptions about what was and wasn’t in “soy foam.” It's the perfect example of greenwashing – deceptive marketing tactics designed to trick you into believing a product is greener than it really is.

brown box with "eco friendly" label on itbrown box with "eco friendly" label on it

Greenwashed language coupled with green imagery and colors make it easy to believe that you’re making a smarter and healthier decision for your sleep, your family and your planet. We don't blame you: it’s logical to assume that soy foam is made from soybeans.

 

But, unfortunately, claims that products are “natural” or “green” aren’t regulated. That means that companies can use words like “green” and “eco-friendly” without being held accountable by any government agency or organization to prove that they actually are those things. This, unfortunately and often, puts the responsibility on you: the consumer. At Naturepedic, we believe the responsibility is on us.

How to Find a Mattress That Helps People and Planet 

The best ways to avoid greenwashing and continue to consume ethically are to research products before you buy, familiarize yourself with third-party certifications and make sure you're paying attention to labels. 

couple unrolling layers of EOS organic mattresscouple unrolling layers of EOS organic mattress

If you want to hold companies and marketing teams accountable for misinformation and greenwashing, a few important certifications to look out for include:

 

 

These certifications offer real transparency and hold companies to higher standards – helping you separate genuine, healthier choices from clever marketing claims.

How Naturepedic Provides Comfort Without Chemicals™

At Naturepedic, our GOTS certified organic mattresses are certified to the strictest standards – and in many cases go above and beyond them. (You can read more about our certifications here.) We use the most comfortable materials Mother Nature provides: soft and breathable organic cotton and wool, plus pressure-point relieving, GOLS-certified latex. No chemical flame retardants. No polyurethane foams. No bells and whistles … just the good stuff.

 

Want to learn more about how we provide comfort without all the chemicals? Learn more about our Farm to Bed philosophy.

No Soy Foam. No Bells and Whistles. Only Good Things.

Shop EOS Classic Organic MattressShop EOS Classic Organic Mattress

Modular design allows you and your sleep partner to customize your comfort.

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Flips from a waterproof side to a cushier, quilted side – perfect for potty training.

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Breathable, waterproof and certified organic to check all your parenting boxes.

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