Better sleep, better planet: why Aussie-made mattresses make sense

By Clark Rubber | 6th May, 2024

While overseas-manufactured foam mattresses might be cheaper than home-grown options, they may not be your best choice for a comfortable, healthy night's sleep. Here are a few compelling reasons why you should look at Australian-made mattresses first.

Australia has high standards for mattresses and mattress manufacturers

Australian manufacturers need to comply with Australian regulations and safety standards. For additional peace of mind, look out for these logos when you’re evaluating your options:

GECA (Good Environmental Choice Australia) is an internationally-recognised independent organisation that verifies products meet high ethical, environmental, human health, and social impact standards. GECA-certified mattresses contain fewer potentially carcinogenic materials and release fewer harmful gases and particles into the air, making them a healthier alternative than less rigorously tested mattresses.

The Sensitive Choice program is an initiative established by the National Asthma Council Australia to help consumers identify products that are less likely to trigger allergic reactions or worsen respiratory conditions. The butterfly logo on a mattress provides valuable reassurance that it has been evaluated as less harmful by independent experts.

Australian manufacturers create products specifically for Australian conditions

In addition to designing mattresses that give the average Aussie a great night’s sleep, Australian foam manufacturers - like Dunlop Foams - prioritise material quality and manufacturing sustainability. This means mattresses with less filler, fewer defects, better breathability, and greater consistency.

It’s easy for mould and mildew to develop in our warm, humid environment. Australian mattresses are designed to be especially breathable so moisture can escape the foam and our sleep stays dry and comfortable. This is also why Dunlop foam mattresses are treated with Ultra-Fresh: an antimicrobial treatment that helps control dust mites and unwanted odours caused by bacteria or mould growth.

And because Australia doesn't have the same requirements for flame retardants as other countries, you won't find any fiberglass in Australian-made mattresses - thank goodness for that! Instead, Australian manufacturers voluntarily comply with international standards on flammability including AS/NZS 8811.1:2013, AS/NZS 3744.1:1998, and BS5852/Source 5-Mod/.

This all means that Australian-made foam mattresses can cost more than overseas imports. But the peace of mind is worth it! In addition to greater transparency around ethicality, material origin, and manufacturing processes, Australian-made mattresses usually come with longer warranties and better after-sales service. If there's a problem, you'll be dealing with local customer support: making repairs, returns, and replacements much less of a headache!

About Dunlop Foams

For over 70 years, Dunlop Foams has been a leading Australian manufacturer of high-quality foams for industrial and consumer products, including bedding. Backed by research and development, technical expertise, and nationwide manufacturing facilities, Dunlop Foams supplies and guarantees superior Australian-made foams.

Check out the extensive range of Australian-made foam mattresses available now at Clark Rubber.