Just how green is that organic baby mattress you paid a nice premium for? That’s what the NY Times is wondering. In a new article on their website, the newspaper goes in-depth on the green baby mattress industry — and finds a few surprising nuggets of truth along the way. Here’s a brief highlight:

No government agency regulates the labeling of mattresses as “organic” or “natural,” and trade groups like the International Sleep Products Association and the Specialty Sleep Association offer their members no guidelines for using the terms. Throughout the industry — as a number of people within it acknowledged in interviews — promotional materials are rife with vague or misleading information. “The whole thing is a smoke and mirrors industry,” said Ralph Rossdeutscher, the president and owner of Natura World, a manufacturer in Cambridge, Ontario.

Much like other so-called green products, the question of cradle-to-cradle design and manufacturing is a big one. Always remember that if you’re looking for a true “green” mattress, do your homework. Check out how much of the mattress contains organic cotton, how/where it’s produced, and how transparent the company is with the details. Hitting brick wall after brick wall in terms of inquiries is not a good sign.

For more, check out the Times article here.