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Non Toxic Bed Frame
By Dr. Meg Christensen | Updated October 2025
Non-toxic and organic bed frame brands, analyzed for their health layer by layer.
Solid Wood Bed Frames with Headboards
Higher end 100% solid wood bed frames finished with an all-organic flax-based wood finish that TY makes in house. If glue is needed, they use a very small amount of Titebond 3, a great non-toxic option. Can customize by adding under-bed storage drawers. They also have non toxic mid century modern beds, organic Shaker style four post beds, and more styles. Good for you, and an environmentally friendly bed frame.
Affordable wooden bed frames made of 100% poplar. Arrive unfinished, a good option if you’re looking to avoid stains, or want to choose a healthy paint or stain to use on your own. They use a small amount of non-toxic PVA wood glue on the dowels only, and screws elsewhere. Platform beds are great bed frames without a box spring required. Great reviews and a very affordable modern organic bed frame.
The Esmont bed frame by Savvy Rest is handcrafted of solid wood, and you can choose a linseed oil (flax) finish, or leave it unfinished, making these some of the best non toxic bed frames available. They use traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery, only using a dab of non-toxic glue occasionally. Their certifications are displayed very easily in the footer of their website, which I love for transparency reasons. A great option if you’re purchasing one of their healthy mattresses or need a bed frame on its own.
Avocado’s solid wood bed frames with head boards have a water based zero VOC finish from ECOS, another healthy brand. A great non toxic twin bed frame, full, queen, king, or Cal king. Even the cotton edging that makes the slats squeak-free is certified organic. They have a range of ultra luxrious bed frames like the Montecito, above, as well as the City model, which doesn’t require any tools to assemble, and is an affordable solid wood bed frame.
Naturepedic offers two solid wood healthy bed frame options. Both are made with 100% solid wood, are coated with water-based, low-VOC finishes, and held together with low-VOC adhesives. While they don’t name the brands of the finishes and glues they use, they do have GreenGuard GOLD certification meaning they’re tested for off-gassing, and they are UL validated formaldehyde-free. Aesthetically a good Thuma alternative— a little pricier, but definitely healthier.
Medley’s platform bed is unique because even the slats are made of 100% solid wood. You can choose between Maple, Oak, or Walnut wood; all are coated in a zero-VOC plant-based finish. These are some of the best wood bed frames. Medley uses non-toxic water based glues on all of their furniture. They also offer their own organic latex, wool, and cotton mattress that fits perfectly into it.
Are IKEA bed frames non toxic? Some are better than others. The NEIDEN bed frame is the best choice at IKEA because it’s made entirely of solid pine, which is impressive. It’s also unfinished, which is nice from a health perspective. They do use standard glues, so definitely expect off-gassing. However, once it off-gasses, this is a decent option for health. Many of their other options are made with particleboard and veneers (meaning glue and plastic).
These beds are made mostly with solid wood, and have plywood slats. They don’t use MDF or veneers anywhere, which is good. The beds do have GreenGuard GOLD certification, which means the stains and glues off-gas minimally, though they didn’t disclose what brands or types, so I assume standard low-VOC. Without the foam headboard, these are a healthier choice than most standard bed frames!
Solid Wood Platform Beds
Non-Toxic Bed Frames with Storage
This twin size bed frame with storage is the best non toxic kids bed. They use zero-VOC finishes from ECOS, water-based adhesives, and are super transparent about specifics. Solid wood, with no MDF or particleboard. It comes as a trundle bed ready for a second twin mattress, or can be storage drawers for hiding toys in instead. They also offer most of their other super healthy bed frames in twin size if you’re not looking for a trundle set up.
Get Laid makes the most affordable 100% solid wood frames with under bed storage. A very customizable bed frame brand— you can also add a little shelf, or request custom sizing. Otherwise, they come in Twin, Full, Queen, King, Cal King, and even Super Emperor (!) sizes. They use water based glues and stains, and you can get one that’s unfinished, if you’d prefer to use your own. They use solid wood slats instead of plywood.
The Afton is a handcrafted solid wood bed frame and just like their other bed frames, you can choose a linseed oil (flax) finish, or leave it unfinished. They use traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery, so very little adhesive is needed or used. Their certifications are displayed very easily in the footer of their website, which I love for transparency reasons.
The Malibu platform bed frame by Avocado is one of the best organic modern platform bed frames without a headboard because they use zero-VOC finishes from ECOS, water-based adhesives, and are super transparent about specifics. No MDF or particleboard whatsoever. You can also add taller legs if you’re not into the low profile, or choose a lighter finish than shown above.
Non-Toxic Metal Bed Frames
Powder coated steel bed frames are a super healthy and affordable alternative to fake wood beds or ones made with lots of off-gassing glues. Powder coating is much safer than paint, doesn’t emit VOCs, and is chemically inert and doesn’t flake. You can read more in my paint guide here. This gold metal bed frame for king size beds, queen size, and full size is so cute, and is quite affordable as well.
Schoolhouse makes a modern farmhouse metal bed frame in white, black, blue, ochre, and red, powder coated finishes. Available in twin, full, and king sizes. This one is a little more elevated and does require a box spring, though metal bed frame slats are nice because they offer even more breathability than wood slats, and are very supportive.
This simple Queen size metal bed frame with headboard is what I use at home, because in addition to being healthy and inexpensive, it’s highly rated for being sturdy and not being squeaky. You could describe it as a farmhouse style metal bed frame. No box spring required, and is a very easy to assemble metal bed frame— I like that it uses screws instead of needing any glues. You can choose between low or high when setting it up, and I found it easy to change between heights. It comes in every size, so it’s also a great option for a non toxic twin bed frame.
Most metal bed frames skew farmhousey or traditional in style, but there are great modern and sleek steel bed frames available too. All Modern has a canopy version, above, as well as several other minimalist styles, too.
Non -oxic Upholstered and Soft Frame Beds
Medley Home
There are so few latex bed frames available, but the Pippen bed is the best one. It’s a non toxic channeled headboard frame that comes in all sizes, from twin to Cal King. Crafted with OEKO TEX certified wool and organic Dunlop latex instead of foam, this organic bed frame is made of solid wood and is the healthiest version of its kind.
Medley Home
The best non toxic cloud bed is Medley’s Nein bed frame. It’s handcrafted with OEKO TEX certified wool and organic Dunlop latex, this organic soft frame bed is foam-free and plastic-free, making it the healthiest version of this bed style available.
Aside from Medley, upholstered beds and cloud beds are largely made with polyurethane foam, polyester, plastic, and/or engineered wood (including Awara’s and Saatva’s). If you’re looking for a different style than Medley offers, Ecobalanza makes custom options with GOTS certified fabrics, zero-VOC glues, natural finishes, and natural rubber latex.
Best Healthy Bed Bases and Foundations
Naturepedic’s organic bed base is a great box spring or bed frame alternative. This organic mattress foundation is one of the healthiest available. It’s made with solid wood and wrapped in organic cotton. In a pinch, this elevates your mattress off the floor, allowing for proper air flow to avoid moisture and mold from building up underneath. Can also be used instead of a box spring.
This King size metal bed frame from Plush Beds is affordable, with tool-free assembly. Comes in Twin, Queen, Full, and Cal King options, too. It’s squeak-free and made of reclaimed steel. Super easy to set up, and a good option on its own, or if you’re getting one of their organic mattresses.
Avocado makes the best non toxic adjustable bed foundation. It fits into your existing bed frame, if you like the look of it already, or works well on its own. You can get two split units that fit together so you can your sleeping partner can choose different comfort settings. Has a massage feature! Made of GOTS-certified organic cotton canvas, natural rubberwood legs, and a durable metal base.
Non Toxic Bed Frame Info
Table of Contents
Non-Toxic Bed Frames
Types of Bed Frame Materials
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What is a Non Toxic Bed Frame?
What is a non toxic bed frame?
A non toxic bed frame contains no formaldehyde, high-VOC glues, solvent-based stains, foam, PFAS, or plastic. Specifically, non-toxic wooden, metal, and upholstered bed frames would have the following characteristics:
A non-toxic wooden bed frame is made from 100% solid wood, and held together with zero-VOC, low-VOC glues, screws, or joinery. Ideally it would have a water-based stain or plant-based finish. This is in contrast to many “wooden” bed frames that are actually made with fake woods including MDF, particleboard, or other engineered woods, which can contain formaldehyde or other resins that off-gas. They are often held together with high-VOC glues containing toxic solvents. Some are finished with solvent-based stains that off-gas, and many have veneers— a thin piece of plastic that looks like wood, glued on to the outside.
A non-toxic metal bed is made of iron or steel, is coated in a cured powder coat finish, and is held together with screws instead of glues.
A non-toxic upholstered or cloud bed is made of either a wood or metal base, and is made soft with organic latex, fabrics, and stitching, instead of foam, polyester, and adhesives.
Do bed frames off-gas?
Yes, bed frames can off-gas, depending on what materials they’re made with, and what finishes are applied when they’re done. Engineered wood products like MDF or particleboard, common in bed frames, as well as synthetic finishes, paints, stains, are more likely to release VOCs and other chemicals into your bedroom air. Additionally, upholstered frames with foam padding covered in fabric can release VOCs and decrease bedroom air quality.
Metal, solid wood frames with natural oil finishes, or truly organic upholstered bed frames produce minimal to no off-gassing.
What material is best for a bed frame?
Solid wood or metal are the best materials for bed frames for your health, and if it contains any foam or fabric parts, organic natural latex and organic fabrics are healthiest.
What is the safest bed frame material?
Solid hardwood and metal are the safest bed frame materials for a non-toxic bedroom. Solid wood bed frames with natural oil or water-based finishes contain minimal chemicals, while metal frames are inherently inert and don't off-gas. Avoid particleboard, MDF, or plywood frames that may contain formaldehyde-based adhesives.
What bed frame material is best for allergies?
Metal bed frames are the best choice if you suffer from allergies because they're non-porous, easy to clean, and don't harbor dust mites or mold. Solid hardwood with a non-toxic finish is the second-best option, as it is also resistant to allergen accumulation. Avoid upholstered bed frames, which can easily trap allergens in fabric and foam. Finally, avoid MDF or particle board bed frames, as the off-gassing chemical VOCs from these can worsen allergies, cause airway irritation, and exacerbate asthma symptoms.
What certifications should a non-toxic bed frame have?
The following third-party certifications verify that a bed frame meets strict standards for safer materials:
Greenguard Gold certification can be helpful to confirm that a bed frame has been tested and certified to meet strict limits on how much it off-gasses.
Formaldehyde-free plywood, or CARB Phase 2 compliant engineered wood ensure formaldehyde emissions are strictly limited. You can read more in my free guide to healthier wood here.
GOTS certified organic or OEKO-TEX certification is important for the fabric on upholstered bed frames. You can read more about fabric chemicals in my free guide to healthier textiles and upholstery here.
GOLS certified organic, C2C, or ecoINSTITUT is important for the latex in an upholstered frame. You can read more about latex in my free guide to healthier foams here.
CertiPUR for a bed frame upholstered in polyurethane foam does not mean that it is non-toxic. A very short list of chemicals are limited, and many others remain. You can read more in my free guide to foam here.
What does Greenguard certified mean for bed frames?
GreenGuard certification means a bed frame has been independently tested and meets strict chemical emission limits for indoor air quality. To meet the standard GreenGuard level, VOC emissions must be less than 500 ug/m3. To meet the elevated GreenGuard GOLD level, VOCs must be less than 220 ug/m3.
It’s important to note that while GreenGuard or GreenGuard Gold certification is an important step toward guaranteeing your bed frame will not contribute to indoor air pollution, it does not mean the bed frame is healthy in its entirety. There are harmful chemicals in stains, glues, and finishes that don’t off-gas as VOCs and should still be considered for other routes of exposure like dermal absorption and ingestion.
That said, it is still a useful certification when choosing between a standard wood product and one with GreenGuard certification. It is still a step in the right direction.
Are FSC certified bed frames non-toxic?
Not necessarily. FSC certification means that sustainable forestry practices were used in harvesting the timber to make the bed frame, but it doesn't directly address toxicity or chemical emissions. However, FSC-certified bed frames often pair with other safety features like water-based finishes and low-VOC adhesives, making them a good indicator of overall environmental and health consciousness. For complete non-toxic assurance, look for FSC certification combined with the other certifications listed above.
What are the best non-toxic bed frame brands?
All of these brands use not only 100% solid wood, but non-toxic furniture glue, stains, and finishes, which are often overlooked in healthy bed frame round-ups. Compare these brands side by side, learn more about the details of each layer they’re made with, and how to analyze every material used for its potential impact on your health, above.
Non-Toxic Metal Bed Frames
What are metal bed frames made of?
Now, almost every metal bed frame is made of powder-coated steel. Steel is a mixture of two naturally occurring metals, iron and carbon. Sometimes it can be mixed with other metals or elements, like silicon, chromium, or nickel. You can read more about steel, nickel, and why these elements are included in my free Steel Guide here.
Are metal bed frames squeaky?
Some are, if they’re not made well, or if they’re older, and you haven’t done a little maintenance on them in awhile. Listed above, I have metal bed frames that are highly rated for not being squeaky. They’re all sturdy and don’t contain moving parts like springs, so they aren’t prone to squeaking. Box springs are the most common cause of a squeaky bed, and many metal bed frames actually get around this problem by not requiring one. Below, why your metal bed frame is squeaky, and what to do about it.
Why is my metal bed frame so squeaky?
Squeaking is caused by friction, or two parts of your frame rubbing together incorrectly. This is often because of screws that have become loosened over time, because the lubrication between parts has worn away, or because your floor is uneven, causing more pressure on certain parts of the bed to rub against each other and squeak, and less pressure on others.
How can I make my metal bed frame stop squeaking?
Tighten the screws, lubricate the joints, make sure it’s evenly balanced on the floor, and consider placing your bed on a rug or other padding. To lubricate the joints, a great non-toxic alternative to WD-40 is olive oil cooking spray — because it’s solvent free, VOC free, and still convenient and effective. This is what I use on my own metal bed frame (and squeaky gate outside.)
Are metal bed frames toxic?
No. Metal bed frames are generally considered one of the safest and least toxic options available. They don't contain formaldehyde, VOCs, or chemical treatments that can off-gas into your bedroom air. Look for powder-coated finishes rather than painted ones to minimize any potential chemical exposure.
If you’re confused by this question, the fear that metal bed frames (or spring-containing mattresses) can act as EMF antennae stems from a single, poor-quality, study done in 2010 that was misinterpreted on Scientific American’s blog. It's still spreading like wildfire 14 years later, because it sounds scary, and electromagnetism is hard to understand, making it scarier. Snopes debunks it and does a great job breaking down all the details, and their thinking is very much in line with my thinking.
Exposure to the known carcinogen formaldehyde used in beds made with high-VOC glues and engineered wood is a much higher concern.
Sometimes it’s comforting to see visual proof of this instead of trusting the article, so I used an EMF reader in my house to show you the readings near my microwave, WiFi router, on a metal bed frame, and in the middle of the bed where your body would be. Readings remain at 0.0 when the electronics are off, when you step a few feet away from the electronics even when they’re turned on, and are always at 0.0 everywhere on the bed and bed frame. You can watch the video below to see:
The purpose of this video is to show you your relative risk, not to stir up debate about whether all EMFs are safe or all EMFs are dangerous. This a big conversation with a lot of nuance!
If you are concerned about EMF exposure, this video may help you see why I would recommend prioritizing standing away from the microwave when it’s on, turning off your WiFi router at night, or hiring a professional to take readings for your home. I would worry less about your bed frame.
If you are not concerned about EMF exposure, then there is no need to start being concerned about your bed frame now.
Non-Toxic Solid Wood Bed Frames
Do wood bed frames have formaldehyde?
No. Solid wood bed frames contain no formaldehyde, but engineered wood products like MDF, particleboard, and plywood use formaldehyde-based adhesives that can off-gas over time.
What is an FSC certified wood bed frame?
FSC, or the Forest Stewardship Council certification, is focused on responsible management of forests. For wood, it means that the trees it comes from meet forest management standards, indigenous people’s rights are respected when harvesting, and old growth forests are not disturbed. It’s a fantastic certification in terms of our environment and community, but FSC-certified wood can still be treated or finished with less than healthy stains. Look for GS-11, low VOC, or other indicators that the wood is still healthy— learn more on my wood, finishes, and stains guide here.
Is plywood safe for a bed frame?
Plywood can be safe for a bed frame if it is formaldehyde free. Plywood is used in bed frames because it is a very strong material, made of many layers of super-thin pieces of solid wood. Each layer’s grain is stacked perpendicular to the one above and below it, and all the layers are glued together with an adhesive binder (plywood can have up to 3.5% binder by weight). Alternating the wood grain at perpendicular angles makes plywood even stronger than solid wood, and is why you see it used in bed frames— usually as a flat base or for the slats. As long as the glue or binder used in it is non-toxic, this can be an OK choice that’s second-best to solid wood — learn more on my wood, finishes, and stains guide here.
What is a non toxic wood stain for a bed frame?
A completely natural wood stain like coffee is completely safe, but of course, this isn’t common in store-bought furniture. Water-based wood stains are relatively non-toxic, especially ones with certifications like GreenSeal-11 ensuring the most harmful additives are avoided. Ones without VOCs, antimicrobials, chemical drying agents, or heavy metals are a better choice. Oil-based wood stains with standard chemicals that release high VOCs can irritate your respiratory system and more— learn more on my wood, finishes, and stains guide here.
What is the difference between wood stain and wood finish for bed frames?
Wood stains add color to natural wood, while a finish protects it.
What are plant-based oil finishes on wooden bed frames?
Linseed, hemp, and tung oil are types of plant-based oil finishes. Linseed oil comes from the flax plant. Hemp oil comes from the cannabis plant. Tung oil comes from the Tung tree (Vernicia fordii), native to China, Myanmar, and North Vietnam.
What are solvent-based finishes?
Varnish, acrylic, synthetic lacquer, and urethane-based finishes all require a much higher solvent concentration than water-based finishes, so are quite high in VOCs that irritate your respiratory tract. They also often contain carcinogenic chemicals.
Non-Toxic Upholstered Bed Frames
Are upholstered bed frames toxic?
Yes, conventional upholstered bed frames made with polyurethane foam and polyester can be toxic due to flame retardants and VOCs in the foam padding, fabric processing chemicals in synthetic fabrics, and high-VOC adhesives. In any room, the foam, fabric, and glues used in upholstered furniture are common sources of chemical off-gassing that can affect indoor air quality, which becomes a major problem in the bedroom, where your body heals every night.
However, now there are a handful of organic upholstered bed frames available, made with organic latex, wool, and natural fabrics. These are much safer for your health.
More About Bed Frames
What is the purpose of a bed frame?
The main reason bed frames are important is to provide air flow for the underside of your mattress or box spring. Without air flow, moisture, mold, and bacteria can thrive.
Is sleeping without a bed frame bad for you?
Yes, because it may be bad for your mattress, causing moisture and mold build up underneath, and this will eventually be bad for you. While sleeping with your mattress directly on the floor provides a firm, supportive surface, it doesn’t allow for any air to flow under the mattress, and along with moisture and mold, bacteria can easily build up, too. At a minimum, I recommend getting a basic foundation to provide airflow, even if you don’t want a full bed frame.
Would an ultra low profile platform bed provide enough air flow to prevent mold growth in the mattress?
It is possible. If your bedroom has low humidity and good air flow, it should be fine. You can use a hygrometer to understand humidity levels (higher humidity = more chance for mold to grow)— here are hygrometers and indoor air quality monitors I recommend. Add in good air flow with a fan or air purifier that circulates air effectively, and even a dehumidifier if you want to lower levels. If you live in a desert climate, you probably don’t need to worry as much.
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