A ribbon cutting ceremony was carried out by Sir Hugo Swire MP to officially open the newly refurbished showroom of innovative Cottonsafe® Natural Mattress Company. The family-owned company, headed up by husband and wife team Mark and Liz Dowen, design and manufacture 100% natural biodegradable, sustainable and truly natural mattresses, surpassing the highest levels of UK Fire Regulations. Cottonsafe® is a revolutionary, unique and completely chemical free fabric; the only one of its kind in Great Britain, and believed, worldwide!
Formerly known as ‘Cambridge Natural Mattress’, the company has made a substantial investment in the re-brand programme and refurbishment of its showroom at Woodbury, showcasing their extensive range of futons, beds and truly natural mattresses.
Pioneering duo, Mark and Liz designed the natural material called Cottonsafe® which has taken three years to research, test and develop. It’s a new method of blending organic cotton and pure British Sheep’s wool to create a range of chemical-free mattresses. The breathable fabric, combines the natural and warm properties of wool, with the perfect absorbency of cotton to keep you cool, to aid a restful night’s sleep.
Trained in design, Mark Dowen has been retailing and manufacturing sofa beds and mattresses for over 30 years and participating in International Furniture Shows which has inspired his talent for inventing new products. He has become an expert in developing chemical free fabrics, completing research with a university for the Fire Brigade and advising the government about furniture fire regulations.
Mark comments: “I have spent the last five years developing new products which are kind to the environment and human health, and unlike chemically treated alternatives, Cottonsafe® has fire safety woven in and surpasses all the UK’s stringent furniture Fire Regulations. As a natural fabric it doesn’t release a chemical dust, therefore, is completely safe in our homes, lasts a lifetime and doesn’t produce poisonous chemicals when burnt.”
He adds: “Since the development of Cottonsafe®, our company has gone from strength to strength. Many people, in this part of the country, really appreciate quality natural products, understand the environmental issues and want to make an informed choice about the products in their homes. It’s great that local consumers can now come to our showroom to see, and try out the mattresses for themselves. We use the best Devon natural materials, such as hand-teased Dartmoor Sheep wool to develop a range of affordable, to luxury Cottonsafe® mattresses, which are hand-sewn using flax. Being able to draw on the fabulous local raw materials available and highly skilled craftsmen who are on our doorstep, is helping make Devon a centre for luxury, natural products. And we’re not stopping there – our next project is a stylish range of Cottonsafe® chemical and foam-free sofas for next year.”
Hugo Swire MP said: “I am delighted to officially open the new showroom of Cottonsafe® Natural Mattress Company. Both Mark and Liz are passionate about producing chemical-free mattresses and are on a personal crusade to help raise awareness of the dangers of the use of fire retardants in furniture manufacturing in the UK. They want to help create healthier and safer homes for families and their pets, with this innovative and unique new product and I wish them every success in their campaign.”