Mattresses

Natural mattresses: cotton and kapok for Indian homes

Before spring and foam mattresses became common, most Indian homes slept on mattresses filled with natural fibre: cotton in much of the country, and kapok, known in Tamil Nadu as Illavam Panju, in the South. Many families still prefer them for their familiar feel and natural materials. Soft Souls natural mattresses bring these traditional fills to today's bedrooms, with clear details on fill, size and care for every product.

Two natural fills

• Cotton mattresses are filled with cotton fibre. They feel firm and settled, and they are the traditional rui gadda that many North Indian homes grew up with.
• Kapok mattresses are filled with kapok fibre from the seed pods of the kapok tree. They are lighter and softer, and known in Tamil homes as Illavam Panju methai.

Both are plant fibres. Cotton gives a firmer, heavier mattress; kapok gives a lighter, softer one.

Natural fill vs foam and springs

A natural-fill mattress feels different from a modern foam or spring mattress:

• It is firmer and more even. You lie on the mattress rather than sinking into it.
• It is made from plant fibre. There is no foam layer and no metal springs.
• It needs regular airing and turning. Natural fibre stays fresh and even when it is aired in the sun or shade and flipped regularly.
• It can be refreshed. Over years of use, natural fill can compact. Traditionally, mattresses were opened up and the fibre re-fluffed by local mattress makers.

If you want deep cushioning, a natural mattress may feel too firm. If you prefer a steady, traditional sleeping surface, it can be exactly right.

Choose your size

Measure your bed frame before you buy. Indian mattresses usually come in lengths of 72, 75 or 78 inches.

• Single mattresses are about 30 to 36 inches wide
• Double mattresses are about 48 inches wide
• Queen mattresses are about 60 inches wide
• King mattresses are about 72 inches wide

Each product lists its exact length, width and thickness. Soft Souls mattresses come in single (36 × 75 in), double (54 × 75 in), queen (60 × 78 in) and king (72 × 78 in) sizes, plus a foldable 36 × 72 in kapok mattress for single cots. Each product lists its exact size and weight.

Caring for a natural mattress

• Turn it regularly. Flip and rotate the mattress so it wears evenly.
• Air it often. Natural fill benefits from fresh air and gentle sunlight.
• Use a mattress protector or cover. It keeps the mattress clean and is easy to wash.
• Keep it dry. Natural fibre should never be soaked; spot clean and dry fully.
• Beat out flat areas. Patting and fluffing the mattress helps redistribute the fill.

Mattress delivery

Natural mattresses can be bulky. Delivery charges, if any, are shown at checkout before you pay. Orders are dispatched within 1 working day.

Mattress prices

Soft Souls natural mattresses start from ₹3,700.00, inclusive of all taxes. Price depends on fill, size and thickness.

Why buy a natural mattress from Soft Souls

Every mattress lists its fill, cover fabric, dimensions, thickness and weight in a Material Passport. You also get genuine reviews, cash on delivery or secure Razorpay payments, dispatch within 1 working day, and clear return terms on every product.

Which fill suits which sleeper?

Our product notes list who each mattress suits best. Cotton mattresses have a medium feel and suit back, side, stomach and combination sleepers alike, because the steady surface keeps the body level. Kapok mattresses have a medium-soft feel and suit side, back and combination sleepers who like a little more give under the shoulders and hips. If you sleep mostly on your stomach, cotton's steadier surface is usually the better match.

Full mattress or quilt mattress?

Every full mattress in this range comes with pillows and is made to be your bed every night. If you need something lighter to roll out on the floor, to soften a hard cot or to keep for guests, look at our quilt mattresses: the same natural fills in a slimmer form, about 3 to 7 kg by size.

Matching bedsheets and pillows

Once you know your mattress size, the rest of the bed follows. A single mattress takes a single bedsheet, a double takes a double bedsheet, and queen and king beds take our queen and king bedsheets. Our mattresses already include pillows; add pillow covers so you can wash them separately.

Returns and delivery for mattresses

Orders are dispatched within 1 working day, and you can pay by cash on delivery, UPI or card. If an unused mattress is not right for you, it can be returned within 7 days in its packaging; if it arrives damaged, send us a photo within 48 hours.

Your first week with a natural mattress

Natural fill arrives compressed from packing. Unroll the mattress, lay it flat and give it a day in a shaded, airy room before the first night. Pat the surface to spread the fill evenly. In the first weeks the fill settles into its natural shape; turning the mattress end to end every few weeks helps it settle evenly.

Measuring before you order

Measure the inside of your cot, from edge to edge, in inches. Then compare it with our sizes: single 36 × 75, double 54 × 75, queen 60 × 78 and king 72 × 78 inches. A mattress a little smaller than the cot is fine; one that is larger will not sit flat.

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