Is new mattress smell harmful for kids and family? Find insights in this article if a new mattress smell safe to sleep and harmful to your health.
Please read on.
So your new mattress has just arrived at your doorstep. The first thing you do, of course, is to unroll it and place it on your bed platform to allow the foam to expand and air out. However, there’s a distinct smell that you’ve noticed which is unpleasant. It’s like chemicals coming out of your memory foam mattress. Now, is this pungent odor harmful to your health?
Generally, the smell of a new mattress that is caused by off-gassing is not harmful. It’s basically due to the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that break down as you open your new mattress. VOCs are contained in the adhesives and foam of the mattress including benzene, naphthalene, toluene, and chlorofluorocarbons.
Is New Mattress Small Harmful or Safe to Sleep
While some people experienced headaches, asthma, throat and eye irritation, nausea, and difficulty breathing, most users are safe to sleep on their new mattress. In fact, the more you use your new memory foam, the faster the off-gassing will be eliminated. The best way to manage the new mattress smell is to make sure your room is well ventilated.
You might also think that the unpleasant odor may cause potential carcinogens and toxins. No study shows new mattress smell causes cancer or any health problem. However, it’s your right to do whatever safety measures you want to follow to reduce chemical exposure with your newly purchased bed.
Why does my new mattress smell like chemicals
It is not uncommon for new mattresses to have a chemical smell when they are first opened and used. This is often due to the materials used in the mattress and the manufacturing process. Many mattresses are made with synthetic materials such as polyurethane foam, which can have a chemical smell when it is first exposed to the air. In addition, the materials may be treated with chemicals to make them flame-resistant or to kill bacteria and other microorganisms. These chemicals can also contribute to the smell.
The good news is that the chemical smell from a new mattress will usually dissipate over time. It may take a few days to a few weeks for the smell to completely go away. In the meantime, you can try airing out the mattress by opening windows and placing a fan in the room to help dissipate the smell. You can also try placing a bowl of white vinegar near the mattress to help absorb any odors. If the smell persists or is particularly strong, you may want to contact the manufacturer for further assistance.
Memory Foam Mattress Odor Elimination Ideas
With some potential negative effects of mattress off-gassing, you may be hesitant to use your new mattress. Don’t worry because there are simple tips to make sure the unpleasant smell will be eliminated as soon as possible. Here are some of the most helpful ideas you can do to reduce memory foam mattress odor:
- Open the mattress and take off the plastic. You can do this in a ventilated space or outside the house to avoid confining the smell in your room.
- Switch on the fan and open your windows to get the unpleasant smell out of your home. Good air circulation can effectively help in reducing the pungent odor from your new mattress.
- With proper ventilation, VOCs can be eliminated in just a few hours while the toxins go with them. In some cases, off-gassing takes longer to be eliminated, sometimes up to 4 weeks. The best way to solve this is to let your new memory foam air out for a week.
- If there’s no other bed to sleep on, you can put thick sheets or mattress cover to reduce the smell while sleeping. You can opt for polyethylene cover or sheets to ensure the VOCs won’t touch your skin.
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Choose a mattress that is made of various materials such as natural latex, wool, or cotton. These materials release fewer VOCs compared to memory foam mattresses. You can also find some organic mattresses on the market that don’t have any risks of off-gassing.
How Long to Air Out New Mattress
Typically, a new mattress can be aired out completely in a few days to several weeks. The fastest period is within 72 hours while the longest time takes up to one month before off-gassing is gone. One of the most common tips to quickly air out a new mattress is to put it in the garage or somewhere that is well-ventilated.
By simply allowing the mattress to air out or off-gas in a separate place can help improve its smell. Remember that memory foam mattresses use various materials and manufacturing processes. Meaning, some mattress are faster to air out than the others. So choosing the brand is important when buying a new memory foam mattress that easily airs out.
Airing out a new mattress can help to dissipate any chemical smells that may be present when the mattress is first used. Here are some steps you can follow to air out your new mattress:
Remove the plastic wrapping from the mattress and discard it.
Place the mattress in the room where it will be used and remove any protective coverings or sheets.
Open windows in the room to allow fresh air to circulate.
Place a fan in the room to help circulate the air and speed up the process.
Leave the mattress uncovered for a few days to a week, depending on the strength of the smell.
After the smell has dissipated, you can make the bed with sheets and other bedding as usual.
It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for caring for and cleaning your new mattress. Some mattresses may have specific requirements for airing out and may need to be left uncovered for a longer period of time. If the smell persists or is particularly strong, you may want to contact the manufacturer for further assistance.
How to Speed Up Mattress Off-Gassing
Placing the new mattress in a ventilated area is ultimately the best way to speed up off-gassing. But there are other solutions to quickly get rid of that annoying smell from your new memory foam. Check out the following:
Mattress with minimal off gassing
- CertiPUR-US certified
- Enveloping Green Tea Memory Foam
- Popular brand - Zinus
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Buy memory foam that is CertiPUR-US certified. To ensure peace of mind and money’s worth when purchasing a new mattress, it’s important to consider brands that are certified by the CertiPUR-US.
This helps provide memory foams that are free from ozone depleters, formaldehyde, heavy metals, and toxic chemicals. These guidelines promote fewer VOCs in new mattresses, therefore the products take faster off-gassing.
- Use a filter for VOCs. There are different kinds of air filters for different purposes. You can get a VOC filter to trap the toxic chemicals and heavy metals from your new mattress. This can help remove the toxins and allergens from indoor air, which is important for those with asthma and other breathing issues.
- Use high temperatures to let your mattress gas-off more quickly. Heat can assist VOCs to air out from the foam according to experts. Therefore, you should place the mattress in an un-airconditioned room. If you bought it during a hot month, the better you can allow your mattress to air out.
- Sprinkle some baking soda. This is a traditional trick that still works today for odor-related problems. While your new memory foam mattress is airing out, you can pour baking soda on it to eliminate the toxic smell. Plus, this household item is safe to use without any side effects even if you sleep on your bed with remaining flecks.
Wrapping It Up
You don’t need to suffer from the pungent odor of a new mattress. By following these simple tips, you can surely get rid of VOCs in a faster way. Also, there’s no reason to be afraid of a new mattress smell because it’s not harmful. If you are healthy, it’s less likely to affect you aside from wrinkling your nose from the unpleasant smell.
However, if the smell doesn’t go away even after weeks or months of airing out, you may contact the manufacturer to ask for a replacement. Always search for product reviews before buying a new mattress to avoid potentially harmful chemicals in the memory foam.
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