Don't immediately cover your foam mattress with bedclothes -- let it thoroughly air out first. Foam mattresses sometimes have a smell after you remove them from their packaging. Many manufacturers suggest thoroughly airing out the mattress for at least 72 hours before you cover the mattress with your sheets and bed coverings. But if formaldehyde was used on the foam mattress, you might want to take other steps to ensure that you don't breathe in these potentially carcinogenic fumes. Take It Outside One of the best ways to get rid of the smells associated with a foam mattress -- including formaldehyde -- is to lay a sheet of plastic on a patio or the grass in the backyard. Take the mattress outside and remove it from its packaging. Lay the mattress on the plastic sheeting and let it thoroughly air out for at least 72 hours, turning it over at least once each day, if not more often, to ensure all the fumes dissipate. Make certain you have a few days of warm, stormy-weather-free days for the project.
To ensure air circulates thoroughly around it, lay three 2-by-4s beneath the mattress. The Spare Bedroom If you cannot air the mattress outside due to inclement weather, take the mattress into a room that you can close off, such as a spare bedroom, and sleep on your existing bed while the new foam mattress airs out. Strip the packaging material and place reverse fans near the windows to pull the fumes from the mattress through the open windows. Allow the mattress to off-gas completely until you cannot smell any fumes before installing it in your bedroom. Freshen the Mattress To help dissipate the fumes from the mattress, add an upholstery freshening product to the mattress after it airs out thoroughly. After it has off-gassed for three days and you have applied the freshening product at the end of that period, cover it with a cotton mattress cover to keep down the fumes. Periodically air out the room by keeping the windows open in between sheet changes and when the weather permits. Add green leafy plants to the room to help keep the room's air fresh.
Other Considerations Formaldehyde is not a common chemical in high-quality foam mattresses; typically, it's only the lower-end or cheaper mattresses that may contain it. To avoid a mattress that off-gasses or emits fumes, buy a natural latex mattress or a foam mattress made from plant oils. Natural latex comes from plant materials that produce natural rubber and are not as offensive or harmful as mattresses made from polyurethane or petroleum-based products. References Sleep Like the Dead: Memory Foam Off-Gassing Odor Photo Credits Ryan McVay/Stockbyte/Getty Images Suggest a CorrectionNew mattresses made from synthetic materials often contain at least a few hazardous chemicals such as flame retardants. Plastic bags that keep the mattress clean before purchase also trap the chemicals and their odors in the mattress. Air out the mattress for at least a few days, then sprinkle baking soda over it to remove any lingering odors. Synthetic mattresses -- crib and toddler mattresses included -- are made from materials such as polyurethane foam, which emit volatile organic compounds, also known as VOCs.
Besides the odor, VOCs may contribute to asthma attacks or allergic reactions for those with chemical sensitivities. Even the adhesive used to hold mattress parts together may contain formaldehyde, another potentially harmful chemical. Flame retardants, which are required by law on most mattresses, are another potential source of chemical fumes you may smell on a new mattress. Even all-natural mattresses may contain these flame retardants, unless the mattress tag or packaging specifically states otherwise. A Healthy Dose of Fresh Air Fresh-air treatment is the optimal way to rid a new mattress of strong odors, whether the mattress is an old-fashioned innerspring design or made of memory foam. Even crib mattresses benefit from a good airing out, both for a better scent and for added safety. Remove the plastic bag or any outer wrapper covering the mattress, then air it out in a protected outdoor environment. A screened-in porch or an open garage allows airflow while protecting the mattress from some airborne debris.
Air out the mattress for at least several days before using it; this allows ample time for any chemicals to off-gas or convert into gas form and leave the mattress. Vacuum the mattress afterward with an upholstery brush in case it was exposed to pollen. If you are unable to find a suitable outdoor location, set the mattress on its end against a table or other stable object in a room you won't need to use for a few days. Open the windows in the room, turn on fans and close the door while the mattress airs out. If you have a box fan or window fan, aim the fan so it draws air out of the room. Check on the mattress frequently if you air it out in a garage to ensure no animals or insects get on it; if you are concerned that could happen, air the mattress out elsewhere. Baking Soda: Freshness Booster If the mattress still smells after airing it out, sprinkle baking soda on it and allow it to sit overnight before vacuuming up the powder. Sprinkle baking soda on the flip side of the mattress the next day, letting the baking soda sit overnight again before vacuuming it up.
If the mattress smells enough that you notice the odor while standing anywhere in the same room, place a few bowls of vinegar around the room, leave the room and close the door behind you to let the vinegar absorb airborne odors overnight. You May Also Like All memory foam mattresses have a "new mattress" smell when they are removed from their plastic wrappings. Most people react to the... All memory-foam mattresses smell when shipped from the factory; air it out before sleeping on it or use fans to hasten odor... Mattresses develop odor easily due to everything from regular use (perspiration and body oils build up after a while) to urine accidents... Your mattress is one of the most used pieces of furniture in your home. Even if you are a person who does... 22 DIY Ways to Update Your Home on a Small Budget How to Get Rid of Odors in Tempur-Pedic Mattresses How to Get Rid of the Smell of Memory Foam Air Bed Vs. Conventional Mattress How to Reduce the Smell in Memory Foam