What is the law about selling used mattresses? According to the Federal Trade Commission, federal law requires that any mattress containing used stuffing must bear a tag or label stating this information. If labeling and processing requirements are met, used mattresses can be resold. However, not all states require labels, and the state requirements for used mattresses tend to vary. How do you locate the serial number on a Lane product? How long is a Simmons Beautyrest warranty? Is it illegal to sell a used mattress? Some states allow recovered old mattresses to be sold when they have new ticking or fabric and after they have been sanitized or disinfected. In other states, only the springs can be reused. When purchasing a mattress, ensure that there is a viewable tag or label, and read the content information prior to purchase. The FTC further advises that most new mattresses include a white tag to indicate it is made of new materials. Used mattresses may contain a red or yellow tag warning consumers that the mattress contains used materials.
The department that regulates mattress labeling varies from state to state, but consumers can check bedding labeling laws in a particular state by contacting its departments of health, consumer affairs, agriculture or licensing. The FTC suggests that if a mattress does not have a tag that includes information about its contents, a consumer should contact another retailer. Learn more about Is This Illegal? Can you make money by selling a kidney? Federal law prohibits individuals from profiting from the donation of a kidney, according to FindLaw. Selling a kidney is punishable by prison time and a s... Is it legal to scatter cremated ashes? There is no law against scattering ashes on land not designated as state or federal land. However, before scattering ashes on private property, it is advis... Is it legal to upload music files for free? Uploading copyrighted music to the Internet is against the law, according to the Recording Industry Association of America.
Unauthorized Copying can lead t... Can an employer hold your paycheck for any reason? Federal law prohibits an employer from withholding an employee paycheck for any reason. The Society for Human Resource Management indicates the Fair Labor ... Is it illegal to throw away someone else's mail? What is Florida's deadbeat dad law? How do recycling centers recycle mattresses? Can you sue your employer for not paying you? Can someone be charged with leaving the scene of an accident? What are some highly rated mattresses according to Consumer Reports?The sale of used mattresses fall under specific state and federal laws. To identify a used or rebuilt mattress, look for a yellow, red -- or both -- labels attached to the mattress in states that require them for used mattress resale. While new mattresses require a white tag that indicates new materials used in construction, federal laws dictate that any mattress that contains reused or recycled stuffing must have a tag that displays this information.
Used mattresses must contain specific labels. (Image: angelo gilardelli/iStock/Getty Images) Examine the label on the used mattress. Determine if it contains verbiage about reused stuffing or whether it’s an entirely new mattress. Each state has different laws on the resale of used mattresses. Not all states require these mattresses to be labeled – or allow anything but the mattress springs to be reused. In some states, used mattresses can be resold when sanitized or disinfected and covered with new cotton or linen ticking. To find out the laws for your state, contact the department of health, consumer affairs, licensing or agriculture. Red and Yellow Labels California, for example, prohibits the sale of used mattresses with visible stains or soiling. Used mattresses that contain yellow tags indicate that the mattress has been sanitized and clean. The red label defines the contents of a rebuilt mattress and the types and amounts of used material in the mattress. In states with resale laws for used mattresses, the law does not apply to individuals selling mattresses, only businesses or retailers.
In addition to the labels required on new and used mattresses, federal standards require that mattresses meet its flammability requirements. Flammability standards enacted July 1, 2007 ensure that mattress fires are limited and less intense and that the fire does not spread as rapidly. Under these guidelines, mattress materials must not exceed a 200 kW peak heat during the first 30 minutes of safety tests. The reasoning behind the label information is to ensure that consumers know what they are getting. With the color coded system, the white labels should indicate the use of all new materials. When buying a new mattress, the government recommends that you have the retailer write "New" on the sales receipt; that way, if you find the label says that it contains reused materials, you have a foundation to make a claim against the retailer. Yellow and red labels stand out enough to identify sanitized or rebuilt mattresses with a quick glance. Government label requirements -- especially when textiles are involved -- must specify generic material names, the percentage of fibers by weight of each material in the product, the manufacturer name or registered ID number, and the country of manufacture.
Mattresses and other upholstered goods, under federal laws, must clearly indicate on a 2-by-3-inch label that they contain used stuffing or other similar terms. Some states also require that retailers selling used mattresses display a license from the appropriate state department that allows them to sell these products. In Georgia and other states, for example, it is against the law to sale a used mattress as if it were a new one. You May Also Like Mattress retailer Mattress Firm recognizes that testing a mattress briefly in a store doesn’t ensure long-term comfort and support. A used mattress may not be the most prestigious buy, but how you advertise it can put shoppers minds at ease. Secondhand mattresses, unlike other secondhand furniture, aren't always a good idea. The soft surfaces can trap allergens like pet dander and cigarette... Brand-new mattresses can be expensive, and finding the right one for your comfort and style can require lots of research, such as...