Casper is known for bringing the mattress-buying experience online, but it’s also trying out new approaches to brick-and-mortar retail. In fact, co-founder and CEO Philip Krim said that over the next two months, the startup will be opening pop-up stores in San Francisco, Austin and Washington, D.C. Krim revealed his plans while on-stage at our Disrupt NY conference — and yes, the interview actually happened yesterday, but I imagine that some of you missed his comments because the event live stream was down. (It’s not my fault, I swear.) What’s the point of opening up these physical locations? (The company already has showrooms in New York City and Los Angeles.) Well, Krim repeatedly described them as experiments. “We’re really excited by offline,” Krim said. “We look at this as kind of an experiment to see — could we drive people from a digital engagement to an offline destination? How could we create an experience that was really differentiated and how could we just have fun with it?”
TechCrunch’s Jon Shieber also asked about how the company’s mattresses might evolve, particularly by incorporating more technology. Krim replied that he’s interested in how different devices might connect sleep tracking to “actually influencing and improving how you sleep,” but it sounds like this is still very speculative: “It’s definitely something we like talking about and thinking about.” Update: You can learn more about the “Snoozebars” here. Made from premium pocketed coils, cotton and wool. At just $399, our children’s twin mattress is a great choice for kids. Our Latex Classic mattress features 8″ of plush Talalay latex in a range of firmness options. Our mattresses are GREENGUARD Gold certified. They meet rigorous third-party standards for health-based criteria, so you can rest easy.Babies spend up to 16 hours a day in their cribs, so your baby’s crib should be a cozy, comforting place for her to rest. Mattresses made of organic materials are best for baby because they are free of harsh chemicals that can be inhaled by your baby’s developing lungs.
What you should know: Manufacturers lack standards for disclosure of materials, thus, you may want to carefully consider the mattress you place in your baby’s crib. Traditional mattresses can release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and flame retardant chemicals that can be inhaled by your baby’s lungs. Mattresses made of organic materials are clear of these chemicals and can be free of allergens such as latex and wool as well. What is a typical mattress made of? Polyurethane foam - emits Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). It is a likely carcinogen that can cause respiratory disruption, headaches, nausea, fatigue & dizziness. 1 Polyurethane foam frequently contains harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene, which are known to harm the central nervous system.2 Halogenated fire retardants - toxic chemicals added due to the high flammability of polyurethane foam. Certain retardants (PBDEs & PentaBDE) have already been banned in Europe & California.
PBDE has been associated with hyperactivity and neurobehavioral alterations.3 10-30% of the weight of a conventional mattress will be PBDE’s.4 A report by Environment California Research and Policy Center (ECRPC) found that PBDEs might be especially harmful to infants and fetuses. PBDE is not bound to the foam, so it leaches out from the mattress into the air. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) - a combination of chlorine and petroleum, is the surface material used in most baby mattresses. It is usually softened with phthalates. Natural Latex - According to the FDA and Asthma and Allergen Foundation of America, Natural Latex is highly allergenic. Phthalates - added to soften the PVC - According to the EPA, is likely to be both a carcinogen, hormone disruptor and are known to have a range of birth defects in lab animals. A study published in the American Academy of Pediatrics determined that “phthalates are animal carcinogens and can cause fetal death, malformations and reproductive toxicity in laboratory animals”.5 As of Feb. 10th, 2009, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act has banned three kinds of phthalates for use in children’s products, including mattresses.
Other chemical additives - lead, cadmium, phosphorus, sulfur, ammonia, and toluene. Don’t I need those flame retardant chemicals to keep my baby safe? A law was created in 1973 requiring that mattresses meet requirements for cigarette-ignition resistance. Many people were starting fires by smoking in their beds, a problem that should not be faced by your baby. In addition, most organic mattresses include a layer of naturally flame retardant material, rendering the use of chemicals unnecessary. What about mattress pads? Don’t they protect my baby? Mattresses ‘breathe’ so covering them with a pad will not prevent your baby from being exposed to the chemicals. In order to make them waterproof, many mattress pads come with a vinyl cover made of PVC and added phthalates for flexibility. Instead, look for an all natural organic crib mattress and pad. Some use polyethylene to make them waterproof, one of the most non-toxic and environmentally friendly plastics out there.
Why are organic mattresses more expensive? Polyurethane foam and polyester are both made of petrochemicals that emit toxic fumes, which can cause allergies as well as immune and reproductive problems. These chemicals are cheap to work with, which is why non-organic mattresses are so much cheaper. I sleep on a traditional mattress and am fine, why does my baby need an organic one? The same amounts of chemicals have a greater effect on an infant’s small lungs than on our own. According to an Environmental Working Group study, in 19 of 20 families the concentrations of PBDE flame retardant chemicals were significantly higher in 1.5 – 4 year old children than their mothers.6 I have an old crib mattress I want to reuse. Should I invest in a new one? Polyurethane foam disintegrates over time releasing tiny particles that can cause upper respiratory problems. The longer you hold on to the mattress, the more the foam breaks down and releases VOCs. As of February 10, 2009, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act has banned three kinds of phthalates for use in children’s mattresses.