Many people are excited to receive their high quality memory foam mattress or toppers, but become concerned when they first get them because they often give off a distinct smell after manufacturing. This is perfectly natural and while some individuals have sensitive olfactory senses, the smell is not an indication that there are any kind of dangerous chemicals in your mattress. We’ll break it all down for you; why it smells, and how to properly clean your memory foam mattress or topper. Memory foam is made of polyurethane and this is why when it’s brand new it often has a distinct chemical-like odor. This smell has been described by some as being similar to fresh paint. Because it smells like this many individuals worry that they’re inhaling toxic fumes or chemicals, but this is not necessarily the case. Yes, the smell is produced by the type of material creating the highly dense and elastic material, but the gas emissions from the types of products creating the material are so small that they’re harmless.
Letting your new memory foam mattress or topper air out once you first get it will help considerably. While it airs out it will have a distinct odor that may fill a majority of the room at first, but be assured that this will start to go away, and eventually leave all together. There are far more positives to owning a memory foam mattress that outweigh the negatives to be concerned about the smell. So many health issues can be resolved including joint and muscles aches, problems with the spinal column, and because the foam doesn’t allow for dust mites or mildew it controls allergies and asthma incredibly well too. If you do find that you’re a little more sensitive to the smell than others there are ways to properly clean your mattress. It’s very important that you don’t clean your mattress like any other materials or fabrics you’re used to cleaning, which often include water-based cleaners. In fact, cleaning memory foam is done with a dry-cleaning technique that’s very simple and will remove any moisture to continue helping the memory foam from harboring bacteria and mildew.
Using baking soda and allowing for it to sit and absorb odors, moisture from sweat or body oils can refresh and keep your memory foam lasting much longer than any other type of mattress or pillow. For a great visual guide on how to clean your memory foam check out this video below! How to Clean Memory Foam Posted in General Mattress Info | The smell associated with memory foam when first opened is perfectly natural. The best remedy is time. Should there be a slight odor, it is completely safe and will quickly dissipate. Rest assured that any faint odor you may smell only comes from a lingering manufacturing process. Please check this helpful infographic about Memory Foam Mattresses. Share This New And Exclusive Infographic About Memory Foam Thanks!Many memory foam mattress owners report that the off gassing period ends after a number of days.(1) Of course there are many factors which influence this including the product, the type of foam, the sensitivity of the person, the room ventilation and more.
Even if the initial odor goes away, it is natural to wonder if there are health issues related to off gassing.Most people do not report any health issues resulting from their memory foam pillow or mattress. However, there are various reports of headaches, nausea, and allergic reactions resulting from the odor produced by memory foam. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you’ll want to avoid sleeping on the foam during the initial off gassing period. You can leave the pillow or mattress in a well-ventilated area for a week or two and see if that helps eliminate or reduce the odor and symptoms. If after several weeks, the issue persists, it is probably time to consider an alternative to memory foam.Nope, considering the fact there are no studies or research journals which say so. Companies like Bedworks distribute great beds and mattresses; it'd be hard to think they're putting up toxic items for sale.Excellent question that is at the base of the modern mattress revolution. I personally do not believe foam mattress are toxic but there is research to prove its effect can be less than healthy.
You can probably approach it like this- foams (most of them) are made from petroleum. In the history of humanity before the last 30 years, millions of humans never slept or used this widely. There has not been a shortage of modern day disorders with multiple uses of petrochemical products in our lives. Whether you believe in organic or not, you can surely decide if something made from a lab is not pure nature. Whatever you decide, once you decide let the demons rest and enjoy your bed :)If you have had the luxury of buying a new mattress recently, it is likely that you have a foam mattress. Foam mattresses once were something that most people could not afford, but as the market for them has increased, the prices have dropped considerably. Now the average person can afford to sleep on a comfortable and luxurious foam mattress instead of dealing with those pesky box springs. All these years you have had a regular mattress, so cleaning a foam mattress is probably something foreign to you.
No need to fret, though. My tips that will come in handy now, as well as in the future, on how to clean your beloved foam mattress. Spills are inevitable if you eat or drink in your bed, so it is best to have a quick, efficient method for removing them. Do not use bleach or any product that contains bleach. For best results, allow the cover to air dry. If you do put it in the dryer, use a low, cool setting and check it frequently. There's no need to pre-treat the cover unless the spill is a result of red wine or another staining liquid. If liquid has been spilled on the foam mattress, you'll need to remove as much of it as possible as quickly as possible. Do not put the mattress cover or the sheets back on the mattress until your foam mattress is completely dry. To remove urine stains or odor from a foam mattress, you'll need an enzymatic cleaner or distilled white vinegar and baking soda. Enzymatic commercial cleaners work well, but they are very expensive.