< 12 3 4 > 2,518 posts, read 6,230,377 times Originally Posted by MammaLakn We bought a Serta Icomfort king sized bed 18 months ago and its the worst $2000 that we have ever spent. We have serious buyers remorse. The mattress is sagging and is permanently indented on my husband's side. These type of beds are supposed to help minimize movement. Every time my husband turns around (which is not easy, you have to push yourself up), it feels like I bounce an inch or two in to the air! He is a big guy, sturdy framed and has 100lbs + over me. I jerk in my sleep and it often wakes him up. It only became an issue after we got the icomfort. We just got back from vacation and got better sleep on a double bunk with like a 5 inch mattress! People either seem to love or hate it and those who hate it seems to have similar complaints than I do - Serta iComfort User Reviews Well thanks for bursting my bubble. I still might look into this mattress though (not sure which level yet).
We have a Serta pillow top with the 2 inches of memory foam on top. We've had it for about 5-6 years now and it totally sucks! It's sagging so much that my back and shoulders hurt in the morning and I'm only in my mid-30's and in very good shape, so it's not that I weigh too much. I really want a full memory foam mattress, but if it starts sagging again soon, I'd be as upset as you are. Anyone have a recommendation for a "Triangle Area" store that sells a durable memory foam (last at last 8 years) king or cal king size mattress that doesn't get too hot and will be firm, yet not solid as a rock? 40 posts, read 92,668 times 9,198 posts, read 18,505,827 times Originally Posted by Waterboy526 21,118 posts, read 19,120,683 times Originally Posted by sowk09 10 points to the mod for making this thread have anything to do with the Triangle I'm moving it now. I thought it was headed toward a local, where to buy thing... When in doubt, check it out: FAQ
31,465 posts, read 30,499,045 times 35,788 posts, read 36,271,380 times Originally Posted by silv333 I wouldn't spend the big bucks on a Temper Pedic when the Serta has great reviews. ^^^True, we tried TemperPedic, expensive and hot. Bought a Serta I-Comfort Genius queen size model over 2 years ago, great comfort, never hot and still like new. Best sleep I've had in years. Cost $1300.00 delivered and set up. Came with a 15/25 year warranty. 100% replacement 15 years, 10 years prorated. 30,218 posts, read 21,594,219 times 910 posts, read 1,372,067 times Originally Posted by wit-nitThis was a huge tradeoff for me. I had lowerback pain throughout my lat 20s and into my 30s. Everyother month or so I would have a day where I would be on the floor unable to move. I have have no back pain for 6 years... So for me the solution was the putting up with the hot mattress and using the under the sheet bed fan. I'm 1 step away from being Howard Hughes(without the money).
20,793 posts, read 46,193,402 times 2,142 posts, read 3,125,197 timesWe have the Serta iComfort that we just purchased in April. It's a really good mattress if you like memory foam. The mattress is not hot in any way. I haven't slept on other memory foam mattresses, but I heard that lots of people complained that the mattress would absorb their body heat and since there is no airflow, the mattress would get hot. That's not the case here. Buy the mattress from a place that gives you a trial period, but I don't think they discount the Serta iComfort series much. We got some free pillows thrown in We specifically bought a memory foam mattress because I move a lot and used to wake up my wife on a traditional "spring" mattress. That doesn't happen with the memory foam, which is what we specifically tested out in the store. We're not big people (175 & 140 lbs) though. Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick.
Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.Mattress News Published on December 12th, 2013 | by Mattress Journal Looking for healthier mattress options?Check out plant-based memory foam from Amerisleep or organic latex beds from Astrabeds, two brands that consistently earn high ratings in reviews and our research.A class action suit has been filed in California courts alleging that Tempurpedic’s memory foam mattresses contain harmful VOCs.The lead plaintiff in the case, Michael Dodson, claims that Tempurpedic mattresses and pillows release volatile organic compounds which can result in allergic reactions as well as possible long-term complications, and that the company is aware of issues. They believe the company has minimized the problem when advertising their products by stating that the odors will dissipate and that products are VOC-free, when formaldehyde and other odors may continue to be released for months.
The class lawsuit brought against Tempur-pedic is represented by attorney Allen Stewart of Dallas, Texas, and seeks many forms of recourse including an injunction, constructive trust, and restitution. It claims that Tempurpedic violated business laws within the State of California, where the suit was filed.One of the primary reasons for the suit states that Tempurpedic not only downplayed VOCs in their memory foam mattresses and pillows but also refers to the fact that they failed to warn customers of a potential link between reactions and allergies with previous customers and their products.Another key issue brought by the plaintiff is that Tempurpedic and their distributor network informs customers that the odors emitted from their memory foam should only last a few days and is harmless. The class action suit claims that the company has been aware of problems reported by some consumers like allergic reactions attributed to the odors or side effects like headaches since at least 2007, and has failed to notify consumers of these potential problems.
Their other claim is that Tempurpedic’s mattresses emit formaldehyde, a strong VOC and known carcinogen, even though they claim their products are ‘allergen-resistant’ (though this claim likely refers to dust mites rather than chemical sensitivities). The claim on the attorney’s website states that formaldehyde has been identified in laboratory testing of Tempurpedic products.Tempurpedic has not officially released a public response yet, but the lawsuit (or perhaps recent FTC actions) already appears to have had some effect on marketing, as the company’s website removed a page in the last few months which had the claims mentioned in the lawsuit (“free of harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds) such as formaldehyde and CFC (chlorofluorocarbon)—harsh chemicals that can trigger allergies and asthma.”), and now makes no official mention of the issue. They had also removed all reviews from their website for several months (since July 2013), though many appear to have been restored in the last few weeks.
VOC stands for volatile organic compounds which can be released from products created from unstable organic chemicals or compounds, often referring to petroleum or byproducts thereof, including the polyurethane and adhesives used in traditional memory foam. More than 60 compounds have been identified which can cause allergic reactions and other health concerns, with 18 of those requiring a warning label. Formaldehyde is just one of the well-known VOCs, and its concentration is easier to measure than many of the others.According to the EPA website http://www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html, VOCs are commonly found in paint, organic solvents, furniture, foams and degreasing agents among other commonly used products. The concentration is often higher indoors, and can lead to many health effects, including lung irritation, nerve damage, kidney damage, endocrine disruption and several are also considered to be potential carcinogens.Although Tempur-pedic is currently being sued over VOCs, they are not the only company to run afoul of problems related to the release of volatile organic compounds and advertising claims.
EcoBaby Organics Inc., Essentia Natural Memory Foam Company Inc., and Relief-Mart Inc. were recently asked by the FTC to stop advertising that their products are VOC-free until proven to be so. Other companies including Target, Wal-Mart and Babies R Us were also sued earlier this year in California due to undisclosed Tris fire retardants in baby mattresses.As the organic and natural movements continue gaining popularity and awareness, more and more consumers are becoming concerned about toxic or potentially harmful products. VOCs have been a primary target in the U.S. and Europe, since several of them have the potential to interfere with endocrine systems, hormones, and other bodily functions. Furniture items are of particular concern since their outgassing can affect indoor air quality, and since people are in close proximity to their mattresses for several hours each day.Memory foam mattresses have taken the bedding industry by storm and continue growing in sales, yet these recent actions have many consumers wondering whether it is safe to go to bed at night.
The answer is complex, primarily depending on the type of memory foam mattress you own or choose to buy, as well as your personal sensitivity. Manufacturers are also not required to disclose ingredients at this time, and chemical claims are largely on honor system until challenged.According to SleepLikeTheDead, a consumer review analysis website, nearly 18% of Tempur-pedic owners have complained of issues with off-gassing and odors. This does represent a higher percentage than memory foam mattresses as a whole, which usually average closer to 15%, and is significantly higher than some other brands of which reviewers may complain of odor in as few as 3-5% of reviews. (For more information, check out Memory Foam Mattress Guide’s helpful comparison article on memory foam and offgassing.)Here are a few key points to consider if you are concerned about memory foam safety:Traditional memory foam – This is the original petroleum-based memory foam, typically most associated with the release of VOCs.
About 15% of owners complain of strong odor.Plant-based memory foam – This type of material replaces a portion of the petroleum-based ingredients with plant-based ingredients, reducing synthetic chemicals and typically resulting in less odorous products. About 3-8% of owners complain of odors.Density – Higher density beds have more polyurethane polymer and thus greater propensity to off-gas than low density foams.Adhesives – Some of the harshest VOCs can be found in the adhesives used to assemble the memory foam beds. Water-based and green options exist, and may help reduce VOC levels in end products.Flame Retardants – Flame retardant chemicals like PBDEs and Tris can outgas and cause reactions or negative side effects. Non-chemical fabric barriers (usually made of silica and other fibers) may be ideal for preserving safety without adding more chemicals.Manufacturing Process – Most foam manufacturers use types of blowing agents to develop foam structures, which can contribute to chemicals in end products and pollution.
A small number use vacuum systems (variable pressure foaming) to create their foams which reduce the chemical profiles.According to SleepLikeTheDead, only about 1.5% of memory foam mattress owners experience side effects related to odor that are significant enough to cause them to return their mattress.Although almost every manufactured product, even spring mattresses, will release a new odor, knowing what the odor actually consists of can be important for peace of mind and health. Thoroughly research products before buying, and check reviews to see if a significant proportion of people mention side effects. Look for recognized industry safety certifications, and ensure that the retailer can answer your questions about foams, fire retardants and adhesives. When you do choose a new mattress, allow it air out in a separate room or garage for a few days if you are sensitive to smells just to be sure, or even consider buying a pillow from the brand first to test your reaction. But, know that only a very small percentage of people will experience significant side effects, while memory foam as whole remains the highest-rated mattress category for overall satisfaction.