If you’ve just bought a new mattress, be warned. Salespeople across England and Wales are selling dirty, used mattresses after they’ve been thrown away. Councils are now warning people against buying mattresses from door-to-door sellers, saying some are ‘scam traders’. As well as selling dirty beds, others are importing them without the proper safety certificates. The mattresses are then repackaged, usually in branded wrapping, and customers are sometimes told a local hotel is selling them after ordering too many. One of the mattresses seized by Enfield Council (Picture: Enfield Council) Simon Blackburn, chairman of the Local Government Association’s Safer and Stronger Communities board, told the BBC: ‘These fly-by-night sellers don’t care about the risks these mattresses pose, they just want to make a quick buck and leave you with phoney details so they can’t be traced. ‘These mattresses may be described as memory foam but are carefully wrapped so you have no idea what you are buying.
‘They generally fail fire safety tests and are often worn-out, dirty and unhygienic items destined for the tip. ‘Anyone offered a cheap mattress on their doorstep should not buy one.’5 Tips for Avoiding Bed Bugs With Second Hand Furniture Home & Garden | Remember the good old days when you could visit a few neighborhood garage sales on Saturday morning and score a treasure or two without damaging your budget? Today, the bargains are still out there, but who knows what you might bring home hidden inside that gently used bedside table. From movie theaters to upscale hotels, bed bugs are everywhere. If you believe the news reports -- and you probably should -- we're living through a bedbug invasion. Today's super bed bugs are blood suckers extraordinaire, too. They're resistant to many of the eradication methods exterminators rely on, which means their numbers are continuing to grow. So, what's a garage sale shopper to do? Give up bargain hunting completely?
Let's look at five things you can do to leave bed bugs in the dust but still score safe furniture bargains.What’s The Key To A Healthy Vegetarian Diet? Hidden Ingredients In Candy… And What They Really Are Choosing Safer Face Paints For the Kids Easily Remove Mineral Deposits From Coffee Makers, Faucets and More Why Is Local Food Healthier? What’s In That Lipstick? Sanitize Your Home Naturally Without Harmful Fumes How To Choose Healthier Toys For Your Children Sage Advice For The New VegetarianTry A Healthier Shampoo. Swap Until You Drop! Revitalize Your Closet Without Opening Your Wallet. Why We Shouldn’t Pay More For Organic… How To Make Your Battery Charge Last Longer Why Second-Hand Fashion Is First Class Shopping How to choose the best air purifier for winter Quick tips for clean, healthy air in your home Joining A Car Share Program – When Does It Make Sense? How To Recognize Natural vs. Synthetics Ingredients In Body Care Products
Are Food Allergies Caused By Genetically Modified Foods? A Farmed Fish That Will Make Your Mouth Absolutely Water Why Choose Natural Paints For Your Next Project? Prevent Chapped Lips for Soft Winter Kisses Why Choose Wild Peace Silk? What’s An Eco-Chic Wedding Dress And How Do I Get One? Simplify Your Wedding Planning & Printing Are Mineral Lipsticks Safe? High-Energy Breakfast Ideas — That Are Also Quick And Easy Delicious Ways To “Beef” Up A Meal With Vegetarian Protein Where White Sugar Really Comes From Choosing Candy Made From Food Ingredients Rather Than Chemicals Local Food Means More Choice And Higher Nutrients How To Choose The Healthiest Animal Protein Which Fish Are The Safest & Healthiest To Eat? The Benefits Of An Alkaline Diet Yes, Vegetarians Do Get Enough Protein. How To Transition To A Vegetarian Diet Are You Being Tricked Into Thinking Your Body Care Products Are Organic?
Why Your Clothing & Linens Should Be Certified Organic Is Organic Really Better? How To Safeguard A New or Used Crib Mattress Choosing an Organic Crib Mattress – Know What to Look For Choosing The Safest Crib Mattress For Your Baby Biodegradable Diapers – How Can You Get Them To Actually Biodegrade Things You Flush All The Time That You’re Not Supposed To Save Your Baby’s Sensitive Butt From Diaper Rash Limit Exposure To Mercury From Flu Shots & Childhood Vaccines We’re Exposed to Mercury More Than You’d Think Ever Considered Replacing Your Silver Dental Fillings? Breaking A Fluorescent Bulb Can Be Dangerous. Here’s How To Clean It Up Safely. Every parent wants to protect their new baby from harm. But sometimes the safest solutions are not the most feasible. For example, you’d think all crib mattresses are safe, affordable and readily available in stores. But somehow that is not the case. Finding a safest crib mattress is more difficult than you’d think, because most crib mattresses are made with harmful materials such as PVC and chemical flame-retardants.
And the healthier options made from all-natural materials are rarely sold in the most popular baby stores. These safer mattresses are easier to find online, but they are often expensive. Many parents take over a friend’s crib mattress or buy second-hand in order to get high quality at an affordable price. But while second-hand baby clothes are perfectly safe, a used baby crib mattress may not be. Studies have linked used crib mattresses to an increased likelihood of SIDS. The prevailing theory is that the second baby is exposed to the bacteria from the first baby’s sweat, saliva and diaper leakage. A second issue is that used mattresses are often stored improperly and can expose the baby to mildew and fungus. Safeguard Any Crib Mattress For many new parents, a second-hand crib mattress or one made from synthetic materials is your only option. There are a few simple and affordable things you can do to safeguard any crib mattress. Safeguard a synthetic crib mattress
Remove the crib mattress from its plastic wrapping to release trapped chemicals. Let it air out for a few days, preferably outdoors. If outdoors isn’t an option, put the crib mattress in a well-ventilated room that you don’t need to visit for a while. Close the door and cover any vents to avoid spreading chemicals throughout the house. Turn on a fan and face it toward the window to force the air outside. Once the “new mattress smell” is gone, wrap it with a cover made from food-grade polyethylene plastic or tightly woven wool. This will keep any harmful chemicals from touching your baby directly and will help to keep the mattress dry. Plastic is not breathable, so place a cotton pad over the polyethylene cover to let air flow more easily between the baby and the mattress. Safeguard a used crib mattress Inspect the crib mattress thoroughly to ensure it does not have mold or mildew stains before accepting it. Pour distilled white vinegar (readily available at the supermarket) into a spray bottle.