Many mattresses contain volatile organic chemicals like formaldehyde, flame retardant chemicals often using chemicals like antimony oxide and melamine resin. These big-name chemicals can cause big problems in the bedroom, especially for those who are chemically sensitive.
So if you bought or got a new mattress and are struggling with fumes, here are 5 tips that can help you get a good night’s sleep on your new mattress sooner rather than later.
1. Talk to the manufacturer about any chemicals in the mattress that could be off-gassing. Ask them to keep it in storage for several weeks before handing it over so the chemicals have time to get off the gas. And ask them for their recommendations on how to deal with the fumes.
2. Take a walk on the mattress. This may seem like an incredibly silly idea, but it can have a huge impact on odor removal. Put the mattress in an open truck and take it for a ride. Air blown through the mattress has been shown to quickly and permanently remove odor. You can also do this when you receive the mattress.
3. If the mattress is already staring at you in your bedroom, try using a box fan in an open window (weather permitting). Turn the fan so that it draws air from inside the room to the outside. Close the door to the rest of the house. Although this is a temporary solution, it could possibly help keep the air in the rest of the house tolerable.
4. Research mattresses on the market to find out which ones use fewer chemicals. Since 2004, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has required that any mattress sold in the United States be able to withstand an open flame for 30 minutes. This sets the safety bar wonderfully high in an attempt to prevent us from dying from a bed fire. However, make sure you are aware of the chemicals used to prevent such a fire. So before you throw away the old mattress, make sure you have all the information about the new one.
5. An air purifier with a carbon-based filter and a potassium iodide additive will help eliminate any continuing volatile organic chemical out-gassing and help keep the air in your bedroom cool and conducive to relaxation and the dream.