How bad are foam mattresses
So we recently stayed with my wife’s relatives in Florida and they had a foam mattress on the queen bed in the guest bedroom. I thought it was rather comfortable, being firm yet compliant, but I couldn’t stop thinking about foam in general and how bad it usually is to have in your home.
Does anyone have any insight into the types of foams used in mattresses and whether or not they are any better or worse than other foams, or other common mattress materials for that matter? I know someone who bought a Casper mattress and claimed that it took several days before the “odor” of the mattress went away after unpacking it.
We may be in the market for a new mattress soon and I thought I would drop the question to the resident indoor air quality experts here on the forum. Thanks.
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I’ve used foam mattresses for years. Some are actually certified for low off gassing so that might be something for you to check if you’re worried about it. The initial smell is similar to “new car smell”, and goes away pretty quickly. There is no issue with uncured foam like you hear about with spray foam sometimes. The mattresses are made in a factory where conditions are very well controlled, which results in a very consistent quality level in the end product. Spray foam is mixed in the field, sometimes by inexperienced contractor crews, and in varying weather conditions, and that’s where the problems usually arise.
I wouldn’t worry about a foam mattress at all. If you are concerned, check for which certifications yours has. Some certifications relate to air quality and/or off gassing.
Bill
There's natural latex mattresses, and there's everything else. Natural Latex is made from latex rubber from the trees (it mostly comes from Sri Lanka), other foams are from oil (why would you want a mattress made from oil). Natural latex lasts longer, sleeps cooler, doesn't "grab" you the way memory foam (oil) does, and comes in many styles from very soft to quite firm.
I became a "mattress maven" through the info at http://www.themattressunderground.com. LOTS of good information on lots of different mattress types. Before I got my latex mattress, I thought I liked firm mattresses, because they didn't sag like the commercial soft mattresses do. Now I love my soft latex, great support for my whole body, greatly reduced shoulder and hip pain when I lie on my side. I bought from one of the manufacturers listed on the site, the mattress comes rolled up in a box, I tested it for 6 mos., in the end I decided I wanted it a little softer, and the company fixed it at cost. Great service!
Some people are allergic to natural latex, so that’s something to think about. I’m not so sure it lasts longer, but I’m no expert on that. I do know that natural latex gloves and tubing get brittle with time and don’t last particularly long which is why they are seldom preferred over synthetic materials.
I should also mention that plastics do NOT all come from oil. In North America, the feedstock is often times natural gas. Plastics can even be made from things like ethanol made from corn. All you need is a source of long carbon chains.
I WOULD recommend trying a latex mattress though unless you’re allergic to the material. Mattresses are very personal, and you need to find whatever works best for you. Try as many different mattresses as you can and buy whichever you find to be most comfortable.
Bill
Latex degrades under UV. However, it'll outlast any other type of foam used for bedding on the market. There are two processes used to make latex mattresses. The older version is slightly more durable and has been known to retain its properties for 20 yrs or more when used as bedding.
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Yes, a few people are allergic to latex. That's something to consider. OTOH, with most manufacturers offering 3-6 mos. trials, you can find out pretty quickly with little downside.
As for how long they last, I've seen plenty of synthetic foam that's deteriorated badly in very short time; it's part of why you always see them thrown away.
Lastly, not sure that natural gas or corn ethanol are much better sources for the synthetics than oil.
Oh, and I second the rec to try various mattresses as much as you can before you buy.
Bill
The off-gassing does last about a week. I've been sleeping on a latex mattress (SleepEZ) for about 10 years and will never go back to the standard box spring with coils. I also second http://www.themattressunderground.com.
Obviously, the type of mattress is an incredibly personal choice. Every mattress, foam or standard, differs in density and feel. All I can say is that we've used high quality foam mattresses in our New York apartment and Martha's Vineyard house for over 30 years and much prefer the feel to standard mattresses. In NYC, we have a memory foam mattress (I assume polyurethane) that we love that was made in France and came with the bed. We bought a second mattress from the same company for Martha's Vineyard and it's wonderful but still not the same or as good (for us) as the NYC mattress. So buy one with a trial period and see what you think.
This issue is highly important nowadays. I love the memory foam. I've been sleeping on it for all of my life. And I'm sure that it's a really great deal for your back and neck. I've learned that you'd rather overpay for the mattress, but you will be 100% sure that the mattress is fully safe for your health. This guide helped me a lot when I chose my mattress for the first time bedselection.co.uk. I think you will find everything you need there. Take care of your health since your youth. Otherwise, it can be too late. Peace