What Is Mattress Off Gassing

Helen Skeates
Helen Skeates
18 min read

If you’re curious about what causes off-gassing in mattresses, this article will explain. You’ll get additional information on its safety and the time required for a bed’s off-gassing process. After reading this, you should feel well-informed about the topic of off-gassing mattresses.

In case you’re interested, I’ve compiled a list of the best mattresses for your health. Knowing what kinds of materials pose minimal to no health risks is always useful.

5 Benefits of A Good Mattress

1. Achieve Adequate, Quality Nighttime Sleep

The primary benefit of a good mattress over a bad one is the increased frequency and quality of sleep, rest, and naps you enjoy. Depending on the mattress variety, you may either experience blissful pressure relief, or supportive back and neck alignment.

A quality mattress should aid in getting to sleep and stay asleep. You may need a new mattress if you’re constantly uncomfortable, have trouble falling asleep, or wake up in pain. If you suffer from persistent back pain, click here immediately to read about the top-rated mattresses for your condition.

Off-Gassing | Sleep Foundation

2. Promote Good Form and Posture

Some people may not even be aware that they sleep in a variety of positions. If you invest in the right mattress, you can keep or even enhance your shape and posture. You need a mattress that supports healthy posture and body alignment if you sleep in the same position night after night.

The fetal position adopted by those who sleep on their sides increases their risk of developing back pain. Because it must be pressed down onto the mattress, it can also cause discomfort by cutting off circulation to the arms and shoulders. Sleeping on your right side, in particular, puts extra strain on your internal organs.

Sleeping on your side is no longer a problem thanks to memory foam mattresses. The responsiveness of the material can aid in maintaining spinal alignment and cushioning pressure points. However, your spine and joints may suffer if you choose a mattress that isn’t designed for side sleepers. Consider your preferred sleeping posture before making a purchase.

3. Keep Your Mental and Emotional Health in Check

Having a subpar mattress can seriously disrupt your slumber. Constantly sleeping on an uncomfortable mattress may cause insomnia at first, but in the long run, it may cause you to become sleep deprived. There are many negative effects on one’s mental and emotional health that have been linked to sleep deprivation, both in the short and long term.

The most common mental and emotional health consequences of insufficient sleep are as follows:

  • Deficit in mental acuity and focus.
  • Is the cause of your daytime sleepiness and yawning.
  • Increases irritability and mood swings.
  • Increases the severity of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and ADHD.
  • causes cognitive impairment and reduced efficiency.

If you invest in a high-quality mattress, you’ll reduce your risk of experiencing any of the aforementioned health problems while you snooze. However, keep in mind that even the most comfortable bed won’t be enough to guarantee a restful night’s sleep.

4. Develop an Inclination to Your Sleeping

A bad mattress is just one of many potential causes of insomnia, unfortunately. Some people are so busy with their hectic schedules of work, school, and other activities that they neglect to get enough rest. You may be able to get your sleep back to normal with a new mattress.

Your mattress could be to blame if you’re not feeling rested in the morning. Making your bedroom more comfortable and relaxing can help you sleep longer and better.

Get a good night’s sleep every once in a while. Here are some suggestions for creating a restful environment in your bedroom:

  • Keep the bed for rest and romance.
  • Lessen the amount of background noise and other interruptions.
  • Bring the temperature down, ideally to around 65F (18.3C).
  • Put any and all electronic devices out of reach.
  • Reducing visual noise
  • Color your bedroom with warmer tones.

5. Get the Most Out of Your Purchase

The current market price of a mattress is not funny. Saving up for any mattress, even a cheap one, can be challenging if you’re already paying for a lot of other necessities at home and for yourself.

As a result, a high-quality mattress is an investment rather than a consumable good. High-quality mattresses can last for several years with proper care, so you can get your money’s worth out of buying one.

Compare the typical durability of different mattress materials:

  • 5–6.5 year old in-spring
  • 6–7 years in foam
  • 5–8.5 years for latex
  • 5–7.5 years for a hybrid

What Is Mattress Off Gassing On New Beds?

The term “off-gassing” is used to describe the chemical odor that can be detected on new mattresses. Chemical odors are common when a new mattress is delivered; some people compare it to the smell of a freshly painted room or a brand new car. When volatile organic compounds (VOCs) decompose, they release odorous gasses.

Unlike latex foam, which comes from natural sources and doesn’t off-gas, synthetic mattresses like polyurethane and memory foam can. Here are some of the best natural latex mattresses available if you’re considering purchasing one of these beds. These mattresses are certified as safe from chemicals that could be harmful to humans.

What Are Symptoms Of Off-Gassing?

  • New smell

The new mattress smell is the most telltale sign of off-gassing. You’ve probably smelled this before when opening a new plastic product or unfolding a bed-in-a-box mattress. However, off-gassing can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, sore throat, and even difficulty breathing in particularly sensitive individuals.

Keep in mind that your mattress may still be emitting VOCs even after the odor has subsided. In order to avoid irritation from your new foam mattress, you should read the frequently asked questions section. Depending on the complexity of the mattress’s design, it could take anywhere from a day to two.

Is Mattress Off-Gassing Dangerous? - Mattress Advisor

  • Irritation

Some beds give off volatile organic compounds that can cause skin irritation in addition to respiratory symptoms. You may also notice that whenever you enter the bedroom with the new bed, your eyes start to itch. Make sure to put the new bed in a well-ventilated area so that you don’t have to deal with a buildup of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Do not put off seeing a doctor if you experience any other concerning symptoms, such as an allergic reaction. It’s also important to inspect the mattress for any irritant materials.

Off-gassing vs out-gassing

Off-gassing and out-gassing are both terms for the release of gases from products, but they are not synonymous. However, off-gassing is more common in domestic settings, while out-gassing is more applicable in research laboratories.

How Dangerous Is Mattress Off-Gassing?

Concerns about the potential dangers of off-gassing from new mattresses are understandable. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released during off-gassing are at too low of a concentration to pose any serious health risks to humans. If you want to avoid headaches, irritation, and difficulty breathing, you should reduce your exposure to the chemicals or speed up the off-gassing process.

In order to rest easy, you should verify that the mattress you’re considering has passed the necessary standards and tests for chemical safety. Among them are CertiPUR-US, GREENGUARD Gold, and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certifications. If you are looking for a foam bed without the associated health risks, the following brands of memory foam mattresses should be at the top of your list.

How Long Does Mattress Off-Gassing Last?

The off-gassing process of a mattress can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the material used and the density of the foam. You should think about the length of time it has been compressed and covered, as well as how the manufacturer packed it. If you’re not particularly sensitive to smell, the strong odor should dissipate within a few days at most.

If this is a problem, you can open a window or put a mattress cover on the bed to mask the odor. A bowl of vinegar or used coffee grounds has been recommended by some homeowners. But if the smell has persisted for a long time, don’t be shy about contacting the maker of the mattress.

How Do I Get Rid Of Gassing?

There are a number of methods for hastening off-gassing, but allowing your new mattress to ventilate is the most effective way to get rid of the chemical odor. If it is packaged in a box and needs to expand, please do so in a well-ventilated outdoor area. When your new mattress finally arrives in its intended form, you’ll need to do the same thing—unbox it and throw away the plastic wrap.

Baking soda can be used to absorb odors and freshen the mattress. Sprinkle baking soda over the bed and let it sit for two days. The odor can be eliminated by vacuuming the area and repeating the process on the opposite side.

How to Keep Your Mattress in Good Shape Longer

Here are ten of our top tips for taking good care of your mattress and avoiding potential problems.

1. Make sure your mattress is properly supported.

It’s important to make sure your mattress has the right kind of support, even if you don’t always need to buy the matching box spring or foundation with a new mattress. This aids in preserving materials and avoiding premature wear.

If you need advice, I would suggest contacting the maker or reading the warranty. Only spring mattresses, not memory foam or other specialty mattresses, need the gentle, flexible support that box springs provide.

Framed beds should be sturdy enough to hold the mattress and occupants; larger beds like queens and kings should have center support bars. Depending on the type and weight of the mattress, a platform bed with wide slats may require additional slats for stability.

Every year or so, you should inspect the slats and springs supporting your mattress to make sure there are no breaks.

2. Use a mattress protector from the beginning.

As we’ve discussed before, using a mattress protector is one of the best and simplest ways to extend the life of your bed.

A high-quality mattress protector not only provides waterproof protection to prevent accidents, but also keeps dirt, dust, and debris from settling into your bed.

Your bed’s materials will be spared the deteriorating effects of your body’s oils and perspiration, and the accumulation of allergens like mold and dust mites will be slowed. When accidents do happen, a protector makes cleanup a breeze, and many contemporary models are as comfortable as a fitted sheet.

3. Wash bed linens regularly.

You naturally shed dead skin cells, oils, hair, and sweat while you sleep. Crumbs from breakfast in bed can be a nuisance, and pets can bring in all sorts of dirt and germs. All of this, in addition to being gross, can penetrate a mattress’s layers, where it can foster the growth of bacteria and dust mites.

Most housekeeping experts agree that washing bed linens once every week to two weeks is optimal. It’s still important to wash sheets regularly, even if you use a mattress protector. The mattress cover should be washed as directed by the manufacturer on a regular basis.

4. Get pets separate beds to snuggle in.

If we’re talking about things that shouldn’t be on your bed, pets shouldn’t be allowed to sleep in yours.

Even the cleanest pet will track in dirt and grime from outside, drool, and shed hair and cells just like people do. Even good mattresses are nearly rendered useless by the occasional pet accident.

5. Rotate the mattress regularly.

Regular mattress rotation is beneficial for mattresses of all sizes and materials. Although not all manufacturers recommend it, rotating can help ensure your tires wear evenly and prevent depressions or softening.

The mattress should be flipped from head to foot every 2-4 months. This is especially crucial in the first few years, as this is when the mattress needs to be broken in.

6. No jumping on the bed!

Your mom was totally right when she told you to stay off the bed. While spring, water, and air mattresses may be the most fragile, foundations, frames, and foams will all deteriorate at a faster rate under heavy use.

7. Take care when moving your mattress.

Avoid creases and tears by encasing your mattress in plastic before you move. You can protect your mattress from dust, water, and scratches by purchasing one of the sturdy mattress bags sold at most moving and box stores.

When moving a mattress, it is recommended that you stand it up on its sides to prevent it from getting wrinkled or saggy. Manufacturers of mattress covers with handles typically advise against using them for this purpose.

8. Don’t bring home unwanted hitchhikers.

Bedbugs are notoriously difficult to eradicate once they’ve made their way into a home, making them one of the quickest ways to completely destroy a mattress.

It’s important to check for bed bugs whenever you stay somewhere other than your own bed, and to try to avoid having your luggage on the floor. Texas A&M University offers advice on how to avoid bringing bedbugs back into your home if you think you’ve encountered them.

If you live in a place or region of the country where bedbugs are common, you might want to invest in a mattress encasement. These are not the same as mattress protectors; instead, they completely encase the bed, making it impossible for insects to enter and make a home in your mattress.

9. Let the light in occasionally.

Assuming you don’t have bedbugs, you should remove the mattress cover and leave the bed out in the sun for several hours once every two months.

According to research conducted at Kingston University, this helps prevent moisture from both sleepers and humidity, which in turn helps keep dust mite populations in check.

10. Follow manufacturer cleaning directions.

Cleaning your mattress on a regular basis is important for the health of both you and your mattress.

Most beds can be cleaned by vacuuming with a hose attachment to remove surface dust and most manufacturers provide care instructions for stains and general cleaning.

Mild water and soap can be used to spot treat stains, but you should wait until they are dry before making the bed. Foams can easily be damaged by using harsh chemical cleaners, so it’s best to avoid using them.

The Facts on Memory Foam and Off-Gassing | Amerisleep

Vacuuming should be done once every one to three months, and stains should be treated as needed, depending on dust levels, allergies, or personal preference.

Mattresses come in a wide variety of styles and brands, but the fundamentals of keeping yours clean and comfortable are always the same. The bed should be kept clean, guarded from harm, supported, and rotated to ensure even wear.

There are many variables that affect how long a mattress will last, but following these guidelines will increase the likelihood that you will get many years of good use out of your purchase. Know that a 10-year warranty on your mattress is considered industry standard, whether you’re shopping at a traditional brick-and-mortar store or one of the new bed-in-a-box mattress companies.

Conclusion

We hope this article has helped to demystify off-gassing and answer any questions you may have had. To review, “off gassing” is the release of gases into the air caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a mattress. New foam mattresses have a distinct chemical odor because of these gasses.

However, these volatile organic compounds are released at levels low enough to cause concern about toxicity. Make sure to aerate your new bed or sprinkle baking soda over it to alleviate the discomfort and potential irritation.

Helen Skeates

Helen Skeates

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