How do I know if my mattress is toxic?

7 Toxic Mattress Symptoms You Should Know About
  1. Headaches muscle pain.
  2. Frequent nausea.
  3. Lack of concentration.
  4. Itchy/sore throat.
  5. Skin, nose, and eye irritation.
  6. Chest tightness.
  7. Difficulty breathing.


Can my mattress be making me sick?

You feel safe, secure and snuggly. But what's inside your bed may be making you sick, not safe. There's a multitude of contaminants – bacteria, fungi and allergens – that you can't see but studies show are there. When you move around as you sleep, you kick them up until the air and breathe them in.

How do I know if my mattress is non toxic?

Check to see the mattress has Oeko-Tex certification, and GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification. Oeko-Tex Standard 100 ensures that there are no harmful chemicals in your mattress, and GOTS is a certification for the outside covering, letting you know that the cotton cover is certified organic.


What makes a mattress toxic?

Mattresses are known to release minute amounts of gaseous chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These VOCs come mainly from the polyurethane used in the mattress, but also from other chemicals used in flame retardants and plastics, the researchers said.

Is the inside of a mattress toxic?

Chemical Off-Gassing

Flame retardants, formaldehyde, and benzene have been found in some mattresses and can be linked to health issues such as cancer, infertility, and developmental brain disorders. If your mattress is off-gassing harmful chemicals, you're breathing in those toxins for hours every night.


Toxic Mattress Symptoms



How do you protect yourself from a toxic mattress?

So how can you minimize your VOC exposure? Consider investing in a polyethylene mattress cover. It can act as a barrier to keep some of the chemicals in your mattress instead of out in the air that you breathe. [A polyethylene mattress cover] is the only safe material that can actually stop VOCs from off-gassing.

Which mattress brands are non toxic?

Top nontoxic mattresses
  • Best overall nontoxic mattress: Avocado Green Mattress. ...
  • Best nontoxic memory foam mattress: Nectar Memory Foam Mattress. ...
  • Best luxury nontoxic mattress: Awara Premier Natural Hybrid Mattress. ...
  • Best nontoxic hybrid mattress: The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress.


What is the most toxic mattress?

Polyurethane foam mattresses, whether they contain a modicum of soy or not, continue to negatively affect human health and the environment, and soy foam is not even readily biodegradable, so will end up in landfill with the rest of those toxic foam mattresses.


How long does it take for a mattress to off gas?

The off-gassing odor strength varies among models, but consumers can expect it to dissipate within the first two weeks.

Can mattress off-gassing make you sick?

If you're especially sensitive to scents, a bed with strong off-gassing odors may cause unwanted symptoms, such as headaches, nausea, or dizziness. Individuals with respiratory issues, such as asthma or allergies, could also experience irritation of the airway and difficulty breathing.

How long does it take for a mattress to stop smelling of chemicals?

Typically, that new mattress smell will go away somewhere within a few hours to a few days. The best way to avoid inhaling off-gas is to open your mattress outside and let it breathe for at least two days. Some suggest letting it air out for a week or two if possible.


What mattresses have no chemicals?

Dunlop latex is not treated with any chemicals or fillers after harvesting and often has a firm feel. Natural Talalay latex is treated with non-toxic fillers to give it more bounce. Talalay foam often has a medium to medium-firm feel. Latex mattresses made with either of these foams are non-toxic and safer for you.

Do all mattresses have Vocs?

Sleeping on a polyurethane foam mattress puts you at the biggest risk for VOC inhalation. Mattresses made of cotton, wool, and natural latex dramatically produce less VOC emissions than their foam counterparts. Organic mattresses are made of all natural materials, so there is virtually no risk of chemical off-gassing.

Why do I feel sick when I lay in my bed?

When you lie flat on your back, gastric juices can rise and increase feelings of nausea and overall discomfort. Instead, when you're nauseous, try reclining with your upper body elevated and moving around as little as possible.


Why do I feel sick in my bed?

Nausea at night is usually a symptom of an underlying condition. Some of the most common causes include acid reflux, anxiety, medication side effects, peptic ulcers, or pregnancy. Nausea at night is usually treatable, either with self-care remedies or by a doctor.

Why does my mattress make my body hurt?

If your mattress is too firm, excess pressure on areas like your shoulders, hips, knees, side, and back can lead to aches and pains, Dr. Aouad says. Again, mattress toppers might come to your rescue here, especially as they're often designed to offer the plush experience that a too-firm mattress can't.

What does off-gassing smell like?

Some of the most common chemicals off-gassed from household items include formaldehyde, benzene, ammonia, and toluene. While off-gassing can be easily identified by so-called “new car” and “new carpet” smells, it can also be odorless. Sound scary?


How do you air out a mattress?

To help prevent moisture buildup in your bed, it's never a bad idea to air out your bedroom. Strip the bedding from the mattress, open the windows, and turn on a fan. With the help of a friend, you can prop the mattress up against the wall so that the fresh air reaches both sides.

Are new mattress fumes toxic?

The short answer is no, the new mattress smell is not harmful to people — however, according to Amerisleep, a small percentage of mattress owners reported having difficulty breathing, headaches, nausea, eye and throat irritation, and asthma after experiencing mattress off-gassing.

What mattress is the healthiest to sleep?

In general, medium-firm mattresses (which are often between 5 and 7 on the firmness scale) provide a good blend of support and comfort for most sleepers. A small 2010 study with 27 people suggests sleeping on a medium-firm mattress may help relieve pain and improve sleep quality.


Can memory foam make you sick?

Memory foam may contain isocyanates, which, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin. Exposure to isocyanates can also lead to chest tightness and asthma.

Does Sealy use toxic chemicals?

This certification means that the foam meets indoor air quality standards and doesn't contain any toxic chemicals or heavy metals. Sealy uses only certified foam in its mattresses.

Do you really need an organic mattress?

Organic mattresses are more expensive than regular ones, but they last longer and are healthier for your skin. Because organic mattresses do not contain added chemicals, they are significantly better for your health. They are far less likely to give you an allergic reaction. They also provide a cooler sleep.


Are mattresses sprayed with chemicals?

As we mentioned earlier, each mattress is required to contain flame retardants in order to pass flammability tests for safety, but that doesn't mean these flame retardants have to be chemicals that could be toxic. Many mattress manufacturers select to use natural and safe alternatives like wool, latex, and rayon.

Is Sealy non toxic?

Our Sealy® Naturals™ mattresses meet the world's most stringent emissions standards, which limit the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), phthalates, and ozone emitted during the production of the mattress and help to reduce ozone layer destruction and improve indoor and global air quality.