Is Your Mattress Making You Sick?

re: Is Your Mattress Making You Sick?

EmilyTheChef — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 23:29:31 GMT

I have developed this nagging cough only while sleeping. I got rid of a memory foam pillow I was using and the cough has gotten much better, but I'm concerned the mattress is outgassing toxins that are affecting my normally very healthy lungs. What would I get tested for to find out if my sleeping implements are what's bothering me?

re: Is Your Mattress Making You Sick?

Audrey55 — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 07:31:45 GMT

I love, love, LOVE my 100% all-natural latex mattress I bought online 18 months ago from Habitat Furnishings after 3 hard months of research. I have significant chemical sensitivities, especially fumes, so mattresses with flame retardants were out and I can't even be in the same room with anything made with memory foam.

My second runner-up was Foam Sweet Foam, but I liked the 6-month return policy of Habitat better. (Can you believe that?!) It was impossible to find a geniune plant-based 100% natural latex mattress locally. It took forever to convince my husband to part with the money (our king-size was about $1800) but he's extremely happy with the comfort. In hindsight I'd get a queen instead because you just don't need as much space on this kind of mattress because there is no falling-into-bigger-husband problem whatsoever. Also, a queen-size will weigh less (latex is heavier than I expected) and would be easier to move, etc. Genuine latex is different than anything you've ever slept on. Admittedly, it took me about 3 weeks to completely fall in love with it because it is firmer and just has a different feel. I immediately loved the natural plant-like "un-smell", but I was used to a waterbed (for 30 years) so the new firmness took a little adjusting. If you're used to a regular mattress you may not have any adjustment time.

PROS: This mattress is truly non-toxic, lasts longer than any other known mattress material, and lets you sleep like a princess (or prince).

CONS: Price, weight & online purchasing---although Habitat Furnishings was excellent to do business with.

Happy sleeping,

Audrey

re: Is Your Mattress Making You Sick?

Karen Kite — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 17:36:27 GMT

What do you folks think about Select One mattresses? I have been "lusting" after one for a couple of years. I love the in-store feel of them - almost instantly puts me to sleep.... so any info from y'all?

re: Is Your Mattress Making You Sick?

Willow — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:04:31 GMT

Does any one have comments or info about the Select Comfort mattresses? I got rid of a beautiful, comfortable futon because it stunk so bad and I couldn't sleep . (I found out after I got it, that they load them with Borax and mold inhibitors.

The Select Comfort mattress has air chambers in it made from ?(rubberized vinyl). If it stays outside for three weeks the smell goes away. It has a homemade wooden base and a minimal amount of factory padding or upholstery.

re: Is Your Mattress Making You Sick?

Willow — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 15:45:10 GMT

Does any one realize that Kevlar is basically fiberglass? It's NOT exactly the thing you want in bed with you!

I answered a newspaper employment ad in my small town for a person to do industrial sewing at home. (I have past experience). When I learned the details from the owner of the new company, I decided NOT to do the job.

re: Is Your Mattress Making You Sick?

mariawildflower — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 03:30:33 GMT

In my mom's town in italy my cousins make their own mattresses stuffed with wool. Each summer they take out the wool to wash it and then air dry it on the roof. They then add more wool and stuff it all back in. This seems so clean and cozy!

re: Is Your Mattress Making You Sick?

Auralm — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 00:59:17 GMT

Wow, I want to thank you for this article, I grew up camping and always enjoyed sleeping on the floor more than my mattress. I was wondering why I felt sicker sleeping on my mattress, but much better on the floor in my sleeping bag. I decided a month ago to put my mattress in the closet. I was tired of getting up feeling terrible and face swollen. I now sleep on a small tiny foam mattress from IKEA. Not sure what it is made of but I do not feel sick when I sleep on it. I am glad I read and saw the video on this subject. It is harder for me to get off the floor, but I don't mind since I don't wake up with my face swollen.

re: Is Your Mattress Making You Sick?

mhs6681 — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 16:23:45 GMT

Anyone know anything about Verlo Mattresses? My mother has been having sleeping issues for the last year and I wonder if it could have anything to do with it? They've had the mattress a few years, but just curious!

re: Is Your Mattress Making You Sick?

rajsanand — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:19:35 GMT

Cotton mattresses are the best. I was sleeping on one of the "state of the art mattresses". I never knew what I was missing until I bough two cheap cotton mattresses for my friend who were staying over. I did not have space to keep it and I thought Instead of keeping on top of the attic I would just dump them on top of my "state of the art" foam and coir mattress.

That night was the best sleep I ever got. Also I found that I was actually straining my back. A little research on the net found a survery.

That people who were sleeping on cotton mattresses at home go backache when admitted to hospitals which had "medical" foam or spring mattresess.

re: Is Your Mattress Making You Sick?

Debrah — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 04:26:34 GMT

I also got a memory foam pillow when the TEmpurpedic first came out and was thankful that I did not get a mattress first! I was very sick from the fumes and it is HOT to sleep on(not good for menopause--LOL!)

We did a layering thing--a firm latex mattress for support, with a soft latex topper for the shoulder and hips, with a wool topper on top of that--all covered by a washable cotton mattress cover and the whole thing is on a wooden slat frame(my husband built ours). The latex is completely covered so is not a problem for my husband who is sensitive to latex. Latex and wool are resistant to dust mites and do not have the chemical outgassing that traditional mattresses have. The only problem with this mattress is that we are spoiled--it is hard to sleep when we travel! There is an added benefit for couples who have a big weight difference or are restless sleepers--we barely feel eachother move and I don't roll towards him as I do on a regular innerspring mattress. He is a healthy weight--just 6' 1 while I am 5' 5--so he is also heavier than me. It has always seemed strange to me to sleep on metal coils too. Someone asked about children anc babies--since they are much more flexible than we older folks they don't need so much for a mattress--something simple of wool would be ok. I am curious about the kapok--Juliee--where did you get your kapok bedding? I am thinking of trying a kapok pillow---my down pillow needs to be replaced.I have been looking at them online as I have not seen them in any stores. What thickness do you have? I sleep on my side and need a thicker pillow than I have but when pillows are thicker it seems they are too hard and as you say squish my ears. I have seen quite a difference in fill weight advertised and buying a pillow online seems risky since I can't feel it! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

re: Is Your Mattress Making You Sick?

gwrider — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 03:48:18 GMT

I'm curious if anyone knows anything about the S.A.T. bed (self adjusting technology - www.satbed.com). My husband was diagnosed with heavy metals toxicity this past May. About a year ago we purchased a Sealy TrueForm Memory foam mattress and placed it on a Tempur-Pedic adjustable base. Because he was having a litany of unusual health problems (which we now know were due to the heavy metals), we didn't make the connection between the bed and his headaches. Once we figured it out, we stopped sleeping on that bed and, in fact, have sold it. We've ordered one of these S.A.T. beds and are waiting on it to be delivered. My husband's functional medicine doctor recommended this bed. From my conversations with one of their representatives, I've learned that this bed holds 13 worldwide patents, it is used in several hospitals, including Mt. Sinai, and it is used exclusively in the Hilton Garden Inn hotel chain. It is manufactured in the US and contains all natural materials. The only part of the bed that comes from outside the US is the 100% Australian wool cover. It has no motors, has a 20 year warranty and a 90 day "happiness" guarantee. I'm just curious if anyone here has had any experience with this bed? Thanks.

re: Is Your Mattress Making You Sick?

nutritionpower — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 03:37:51 GMT

Be careful purchasing organic cotton bedding. cost me 1000 bucks and I was allergic to it. Had to throw it out. My alternative doctor recommends just having a bed frame and stacking up a bunch of organic blankets and/or towels. Or you can sleep on the floor with those. Much of the pain that people have comes from the chemicals in the mattresses anyway. Without the chemicals, people would be surprised at how little pain they have. My doctor recommends not getting anything you can't wash.

don't forget your pillow!!!!! sleep on either washable organic pillow but best is an old towel or blankets washed weekly in hot water (organic if possible). old pillows have mold/dustmites, new pillows lots of chemicals. (this change can be done cheaply, even if you don't change your bed)

For babies, don't push your luck. You can cover a regular mattress with special foils and then a crib cover. Or buy organic. You can also cover regular mattress with foil from www.foustco.com and they also make great filters too.

I truly believe mattresses and bedding are a cause of SIDS. We buy one pair of sheets for each bed and just wash biweekly. If well made, they last forever and you actually will not spend much more money.

re: Is Your Mattress Making You Sick?

MTNPOSH — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 02:21:07 GMT

I bought a Tempurpedic due to having a neck herniation about 8 months ago and at first, for a month, it had a bad smell and the company said "your mattress may have a slight odor remaining from our unique manufacturing process. All polyurethane based materials have this characteristic. This is normal and completely harmless and will dissipate within a few days." The Tempurpedic mattess is recognized by NASA, 25,000 medical professionals, Good Housekeepings Seal of Approval and Consumer Digest's best buy. It asl earned the Arthritis Foundation's Ease of Use Commendation. Since using it myself, the smell has dissipated and I have never been more comfortable on a mattress. Additionally a chiropractor I go to highly recommends them and would not sleep on anything else. The organic mattresses get mold and dust mites and are very expensive.

re: Is Your Mattress Making You Sick?

curious7 — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:39:06 GMT

This is also the reasons for hardwood floors, and natural fiber throw rugs. Toxins are in so many places today.

re: Is Your Mattress Making You Sick?

Mark10 — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:43:22 GMT

After much searching for a TRULY chemical free mattress, I finally found one that sleeps like a dream! And a chemical- free one! My husband and I bought a wool mattress (King size) from http://www.surroundewe.com/ It is like sleeping on a supportive cloud. The wool breathes with you and works with your body temperature. I frequently overheated in my old, standard bed with down comforters. I have been the perfect temperature, even when it's 29 degrees outside with this mattress! We also purchased the comforters, pillows, and linens. I have had back problems in the past, and this is the most supportive bed I have ever slept on. Apparently it's also great for people with fibromyalgia, arthritis, allergies, even snoring!

I highly recommend this company. If you want truly chemical free sleep, this is the best place to get it. And it's way more affordable than other organic cotton mattresses!