Open your mattress and let it air out.
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.
The short and simple answer is nothing. Your new mattress may not feel exceptional the first night. As the expansion process continues, it will only get better. Once 24 hours have passed, you should have a new bed with what you will call the best mattress you’ve ever owned.
In a spray bottle, mix a solution of two parts cold water, one part white vinegar, and a small amount of laundry detergent (a few tablespoons for a standard spray bottle; more if your bottle is larger). Spray the stain liberally — don’t be afraid to really soak it!
WEDNESDAY, July 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) – Most people consider their bed a safe haven, but new research suggests your body heat might trigger the release of potentially harmful chemicals from your mattress. Mattresses are known to release minute amounts of gaseous chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
The off-gassing odor strength varies among models, but consumers can expect it to dissipate within the first two weeks.
There are Health Risks to Sleeping on Mattress Mold
Exposure to mold can result in a host of respiratory issues. For example, you could develop asthma, allergy symptoms, or have difficulty breathing. Wheezing is a common side effect of mold exposure.
How quickly mold spreads inside the mattress? According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, mold starts growing on surfaces after 24-48 hours (3) and spreads pretty quickly, especially if the humidity is high.
Baking soda is a really simple and effective cleaning agent for mattresses. Sprinkle enough baking soda over your mattress to cover it in an even layer. For minor odors, leave the baking soda to sit for at least half an hour. However, the longer you leave it, the more it absorbs moisture and odor-causing particles.
While Febreze and other cleaners do an excellent job at masking urine odors from the mattress, they aren’t useful when you want to remove urine stains from 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.
Another low-cost option that can potentially help you decrease VOCs and off-gassing in your home is to try to neutralize VOCs using baking soda. This doesn’t really work for furniture or paints, but it will work for mattresses and carpets or rugs.
Memory Foam “Off-Gassing” Explained
However, lower-quality foams may have stronger off-gassing fumes. In addition to the unpleasant smell, some people may experience eye, nose, and throat irritation from VOCs. The good news is that off-gassing odors usually go away within a few hours to a few days.
Use a clean, absorbent cloth or towel and apply as much pressure as possible to force the moisture out of the mattress, into the drying pad. Follow with a hairdryer, set on high. Hold the hairdryer a few inches from the mattress surface and apply heat for at least 15 to 20 minutes.
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.
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