The Mattress Expert

I've had an allergic reaction to the toxins in my memory foam mattress.

Carina writes:

Hi Pete,

I have found Your question and answer portion in your website extremely helpful. 

I bought a memory foam from a big chain mattress store and unfortunately I've had an allergic reaction to the toxins in the mattress. 

We are still in our trial period and I am able to return the mattress.  

However, due to the return policy of our purchase, if I were to return the mattress, I would end up losing close to $1000. 

Anyway the mattress store worked with me that they would be able to exchange the memory foam mattress for a Chatham and Wells mattress.

Both, the Franklin euro top or Josephine euro top will cost me another $1250 on top of what I have already spent. 

I am torn between taking the loss of $1000 and use the remaining money I have left to purchase an all latex mattress or spending $1250 for the C&W mattress. 

I am quite concerned with the innerspring because I have had an inner spring for years and they do sag and you start feeling the coils. 

I have never tried a latex mattress, and there are none around me. All I have are samples provided by the latex mattress company. 

I have been playing with them and they seem to be pretty OK. I am hoping you would be able to share some insightful advice. 

Thank you, Carina

 

Hi Carina,

You’re in a tough spot.

What makes your situation even more difficult is that you haven’t fully experienced the pain of memory foam. 

That is to say, you are only aware of it’s toxicity...and have yet to experience that it doesn’t last very long.

Memory foam loses its support and comfort very quickly.

Memory foam is, in fact, the absolute worst upholstery material ever invented.

 

Adding insult to injury, is that worthless comfort guarantee.

I can only tell you that if you want to make a successful long term purchase, you need to avoid mattresses made with memory foam.

I suspect that those Chatham & Wells mattresses are also upholstered with memory foam...as most of today’s mattresses are.

You must be sure about that before deciding.

Ask to see the specifications of those mattresses.

Spending more money on a mattress made with memory foam is a waste of that money.

 

Memory foam has been on the market for 15 years, or so.

Natural Latex is and has been thee best upholstery for the last 100 years.

An all foam mattress, even one made of all latex, isn’t always a good choice.

If you have any disc related back problems, you’d do better with an innerspring mattress that’s upholstered with latex.

The coils of an innerspring mattress provide the pushback support that sort of back problem requires.

 

Thanks, Pete

 

**********************************************************************************************

 

Hi Pete,

Thank you so much for the quick response!!

 

Here's what it says about the Josephine mattress:

The Josephine Euro Top mattress offers the ultimate package in sleep performance with incredible support and a medium comfort feel. 

This mattress has it all: Joma Wool, talalay latex, the 4” lo-pro wrapped coils, fabric-encased samson coil for advanced durability and comfort. 

In addition, this mattress also features nano coil technology, an additional 1386 micro coils found in the comfort layers designed to delicately contour the body. 

This mattress offers a supreme sleeping experience designed to provide night after night of luxurious, rejuvenating rest.

 

It seems like a heavy duty mattress, but I am a bit skeptical to go with an innerspring mattress again.

I feel less pain and pressure points with the all foam mattress. 

I have scoliosis and do get back pains and pressure points in my shoulders etc.

The all memory foam mattress has definitely alleviated my pain and discomfort which I have experienced in our old innerspring. 

How the foam contours to the body compared to the innerspring has helped with the discomfort. 

Perhaps that is only when the all foam mattress is new and yes I can see how it disintegrates fast down the line. 

I heard that an all latex mattress helps with spinal alignment, but of course I wouldn’t know :) 

Does an all latex mattress have lesser support and lose support rather quickly than an innerspring?

Thank you so much for getting back to me; your answering to my query has been a great treat!

Carina

 

Hi Carina,

That big chain store is one of thee most expensive places to buy a mattress.

And, they have filed for bankruptcy.

 

The info you provided about the Josephine mattress has a lot of buzz words, but no specific information.

I suggest that you get that list of specifications.

It says it has Talalay Latex, but doesn’t say where it is in the mattress or how much of it there is.

 

I also suggest that you shop the internet for a comparable C&W mattress, so that you might get theirs for less money. 

As it is now, it’s way overpriced.

 

Latex is the most comfortable, most resilient, longest lasting upholstery material anywhere on the planet.

It is tons better than anything else, and the antithesis of memory foam.

 

An individually pocketed coil unit, compared to an interlocking coil unit, contours to the body, relieves pressure point pain. 

It maintains the natural alignment of the spine.

The micro coils in that mattress, also relieve pressure, but don’t wear well.

 

I wish you luck.

The mattress industry, on a whole, has gone bad...selling junk mattresses at high prices.

And out of all the retailers out there, the one you chose is among the least consumer friendly places to buy. 

You made a mistake buying from them. 

All in all, I’m afraid you’ll find this to be an expensive and unsatisfactory expensive.

Pete

 

**********************************************************************

 

Hi Pete!!

Thank you for your candor.

 

Yes, it seems that this was a very expensive lesson learned!  

I am going to try and salvage whatever refund or fair exchange I can get from that store, but this is not going to be easy.  

They are very hard to deal with, I have come to find out!!

Thank you, again, Pete...and may you and your family have a wonderful New Year ahead!!

Carina

 

 

A Happy and Healthy New Year to you and yours, Carina

 

Thanks, Pete

 

Phone: 1-856-874-6894 
Email: themattressexpert@live.com

Website: http://themattressexpert.com/

Factory Direct to You....

All Items Made Factory Fresh to Fill Your Order

Free Delivery Nationwide....NO SALES TAX.

Strong Odor from a Too Firm Simmons Beautyrest Black Calista Mattress.

Kim writes:

 

Hi Pete,

I've been reading your blog today and finding it very helpful - thank you for providing so much information.

I bought new mattress before I read your blog. I bought the Simmons Beautyrest Black Calista (extra firm) in queen size. 

I am 5' 5" and weight 135. He is 6' 2" and weighs 190. He is a stomach and back sleeper with degenerative disc disease. 

I am a side sleeper.  He really wanted to try something firmer than what we had in the past, and this Calista is very firm! 

We also bought a twin Silver Beautyrest Luxury Firm for one child and a Serta Perfect Sleeper Kaden full for another child. 

My main concern is that after the mattresses were delivered, there has been a very strong and chemical odor in our queen Calista mattress. 

The odor is not present in the other Beautyrest mattress. There was, also, a strong odor in the Serta mattress.

I have not been able to sleep in my bedroom, despite having all the windows open and fans on for most of the day. 

We actually moved it to a spare bedroom today and stood it on its side with even more fans to try and get the odor to dissipate. 

The odor just seems so dense and strong that it is hard for me to imagine it ever being gone.

Is this normal? 

Could it be a defective mattress? 

Do I need to just give it some more time? I am very disappointed and concerned. 

I don't have hope that the odor will subside, but if I return it, I feel worried about what I would purchase to avoid that kind of odor again.  

Three questions if you have time.

1 - If we keep the Calista and I order a latex topper since I'm a side sleeper, which one would I order?

I do have a latex allergy sensitivity (to surgical tape) but have read your assurance that a latex mattress topper isn't an issue for latex allergies. 

2 - How is the foam in our Calista mattress different from the memory foam you don't like?

3 - What do I do about this Serta mattress?

Thanks so much, Kim

 

 

Hi Kim,

No, it's not normal.

In the case of the Calsita, the poly foam was not properly cured when it was made.

It is now off-gassing the toxic fumes that have been trapped in the cells of the foam. 

As you roll around on the mattress, the cells will continue to open, releasing those fumes.

It could take some time before that stops on its own. In the mean time, you are exposing everyone to these toxic fumes.

Have the store exchange it for you immediately. 

 

Caution: An improperly cured roll of poly foam is very large. Many mattresses will be made with it. An entire batch of mattresses will be affected...quite possibly, Sears' entire stock.

It would be best to have them order a fresh one for you from the factory. In doing so, it is highly unlikely that this problem will repeat itself. One from stock could easily have the same problem.

The memory foam, in that Serta mattress, off gasses the toxic chemicals from which the memory foam is made.

Exchange that mattress for the same Simmons Beautyrest you bought for your other child.

The memory foam, used by Simmons, does not off gas.

 

The naturally present allergen in latex is protein. Most of it is washed away during processing into foam....enough to be classified at hypo-allergenic. 

Unlike memory foam and poly foam, the allergen in latex foam is topical...not airborne.  

You have to be touching it to react...like you would with latex gloves and bandages.

A latex topper will come with a cover. You will add a mattress protector and sheets. Your body will not be in direct contact with the latex topper.

We also carry Vytex Dunlop Latex mattresses and toppers. They remove the remaining allergen, making them virtually allergen free. 

 

The latex toppers we have are pure, all natural. There is nothing natural about memory foam...made from a toxic chemical soup.

I suggest the EverEden 2" Soft Vytex Dunlop Latex Topper to make the surface of your mattress more comfortable.

Shown here:

https://themattressexpert.com/talalay-dunlop-latextoppers/

100% All Natural Talalay and Dunlop Latex Mattress Toppers ... themattressexpert.com Soften the surface of a too firm mattress. Insulate yourself from the memory foam in your mattress to Sleep Cool. Extend the comfort life of your mattress.

Delivery is free and there's no sales tax.

 

 

ALSO IMPORTANT:

I suggest using a waterproof mattress protector with every mattress.

Keeping your mattress clean and dry will greatly extend the life and loft of the upholstery materials inside. Ours sleep cool and make NO Noise.

Shown here:

https://themattressexpert.com/mattress-protectors/

 

Thanks, Pete

 

Phone: 1-856-874-6894 
Email: themattressexpert@live.com

Website: http://themattressexpert.com/

Factory Direct to You....

All Items Made Factory Fresh to Fill Your Order

Free Delivery Nationwide....NO SALES TAX.

Sealy Posturpedic Mattress Has strong Chemical Odor, Off Gassing Toxic Fumes.

Charles writes:

 

Hi Pete,

We recently bought a Sealy Posturpedic Queen mattress set. It has an odor. A strong chemical odor. Is this normal? 

How long will it take for this to dissipate if this is normal? Can we do something to speed the dissipation process? 

Thanks for your help. Charles

 

Hi Charles,

Normal?...Yes.

Good?...No.

Just because it's normal doesn't mean it's ok.

Sealy, now owned by Tempurpedic, uses memory foam that is made of 61 different chemicals...some, of which, are toxic.

You're experiencing the off gassing of those toxic chemicals.

It is a health hazard to every living being in your home.

Memory foam is the worst upholstery material ever invented. Not only will it make you sick, it doesn't wear well...adding insult to injury.

Get rid of it.

DO NOT buy a mattress upholstered with memory foam....which is hard to find at most stores.

But, you can find plenty from which to choose...right here:

https://themattressexpert.com/

The Mattress Expert themattressexpert.com Natural Talalay and Dunlop Latex Pillows provide comfort that lasts for years. Choose from the best brand names. Pure Bliss or EverEden or Natura or Palmpring.

Delivery is Free and there's NO SALES TAX

 

Protect your mattress from perspiration and other stains that will void the warranty of your new mattress.

Danican Waterproof Mattress Protectors Sleep Cool and Won't Shrink washed in hot water...fits up to 18"

http://themattressexpert.com/mattress-protectors/

 

Thanks, Pete

 

Phone: 1-856-874-6894 
Email: themattressexpert@live.com

Website: http://themattressexpert.com/

Factory Direct to You....

All Items Made Factory Fresh to Fill Your Order

Free Delivery Nationwide....NO SALES TAX.

 

A memory foam mattress doesn't work for a bad back.

 

Hi Pete,

I have a bad back and my mom has had a fractured back. We tried a memory foam mattress at the store and was told that it would help relieve our pain. 

it was soft and comfy, but once we bought it, my mom's back wasn't being helped, and neither was mine.  

I have headaches and the smell is awful. The bed, which they claim it is plush and soft, feels like a ton of bricks. 

Is buying a memory foam really the answer to a fractured back for my mom? And what about for myself too? I seem to have worse headaches and backaches than before. 

My shoulder hurts and sides too, from this bed. Everyone told me it was good. I heard it from the TV, and the sales people at the store. 

It was hurting before too but hasn't gone away like the sales person said. What mattress is good for what I have and what my mom has?

What mattress is really the answer for a fractured back and a bad back. And for someone who has allergies and headaches is this the answer?

 

My mom's age is 82, she is 5'5", not sure about her weight but she is anemic and fragile. Besides a fractured back, she also suffers with fybromyalgia, and osteoporosis. 

She sleeps on her back with a pillow under her legs. Although I also see her sleep on the left side. 

I am 54, 5' 9", 158 lbs. I, too, sleep on my back and both sides. I have back and upper shoulder pain, along with aches in my sides. I have osteomalacia which is soft bone. 

Thank you, Michael 

 

 

Hi Michael,

Memory foam is, in fact, thee worst choice you could have made.

There's an old saying, "Tell a lie often enough, and it becomes the truth". 

It's a saying I disagree with, in part, as a lie never becomes the truth...just perceived as such.

All that advertising and sales pitches are just that...a string of lies that has been told over and over for the last 20 years.

 

Memory foam is thee absolute worst upholstery material ever invented for use in a mattress.

It's specific purpose is to sell more mattresses, more frequently to the same people...all for the sake of profit.

The lies told about how good memory foam is, is so forceful, that many people will make the mistake you made...over and over again...never thinking that the memory foam is the problem.

After all, the advertising and sales pitches promote that junk as though it were the best thing since sliced bread.

 

Add to all that poor quality and performance, the off gassing of the toxic chemicals from which it's made, (the source of your headaches), and you add insult to injury.

Get rid of them...right away...before they causes more damage to you and your mom....more damage than you already now.

Memory foam is the industry's cash cow and they are milking it for all it's worth...at the expense of the health and well being of the consumer. 

It's no less than a criminal matter, that needs government intervention.

 

You have to understand what your body needs...firm contouring support that maintains your spine's natural alignment, and a comfortable sleeping surface.

The firm support is for your spine. The softer surface is for your pressure points and muscles.

It makes fiscal sense to use the best materials available to do that job. 

Mattresses made with poor quality materials, like memory foam, will begin to fail quickly, and are a poor choice for people like you and your mom. 

People with your problems are much more sensitive to the changes today's mattresses easily go through...those upholstered with memory foam.

It becomes imperative that you make no substitute for quality, which changes very little over the years....and that you do not subject yourselves to toxicity of memory foam.

Instead, opt for more natural materials, like natural latex, which has no chemicals to off-gas.

 

Given your mom's age and frailty, we carry a mattress that I know she will love...made of pocketed coils and upholstered with all natural latex.

Given your size, you could, just as easily, go with one of these same mattresses.

The mattress is a latex hybrid. The Adrian and Adara models, on this next link:

https://themattressexpert.com/our-brands/wolf-mattresses/wolf-hybrid-mattress/

Wolf Latex Hybrid Mattress | The Mattress Expert themattressexpert.com All Natural Cotton Cover. All Natural Wool backing as a natural fire retardant. Upholstered with All Natural Latex. All Natural Wool insulator pad for support.

If you look at the specifications for both mattresses, they appear to be the same. In fact, those two mattresses are identical, except for one thing.

 

The Adara model is made of ALL Natural Materials...and well worth the small difference in price.

My granddaughter has the Adara model. The last time we visited, I took a nap on it...very comfy....and good support.

 

If you were interested in a more substantially made mattress for yourself, consider the Natura of Canada Greenspring.

My wife and I are large people and have one at home. It is extremely well made and should last you, at your size, the rest of your life.

The Plush Eurotop model, at the top of this next page, is the most comfortable of the 5 available models.

https://themattressexpert.com/natura-greenspring-pocketed-coil-mattresses/

Natura Greenspring Pocketed Coil Mattresses | The Mattress ... themattressexpert.com Greenspring Liberty Plush Euro Top. Experience deeper, more restorative sleep with the Liberty Plush Euro Mattress. Lush helpings of natural ingredients come together ...

Delivery is Free and there's NO SALES TAX

 

 

Protect your mattress from perspiration and other stains that will void the warranty of your new mattress.

Danican Waterproof Mattress Protectors Sleep Cool and Won't Shrink washed in hot water...fits up to 18"

http://themattressexpert.com/mattress-protectors/

 

Thanks, Pete

 

Phone: 1-856-874-6894 
Email: themattressexpert@live.com

Website: http://themattressexpert.com/

Factory Direct to You....

All Items Made Factory Fresh to Fill Your Order

Free Delivery Nationwide....NO SALES TAX.