Am I the only one sleeping on a toxic mattress?

Morning all,

I have been looking to buy a new mattress for the past month (queen size) and I didn't want to spend more than $1000.00. Living in the boondocks I need to drive far to test different mattresses before I make my final decision. I also want to buy a sleigh bed frame (but that's besides the point).

Then I receive this in my inbox from Dr. Jernigan "Health Hazards of Toxic Mattresses" oh no!! I read the article which makes sense but I was not planning on spending $3500.00 for a Blue Ridge Mattress! So I have been rethinking mattresses. I could spend the money but I don't want to. Golly gee whiz, I'm not a rich person but the thought of sleeping on a toxic mattress makes me uneasy.

Just when I think I have toxins under control I learn this.

Does anyone else sleep on an organic mattress? Article below:

One of the most popular mattresses in the country out-gasses over 200 different toxic and potentially toxic chemicals!

If you are using a conventional or memory-foam mattress, you are definitely being poisoned by that mattress, whether you are sick yet or not. It is not possible to breathe in these chemicals for 7-10 hours a night, 365 days a year, and not suffer the consequences of neurological problems, asthma, cancer, chronic fatigue, brain-fog and an ongoing list of potential symptoms.

The mattresses today are manufactured with polyhydroxy polyol and toluene di-isocyanate, a registered carcinogen. Boric acid, known as roach killer, and other chemicals never tested on humans are now being used as fire retardants. Chemicals used to make memory foam are essentially by-products of petroleum. The chemicals used in the production of mattresses are being found in women's breast milk and the umbilical cord blood of newborn babies.

I too slept on poisonous mattresses all my life, but finally got wise and stopped this known source of toxicity. I can definitely tell the difference since purchasing a mattress that is 100% organic. I wake up before my alarm virtually every day ready to get up!

After trying several types of organic mattresses, I found what I feel to be the best brand - Blue Ridge Certified Organic Latex. Many brands that claim to be 100% organic latex have a very strong rubber smell that does not resolve even after years of use. My Blue Ridge mattress had next to no smell from the first day I received it. Obviously this is an important feature for those who are chemically sensitive. Blue Ridge mattresses have the best organic certifications you can find and are also extremely comfortable! You can find their mattresses at this link: Blue Ridge Organic Latex Mattress. I have no affiliation with the company.

It surprises many that there is no government agency to protect consumers from toxic substances being used in mattresses, personal care products, and household cleaning products. Manufacturers can use pretty much what they want.

I learned from a butcher the other day, that the classification of "natural" on meat only means that the meat came from the same animal, as in hamburger meat, which most often may contain the meat from many cows. "Natural" meat can still have hormones and antibiotics in it. So it is with "natural" or "hypoallergenic" mattresses and pillows...buyer beware!

Your thoughts would be appreciated,
Denise

Oh wow, so my bed's a suspect now, too? I can't handle thinking about that.

I'm gonna go with the out of sight, out of mind technique. BAM!

Thank God for Lyme short-term memory loss (joke).

Love you, bed!

Hi all,

Roberts, thanks for your input. I may look into SavvyRest Mattresses. I do have the money but I wanted to buy a new bed frame (a pretty Sleigh Bed). I can do without the Sleigh and slide into an organic mattress instead. Priorities!

Antonio, I feel the way you do! Just when I was testing Serta's, Sealy's, etc. I read this article. Ouch! Maybe I should take the same courses Traveler is so I can make more money, lol!

PeteZa, you are 100% correct we come into contact with hundreds of toxic items. That's why I am always detoxing. An organic (green) mattress cover is a great idea!!

Thanks everyone,
Denise

I have done a lot of research on this. Mostly because when we bought our new mattress (memory foam - $3k!!!!!) I developed severe all over itching. I thought it could be a latex allergy so I was tested and was positive. So we traded our mattress for one that didn't have latex in it and I still itched. I personally think it is all the chemicals, but mainly formaldehyde. We are moving this summer and I am getting all new non-toxic mattresses for us and 3 kids.

So, one brand I found that is not totally organic, but free of a lot of toxins is Loom & Leaf. They are not as expensive as Naturepedic, which is totally organic. I plan on doing the Naturepedic for the kids. I can get the kids mattress for around $1k. There is some controversy of metal coils and EMF's (naturepedic does have coils). I turn the wifi off at night and I'm willing to roll the dice on that.

For us, I may do the Loom & Leaf. The queen is around $1k and it ships to your house. My husband really likes the memory foam and this is plant-based. It has an organic cover and is free of metals, no pbde flame retardant (uses natural thistle), pthalates, formaldehyde, low VOC's. Plus they have a return policy, which for me is important in case I get a bad reaction. Here's a link to their site:

www.loomandleaf.com/thinking-green.html

Hope this helps!

Oh, man. We're in the market for a new mattress, so I'll have to consider this. Denise, could you share the link for the Blue Ridge Mattresses? I googled, but not sure whether I came up with the right site. Thanks for sharing!

Hi again everyone!

k07, thanks for your input and I will check out Loom and Leaf.

Traveler, maybe one day you can get a mattress topper which is lots less money compared to a mattress.

Nosila, that's what I said to myself when I was mattress hunting! The timing of this article is almost magical like Dr. J. could read my mind that I was looking for a new mattress and voila this article comes along in my inbox. I'm the type who believes there is a reason for everything.

Here is the link to Blue Ridge Mattresses:

/fz168.infusionsoft.com/app/storeFront/showCategoryPage?categoryId=60

Here is the thing with me: I always tested mattresses in real life before I would purchase one. I am NOT going to North Carolina to test an organic mattress. Yeah, yeah I know I can return if I order online but that can be a pain.

I have lots to think about. I really do want that Sleigh Bed Frame too. I deserve it!

Denise

Yeah, I read that too ... and I immediately did a "NotQuiteAntonio", hahahahahaha ... what mattress?

(can't deal with that, too) - we have a sleep number bed and I LOVE IT... I sleep like a baby...

Deejavu,

THANK YOU! We have to buy new mattresses. Ours are 14 years old. I was concerned about dust mites, etc... Had no idea about all the toxins. Yikes.

This is magical timing. I am on the Jernigan mailing list but somehow didn't get the mattress letter.

Deejavu, go on Ebay and see if you can buy a sleigh bed there. We have a beautiful Baker sleigh bed, I got the floor model at cost years ago when a furniture store was discontinuing the brand. You can great deals on things like that.

I'm not spending $3500 on a mattress - we prefer to spend all our disposable income on LLMDs. Joke.

Will research organic mattresses now.

The silver lining is most of us spend less time sleeping than most

Roberts, that's impressive! If it will last even more than 10 years, I think I can convince hubby that it's worth paying a little more up front. Thanks!