Are Gel Foam Mattresses Safe

Memory Foam And Polyurethane Foam Components

Companies use three common chemical agents to create memory foam. While these agents can produce harmful effects, injuries can only be sustained when the individual encounters these chemicals during a chemical reaction is a person breathes in the fumes or makes contact with the chemical.

Polyol is a binding ingredient comprised of a petroleum oil-derived ingredients but may include plant materials such as soy or castor beans. It makes up the bulk of the memory foam.

Diisocyanates react to polyols and the blowing agent, causing the foam to become stiff. Alone diisocyanates can cause respiratory issues and skin sensitivities, although its still known as the least hazardous organic isocyanate . The only hazard diisocyanates chemicals may present is during the manufacturing process.

Blowing agents are used to introduce carbon into the material, creating foam. Chlorofluorocarbons were once used as blowing agents however, mattress companies now use healthier options such as water and Hydrofluorocarbons .

Possible Ingredients/ Byproducts of Concern

Since most brands trademark their foams components and are not required to release them, pinpointing the materials chemical makeup can be difficult. However, U.S. laws and voluntary restrictions have eliminated possible toxic chemicals that could be used in memory foam production.

• Methyl benzene may cause possible organ damage and is a carcinogen, but the chemical is only harmful during manufacturing.

Rarely Used or Banned

Choose Natural Fire Barriers

Look for mattress brands that use natural materials in their fire barriers like wool or thistle and refrain from using harsh chemicals.

The product description will often tell you what the fire barrier is made out of, but if not, go ahead and contact the brands customer support.

You should avoid mattresses that use fiberglass as part of the fire barrier as a general rule because when this material isnt woven deeply into the inner cover, it may release into your home and cause health problems.

Leesa Luxury Hybrid 11 Mattress 3 Layer Spring/memory Foam

The Leesa mattress is one of the newest mattress brands. This mattress acknowledges both manufacturing specialists and consumers. The attractive design of Leesa mattress appeals to the customer and is crafted with three superior foam layers for freshening, well-being, and pressure aid. The Leesa mattress was planned to progress on the leading memory foam brand, which is cost-effective. The Leesa mattress uses 3-layers of foam. Top layer This top layer is 2 of Avena foam.

• First Layer Comfort Layer
• Second Layer Recovery Layer
• Third Layer Support Layer

Avena is an original foam that acts like latex foam, which offers excellent cooling, bounce, and more hard-wearing. The second layer is a 2 layer of memory foam. The second layer based on the recovery foam layer It makes available provision, stress assistance, and profound firmness support. The last layer is a 6 layer of high-density foam, which acts as an initial base for the mattress. It will not captivate extra warmth.

Overview

• Item offers middle firmness levels.
• Item density is not sufficient.
• The cover is non-removable

Don’t Miss: Is Purple Mattress Good For Back Pain

How To Choose A Safe Memory Foam Mattress

Fortunately, European and North American regulators have cracked down on the inclusion of harmful chemical additives in memory foam mattresses. However, theres no way to eliminate the risk of carcinogen exposure if youre buying a conventional piece of memory foam.

If you want to reduce the risk of harmful chemical exposure, shop for eco-friendly memory foam solutions made of natural or organic ingredients. Ideally, search for a organic mattress model that is free from VOCs and has minimal off-gassing potential.

As an extra precaution, you can check the label of the mattress to ensure that no methylene diphenyl diisocyanate is contained in the material. Instead, opt for the less-harmful substance toluene diisocyanate , which has a lower reactivity profile after the manufacturing process.

Benefits Of A Gel Memory Foam Mattress

A gel memory foam mattress also supports the back and is a good choice for people with back problems, such as lower back pain.

A gel memory foam mattress can help people with conditions that increase their body temperature, which might lead to night sweats.

Conditions and medications that can cause night sweats include:

• menopause

Also Check: What To Do With Purple Mattress Bag

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Gel Mattresses

While gel mattresses are best known for their cooling properties, they also make an excellent sleeping surface. The material is supportive, contributing to proper spinal alignment and body contouring, and its also comfortable.

On the downside, gel memory foam mattresses often come with a higher price tag than traditional memory foam.

Another drawback is the composition of the gel itself. Just like regular memory foam, gel memory foam is a synthetic material. Keep an eye out for mattresses with certifications like CertiPUR-US or Greenguard to be sure all materials are safe.

Best Price Mattress 11 Gel

Best Price Mattress 11-inch Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mattress is one of the top choice able high-quality gel memory foam for the user. It is a very famous brand for its affordable price and good quality. It also has an excellent performance in relieving back pain. This 11 mattress has fourth different layers.

• First Layer 1.5 Gel-infused memory foam
• Second Layer 2 Ventilated pressure relief foam
• Third Layer 7.5 High-density support foam
• Knitted poly-Jacquard cover with satin piping border and non-slip bottom

The first layer has 1 microfiber layer with extra plush foam for adding flexibility and less hotness generation. The second layer is 2 ventilated pressure relief foam, The third layer is 7.5 high-density base foam that adds comfort and ensures long-lasting durability. This mattress brand offers high quality at a little cost and great supportive ten years of guarantee. All products are at reasonable rates also made with the latest high tech technology.

Overview

Now I am going to discuss Brentwood Home. Brentwood Home is a popular famous mattress and bedding company. They start their business in the 1980s. In the beginning, they sell mattress toppers and other decorations.

Product Overview

Don’t Miss: How To Return My Pillow Mattress Topper

Best Gel Mattress For Hot Sleepers

PlushBeds The Ocean Mist

• Type: Gel foam
• Height: 9 inches

According to PlushBeds, The Ocean Mist was designed specifically for hot sleepers. A 3-inch layer of gel foam wicks away moisture and heat while offering pressure relief and comfort.

The gel memory foam mattress is Greenguard Gold certified, so it has no chemical odor or off-gassing.

Reviewers say this mattress is very comfortable, and that it really does sleep cool.

You can try it at home for 100 nights, with free shipping and returns. It also has a 25-year warranty.

Classic Brands Mercer 12-Inch Hybrid Gel Memory Foam & Innerspring Mattress

• Price: $
• Type: Gel hybrid
• Height: 12 inches

This budget-friendly hybrid mattress is designed with innerspring coils and gel memory foam. The combination is said to disperse body heat and offer support. Materials in this mattress meet CertiPUR-US standards, and the mattress has a 10-year warranty.

Reviews on Amazon are generally positive. However, some people note the off-gassing and found that the mattress didnt fully decompress after being unwrapped.

We couldnt find any information regarding a sleep trial. However, Amazons return policy does allow for refunds within 30 days of your mattress purchase if youre not happy with it.

Many mattress manufacturers offer recommendations to help you zero in on a gel mattress that meets your needs. But in general, here are a few things to keep in mind while shopping.

Should I Be Concerned About The Use Of Foam

Although memory foam is generally considered safe, it may pose a problem for certain people, such as those who suffer from allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions. Memory foam may also bother you if you are very sensitive to smells. Parents may prefer to use natural materials for their childrens mattress, and memory foam is not recommended for young children or babies as they require a firmer surface to lower the risk of suffocation.

Individuals who wish to avoid memory foam can find plenty of natural alternatives. A popular substitute is natural latex, a material derived from the sap of rubber trees that is breathable, durable, and more bouncy than memory foam. More rarely, some hybrid beds may combine an innerspring core with naturally derived comfort layers made of wool, cotton batting, or feathers.

• Was this article helpful?

Don’t Miss: What Mattress Holds Up The Best

The Best Gel Mattresses Of 2021

Gel brings a springy, cool feel to traditional foam mattresses. Here are eight of the best gel mattresses you can find this year.

• $799 at Nest Bedding

Many of today’s most innovative mattresses contain gel, whether as a layer on its own or infused into a type of memory foam called gel foam. Gel imparts key features like supportive pressure relief, reduced motion transfer, cooling properties, enhanced breathability and added buoyancy.

When you shop, you’ll find gel in all-foam as well as hybrid mattresses — either fully integrated into the foam or layered into separate sections. Since gel provides temperature regulation, it’s most often found in or near the top layer of mattresses. Gel foam generally contains either poured gel, swirled gel or gel microbeads, and the gel is often combined with something called a “phase-change material,” which helps regulate both heat and cooling even further.

While gel mattresses have some advantages over traditional foam mattresses, they’re also typically more expensive and have a shorter lifespan — usually lasting between five and eight years. They’re also heavier than other mattresses. In addition, gel is a synthetic material, and manufacturers often don’t disclose the exact ingredients. For this reason, it’s wise to look for certifications like CertiPUR-US and others, to ensure that all the materials in your mattress are safe.

Are Coils Bad Stuff

There has been a lot of chatter on the net in recent years regarding metal coils in beds. We paid close attention to this and did some research and arrived at the conclusion that steel springs present no known danger.

The bottom line is that there is no reason for concern. We simply cannot find any credible evidence showing that metal coils can act like an antenna and concentrate EMFs into our sleeping bodies.

Read Also: What Is The Best Mattress For Lower Back Problems

Fiberglass Can Cause Allergic Reactions

Fiberglass is commonly used in memory foam mattresses as part of the fire barrier typically layered beneath or woven into the inner cover out of sight.

Most people dont realize that their mattress contains fiberglass until they remove the cover and millions of tiny shards of fiberglass are released into their home where they can potentially cause allergic reactions and may cost $1,000s to be removed by a professional cleaning company.

However, not all memory foam mattresses contain fiberglass.

Check out my list of the best mattresses without fiberglass to find some high quality options.

Second Summary: Best Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress

Second Place: LUCID 10 Inch Gel Memory Foam

A quality gel foam mattress from Lucid that keeps you comfortable for the whole night. Also, the CertiPUR-US Certified memory foam keeps you breathable and fresh. If you are looking for an affordable mattress that can the keep you cool and offer pressure relief, Lucid mattress is another considerable option.

Another Option: Zinus 12 Inch Gel-Infused Green Tea

All the layers of this mattress work together to give you the comfort and pressure relief you deserve. It is infused with green tea extracts that keep you fresh, and you will not notice any smell from the memory foam as well. The bed can accommodate any sleeper with all sleeping styles as its firmness level changes with weight.

Here is our recommended gel memory foam mattresses reviews 2021.

Gel Memory Foam Mattress Queen

1. Classic Brands Cool Gel Memory Foam Mattress

We tested this mattress manufactured in China by Classic Brands and the first we noticed was its beautiful design. Apart from looking attractive, the mattress offers exceptional comfort and pressure relief.

Comfort level: The Classis Brands Cool Gel queen mattress overall gives a medium-firm feel and that is why it is very comfortable for medium weighted users. However, because of the medium firmness, it will suit most of the sleepers.

Motion isolation: None of the movements from your partner can disturb you while you are on this Cool Gel mattress. It does a brilliant job at motion absorption.

Good for:

Also Check: How Often Should You Get New Mattress

Benefits Of A Memory Foam Mattress

A memory foam mattress may suit people with back conditions.

Memory foam mattresses offer spinal support by forming the shape of the persons body and distributing the weight evenly. This can reduce stress on the body and relieve back pain.

A memory foam mattress may benefit people with pressure ulcers. A 2017 study found that adding a memory foam layer to hospital mattresses reduced pressure injuries in patients with severe illness.

A memory foam mattress may also suit people who feel the cold or sleep in cooler climates. The mattress retains heat well.

What Is Gel Memory Foam

Gel memory foam mattresses are made by either adding gel beads to memory foam, swirling liquid gel into memory foam, or adding gel on top of the comfort layer. Cooling gel helps in dissipating heat, allowing you to sleep cool while retaining memory foams original body-conforming and pressure-relieving features.

What goes into the cooling gel is a closely guarded secret by mattress manufacturers. Some mattresses have a thermal gel inside that absorbs body heat to lower body temperature, while others use chemicals known as phase-changing materials or PCMthey start out solid at room temperature and change into liquid from body heat. There are some complaints that gel memory foams cooling effect may be temporary because once the PCM changes state from solid to liquid, the heat remains trapped in the mattress.

Some gel memory foam beds may have better cooling abilities than others. The performance of gel memory foam also depends on the structure of the other mattress layers and how hot the sleeper gets at night. Gel memory foam in a hybrid performs better than in an all-foam mattress because the layer of coils in the hybrid enhances the mattresses breathability. In all-foam models, factors like the mattresses cover material, breathability, and heat affect the gel memory foam layers effectiveness.

Read Also: Where Can I Buy An Avocado Green Mattress

Difference Between Memory Foam And Gel Foam

The main difference between memory foam and gel memory foam is heat retention.

Traditional memory foam can trap body heat as a side effect of the foams density. If too much heat accumulates in the mattress, it can disturb your sleep and cause you to wake in a sweat.

Adding cooling gels to the foam mixture improves the mattresss heat dispersion. The gels absorb heat and wick it awayand the more evenly the gels are distributed throughout the bed, the better they are at carrying away body heat.

As gel memory foam requires more materials, it comes with a higher price tag than regular memory foam.

Infusing gels is not the only way to create a more cooling mattress. Many manufacturers incorporate other materials such as copper or graphite or they substitute select petrochemicals with plant-based oils.

Should You Ditch Your Current Organic Mattress

Not if its working for you. If you have no body pains and aches, you sleep deep and sound and you dont feel hot and sweaty, I see no good reason for you to change. You may find that the mattress loses its firmness in the near future I would then re-evaluate your next mattress option and give either Organix by Intellibed or EOS by Naturepedic a consideration.

Recommended Reading: How To Break In A Firm Mattress

Is Memory Foam Toxic

Historically, memory foam could contain any number of potentially toxic chemicals. For example, diisocyanates can irritate the mouth, nose, and eyes, and TDI in particular may be carcinogenic. Other substances could also be used during the manufacturing process. However, as new research sheds light on the harmful effects of certain chemicals, more and more manufacturers are moving away from using these substances. Todays mattresses are usually considered harmless, and any chemicals used during manufacturing are generally fairly stable by the time they reach your house.

Companies usually prefer not to divulge the exact ingredients they use to make their memory foam, as these blends are considered a trade secret. Although not all harmful chemicals are banned from use, most mattress companies voluntarily subscribe to inspections by third-party organizations that test the foams for the most common harmful chemicals. The Federal Trade Commission has cracked down in recent years on companies who make non-toxic claims without being able to back them up.

Polyfoam Can Contain Toxins

Memory foam is made from petroleum-derived polyurethane foam which contains substances that may potentially be toxic when inhaled in large quantities.

More specifically, polyfoam is made by combining diisocyanates and polyols, with carbon dioxide typically being used as a blowing agent to create the softness associated with a mattress or sofa .

Diisocyanates are classified as potential human carcinogens and may cause occupational asthma, lung problems, chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and irritation of the mucous membranes .

However, the concern with diisocyanates is primarily confined to the manufacturing process where the materials are raw and capable of damage. Conversely, when they are present in a finished memory foam mattress they are inert and less harmful although they can still off-gas and potentially release toxins to some extent.

You May Like: Where Can You Buy A Futon Mattress