Getting Rid Of This Smell
Here are some suggestions for getting rid of the smell from your new mattress. Some of these will begin to function right immediately.
- First and foremost, make sure your home is adequately ventilated. To produce ventilation, this involves opening the windows and keeping the doors open! Allowing the smell to disperse throughout your house does not guarantee that every area will smell. Why? Because the gases are less concentrated, they will be less intense.
- To speed up the procedure from step 1, you can use a fan or a dehumidifier.
- Open your mattress in a garage or perhaps in the yard if it isnt too late. If you havent completely removed the packing, place the mattress in your garage for a few days to get rid of the smell.
- Apply an enzyme spray to the mattress. While these sprays were meant to eliminate bodily smells, such as urine from a mattress, they can also aid in the off-gassing of smells. They also have a variety of hidden applications, as this article explains. Although I strongly advise conducting a test run first to verify the enzyme spray does not discolor, spray the mattress surface directly according to the manufacturers recommendations.
Watch this video to get prepared in cleaning your mattress.
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How Can You Dispose Of A Memory Foam Mattress Topper
If youd like to get rid of your topper, consider donating it to a charitable organization in your city or town. Like mattresses and other bedding accessories, toppers are in high demand and will be accepted at most donation outlets. You can also recycle the topper rather than tossing it into a landfill. If your sleep trial for the topper has not expired, contact the manufacturer to see if an exchange or refund is available. You may also qualify for a free replacement topper if it has developed a defect and the warranty hasnt expired.
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Make New Cushions And Pillows
Old memory foam mattress is a fantastic option to repurpose your cushions and pillows. Like mattresses, these bedding accessories do wear out and become saggy.
Just re-stuff your pillows and cushions with the memory foam layers, and Voila! Fluffy and firmer cushions are ready. Follow the simple process of taking proper measurements of your cushions and pillows.
Then mark the size on the memory foam mattress surface and cut it out. Replace the existing stuffing with the memory foam layer and stitch.
The final output can provide you with good support to your neck and back. Even the foam mattress cover can be reused after washing. It can be made into floor cushions.
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How To Get Rid Of Your Old Mattress
If youve made the decision to invest in a new mattress or are simply turning your guest room into an office, when you have an old mattress to dispose of, you have several good options:
- Buy a new mattress from a manufacturer or retailer that will manage disposal of the old one.
- Donate your old mattress to an organization that accepts them.
- Take it to a mattress recycling organization.
- Find a new home and new owners for it.
- Hire someone to pick up your old mattress.
- Reuse and repurpose it.
Do All Mattresses Smell Nowadays
The primary source of that infamous smell is the memory foam within pocket-sprung mattresses therefore, they wont smell too bad. A pure pocket spring, of course, will not have any memory foam. However, the latex and fabric covering may leave a lingering smell. If youre looking for a pocket spring, check out my guide to the finest ones on the market right now.
Start by seeking a mattress with a Certi-our certification if you want to limit your chemical exposure or dont want to deal with the scent. Although this organization was founded in the United States, it is currently used by many British mattress retailers and manufacturers. In a nutshell, they test mattresses for a range of health and safety concerns, and their seal signifies that a Centipur bed emits very little or no volatile organic compounds . CFCs, phthalates, heavy metals, formaldehyde, and PBDEs are all tested, so your Centipur-approved mattress should be free of these as well.
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The mattress business wants to minimize the infamous smell, but believe me when I say it can be rather unpleasant at times. I can still smell most of the mattresses I evaluated on this website, and on certain days I can nearly taste them.
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Ways To Recycle Memory Foam
Memory foam can be recycled .
However, memory foam is made from polyurethane a polymer of plastic that once manufactured into a foam cannot be broken down to make a non-foam, polyurethane product it can only be shredded to make new memory foam or other foam-based products like the padding for car seats .
For example, a memory foam mattress cant be recycled to make a non-foam product like a watchband, and must instead be cut up using a machine to be repurposed as shown in the video below.
Furthermore, a large amount of manual work is required to actually get the memory foam out of the mattress pushing up time and costs to the point where manufacturers of memory foam products typically find it cheaper to create them from scratch using fresh polyurethane.
This means that whilst memory foam toppers and pillows are easier to recycle than a memory foam mattress because you dont have to cut through several deeper layers to get to the memory foam, theres typically not much demand for reclaimed memory foam.
This can make it difficult to find a recycling center near you that will take your memory foam mattress, topper, or pillows.
But it is possible.
And in the rest of this article, Im going to show you 4 ways to recycle or otherwise dispose of your memory foam mattress, pillows, or topper in a way thats more eco friendly than just dumping them in the trash.
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Always Use Clean Bedsheets
The first thing you need to focus on is to keep your pillow covers as well as your bedsheets clean and dry. Dont let the bed bugs grow in your memory foam mattress. Keeping your bedsheets dry and clean makes it difficult for bed bugs to reproduce. As a result, you will be able to protect yourself from an infestation.
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Are You Ready To Fix Your Mattress
A good mattress should maintain an even, smooth surface for at least seven years, give or take depending on the mattress type. When the top of your mattress starts to dip along with your sleep quality, its time to re-evaluate your sleeping situation.
Are you in the market for a completely new mattress, or can you patch things up with one of the ideas weve presented here? Whichever route you choose, be sure it doesnt further damage the bed or your back. For more tips on choosing a good mattress, check out our article here.
The Best Mattress Services Nationwide
Whenever you need a mattress broken down or removed, save your energy and let background checked professionals do the handiwork. Whether its carefully cutting the memory foam or hauling off your king mattress, youll know youre in good hands. For prices often 20 30% less than other junk haulers, schedule an affordable mattress removal service with Mattress Disposal Plus today.
Ready to take care of the mattress?BOOK ONLINE
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How To Recycle Your Old Mattress
When its time to recycle your old mattress, look for the nearest participating recyclers in your area. Residents can drop their old bed at no-cost to for a reimbursement of $3 per mattress with a limit of five units per person per day. If you bought a new mattress and need to get rid of the old one, the law requires retailers that are delivering the new one to give the consumer the chance to have the old one picked up during delivery at no extra cost. However, if you bought your mattress from an online company, they are not subject to this law and retailers have the right to not take back a used mattress that may be a health or safety risk.
Who Can Pick Up An Old Mattress
In theory, almost anyone COULD pick up an old mattress, but this could potentially put you and your family at risk. When looking to get rid of an old mattress you want to make sure you call a qualified, experienced and most importantly, an insured company. Many fly-by-night companies are more than happy to remove your items for a fee, however lots of these operations dont carry appropriate insurance or WCB coverage to make sure you, the customer, is protected. Always make sure you ask these questions when hiring a junk removal service.
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Repurposing Into Household Items
There are many creative ways how you can reuse your old mattress topper if you cant recycle it or give it to someone.
If you have pets, you can cut your memory foam mattress topper to a perfect size that will suit your dog or cat. You can either wrap a piece of a sheet or sew some fabric around it to make sure the foam stays in its place and to make it more comfortable.
So, a mattress topper can serve as a cheap alternative to branded dog beds which can be a great solution for senior-aged pets, especially if your old mattress topper is a memory foam topper since memory foam supports joints.
Besides this, you can also use the foam from your old mattress topper to stuff the chairs or make comfortable cushions for garden benches.
Old memory foam mattress toppers can be used during camping trips for padding under sleeping bags since memory foam reacts according to body temperature and can be a great heating solution when you are camping.
In addition, you can use the foam from your old mattress topper to create lumbar support pillows for vehicles and desk chairs by cutting the foam down to a size that will comfortably fit your lower backwhile you are sitting.
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Some Mattress Brands Will Pick Up
Having a new mattress delivered? In states like California, your retailer is required to take your old mattress back when they deliver a new one to you, as long as it’s in acceptable condition. Be sure to read the fine print when purchasing your mattress so you know what kind of delivery and old mattress removal arrangements you’re paying for.
Mattress recycling programs vary by city and state.
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Contact Local Board Of Health Or Health Department
You can call your municipality or citys Board of Health or local Health Department and ask about any recycling programs they may sponsor. Many public works departments and local health boards have recycling programs that focus on recycling mattresses. This information can usually be found with a simple search, or by visiting you local governments website.
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Try Additional Mattress Supports
Sometimes the solution doesnt involve fixing the top layers of your mattress, but the core support layers instead. You can try bolstering the underside of your bed using a few different products. Some of them may be items you already have laying around the house, while others require you to invest some extra money to get that good night of rest.
If you search for sagging mattress supports on Google or Amazon, some products will come up that amplify the support under your mattress.
These support systems work to lift your foam mattress a few inches off the slats or to completely fill gaps between the slats. Essentially, they act as an extra support core for your mattress, lifting the sagging portions upward and keeping the mattress surface even. These supports are usually made with high-density foam or a sheet of plywood.
You can also reinforce your bed using metal support bars, also sold on Amazon or other online retailers.
One of the cheapest ways to reinforce your mattress only requires a few old pillows youve got sitting around the house. Simply slip them under your mattress where youve noticed the most sagging, or, if youve got lots of old pillows, you can cover the entire foundation with them.
To get the most comfortable sleep and wake up every morning pain-free, read our guide on finding the best mattress for back pain.
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A Mattress Can Be Deemed Unacceptable
Unfortunately, even though you paid that $11 fee when you purchased the bed, it does not mean that it can be recycled when you are done with it. A mattress or other bedding item can be deemed unacceptable if it is contaminated and/or poses a risk to new products, personnel, or equipment. The following are examples of unacceptable items:
- Severely damaged, frozen, stained, soiled, twisted, or wet mattresses, box springs, and foundations.
- If its infested with bed bugs
- Sleeping bags
- Water beds or camping air-mattresses
- Fold-out sofa beds
- Futons & furniture
- If for whatever reason your mattress is considered to be unacceptable, you can contact your city or town to find out which disposal options are available to you.
Get Rid Of A Mattress In Other States
The Bye Bye Mattress program is run by the Mattress Recycling Council, a nonprofit organization formed by the mattress industry to operate recycling programs in those states that have enacted mattress recycling laws. The program is currently running in California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island and funded by a recycling fee collected when consumers buy a mattress or box spring.
If you are living in a state without a mattress recycling law, you still have options for getting rid of your used mattress! Check out our directory of whats available in your state here.
Getting rid of your mattress doesnt have to be hard! And you can do it while being environmentally conscious.
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Flip Or Rotate Your Mattress
Rotating your mattress on a regular basis will keep the surface even and prevent sagging from building up in the same place. However, this solution doesnt always last, and some users resort to flipping their mattress over entirely just to get a decent night of sleep.
Flipping your mattress will only work if 1) your mattress is dual-sided, meaning it was made so you can sleep on both sides or 2) you prefer sleeping on the much firmer side with the support cores on top. Sleep Junkie doesnt recommend this option for most traditional mattresses because the support core is meant to be the foundation. If you flip the comfort layer to the bottom, your mattress may start to sag even more. In short, you should really only flip your mattress if its dual-sided.
Keep in mind that flippable mattresses may sound convenient, but they dont always have the same hefty core construction that non-flippable beds do. They are built with comfort foam layers on both sides, so they may cause problems for you later.
Use A Waterproof Mattress Pad
A surprising number of people whove experienced accidents already had a mattress pad, but it didnt perform to expectations. If youve had a leak, then its time to invest in a new one thats waterproof. And, it goes without saying that if you dont have a mattress pad, this should be your very next purchase. Even if youre not worried about accidents, the right protector will keep your bed feeling new and fresh longer.
This concept is especially true if you ever need to file a warranty claim with your mattress manufacturer. Not many people know this, but having a stained mattress often voids any warranties.
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Recycle Your Old Mattress
Although mattress materials are not typically biodegradable, most of them can be repurposed once the mattress is taken apart:
- The springs and coils can be melted and made into new objects
- The wood can be chipped and burned for fuel or used in mulch
- The foams can be shredded for carpet padding or moving pads
- The cotton and other fibers can be used in insulation or filters
More than 50 mattress recycling programs exist in North America now. Most of them accept used mattresses for a processing fee of $15 or less, and many of them are nonprofits that benefit local communities. Some provide pick-up services while others require drop off.
Source: East Bay Times
To identify recycling facilities in your area, you can visit Earth911.org and explore their directory by zip code. You can also research nearby facilities on the International Sleep Products Association website or through, an organization created to battle the effects of overflowing landfills. If youre buying a new mattress, ask your online or local retail source if they partner with any recycling programs in your area.
Remember that state laws may apply where you live. To learn more about laws that may impact you, you can visit the Programs by State section found on Bye-Bye Mattress.
