Does a Latex Mattress Off Gas?

May 10, 2018

When shopping for a new mattress, many people choose their mattress based on comfort or price. It's important to know that there are many more features to explore before you can select the perfect mattress for your needs. One of the most important features you should consider, is whether or not it's a safe mattress. Shopping for safe mattresses is common today and many mattress buyers ask - which mattresses off gas, and which ones don’t?

So does a latex mattress off gas? Great question. Let’s find out a little more about what off gassing really means.

What Exactly Does Off Gassing Mean?

Many people wonder… is off gassing real? Yes, off gassing is very real. In fact, new mattress off gassing is quite common. The reason why many people don’t know about off gassing is because it’s not something that mattress retailers want to talk about, so they simply don’t bring it up. Off gassing is a term that’s used to describe the release of chemicals that are often used when making a mattress. After a mattress is made, it’s completely wrapped in plastic in order to protect it, which keeps all of those harmful chemicals inside. When the new mattress owner removes the plastic, all of those chemicals begin to off gas and release into the room.

Is Off Gassing Toxic?

It can be. Many of the lesser quality mattresses that are made today, contain polyurethane foam, which has been recognized as a toxic substance by the Environmental Protection Agency. Off gassing means that toxic materials are breaking down, and dispersing into the air. When someone breathes in these toxins, some of the side effects they can experience include breathing trouble, nausea and allergic reactions.

So are new mattress fumes toxic? Yes, they can be toxic. The level of toxicity is going to depend on how many chemicals are used when making the mattress. And because off gassing symptoms are going to vary, it’s not always easy for the new mattress owner to relate any symptoms they may be experiencing to the off gassing of the new mattress.

Is Off Gassing Dangerous?

Yes, off gassing can be dangerous. It tends to take at least a week, for most of the chemicals to be released from a new mattress, and most people will sleep on their new mattress before it’s able to release all of these chemicals. While some "experts" may say that breathing in small amounts of these chemicals every day isn’t going to cause any harm, other experts say that studies now show that long-term exposure to these chemicals can indeed create health problems.

Which Mattresses Off Gas the Least?

There’s no way to tell which mattress, made using toxic chemicals, is going to off gas the least. Any mattress that is made using chemicals, is definitely going to emit harmful chemicals into the air. Everyone deserves to sleep on a safe mattress - any amount of off gassing is unacceptable.

Does a Latex Mattress Off Gas?

The only time someone may experience off gassing from a latex bed is when they buy synthetic or blended (a blend of natural and synthetic materials) one, and is labeled as a latex mattress. 

Some hybrid mattresses use a layer of synthetic latex on top of an innerspring mattress, in order to provide more comfort. A mattress that uses synthetic or blended latex contains very little natural latex. This means it will produce unhealthy off gassing.

Synthetic vs. All-Natural Latex

A synthetic latex mattress is made with man-made materials and additives with chemicals - those mattresses typically off gas. A botanical mattress is made using natural materials. Natural latex mattresses do not off gas. 

Non-Toxic Mattress = No Off Gassing

So what are the qualities of a nontoxic mattress?

• Natural Latex
• Organic Wool
• Organic Cotton

Best Mattress Without Off Gassing?

The Eco Terra Mattress is one that cares about their customers health and therefore only uses natural latex when making mattresses. 

Eco Terra Mattress Benefits

The Eco Terra Natural Latex Hybrid Mattress is a safe mattress because it’s made using plants. Plant derived natural latex mattresses are becoming more and more popular because they don’t contain any harmful chemicals, they are made using a sustainable harvesting system and they are good for the environment.

The Eco Terra All Natural Mattress:

• Is made using Natural Latex
• Is Hypoallergenic
• Comes with the finest stretch Organic Cotton Cover
• Offers sleepers a safe sleeping surface

Eco Terra is so confident that those who are shopping for a new mattress will absolutely love sleeping on a safe all natural latex mattress, as it doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals and they are able to take advantage of a 90-night trial! Since there’s absolutely nothing to lose, this is one of the best mattress offers available online today.

---

Also in Eco Terra's Healthy Sleep Blog