What could be the reasons?
Why does a new mattress smell - spring or springless? As a rule, all types of mattresses consist of several layers or blocks of fillers (including thinner layers).
Glue
Most often, the source of the smell is the glue that is used to glue the layers together. In mattresses with an independent spring block, in addition to gluing felt and softening layers to the spring block, according to technology, each individual cover with a spring is glued to adjacent covers. There can be three reasons for the chemical smell - poor-quality glue, the so-called overdose of glue, or “under-drying”.
Gluing mattresses together is exactly the case when the mattress in the cabin does not smell of anything, but the new, packaged item delivered to you emits an unpleasant odor. If the finished unit was immediately placed in a case, then into packaging and into a warehouse (or into your home), a characteristic unpleasant odor is inevitable for at least 5 days. This point does not always indicate the use of low-quality glue, but rather the desire of the manufacturer to quickly sell an “under-seasoned” product. The good news is that the glues used by some factories do not smell at all.
Reference! By the way, glueless technology, whatever you say, is not the best option. Unless, of course, we are talking about a rather expensive thermal bonding process (not applicable to all materials) or an equally expensive, painstaking, manual process of hidden “picking”.
Components
Another source of foreign odors can be low-quality synthetic fillers and foams. Sometimes models with seemingly natural, organic fillers also emit an incomprehensible chemical odor.
All of the above cases are a vivid example of the consequences of violation of production technology.
Professional products for removing unpleasant odors
The chemical industry produces a large selection of cleaning products for upholstered furniture and mattresses, eliminating foreign odors. They are usually used by dry cleaners and cleaning companies.
DuftaPet
A product to combat the odor of animal urine. The action is based on the breakdown of substances that give urine odor by plant enzymes. The drug is sprayed over the urine stain and covered with plastic wrap for 1 hour. Then let it dry naturally.
Nature's Miracle Stain & Odor Remover
A universal product with a light citrus aroma to eliminate the odors of urine, sweat, tobacco, dampness, and vomit. Mainly used for waterproof surfaces. Instructions on the package.
Stain & Odor Remover
A universal product that destroys organic odors, including those from the urine of cats and dogs. Use according to manufacturer's instructions.
What are the forecasts?
In the best case, the smell from the mattress will gradually disappear (within a maximum of one month). In some cases, manufacturers warn the consumer that the odor will naturally dissipate over a certain (stated) time. However, what if the smell does not go away after a long time, and is also quite “acrid”? This phenomenon should be alarming. In this situation, the safety of sleeping on this product, unfortunately, is called into question.
How to remove a greasy stain
Many young people like to have breakfast right in bed, then carefully clean away any greasy traces of food.
What product can you use to remove fat? Many housewives believe that the most effective product is dishwashing gel. Apply the gel to the fat, leave it for 30-40 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with water.
You can put a paper napkin and iron it with an iron. The fat will remain on the napkin. Potato starch or talcum powder sprinkled on the fat will absorb it. Then just shake off the powder and that’s it, the fat should disappear.
A noticeable mark may also remain from chewing gum. Ice is applied to it, then scraped off with a knife.
The hardest thing to clean off are marks from a ballpoint pen. Hydrogen peroxide will help here, especially if the mattress is white.
Learn more about chemical odors
The most common problem with new mattress odor is the glue. Today, manufacturers use mainly 4 types of adhesives. Much depends on the type of glue used in production and the sufficient amount of time allocated for its polymerization and drying. Next, we will consider the main types of adhesive bases. Understanding the question will help you determine whether the odor from a mattress is harmful.
Acetone
A flammable solvent that evaporates quickly and dries within 24 hours. Demanding on the production process. The use of acetone implies the presence of a working ventilation system in the workshops. As a rule, acetone disappears during production and the mattress arrives to the consumer without a pungent chemical odor. If the technology is violated (increased amount of glue and “under-weathering”), the period of vapor evaporation may increase.
Methyl chloride (dichloromethane)
Non-flammable solvents made from rubber are considered the safest. At the same time, during the production process they emit a characteristic odor. They require sufficient time for polymerization and compliance with certain proportions. “Under-drying” is a common cause of unpleasant odor. Also, if more glue is applied than necessary, the smell will be clearly noticeable.
Conclusion! The presence of odor in the finished product may indicate a violation of the production technology.
Hot melt glue
This type of adhesive composition is made on the basis of polyolefins. During the production process (when heated), it releases a certain amount of carcinogens, but when it cools down, it does not emit an unpleasant odor and remains elastic.
Water based adhesives
These adhesive compositions emit virtually no odor, but take a long time to dry. This is partly due to the requirement of applying a sufficiently thick layer. If the glue is not allowed to dry completely and the mattress is covered and packed prematurely, it can become a source of mold or mildew. As a result, there is a characteristic shade of mustiness and dampness.
Reference! In addition, the effectiveness (adhesiveness) of aqueous adhesives directly depends on strict adherence to process conditions, which require, among other things, the presence of a maintained high temperature in the work shop.
Non-specialized adhesives
From time to time you may encounter situations where unscrupulous manufacturers use not highly specialized adhesives, but joint mixtures with a wider range of applications. As a result, an unpleasant odor and a shorter service life of the product. After the warranty period has expired, the adhesive begins to deteriorate, causing the mattress to lose its shape.
A variety of recipes for stains
Every housewife gets upset when she notices yellow stains on a product. Many home remedies have been invented for yellow marks:
- Take 1 tbsp. l. white toothpaste, a quarter cup of hydrogen peroxide, 2 tbsp. corn starch. Apply the resulting mixture to the stain, wait until it dries, and vacuum it. If a trace remains, repeat.
- To the baking soda, add white meat tenderizer and 2 tbsp. water. Apply a thick paste to the stain and wait 20 minutes. After this, blot with a damp sponge.
- Dissolve 2 tsp. ammonia in a glass of water. Moisten a cotton pad and wipe off the stain.
- Make a thick mixture of water and starch, apply to the stain, wait until it dries, then remove with a brush.
Preliminary conclusions
Based on all of the above, we can conclude that the problem of the smell of a new mattress largely depends on non-compliance with production technology. If adhesive mixtures and solvents have been given the technological opportunity to evaporate, finished mattresses do not emit an unpleasant odor. Much also depends on the equipment, the equipment used and the quality of ventilation in production.
So, your new mattress smells - what should you do? Your concerns as a consumer are understandable. The solution to the problem depends on the agreements with the seller. Alternatively, wait until the expiration date stated by the manufacturer and see to what extent the smell dissipates, and then act in accordance with the points specified in the sale. If it is not possible to return the product, at least wait for it to dry completely. If the reason is “under-curing” of the glue, the problem will go away after polymerization is complete.
Reference! The release of a defective mattress (something went wrong) is possible even in the most trusted production facility.
Tips for caring for your mattress
- To prevent the occurrence of an unpleasant odor, you should leave the mattress open for 10-15 minutes every morning, giving it the opportunity to air out;
- Any mattress should be vacuumed at least once every three months, but the more often the better, this will help prevent the formation of insect colonies;
- Important! The mattress cover should not be washed in a washing machine, as this may cause the fabric to “shrink”. To clean, you can use a dry brush or gentle dry cleaning;
- In the first months of using a new mattress, you need to turn it over every two weeks, then once every three to four months.
By using the tips above, you can enjoy your new mattress for as long as possible, avoid operational problems, and provide yourself and your family with a comfortable night's rest.
Author: Yulia Tamanskaya especially for the website Matrasium.ru
Foreign odor depending on the type of filler
Some materials used as fillers may have their own (“natural”) odors. The presence of such an odor does not necessarily mean that the product is of poor quality.
Important! We are talking only about the odors inherent in the materials (which also disappear over a certain time), and not about violations with excess formaldehydes, polymers, and additives in the composition.
Latex
Natural latex exudes a subtle and even sweetish aroma of powdered milk or baked goods. It is noteworthy that not all people can smell this aroma.
Coconut coir
The likelihood of odor from coconut fiber greatly depends on the production technology. Completely dried, pressed (needle-punched) or latexed (latex-impregnated fiber) coconut simply cannot emit an unpleasant odor. The maximum is subtle (and soon disappearing) woody.
Foam rubber
Today there are a huge number of variations of products made from polyurethane foam and so-called memory foams. All of them are produced using the technology of foaming chemical components and petrochemical products (in compliance with global standards). As a result, there is a characteristic (non-caustic) “chemical” smell from the vapors accumulated while in the production packaging, which disappears forever after airing.
Mattress covering material
We should not forget about the covering fabric. New fabric may have a characteristic odor, which also disappears as a result of airing.
Can it be cleaned with a steam cleaner?
A steam cleaner can be used in exceptional cases when the area of contamination is too large.
When cleaning, you must adhere to the following rules:
- First you need to vacuum with a regular vacuum cleaner.
- Move the nozzle as far away as possible so that the steam does not penetrate deep into the filler.
- Use hot steam to disinfect the filler, destroying various pests in it.
Heavy soiling can also be treated with a washing vacuum cleaner. This is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to remove contaminants. The design has a tank into which soap solution is poured. When turned on, it is applied to the stain so quickly that under high pressure the dirt simply dissolves. After this, the dirty water is collected again in the unit’s tank.
How to get rid of mattress odor
If you purchased a quality product from a trusted manufacturer, the problem, as a rule, is always solved. When explaining how to remove odor from a mattress, the manufacturer usually recommends ventilation for a specified period (in case the chemical odor of a new product is an inevitable production cost for this company). To speed up the process, you can create a “draft” or place the mattress on the balcony (this procedure can only be performed in positive temperatures). If the problem turns out to be a manufacturing defect, the manufacturer, concerned about its reputation, usually settles an open dispute.
How to Remove Stains from a Mattress Using White Vinegar
Stains from urine, drinks and sweat are usually difficult to remove unless they are fresh.
If you're about to buy a new mattress, try the white vinegar method first.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup white vinegar (62 ml)
- ½ cup baking soda (50 g)
- 3 tablespoons hydrogen peroxide (30 ml)
What do we have to do?
- Sprinkle baking soda on the mattress and sprinkle it with vinegar. The soda will sizzle.
- Remove any remaining baking soda with a brush or vacuum cleaner.
- If the stain does not disappear, moisten a sponge with hydrogen peroxide and rub the stained area with it in a circular motion.
- Let the area dry in the fresh air or use a hairdryer.
We recommend reading: Apple cider vinegar and 8 ways to use it
How to choose a mattress that won't smell
To protect yourself from purchasing a mattress with an unpleasant or even dangerous odor, it is important to arm yourself with the following points.
Manufacturer . Carefully study the manufacturer's information. Be especially careful with small companies and manufacturers with a young history. Study reviews on third-party resources.
Reference! This warning does not encourage us to summarily reject all manufacturers with a young history. After all, all companies were once “young”. It's about being careful and being discerning.
Buy your mattress directly from the manufacturer. This will reduce the likelihood of purchasing a defective product, and in the event of acquiring a defective product, it will help to quickly resolve the conflict.
Glue . Pay attention to the type of glue used in production. Flammable or hot-melt adhesives dry and erode quickly. Water-based adhesives do not smell, but the production technology should not be violated, otherwise mold may appear in the mattress (and the adhesive itself will not work effectively in the finished product).
Budget . If you have a small budget, avoid buying natural latex or coconut. You can’t buy a high-quality mattress for little money, and low-quality latex or coconut can become a constant source of unpleasant odor. After such a purchase, the question: how to remove the smell from a mattress will remain unanswered!
Mattresses without glue
If you still decide to buy a glue-free mattress, we’ll tell you about their types.
- The simplest and most economical option is to buy a mattress made from a monolithic block of latex or foam. This product consists of a continuous layer; models are made without glue.
- Spring mattresses Beautyson. A distinctive feature of the factory is the assembly of mattresses by hand, where the layers are not glued together, but stitched.
Having purchased such a mattress, you can be sure that you will not smell the glue. There will be no need to ventilate the purchase before use.
Remove the packaging - and you can sleep! Remember, if you bought a mattress and it has a strong smell, you can immediately replace it! Manufacturers represented in our online store use only high-quality materials and components, so you can be sure of their quality.
How to bleach and disinfect covers and bedding
Covers and bed linens are also important parts of the bed. To keep them reasonably clean, it is recommended to change them every two weeks.
You can bleach and disinfect them using hot water, lemon and vinegar.
What do we have to do?
- Boil a liter of water and add white vinegar and lemon juice.
- Remove this mixture from the heat and soak the covers and linens in it for an hour.
- Then rinse them by hand or in the washing machine.
As you can see, you can keep your mattress clean and free of mites and bacteria without purchasing expensive chemicals.
Clean it once a month and whenever necessary.
