Is memory foam smell toxic
Robert Spencer
Published Mar 11, 2026
Is off-gassing from memory foam toxic or dangerous? The short answer is no. While the odor from mattress off-gassing is unpleasant, it’s not harmful to most people. A small percentage of owners report difficulty breathing, headaches, nausea, eye and throat irritation, and asthma.
Does memory foam have toxic chemicals?
Toxic chemicals in memory foam Some memory foam mattresses contain toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde, benzene, and naphthalene. Memory foam may contain isocyanates, which, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin.
How do you get the chemical smell out of a memory foam mattress?
Baking Soda Solution Baking soda — the same type used to deodorize a refrigerator — also helps de-fume memory foam. After airing out the memory foam, sprinkle baking soda all over the mattress, topper or pillow and allow it to sit for an hour or so. Vacuum away the baking soda with an upholstery brush attachment.
How long does it take for memory foam to stop smelling?
Most memory-foam mattresses take up to three days before the off-gassing dissipates. Highly sensitive people or those with chemical allergies should wait even longer than three days before sleeping on the bed.Can memory foam cause health problems?
Yes, memory foam is safe. Studies have shown memory foam does not cause cancer or other health issues, although that is a common misconception. The chemical smell that comes with memory foam often dissipates within a few days.
Which mattress has the least chemicals?
- Best overall non-toxic mattress: Avocado Green Mattress.
- Best low cost non-toxic mattress: T&N Original Mattress.
- Best hypoallergenic non-toxic mattress: Birch Natural Mattress by Helix.
- Best luxury non-toxic mattress: Awara Organic Luxury Hybrid Mattress.
Why does my new mattress smell like chemicals?
Most new mattresses will have a certain chemical odor when they are first delivered. … After you open the box and lay out your mattress, the foam starts to expand and some components used to make the mattress will start to break down. These VOCs are then released as a gas, causing the distinct off-gassing smell.
Is Ikea memory foam toxic?
There is no need to worry. Customers should always feel confident that products bought at IKEA are safe and healthy to use. IKEA products must not contain any harmful chemical substances. They shall fulfil all legal requirements, but they shall also fulfil, or even exceed, customer expectations.Can my mattress make me sick?
You feel safe, secure and snuggly. But what’s inside your bed may be making you sick, not safe. There’s a multitude of contaminants – bacteria, fungi and allergens – that you can’t see but studies show are there. When you move around as you sleep, you kick them up until the air and breathe them in.
How do you get the chemical smell out of a mattress topper?When it comes to your mattress topper it’s pretty simple – you just sprinkle the baking soda on top of the topper and allow it to sit for several hours. Then, vacuum the powder up. You might have to repeat the process though, depending on how strong the odor is.
Article first time published onHow do you get the chemical smell out of a memory foam pillow?
Memory foam often has a chemical smell, known as “off-gassing.” It should fade within a few days of opening your new pillow, but if it does not, you can air it out under a fan or put it out in the sun for a few hours. If this doesn’t work, try sprinkling it with baking soda, which absorbs the smell.
How toxic are mattresses?
Chemical Off-Gassing Flame retardants, formaldehyde, and benzene have been found in some mattresses and can be linked to health issues such as cancer, infertility, and developmental brain disorders. If your mattress is off-gassing harmful chemicals, you’re breathing in those toxins for hours every night.
Will memory foam smell go away?
Simply: no. Memory foam mattresses or sleeping pillows you get right out of the box might first introduce itself with an unpleasant odor. This is resolved with time and ventilation. In a room where the air can vent out (i.e. air conditioning, open windows), the smell will go away naturally in three to seven days.
How long does off-gassing last?
Off-gassing doesn’t stop when the smell stops either. The ‘new smell’ may disappear after a week or so but the fumes are still being emitted – they’re just much more subtle. Off-gassing can last between six months and five years depending on the household item and the chemicals used to treat it.
What does off-gassing smell like?
Some of the most common chemicals off-gassed from household items include formaldehyde, benzene, ammonia, and toluene. While off-gassing can be easily identified by so-called “new car” and “new carpet” smells, it can also be odorless. Sound scary?
Is high density foam toxic?
Just like almost every other substance on the planet, polyurethane foam off-gasses, or releases compounds into the air. Yes, you breathe in these compounds when you sleep on these mattresses. But no, they’re not going to hurt you.
Is Novaform memory foam toxic?
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Is petroleum based foam safe?
Foam is made from petroleum using a “witches brew” of toxic chemicals. Over time, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from foam are released into the air where you are exposed to them. Also, because foam is highly flammable, a large amount of toxic flame retardants are often added.
Are foam mattresses toxic?
Potentially Toxic Materials Used in Memory Foam Common harmful chemicals that were historically found in memory foam mattresses include: Methylbenzene: Methylbenzene, more commonly known as toluene, is a clear liquid that occurs naturally in crude oil. Toluene is toxic when inhaled in large quantities.
Why does my memory foam pillow smell?
Memory foam pillows release a chemical smell when they’re first purchased, this is known as off-gassing. The off-gassing happens when the chemicals in the pillow break down and disperse in the air. These emissions stem from volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
What mattress is the healthiest to sleep?
- Best Overall – Saatva Latex Hybrid.
- Best Value – Eco Terra.
- Best for Side Sleepers – Birch Mattress.
- Most Comfortable – WinkBeds EcoCloud.
- Best for Back Pain – PlushBeds Botanical Bliss.
- Best Cooling – Nolah Natural 11.
- Best Pressure Relief – Awara Premier Latex Hybrid.
Which mattresses are toxic?
Antimony, Boric Acid, and Halogenated Flame Retardants (HFRs) are some other commonly used chemicals found in mattresses. Antimony is a toxic heavy metal which can cause eye, heart, and lung problems. Boric Acid can cause eye and respiratory irritation.
Are Endy mattresses toxic?
At Endy, we ensure our products are safe for the environment and safe for you. All Endy foams are CertiPUR-US® certified. This means that the foams we use are free of formaldehyde, phthalates, and flame retardants, as verified by an independent third-party organization.
What happens to a mattress after 10 years?
One frightening statistic: The average mattress will double its weight in 10 years as a result of being filled with dead dust mites and their detritus. Facts like these can send even the most skeptical consumer running for the dust mop.
Can memory foam cause headaches?
These chemicals can give off a bad smell when the pillow is new. This is called off-gassing. Some people may be extra-sensitive to the odor. It may cause a hard time breathing, headaches, nausea, eye and throat irritation, or asthma.
Is memory foam hypoallergenic?
Many foam mattresses resist common allergens and memory foam is generally considered to be hypoallergenic. Dense foam, in general, is not a conducive environment for dust mites.
Are Ikea mattresses chemical free?
IKEA children’s mattresses sold in the U.S. have a fiber-mix barrier as described above. The fiber-batting is quilted into the mattress cover and is not treated with any flame-retardant chemicals. (Note from Maia: So the crib mattresses are at least free of all fire-retardants!).
Is silica safe in mattresses?
Hydrated silica is naturally derived from silica (silicon dioxide), an abundant compound that forms about 12 percent of the earth’s surface. Hydrated silica has a long history of safe use as an ingredient in food products. It acts as a natural and non-toxic flame retardant in our Vegan Latex Mattress.
Are Sleep Number beds toxic?
#3 It’s Non-Toxic.
What is off gassing in a mattress?
Off-gassing occurs when you remove a mattress from its packaging for the first time. … The term off-gassing typically refers to volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. VOCs are a specific byproduct of the synthetic foam manufacturing process, so they’re most common in mattresses that contain polyfoam or memory foam.
What exactly is memory foam?
Memory foam is what is known as “viscoelastic” polyurethane foam, or low-resistance polyurethane foam (LRPu). It is created by adding various compounds and additives to polyurethane, which change depending on the type of foam being created.