Quick Answer: New mattress smell is off-gassing, the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from foam. In CertiPUR-US certified foams these stay below 0.5 parts per million, under the levels Health Canada considers harmful. The smell is strongest the first 24 to 72 hours, so air the mattress out 24 to 48 hours before sleeping on it.
Brad Grose, Owner, Mattress Miracle: "We have been helping Brantford families sleep better since 1997. Every customer gets personal attention, honest advice, and the kind of follow-up service you just do not get from big box stores."
New mattress smell (off-gassing) is caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from foam materials. CertiPUR-US certified foams have been tested for harmful emissions and meet safety standards. The smell is strongest in the first 24-72 hours and typically gone within 1-2 weeks. While unpleasant, certified mattresses are considered safe. To minimize exposure: unwrap in a well-ventilated room, open windows, and wait 24-48 hours before sleeping on it.
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What Causes Off-Gassing
Foam mattresses (memory foam, polyfoam, and hybrid mattresses with foam layers) are made through chemical processes that produce volatile organic compounds. When a new mattress is unwrapped, especially a compressed bed-in-a-box that has been sealed for weeks, these VOCs are released into the air. This is the "new mattress smell."
Common VOCs from foam mattresses include formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, and methylene chloride. In CertiPUR-US certified foams, these are present at very low levels, well below safety thresholds established by health authorities.
Is It Safe?
What CertiPUR-US Means
CertiPUR-US is an independent certification program that tests foam for: emissions (VOCs below 0.5 parts per million), content (no mercury, lead, heavy metals, formaldehyde, phthalates, PBDE flame retardants), and durability. Most major mattress brands sold in Canada use CertiPUR-US certified foam. This does not mean zero chemicals, it means emissions are below levels considered harmful by regulatory standards.
For most people, sleeping on a new certified mattr
ess after 24-48 hours of airing out is safe. However, people with chemical sensitivities, asthma, or respiratory conditions may want to allow a longer ventilation period (5-7 days) or consider a natural latex or organic mattress with minimal foam processing.
Reducing the Smell
Off-Gassing Reduction Tips
(1) Unwrap the mattress in a well-ventilated room. Open windows if possible. (2) Let it air for 24-48 hours before sleeping on it. 72 hours is better for sensitive individuals. (3) Run a fan or air purifier in the room during the first few days. (4) Baking soda sprinkled on the surface (then vacuumed after a few hours) can absorb some odour. (5) Once the initial smell fades, use a mattress protector to contain any residual emissions. (6) Bed-in-a-box mattresses off-gas more initially because they have been compressed and sealed.
In-Store Mattresses Off-Gas Less
One advantage of buying from Mattress Miracle: our floor models have already aired out. And mattresses delivered from our stock have not been compressed in a sealed bag for weeks like online bed-in-a-box options. Less compression time means less trapped VOCs. If off-gassing concerns you, buying from a physical store and having a non-compressed mattress delivered reduces the initial smell significantly.
Find Your Perfect Mattress at Mattress Miracle
We are a family-owned mattress store in Brantford, helping our community sleep better since 1997. Come try mattresses in person and get honest, no-pressure advice.
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario
Call 519-770-0001Frequently Asked Questions
How long does off-gassing last?
Strong smell: 24-72 hours. Faint smell: up to 2 weeks. Completely gone: 2-4 weeks. Higher quality foams with better certifications typically off-gas faster and less intensely.
Is off-gassing worse with bed-in-a-box?
Yes. Compression in sealed plastic traps VOCs. When unwrapped, they release all at once. Traditional delivery mattresses that were not compressed have less intense initial off-gassing.
Do latex mattresses off-gas?
Natural latex has a mild rubber smell that fades quickly. It produces fewer VOCs than polyurethane foam. Organic latex mattresses have the least off-gassing of any foam type. Synthetic latex blends off-gas more like standard foam.
Can off-gassing cause headaches?
Some people report headaches during the first 24-48 hours. This is usually from the concentrated smell rather than toxic exposure. Ventilation resolves it quickly. If symptoms persist beyond a few days, consult your doctor.
Should I be worried about off-gassing with a baby or child?
Children are more sensitive to VOCs. Air out a new mattress for at least 72 hours (preferably a week) in a well-ventilated room before a child sleeps on it. Use a CertiPUR-US certified mattress and a waterproof protector.
Sources
- Jacobson BH, Boolani A, Smith DB. Changes in back pain, sleep quality, and perceived stress after introduction of new bedding systems. J Chiropr Med. 2009;8(1):1-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcm.2008.09.002
- Radwan A, Fess P, James D, et al. Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment in adults with or without back pain. Sleep Health. 2015;1(4):257-267. DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2015.08.001
- Kovacs FM, Abraira V, Peña A, et al. Effect of firmness of mattress on chronic non-specific low-back pain: randomised, double-blind, controlled, multicentre trial. Lancet. 2003;362(9396):1599-1604. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(03)14792-7
Visit Mattress Miracle
Find us at 441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario. Rated 4.9 stars on Google. Family-owned since 1997.
Sources
- Health Canada. (2023). Indoor Air Quality: Volatile Organic Compounds. canada.ca
- CertiPUR-US. (2024). Foam Certification Standards. certipur.us
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Mattress Miracle , 441½ West Street, Brantford, ON · (519) 770-0001
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