Question from Janet Scarth
My husband and I bought a latex foam mattress topper. We’ve had it airing out for the past month (outside and in the garage) and it still smells. We put in on our bed for the first time yesterday. We put it in a zipper vinyl mattress protector (which we aired out for a week) and the odour is still there. Will it ever go away? Any ideas on how to get rid of the odour?
Debra’s Answer
I don’t know how to get rid of the odor except time.
I have said many times that I do not personally buy latex products because of the odor.
Readers, any suggestions?
My husband and I bought natural rubber laxet mattresses. I’m sorry to say that 7 years later, they still outgass that latex odor. We let them air out for over 1 year, before using them, because I could not handle the odor. For the last 5 years we’ve had them covered with 2 layers of 6 mml polyethylene plastic sheets held together with duct tape. This has blocked the smell from being noticeable to me while sleeping. But, when I change the cotton mattress protector which is a few layers below the fitted sheet, I can still smell the latex. Luckily, the plastic sheets have eliminated the severe allergic reactions I was having to the latex. When finances permit, we will replace our mattresses. We also air out our house 2x per day with window fans and this really helps with air quality. Good luck; I hope it works out for you!
Latex foam is safe and without order if it is made exclusively from natural rubber. Other foam is made from Petro based components and it will never stop offgassing.
At my store, Goodnight Room NYC, we only sell products from 100% natural rubber latex. It is much more expensive to buy, but may save you medical costs and more in the future.
Alison
I use an essential oil “Stress less” which has helped. Just a couple of drops once a week on a pillow I bought
I have a latex pillow and an entire couch made of latex and there is no smell. Both came with certifications that the latex was 100% natural rubber and not any type of blend. I’m wondering if you bought a blend and that is what you are smelling.
Also, vinyl is very bad and often smells itself and I would not want to sleep on any type of mattress protector made out of it. There are all sorts of other mattress protectors that are non toxic and do not smell.
Beverly, could you please state the name of the company you purchased the latex pillow and couch from? I am interested in purchasing their products! Thaks so much, Marcia