buying a new mattress?

[WildOlive]

We need to buy a twin mattress for ds. We have bunk beds that for now we will just put up one, but eventually when Isaiah is ready for a big boy bed we'll bunk them.

We want something cheap. Does anyone know anything about memory foam? Does it off gas? I'm looking at this one:
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Reversible-7.5-inch-Foam-Twin-Mattress/3723702/product.html

Basically, I want the safest mattress that is still in our budget. Hoping for under $200.

[WildOlive]

ew, maybe we shouldn't get memory foam after all:


(from wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memory_foam )
"When new, some memory foams give off a distinct chemical odor, which many people find unpleasant and some say is akin to the smell of paint. This odor decreases with airing, but some remain sensitive. Emissions from memory foam mattresses may cause more respiratory irritation than other mattresses. Mildew and house dust mites may not occur as frequently so asthma attacks may be less frequent and severe. [/URL]
Memory foam, like other polyurethane products, can be combustible. State and US Federal Laws have been enacted in the USA to require all bedding, including memory foam items, be resistant to ignition from an open flame such as a candle or cigarette lighter. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memory_foam#cite_note-3) There is concern that high levels of the fire retardant PBDE , commonly used in memory foam, could cause health problems for users."[URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memory_foam#cite_note-6"]

I hate buying things that are full of chemicals! But we can't afford the alternatives like latex or wool. Sometimes I wish i was one of those people who went through life blissfully unaware.

[Aerynne]

Just buy it now and let it off gas until Isaiah needs a big boy bed. We have a memory foam mattress topper from overstock. If you're going to get it from there, get the special kind that is cool, not hot. That's what we did. We love it. It stunk for awhile (less with our waterproof mattress pad on top of it) but it gets better.

[WildOlive]

I need this one for Levi, so that I can have Levi's double for Isaiah and me, next to DH on the king. ;) So, it will get used right away. It sounds like a memory foam one has more/worse chemicals than a conventional mattress. My parents have memory foam and it is soooo nice. I just hate to get something that is going to off gas really bad in the middle of winter when I can't air the house out.

[Katigre]

IKEA sells inexpensive mattresses that are safer than some others - they don't use the worst kind of flame retardants.

[Rabbit]

All foams off gas. All mainstream mattresses are toxic. You have to pick according to your comfort level.

[WildOlive]

Unfortunately we don't live anywhere near an IKEA. I have no idea where the closest one would even be.

Rabbit, do you have any info on which types of mattresses are the most and least toxic? I'm not getting very far in my searching. I've searched 'safe mattress' and 'toxic mattress'.

[Rabbit]

There are so many mattresses, and so many manufacturers, and they don't list their materials or processes like an ingredient list. I don't think anyone has attempted such a list.

[WildOlive]

I just found this one for $249, but the $150 shipping makes it too expensive for sure. :(

http://www.mygreenmattress.com/view_products/echomattress.htm