My Latex Topper Smells. Bad Apple?
| Hi. I bought two 1" talalay latex toppers from Foam by Mail and they feel great, but they smell horrible. It was oppressive. I put them outside for a week to air out, and at the end of the week I could smell them from 10 feet away. I decided to leave them out through the rain and let them dry out. The smell is still oppressive. I bought them in early summer, about June, and it still smells so bad I don't want to use them. Did I get a bad apple, or do all latex toppers smell? Should I buy some new ones from someone else? |
Re: My Latex Topper Smells. Bad Apple?
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MequonJim wrote: So figure out your cost to ship it back to them, subtract what they paid to ship it to you, and subtract the 25% restocking fee. Probably not worth the trouble of packaging it, & driving it to the shipping store. True. But I would argue that since the product was defective -- not simply being returned due to personal preference -- the restocking and shipping fees should not be charged. It's worth a try. |
Re: My Latex Topper Smells. Bad Apple?
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People have very different sensitivities to smell and the smell of a latex foam mattress or topper is no different. Yes, they all smell to some degree and I doubt that your's is defective. I have Talalay foam that is many years old and if uncovered it still smells a bit. One thing that I suggest that you try is to put your topper on your bed with covering. You may be surprised at how much your bedding can cut down the smell. This message was modified Dec 8, 2009 by kbell
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Re: My Latex Topper Smells. Bad Apple?
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Thanks, everyone, for your replies. I live only about 10 miles away from FBM, so I picked them up. So according to their return policy, I couldn't return them. I'll compose a letter and send it to them but I don't expect much. ... Hmmm. Not sure what to do... --Matt This message was modified Dec 8, 2009 by MattFaunce
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Re: My Latex Topper Smells. Bad Apple?
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Matt, Their return policy is one of the worst in the industry. Pretty sad. Good luck to you. |
Re: My Latex Topper Smells. Bad Apple?
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Hi Matt, If they won't help with an exchange or return, here are a couple of things you might want to try: 1. Encase the pieces in a good allergy mattress protector. That will seal in the smell as much as possible. If you could stand to sleep on plastic, you could first wrap them in light plastic which would more efficiently seal in the smell, then cover with an allergy zip-around cover. And then as someone else suggested, cover with your bedding on top, perhaps even several layers, such as a heavy mattress pad (and maybe some kind of mattress topper) and then more than one sheet. The more between you and the smell, the better I would think. 2. Note: this one is experimental and rather extreme, and I don't know if it will hurt the latex, but if you find you absolutely cannot use the pieces anyway and are willing to risk possibly having a detrimental effect on the latex: Gently hand wash the pieces in solution of mild soap, warm water and white vinegar (maybe 1 part vinegar to 4-6 parts water). Rinse with plain water, gently squeeze out excess and leave to dry (would probably take quite a long time to dry, depending on where you live). If no improvement, wash again, this time add baking soda to the soapy water (maybe 1 small box to 5 gallon bucket of water). Rinse as above. Alternately, before tryng the vinegar and/or baking soda (must do separately by the way), try just using soapy water and then rinse. You could also add a few drops of some peepermint oil if you aren't bothered by that. Latex can be washed. It should not, however be exposed to UV light for long periods of time as it will cause the foam to disintegrate (I understand that briefly it would be okay). You could also try these methods on small samples of latex, if you have any or can obtain any from where you got your bed, before risking the process on your bed. Suggestion #2 is based on my experience with other things. I have not tried it with latex as I had no problem with the 100% natural latex in my Flobed. I am extremely sensitve to smells and in fact quite allergic to many chemicals and fragrances. This is one reason I went with 100% natural talalay latex form LI (through Flobeds), i.e. because their samples did not bother me whereas some other samples did (inc. some Dunlap samples and beds) and they use an extensive washing process in their manufactuing (I am not bothered by the natural rubber smell nor the vanilla scent, which I would just as soon they didn't use but it dissipates petty quickly and does not smell "chemically" at all). Note that I am only refering to their 100% natural talalay; I couldn't possibly sleep on any brand of blended due to the synthetic component. I have no experience with the company you got your latex from. Vinegar, baking soda and natural peppermint oil can neutralize some chemical and/or smells. but as I said, it would be experimental with latex. You might want to call around to some manufacturers or even other bed places to see if anyone has any other ideas. Good luck! Linda |
Re: My Latex Topper Smells. Bad Apple?
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push for an exchange or return. natural latex does have a slight smell to it, but if it is REALLY noticeable it is probably because it got wet. if you get latex wet and it stays wet it will smell really bad. so actually do not attempt to wash this piece just in the event they might exchange it for another piece of latex as it may make it only easier for them to not return it. |
Re: My Latex Topper Smells. Bad Apple?
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HELP please - my 100% pure natural latex mattress (dunlop) smells. I am really concerned about this.We have been having this mattress for more than 6weeks now. For the first month we had to leave it unzipped and uncovered from its outer cover in a separate bedroom with windows non-stop open for over a month. We even avoided going to the room much, as the smell quickly spread over the house.I have to say that the smell has decreased considerably (and we started sleeping on it in last 2 weeks), but the smell still lingers enough to bother us. Our 2.5 year old daughter sleeps in bed with us and even if she takes only an hour nap in the afternoon, I can smell the mattress on her pyjama and her body (through a good quality mattress protector and a bedsheet!)! I myself am pregnant and although I keep reading about the smell not gassing off and not being harmful in these mattresses, I am concerned more and more. I think I would rather return it (but our trial period has ended). we were told (and everywhere I am reading I can see) that mattress smell should go within 6 weeks. Does anyone have a similar experience? |