Question from Lauren
Hi Debra,
Thank you for taking the time to answer readers’ questions—I can’t tell you how many times your website has been a valuable resource!
My question is we found an organic mattress from a reputable company and the only way it is affordable for us is if we buy a floor model. Do you think this is alright? The mattress is completely organic wool, organic cotton and natural latex with no flame retardants.
My second question is that we are seeking to get an air mattress to pull out when we occasionally have guests—I found one called the Kelty Sleep Eazy that is PVC-free and is made of TPU Laminate and 70D Nylon—would this be a safe temporary mattress for guests (and for us to sleep on until we get a new mattress)?
Thank you!
Debra’s Answer
I think it would be fine to get a floor model if you check and make sure it doesn’t have any perfume or other contaminants that might have been picked up on the showroom floor.
As for the air mattress, there are some red lights flashing for me. Nylon may have a finish on it, and “laminated” may involve glues. So you need more information. Ask them if it’s heat-laminated or if glues are used. Ask them if it has an odor.
I’m also looking for an air mattress to use for camping and most of what I found are made using TPU. How bad is that? Should I just buy one with PVC? Are there any safe options out there?
See Q&A: TPU (Thermoplastic Urethane).
I would say that TPU is much less toxic than PVC.
Hi Debra,
I wanted to follow up in case this will be helpful to others and also to ask more about the finish. I called about the air mattress and was informed that it is heat laminated, and the finish on the nylon is a soft flocking (it has a soft flocked top)—is that anything to be concerned about? They said the mattress has some odor because it is plastic but that there are no VOCs.
Flocking is a process of applying a suitable adhesive to the surface to be flocked, then applying the flock, penetrating the surface of the adhesive to create the desired velvet finish (read more about flocking). I don’t know what the adhesive is.
It’s plastic with odor but no VOCs? I think the person you talked with is unclear on the concept of VOCs, which are volatile organic compounds (usually what you are smelling if there is an odor).
I’d also ask what kind of pesticides they use “to ensure you don’t wind up bringing any new pets home”. If they look at you horrified and say they don’t use pesticides, go for it!