Local Mattress Manufacturing vs. “Bed-in-a-Box” — Which Should You Choose?

In today’s world of online convenience, it seems like you can get anything you need quickly with just a click of a button. When it comes to mattresses, the hot trend of “beds-in-a-box” are popping up everywhere. Most of these “beds-in-a-box” are made of memory foam or plastic because they can be rolled in a compact package and easily shipped to your door. Social media is in love with these convenient and comfortable beds that open up and expand right on your box spring. But do they really trump traditional, high quality mattresses?

What’s in Your Bed-in-a-Box?

The convenience of these easy-to-ship mattresses comes at a price: artificiality. Many of these mattresses contain a variety of synthetic components. Since they are still new products, the long-term effects of sleeping on these beds are questionable at best. Here are some of the side effects that have been attributed to these instant beds.

• Off-gassing—That strong smell you notice when you unpack one of these beds comes from chemicals. Memory foam mattresses are made of polyurethane foam, which contains VOCs, or volatile organic compounds. Even the safer memory foams have some degree of VOCs in them, making the chemical “bed-in-a-box smell” an unwelcome part of the package. In fact, the unpleasant odor can linger for just a few days or last a few weeks. Some people also report negative health symptoms associated with these smells, like headaches, respiratory issues, and nausea.
• Plastic powder— In the not too distant past, there was a large conflict about a mysterious plastic powder that came with a popular bed-in-a-box mattress. Though studies pointed to the possibility of this substance being harmless, who actually wants to spend their time religiously cleaning powdered plastic off their new mattress?

Handmade, Organic Mattresses

If you want to avoid strange smells and unknown components, choosing a handmade mattress is the smarter choice. Locally manufactured mattresses that are only made with high quality and organic materials have been around much longer than this current “instant bed” trend. These mattresses are plush two-sided, carefully made and can withstand years of wear and tear. They also have been the mainstay of a comfortable home for generations. Instead of risking your home and health by filling it with VOCs and plastic powder, try a mattress that’s made of chemical-free materials you can pronounce.

What Mattress Should You Buy?

Gardner Mattress has been making mattresses long before the age of online shopping. Our products are made with care and with top-quality organic materials that are built to last. If you want to sleep on only natural materials and not deal with the smell and danger of chemicals, go for the tried and true: a Gardner mattress. Try our mattresses risk-free today by contacting us at 1-800-564-2736.