Having a good mattress is a must for a number of reasons. You need good back support for a good night’s sleep and you have to be able to enjoy the mattress without any issues. One of the biggest issues with mattresses usually have people with asthma. All mattresses collect dust and various other little creatures that can cause asthma to worsen and fire up your allergies. So, if you do have asthma, of any kind, it is essential to know how to find the right mattress.
The Search
The first thing to do is do a little research. Check the local mattress shops and see what they have to offer. You can even go online to see what you can get shipped to your home for a small fee.
Mattresses are expensive and it is a good idea to know the dimensions you need and if you have any preferences. Then, you can explore models in your price range and even hunt for some discounts.
Additionally, you should focus on mattresses without coils and look for memory foam since those are great for your back, and then you can research the materials.
Check the Reviews
Reviews are an essential part of mattress search, especially for people with asthma. Maybe you already have an eye on a model you like, but read the reviews first.
You don’t want to end up buying a mattress that will contain fiberglass because that material is not good for your asthma. So, dig deep and read as many reviews as you can find.
You can even click here to find professional reviews and buying guides for mattresses and save yourself some time before you go hunting for the right model.
Materials to Avoid
As mentioned, fiberglass is something you want to avoid in a mattress. Being exposed to this material can be exponentially bad for your respiratory system. High levels of exposure to fiberglass could aggravate your asthma or similar respiratory conditions.
Additionally, off-gassing of chemicals, which is a normal thing for new bedding, furniture, and mattresses, is also not asthma friendly for some people.
So, you should try and avoid this as much as possible and air the mattress somewhere safe. Strong smells of chemicals might give you migraines and could cause your asthma to flare up.
Asthma-Friendly Certifications to Look For
If you have any type of allergies or asthma, you definitely want something safe to sleep on. So, when researching mattresses you should look for the following certifications:
- CertiPur-US – this means that the manufacturer makes sure the mattress has no compounds such as mercury, flame retardants, ozone depleters, lead, or any other heavy metals. These are also low VOC and have no formaldehyde.
- Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX – this label means that every component in the mattress (thread, buttons, accessories) has been tested for harmful substances.
- Greenguard Gold Certified – this label means that they help manufacturers create interior products and materials low in chemical emissions which improve the quality of air in the room where the product is used.
Find a Good Cover Too
No matter how much your mattress is asthma-friendly, you still have to cover it. You should make sure to pick something to seal it with and that something should be a high-quality mattress encasement.
Steer clear of plastic and vinyl covers since they can off-gas and trigger respiratory issues and migraines. Instead, you should opt for a quality mite barrier made from a tightly woven material. A looser weave isn’t as effective because spores and dust mites can squeeze through them and still irritate you.
Additionally, the encasement should go all the way around the bed. Those that cover only the top give the mites a backdoor option and are easy to move during sleep.
Also, look for a cover that you can zip all the way around. Use the same covers for your pillows, too, because those little pests can go there, too.
Mattresses are expensive, but they are also an investment. They can last you a long time and you should make sure your investment is asthma-friendly. Having a good night’s sleep is essential for all of us to stay healthy and for our bodies and minds to rest. So, make sure your mattress is doing you a favor instead of making your respiratory issues worse and your back sore.
Author bio
Victoria Lim is a lifestyle writer with expertise in scribbling a lot of words, traveling with a big pack of gummy bears (green ones to the victory!), walking a dog for miles and miles, and choosing a tea for her next cup.