HELP! Mom bought us a brand new mattress.

[amberskyfire]

We are moving out of a furnished place into an unfurnished one. My mother, bless her wonderful heart, wanted to buy us a bed. I wanted a natural bed, but they were too expensive and it was my mom's money, so I didn't say anything and opted instead for a used bed. My mother doesn't understand the concept of not wanting something new. I insisted I did not want a new bed.

We had to wait a few days to get a used one, though, and my husband (he has Aspergers and can't handle changes to his daily routine) threw a huge fit about having to wait. My mother, who does not know how to deal with his autism, got very angry about it and went right to the store and bought the first bed she saw - a BRAND NEW bed.

I love my mother and am thankful for her and I know everybody would say "just be thankful for what she's done for you," but I am NOT thankful for this bed. It smells horrible. It smells so bad that I start to cry every time I walk into the bedroom.

What can I do? She's so angry that she has forbidden us to ever speak of the bed again. I don't want to complain to her. Is there some way to make the bed not smell like a chemical plant? I'm worried about my toddler who will be sleeping on it and I plan to have another baby and we cosleep. The chemicals scare me. I'm literally holding back tears as I type this. :(

[Pumpkin_Pie]

You can get a mattress wrap that will prevent off-gassing, but from what I have read, it will still feel like you have a plastic sheet on your bed.   Google mattress wraps or mattress offgassing and you can find some info on them.  Maybe you could buy a mattress wrap (relatively inexpensive and eventually buy an organic cover to go over it?

[JamieCatheryn]

Used mattresses can be even worse, microbes and dust mites and all can live inside and produce harmful gasses and allergens. Lots of airing out or wrapping it with airtight polyethylene cover will help.

[Pumpkin_Pie]

Also remember that bed bugs are a real possibility in a used mattress.  *shudder*

[choli]

There are a lot of things I will buy used, but a mattress is NOT one of them.

[asraidevin]

Where did I just read about this issue? Shoot it was a book I took back to the library. (the baking soda thing was mentioned)

#1Place the foam mattress outside for several hours or overnight so that it can air out and dangerous formaldehyde fumes can be eliminated from the material.
#2Place fans near the foam to enhance the air movement over the mattress to aid in reducing fumes.
#3Place an all-cotton barrier cloth over the foam mattress before using. Make sure to wash the cover frequently to remove fume buildup.
#4Keep the bedroom well ventilated by opening windows frequently and leaving a fan on to circulate air.

http://www.ehow.com/how_5637069_remove-formaldehyde-smell-foam-mattress.html

#1Remove all bed linens from the mattress and allow the mattress to stand, uncovered, for 24 to 48 hours. Exposure to fresh air can help odors to disperse.
#2Scatter baking soda over the mattress. Use a stiff-bristled brush to spread the baking soda evenly across the surface of the foam and allow the mattress to stand, undisturbed, for 24 hours.
#3Vacuum the surface of the mattress to remove the baking soda.
#4Flip the mattress over and treat the other side, sprinkling baking soda over the surface and allowing it to sit once again.
#5Vacuum the mattress a second time, removing all excess baking soda.
#6Combine 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar with 1/2 cup cool water. Mix well and transfer the solution to a spray bottle.
#7Spray the vinegar solution on the mattress, evenly coating the surface with a light mist.
#8Allow the mattress to dry completely. If any unpleasant odors remain, repeat the process.

http://www.ehow.com/how_7389482_remove-smells-memory-foam-mattress.html