OMF Blog

What you need to know about the foams we use in our mattresses

Written by The Original Mattress Factory | Jul 20, 2020 12:00:00 PM

When you’re shopping for a new mattress, it’s important to understand where and how it was made. The materials, manufacturing process, and manufacturing location can all have a huge impact on the quality, price, durability, and even long-term safety of the mattress.

Understanding the quality and types of foams used in a mattress can tell you a lot. These are the types of foam that we use in our mattresses:

Polyurethane foam: Polyurethane foam is the most common type of foam found in our mattresses. It comes in a variety of different forms, densities, and thicknesses to offer a variety of feels for the sleeper.

Memory foam: Memory foam is used in our Serenity and Serenity Plush mattresses, as well as both of our hybrid models. Not all memory foam is created equal, so pay attention to the density which can tell you a lot about its quality. Memory foam needs to be at least 2 inches thick and near the top layer of the mattress to have any benefit to the sleeper. This is important to remember because mainstream mattress manufacturers will insert a small, thin amount of memory foam into a mattress so they can justify a price increase.

Latex foam: The latex foam used in our Serenity Latex and latex foam pillows is produced by Talalay Global and uses a mix of 40 percent natural latex and 60 percent synthetic latex. This blend of natural and synthetic latex gives it an optimal balance of comfort and durability. (If you have a latex allergy, we have more information for you here.)

Why we choose to use only foams manufactured in the U.S.

Using foams that are manufactured overseas is common in the mattress industry, especially cheap foam mattresses sold online. These foams often do not adhere to the safety or quality standards that we use here in the United States. Consumers and consumer advocate groups have expressed concern over the safety of foams manufactured overseas, especially when used in items like mattresses which require long periods of close contact.

These quality and safety standards are important to us because we want the very best for our customers. We only use foams manufactured in the U.S. from manufacturers we trust and with which we have strong, long-term relationships.

In addition to being manufactured in the U.S., all of the foams in our mattresses are made without:

  • Ozone depleters
  • PBDEs, TDCPP, or TCEP flame retardants
  • Mercury, lead, and other heavy metals
  • Formaldehyde
  • Phthalates regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission

What to know if you’re sensitive to smells

Like many other manufactured products (carpeting, cars, furniture, etc.), mattresses and box springs sometimes have a “new product” smell. For most people, this “new product” smell is barely noticeable and dissipates in a relatively short period of time. Leaving the mattress uncovered with plenty of ventilation (like an open window and a fan on) will help the smell dissipate faster.

If you’re particularly sensitive to smells, we can unwrap and air out your mattress in our factory for a few days before your delivery.

Your safety is our priority

The Original Mattress Factory is a part of your community. While many mattress companies choose to centralize their manufacturing processes, we choose to build our mattresses in the same communities in which we sell those mattresses. If you purchase your mattress at one of our Twin Cities locations, you can rest assured it was built in the Twin Cities. The same can be said in any of our 12 markets.

We care about you like a neighbor because we are your neighbor. We will never use materials or manufacturing processes that could be a risk to your safety or health.

Check out Mattress Shopping 101.

Ready to start your mattress buying journey? Come to The Original Mattress Factory first. No one knows more than our team about what makes a great mattress great. Whether you buy from us or not, you’ll be better prepared to make a smart mattress buying decision. Find a store near you.