Is “green” the Next Big Thing in Mattress Buying?

Is the United States shifting it’s buying habits back to the basics? Years ago folks did not have to worry about what potentially harmful chemicals were inside their mattresses. Today, that’s not true any more. With the passage of federal law CFR 1633 manufacturers are now required to incorporate flame retardant chemicals that may or may not be healthy for consumers. As time passes I’m sure the truth will come out but this law should never have happened in the first place.

The main backers of this law were of course the major mattress manufacturers commonly referred to in my industry as the 4 s’s. They ranted and raved how this would save so many lives, especially those who smoked in bed. I say bulls—. This law had one clear intention, to make it very difficult on the mom and pop mattress shops to keep their doors open. Guess what America, they succeeded.

I have so many friends in this industry and most are like myself, a family owned company who is now struggling to keep it’s very doors open. In a downturn economy with cost of goods soaring, it’s becoming near impossible to turn a profit. Add to it the burden of having to prototype and burn each mattress model at a cost of over $500 ea. plus two confirmation burns equaling over $1500 in testing fees. Most companies offer at least 10 different models so do the math. That’s an average cost of $15,000 for each mom and pop just to comply with the new law and that does not even include the cost of manufacturing each bed for burning or transportation of all those mattresses. The overall costs can equal twice that amount.

Is the real intention of this new law becoming clear now? I just found out the one of the largest fire barrier manufactures has just closed it’s doors. Does that mean that I now have to start all over again? Retest everything since I was using their barriers in my specs? I sincerely hope not or like so many others I might have to re-think if this business is really worth it.

One thing I have noticed is the desire of the American public to “Go Green”. Get rid of those things around us that cause us harm. I and my family are doing it. Out with the harmful chemicals, pesticides, drinking water, etc. Even our eating habits have gone full circle back to the basics with organically grown whole foods from Uri International.

The desire to have “green” mattress is increasing to the point that we are overwhelmed with calls for such an item. We do offer such an item but as I said we are still required to put a fire barrier around our all natural latex mattresses. There is a loophole in this new law and that is with a doctor or chiropractors prescription for a non fire retardant mattress. We are encouraging all of our mattress customers to seek out such a prescription and even have a chiropractor working with us to provide such relief from governmental regulations. Who wants to be told they have to sleep on a chemically treated mattress anyway?

Bottom line is there is a solution to this problem plaguing my industry. We need to use the loopholes just like the major companies do all the time. It’s time to fight back otherwise you can kiss you mom and pop shops goodbye forever and be bound to whims of major corporations. By the way, did anyone notice the price of gas lately?