Advice
In budget-conscious times like these, we’re all on the lookout for ways to stretch our dollars. And who can blame us? There’s a lot to be said for being thrifty and looking for the lowest cost. Sometimes, however, the cheapest option available is hardly a bargain. This is certainly true when it comes to buying a used mattress. Here are six good reasons to avoid purchasing one:
You don’t know its history, and you may not want to know—A sleep surface is something you spend years in intimate contact with. After all, we spend a third of our lives asleep. And of course people are prone to doing other things in bed besides sleeping, like eating, smoking, and you-know-what. All of these activities expose the mattress to stuff you don’t want to lie next to night after night. Blood, urine, sweat, dead skin, dandruff, chemicals, spilled food and drink, pet hair, vomit, fecal matter, etc. commonly find their way into a mattress, where they can fester for years. Mold and mildew are also common issues.
It might be infested with dust mites – Dust mites are tiny, almost microscopic creatures that thrive in mattresses. They have eight legs and resemble mutated crabs. Their defecation is filled with partially digested food that can cause severe skin rashes and other allergic reactions in humans. Dust mites live for up to 70 days, during which time a female can lay as many as 100 eggs a day. Her offspring spread through the mattress they were born in, eventually taking over by feeding on dead skin and other organic matter left behind by those sleeping there.
It might have even worse things than dust mites lurking in it – Ever heard the saying “don’t let the bed bugs bite?” It refers to vampire-like bugs that are attracted to unsanitary places like dirty mattresses. They survive by sucking the blood of their victims until they become gorged with it. Then they reproduce, creating thousands of others that can leave the mattress and spread throughout the entire home. They cause serious allergic reactions and even disease. Of course, even more vicious things are sometimes found inhabiting old mattresses, including ants, cockroaches, and ticks.
It has almost certainly lost most of its support – Let’s face it, mattresses are a major purchase. Most people don’t get rid of them until they are old to the point of being practically useless. Over time, springs wear out, padding loses its loft, and the whole thing becomes sagged down. If you suffer from back pain or other problems, you’re likely to find that the pain and suffering you endure from buying a used mattress costs you far more than the few dollars you may have saved in the purchase of it.
It could be a safety hazard – Coil mattresses contain lumber components and metal springs. When built well, these parts can hold up to year after year of continued use. All things made by humans eventually wear out, though. Old mattresses have been seen with sharp steel coils poking out of them, interior frame sections that are broken, and fabric that is soiled and ripped. If you buy a used one you might find yourself being stabbed in the back by it – literally. It may also give way during the night, causing you to roll off of it onto the floor. They can also be fire hazards, as flame retardant chemicals put in them during manufacture can become ineffective over time.
Even used mattresses that have been “sanitized” are suspect. How can you know that the sanitizing process was done properly? How can you know if it was really done at all?
Don’t risk your health and safety by buying a used mattress. Here at BedMart we have a variety of quality products in a wide range of prices, and we’ll do everything we can to make sure that we fit your budget. Call or visit us today; we’re happy to help!