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How to choose a mattress for a rental property? And how can you tell if formaldehyde levels are超标 (exceeding the standard)?

Release date:

2023-06-30 15:13

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For those renting apartments while working away from home, personal hygiene often prompts them to replace the original mattress in their rental unit. While they’d love to invest in a higher-quality mattress, they worry it might be too bulky to take back when moving out—potentially leaving their landlord stuck with something less desirable. So, many end up opting for a lighter, more compact tatami mat instead. These budget-friendly mats, costing just a few hundred yuan, typically measure around 7 centimeters thick and are made mostly of coir (coconut fiber). Coir provides excellent support, and adding a thin layer of latex on top helps soften the firm sleeping surface, making it especially popular among renters. But is it truly eco-friendly and safe?

In December 2022, the Shenzhen Consumer Council conducted a spot check on 20 models of palm mats, and one particular brand was found to have formaldehyde levels more than ten times the permissible limit. This serves as a stark warning to consumers. While coconut palm and mountain palm fibers themselves are perfectly safe, the real issue lies in the glue used during manufacturing. Some manufacturers resort to low-quality adhesives to bond the materials, leading to excessive formaldehyde emissions in the final products. However, there’s no need to panic—today, there’s a heat-pressed palm mat option available that doesn’t rely on glue at all, making it a much more eco-friendly choice.

When purchasing offline, you can smell the mattress to check for any irritating odors, and feel it with your hands to see if the surface is uneven or even uncomfortable. If the mattress has a zipper on the side, unzip it to carefully inspect the materials inside—looking for any signs of impurities or debris mixed in. If buying online, since you can’t physically examine the product, I recommend opting for one of China’s top 10 mattress brands. When making your purchase, be sure to look for reputable certifications, such as the Quality Management System Certification, the China Environmental Label Certification, and, more recently, the China Green Product Certification promoted by the national government.

Finally, let’s emphasize one more point: your mattress directly impacts your sleep health, and good health is truly priceless. When choosing a mattress, it’s important to be thoughtful and deliberate.

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How to choose a mattress? Easy to turn over—better for your health!