As your whole family “Shelter in Place”, here are some things that you can do, around your home, to feel a little more comfortable.
Who saw this coming and God only knows how long it will last. Thanks to Covid-19, we are all spending more time at home. And more time sitting on our upholstered furniture or in bed glued to the television to see what happened today and what might happen next. I hope that`s not just me.
Did you see all those spring-breakers on Clearwater beach? What were they thinking? According to a Dutch proverb, “We grow too soon old and too late smart!”
So, once you’ve got your anti-virus protocols in place since you’re already focused on health and safety, why not look at other ways you can protect yourself and your family? To that end, I’d like to introduce the concept of “replacement foam cycles”, because that’s what we do.
As a matter of fact, we are now considered an essential business. We are supplying foam, daily; to companies that are making masks for protection against COVID-19. We are open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm or you can order foam online.
Replacement Foam Cycles
These are the predictable lengths of time that you can expect your comfort products to last before they lose their effectiveness. In the case of the original foam that is used in mattresses and upholstered furniture; even though it may not have a visible sag, it could have softened prematurely and lost its comfort and support properties.
You should also know that many foam grades carry hidden dangers and they need to be swapped out sooner than later. Here’s what you should know as you shelter in place:
Mattresses. The National Sleep Foundation recommends replacing your mattress every 8 to 10 years to improve the quality of your sleep. Unfortunately, the biggest complaint in our showroom, about competitor’s store-bought mattresses, is that their 20-year mattress has only lasted 3 to 4 years.
If you’re over 40, you may find your mattress gets uncomfortable even sooner than 8 years, because older bodies often need more comfort and support. Anyone that purchased a mattress prior to 2010 should also know that back then mattresses were made with harmful chemicals and substances that were related to numerous health problems.
Some imported mattress-in-a-box models are still made that way to keep costs down. The best way to select your next foam topper or mattress is to get to know your foam first and go to a foam manufacturer that can show you all the grades in the marketplace today.
Upholstered Furniture. Plastic-based polyurethane foam will start softening within the first 6 months of use. Unfortunately, all upholstered furniture is made with polyurethane foam. So when you start sagging into the couch, because there is no support, isn’t that the same as when your seat has sagged by 3 inches? We think so! And it doesn’t have to be that way. Koosh Natural high-resiliency foam is used in commercial applications and it is guaranteed to last much longer than conventional polyurethane foam.
You should also know that prior to 2014 foam was made with flame retardants like PBDEs and TRIS. The off-gassing from these chemicals created a toxic environment in your home. Is your foam toxic-free? If your furniture was made before 2014, chances are that it may not be.
Pillows. Even if you use pillow protectors and wash your pillows every six months, you still should replace them every one to two years, according to the Better Sleep Council. Hair and body oils can accumulate in the fabric and stuffing and create a breeding ground for bacteria and dust mites. If you experience allergy symptoms when you wake up, your pillow might be the culprit.
Polyester fibre and low-density foam pillows also lose their shape and supportability much quicker than all-natural latex rubber pillows. Here are a couple of clues: if you sleep better at hotels than you do at home, it could be your pillow! Secondly, try folding your pillow in half. If it stays folded, rather than springing back, it’s likely time for a new one.
New Foam and Coronavirus (Covid-19)
If you are thinking of ordering foam online you should know the precautions we have taken and how COVID-19 reacts on foam.
It is more likely to catch COVID-19 from hard surfaces that are frequently touched, like doorknobs or railings, than a softer and porous surface like polyurethane foam. When we receive the foam blocks they are immediately sanitized in our shipping area. Next, we remove the outer skin before we cut into the foam block to make the size that you require for your cushion or mattress application.
Again, while research is still being done, we do know that COVID-19 is mainly being spread via droplets emitted during coughing or sneezing. Soft and porous surfaces, are not good incubators for COVID-19, compared to hard, frequently-touched surfaces, like doorknobs and countertops.
Foam is cut on stainless steel tables. These tables are sanitized and cleaned daily. According to the EPA, when dealing with hard surfaces, a simple disinfectant (containing hydrogen peroxide) should be effective at sanitizing surfaces if exposed to COVID-19.
FOAMITE Industries Inc. fully recognizes the risk of COVID-19 and takes this pandemic seriously. We are dedicated to protecting our staff, clients, and communities by minimizing the risk of the transmission of the virus. FOAMITE is dedicated to servicing our clients and is actively planning service alternatives should the current situation continue to evolve.
During times of adversity and hardship, supporting one another and working together makes a difference. We thank you for your continued support and understanding as we look forward to returning to our usual hours and protocol once this pandemic has been resolved.
Start every day in a healthy way!
Sincerely,
FOAMITE INDUSTRIES INC.
R.C. (Bob) Dimas
