How Can You Tell If a Mattress Is Refurbished?

Buying a refurbished mattress poses certain risks.

Refurbished mattresses are collected from sidewalks or thrift stores. The refurbishing company cleans the mattress, wraps it in plastic and puts a price on it. Underneath the exterior of that fantastic-looking mattress could be bedbugs, mold, mildew, pet stains or even urine concealed deep within the product. An affordable refurbished mattress may pose a potential health hazard. Thus it is worth your time to evaluate whether a refurbished mattress is worth the price.

Things You'll Need

• Black light

Instructions

1. Check the labels. About half the states regulate the sale of used mattresses, and some including New York require a yellow tag noting "used materials."

2. Look for common-sense indicators to show that the mattress has been used. If the plastic cover on the mattress is not see through, ask a salesman to undercover it to take a look. Look for signs such as stains, sagging, rough spots, fraying or even tears in the fabric.

3. Shine a black light to shine over the mattress to pick up the glow of hidden stains and to check if the mattresses has been sanitized with chemicals. The light will pick up the trace of residue left behind.

4. Check labels and receipts for notes stating "all new materials," as recommended by the Federal Trade Commission. If you later find that the matrress has been used, you'll have recourse to correct the situation.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not see a yellow tag or are unsure if the law has been passed in your state, read the entire label on the mattress. Look for words such as used, renovated or recycled materials, as this can be an indicator that the mattress has been refurbished.

References

• MSN Money Central: 10 things you should never buy used
• WUSA9: Mattress Buyers Beware
• NBC Dateline: Bed bugs living in new or refurbished mattress
• FTC: More Than Once Upon a Mattress: Used Bedding Labeling Rules