Illegal to sell used mattresses

[snopes]

Comment: While researching the most cost effective way to provide
houseguest accommodations, I kept running into websites insisting that it
is illegal to sell a used mattress. Some say that it is a federal law,
but most refer to their own state. I didn't see any that cited an actual
reference, however. While I understand that many would find the thought
of bringing a used mattress into a home disgusting, don't hotels etc.,
essentially rent out used mattresses on a daily basis?

[catty5nutz]

I guess that an awful lot of second hand shops and thrift shops must be breaking the law, then.

[Native Medley]

I remember when we bought a mattress set last summer (from Original Mattress Factory) that the guy told us not to take off the wrap or they couldn't take it back, because it would be automatically considered used, and they weren't certified to sell used bedding. I know there are certificates that stores have to have if they're going to sell any sort of bedding item (at least, I remember seeing them on the wall in the stock room at my old fabric store), and I guess it's related to the polyester fiberfill along with flammability and the spread of disease. Though we were permitted to take returns on pillows, batting, foam, and polyfil...

I think consignment and thrift-type stores just have to prove they sterilized the item and not present it as a new, unused set even if it was only unwrapped but never used.

[Tootsie Plunkette]

Originally Posted by catty5nutz

I guess that an awful lot of second hand shops and thrift shops must be breaking the law, then.

We had a very clean, practically-new twin mattress that we didn't need any more. None of our friends or family needed it. We drove it to three different thrift stores -- they would not take it. As we were getting ready to leave the last one and head to the transfer station (dump), someone approached us in the parking lot and asked if we were getting rid of it; they happily took it from us.

We were told there are charities that accept and refurbish used mattresses, but not many, and they have plenty of source material.

[Hero_Mike]

When I bought my last two mattresses, I was obliged to buy the uber-expensive mattress cover from the store if I wanted to take advantage of their 30-day, no questions asked, money back guarantee. However, the store does advertise that they will collect all used mattresses (with any purchase) and those that are suitable are donated to charity (specifically women's shelters), I'm sure that they have a way of re-using gently used mattresses.

[DoubleNaughtSaleen]

I guess with the bedbug menace, fewer retailers and thrift shops are willing to take the risk of infestation. There's a store here that sells used hotel/motel furniture--most of the stuff is junky crap you don't want anyway.

[Bill]

Now that you mention it, our local newspaper won't accept ads for used mattresses.

Massachusetts has a series of laws governing bedding. This section specifically mentions mattresses and says that used mattresses intended for resale must be sterilized:

http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/94-273.htm

Thanks.

Bill

[CSGirl]

Originally Posted by Bill

Now that you mention it, our local newspaper won't accept ads for used mattresses.

Massachusetts has a series of laws governing bedding. This section specifically mentions mattresses and says that used mattresses intended for resale must be sterilized:

http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/94-273.htm

Thanks.

Bill

So is that just for retailers, or for individuals, also?

ETA: Because Mass craigslist has mattress ads, and that's where we got ours. :o And it definitely wasn't sterilized.

[Floater]

Whoever said "matress" to Mister Lambert?

[bjohn13]

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/cons...ts/alt068.shtm

[purpleiguana]

I know lots of folks won't sell or accept used mattresses because of the various types of microscopic ick that could be found in the fibers... but I seriously doubt it's actually illegal.