harmful chemicals used in box spring foundations?

[phoenix]

Hi nodnarb,

I stopped using the Hi-Rise wire frame because it was just too hard without anything between it and the 10 inches of mattress (and 2 inches of topper). I think the cause of my poor circulation (limbs falling asleep) is from just not having enough of the right support underneath the mattress. Maybe I’m wrong about that, but it seems having a traditional box spring and floor rail frame could have been better for me.

The best support system for a foam mattress is firm and non flexing and as close to the firmness of a floor as possible. In most cases if a foundation has an effect on the feel of the mattress then it would most likely not be as rigid or supportive as it should be. If your mattress is too firm then the best approach is generally to fine tune the mattress not the support system underneath it (unless the support system isn’t suitable for your mattress).

A box spring that flexes (vs a foundation that doesn’t) isn’t generally the best choice for a foam mattress.

When you a say ‘a box spring that flexes wouldn’t be suitable’ for the Dreamfoam Ultimate Dreams Latex mattress, I am assuming you mean that I should not even consider buying one of these Simmons or Serta foundations I linked to above? Do you mind following up on why?

A box spring is different from a foundation. A box spring has some “spring” in it and a foundation doesn’t. Any foundation that has no spring in it and provides even non flexing support under your mattress would be fine. Both of the Simmons or Serta foundations you mentioned would be fine since neither one of them are “box springs” (although foundations are often called box springs which can be confusing).

If I were to get one of the Simple Life Foundations they recommend, it looks as if it will feel the same as the Hi-Rise Frame I was already using.

Yes … both of these would also be suitable for your mattress.

SO, I guess my new question is how I can expect to not ‘feel the foundation’ under the mattress AND topper? I am 6’2" and only 175 pounds, so it’s not as if I am sinking into it and bending the wires…

Most people would only feel the mattress and topper and wouldn’t feel any of the foundations you are mentioning under your mattress and topper because they would feel very similar to the floor since none of them have any significant flex. If for some reason you do feel the foundation through your mattress and topper because your mattress is sinking into the gaps enough to make a difference for you then it may be worth using a bed rug or a firm piece of polyfoam on top of it (see post #10 here).

Phoenix