What Are Remanufactured Mattresses?

Definition

• A remanufactured mattress is a used mattress that has been stuffed with new or recycled material, has been recovered or has received a new or refurbished frame. Hotels and motels often sell their used mattresses to companies that refurbish them for resale.

Benefits

• If a high-end mattress has been restuffed with quality foam or other materials and is also recovered, you can save hundreds of dollars on your mattress purchase.

Drawbacks

• Remanufactured mattresses may have a history you'd rather not know about and may carry bedbugs, germs and bacteria. In addition, a retailer may claim that a mattress has been recovered or restuffed but in actuality is merely selling you a used mattress.

Sanitation and Safety

• Some states require remanufactured mattresses to carry tags identifying them as such and may require manufacturers to sanitize and disinfect them prior to sale. Other states have flammability requirements for remanufactured mattresses. Contact your state Consumer Affairs department to inquire about laws in your area.

Protection

• If you decide to purchase a remanufactured mattress, you may want to cover it in plastic to avoid coming into contact with any dirt, parasites or bacteria.