Posted by C.a.b. Johnson on
URL: https://www.es-forum.com/Innerspring-Mattress-tp3631595p3644013.html

-- On Thu, 1/5/12, Esther LeSieur <[hidden email]> wrote:


I found  some comments about there being a problem with black mold developing 

on the rubber air bladder, which was found when the owners had 

disassembled the bed to move.

Esther,

No I have not heard stories of black mold developing inside the Sleep Number bed, but I am glad you mentioned it, so that I can check periodically and air it out.  I wonder if enclosing it in an allergy zip cover would trap moisture inside?  I guess I will have to experiment and find out.  I did a search on the internet and found many articles on Sleep Number bed complaints.

Here is an exerpt from an article entitled:  "Sleep Number Bed Complaints":
http://sleep.lovetoknow.com/Sleep_Number_Bed_Complaints

"Mold: One of the most significant complaints of the
Sleep Number bed is the possibility of developing mold. The mattress
has a design with air chambers under foam layers. Over time, the
development of mold can happen between these layers. The company claims
to have redeveloped the materials to ensure mold growth does not occur.
The presence of mold spores can lead to the development of asthma in
some individuals."

I do not know if I have the redeveloped model or not.  I could not find a site with pictures of the different models. I think mine is just the basic one with no bells and whistles.

The article below rates all the complaints, with the mold complaint being the last on the list:
http://www.sleeplikethedead.com/review-sleep-number2.html

"Complaint / Problem #8: Mold
About 3% of owners say that mold is present between the foam and air
chambers. A small number of these owners report feeling ill because of
the mold. Mold / mildew problems in a Sleep Number Bed is a widely
publicized and discussed issue. However, the number of owners who have
a mold problem, or at least are aware of having such a problem, is
small based on our collected data involving 1,600 owners."
I appreciate the info on the gortex beds.  Is that the Aerobed? 

No, an Aerobed has an electric plug in pump and when it is blown up they are quite large, about the size of a real mattress.  I have an Aerobed but do not use it because I have not place to put it to off-gas.  The gortex camping air mattresses are just a mat that you can roll up.  They are about an inch or two thick.  They have a small black nozzle in the corner that you untwist,  which lets the air in.  When it is inflated, you screw the nozzle back down.  The thicker longer ones that fold in 3 are more comfortable.  They are just camping mats for temporary situations.  .

Do you know if the mechanism that does the inflating has metal in it?  If so, did it cause a problem for you?

The pump used to inflate the Sleep Number bed is plastic with a plastic tube running to the mattress bladder.  I do not see any metal.

The reason I am using a Sleep Number bed is because I got it cheap from a friend.  I am not so sure I would have paid retail for it.  From the articles I read, it sounds like these mattresses do have a few issues, which I hope I can work around.  Good luck on finding a mattress that works for you.


C. Johnson
[hidden email]
Wireless Refugee


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]