Off-Gassing & VOCs: What CertiPUR-US® Means (Lux/Rejuvenate/HIBER)

If you’ve ever unboxed a new mattress and noticed a “new bed smell,” you’ve experienced off-gassing. For some people, it’s a minor annoyance. For others  especially families with kids, allergy sufferers, or anyone sensitive to chemicals  it’s a big reason they start searching for a low VOC mattress in Canada instead of just buying whatever’s on sale.

In this guide, we’ll break down:

• What off-gassing actually is

• What VOCs (volatile organic compounds) are and why they matter

• What CertiPUR-US® certification means for your health and home

• How Haven’s LUX, Rejuvenate, and HIBER mattresses are designed as low VOC options for Canadians

What Is Off-Gassing?

Off-gassing is the release of gases from new products everything from paint, furniture, flooring, and yes, mattresses.

When you open a new mattress, especially one that’s been compressed in a box, trapped air is released along with VOCs (volatile organic compounds). That’s the “new mattress smell.”

Not all VOCs are automatically dangerous, but:

• Some can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat

• Sensitive people may get headaches or nausea

• Long-term exposure to certain VOCs (from paints, solvents, etc.) has been linked to more serious health concerns

That’s why more Canadians are actively searching for a low VOC mattress that still offers comfort, pressure relief, and support.

VOCs & Your Bedroom Air Quality

We spend about a third of our lives in bed. That’s a long time to be breathing in whatever is in your mattress and bedding.

Common VOC concerns in mattresses can include:

• Strong chemical odours that linger for days or weeks

• High initial emissions right after unboxing

• Possible reactions in people with asthma, allergies, or chemical sensitivities

If you’re the type of person who checks ingredient labels at the grocery store, it makes sense to care about what’s in the materials you sleep on.

That’s where CertiPUR-US® comes in.

What Is CertiPUR-US®?

CertiPUR-US® is an independent, non-profit certification for flexible polyurethane foams used in bedding and upholstered furniture.

When a foam is CertiPUR-US certified, it means it has been tested and verified to meet strict standards for:

• Low VOC emissions for indoor air quality

• No ozone depleters

• No PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP flame retardants

• No mercury, lead, or heavy metals

• No formaldehyde

• No phthalates regulated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

In plain language: CertiPUR-US foam is designed to be cleaner, safer, and lower in VOCs than conventional foams.

For Canadian shoppers, this gives a tangible, third-party benchmark beyond marketing buzzwords. It’s not just “trust us, it’s fine”  it’s lab-tested and monitored over time.

Why CertiPUR-US® Matters If You Want a Low VOC Mattress in Canada

If your goal is to find a low VOC mattress in Canada, look for both:

1. Responsibly made foam (like CertiPUR-US® certified)

2. A brand that actually cares about how the mattress is built, not just how it’s marketed

Here’s why this matters:

• Lower emissions = fewer unwanted smells in your bedroom

• Better indoor air quality is especially important in Canadian climates, where homes can be sealed tight for winter

• Peace of mind knowing your mattress avoids certain harmful chemicals and heavy metals

• Long-term wellness: while one product won’t make or break your health, reducing unnecessary chemical exposure is a smart, cumulative choice

How Haven Builds Low VOC Mattresses: LUX, Rejuvenate & HIBER

Haven’s foam-based mattresses are built using CertiPUR-US® certified foams, and are manufactured fresh to order in Canada. That combination helps keep VOCs lower than with mass-produced, warehouse-stored imports.

Here’s how that plays out across the lineup.

LUX Pillowtop Hybrid: Low VOC Comfort with Elevated Support

The Haven LUX Pillowtop Hybrid combines:

• CertiPUR-US® certified comfort foams

• A supportive pocket coil system to keep air moving through the mattress

• Carefully selected textiles and quilting designed for breathability

What that means for off-gassing and VOCs:

• Less “chemical” smell compared to many imported foam beds

• Faster dissipation of any initial odour thanks to better airflow

• A strong balance between luxury feel and cleaner materials

It’s a great fit if you want a low VOC mattress in Canada that still feels plush and hotel-level comfortable.

Rejuvenate (All-Foam): Low VOC Meets High-Performance Pressure Relief

The Rejuvenate is Haven’s all-foam performance mattress, designed for recovery, spinal alignment, and pressure relief.

From a VOC and off-gassing standpoint:

• Uses high-density, CertiPUR-US® certified foams

• Built fresh in Canada, not sitting compressed for months

• Naturally fewer odours than some mass-market memory foam beds

If you’re a side sleeper, athlete, or someone dealing with aches and pains  but still want a low VOC foam mattress  Rejuvenate aims to give you both performance and peace of mind.

HIBER: Budget-Friendly, Low VOC Mattress for Canadians

HIBER is designed as the affordable, eco-conscious mattress in the family, perfect for:

• Kids’ rooms

• Guest rooms

• First apartments or condos

• Wall beds and tight spaces

On the VOC side:

• Uses CertiPUR-US® certified foam, just like Haven’s premium lines

• Lower profile simplifies shipping and helps reduce material use

• Ideal if you want a low VOC mattress in Canada without jumping to a premium price point

For parents, this is a big one you’re not just buying based on price; you’re choosing a bed that aligns with your standards for what goes into your child’s room.

How to Reduce Off-Gassing When Your Mattress Arrives

Even with a low VOC mattress, you may notice a light “new product” smell at first. That’s normal and usually dissipates quickly. Here are a few simple steps to speed things up:

1. Unbox in a ventilated room

   • Open windows if weather allows

   • Let fresh air circulate for a few hours

2. Remove all plastic immediately

   • Don’t let the mattress sit wrapped in plastic that traps odours

3. Let it breathe before making the bed

   • Ideally give it 24 hours to expand and air out

   • You can still nap on it if you want  it just gets more comfortable as it fully expands

4. Use air circulation if needed

   • A small fan can help move fresh air through the room

Most people find that any mild scent from a CertiPUR-US® low VOC mattress fades within a couple of days.

Low VOC Mattress Canada: What to Look For When You’re Shopping

If you’re comparing brands, use this quick checklist:

• ✅ CertiPUR-US® certified foam (or equivalent, clearly stated)

• ✅ Transparent about materials, not just marketing names

• ✅ Preferably made in Canada or in a controlled, audited facility

• ✅ Realistic, not “too-good-to-be-true” pricing (ultra-cheap foams often cut corners on quality and emissions)

• ✅ Clear information about warranty and return policy a sign the company stands behind its product

Haven’s LUX, Rejuvenate, and HIBER lines check these boxes, combining low VOC certified foams with Canadian manufacturing and hand-finished details.

Why a Low VOC Mattress Is Worth It

You don’t have to be “perfectly non-toxic” in every area of life to make meaningful improvements. Your mattress is simply one of the highest-impact places to be intentional:

• You’re in close contact with it for thousands of hours every year

• Your face is often just inches away from the materials

• Better materials can contribute to both healthier air and better sleep quality

For many Canadians, choosing a low VOC mattress is less about fear and more about a simple, practical upgrade: “If I’m investing in my sleep anyway, I might as well choose something cleaner.”

Final Thoughts: Breathing Easier on a Haven Mattress

Off-gassing and VOCs don’t have to be a mystery.

By choosing a mattress built with CertiPUR-US® certified foams, made fresh in Canada, and designed with airflow and quality materials in mind, you’re already stacking the deck in favour of cleaner bedroom air and more comfortable sleep.

Haven’s LUX, Rejuvenate, and HIBER mattresses are all:

• Built with low VOC, CertiPUR-US® certified foams

• Manufactured close to home for Canadian sleepers

• Designed to balance comfort, support, and cleaner materials

If you’re ready to upgrade to a low VOC mattress in Canada that doesn’t compromise on comfort, exploring these three lines is a smart place to start.