The copy/paste approach to writing mattress sanitizing regulations

Note: To read about mattress sanitizing regs done right, read this post about the Southern Nevada Health District.

New Jersey has guidelines for the sanitization of used mattresses (PDF).

New Jersey’s bedding law is available here (PDF).

The guidelines give specific direction in the use of Steri-Fab or Microban to sanitize used mattresses—right down to the recommended number of ounces per mattress size.

7. For proper application to achieve disinfection, the following instructions must be followed:

a. Disinfectant must be applied in a manner to achieve sufficient disinfection at all points and surfaces on the bedding/furniture article.

1) If there are any stains on the fabric of the article to be sanitized, they should first be scrubbed thoroughly with warm water and soap. If stain persists, article should be properly disposed of.

2) If there are any tears of any kind in the fabric of the article to be sanitized, this article also should be repaired properly or disposed of.

b. Surfaces should be sprayed until thoroughly dampened and allowed to remain wet at least 10 minutes and then dried before using or moving. Minimum drying time should be 30 minutes.

c. Spray should be directed into all crevices, cracks, tufts, borders, buttons, welt cords, tape edges, seams, creases, folds, hiding places, and irregular surfaces of the bedding/furniture product.

d. To achieve adequate disinfection on mattress surfaces, disinfectant should be applied uniformly in the following amounts: 4 to 5 ounces (wet weight) per single/twin mattress or folding cot, 6 to 8 ounces per double mattress as specified by the product instructions.

Emphasis mine.

A footnote indicates that the guidelines are based on the Virginia Department of Health’s Bedding and Upholstered Furniture Inspection Guidelines, from which indeed they have been copied verbatim.

So, I imagine, I have to presume, that Virginia, if not New Jersey, has some data on the efficacy of 6 to 8 ounces of Steri-Fab or Microban for sanitizing a double mattress.

Perhaps you think there is some kind of error here? It would have to be on error that is repeated in other states, because Connecticut also allows Steri-Fab sanitization of used mattresses. As does Texas—indeed, Texas, like California, provides for these spray sanitization methods as alternatives to dry heat and other methods!

This is from Connecticut’s Instructions for Applying for Bedding and Upholstered Furniture License and Sterilization Sanitation Permits (PDF):

Approximate amounts to use of STERI FAB

Usage per double bed: 6 – 8 oz

5 Gallon: Approximately 80 applications

(40 sets – mattresses/boxsprings)

4 Gallons: Approximately 64 applications

one case (16 applications per gallon/8 sets

12 Pints: Approximately 24 applications

one case (12 sets)

So, with a bunch of states that have this Steri-Fab sanitization option for used bedding (either singly or as an alternative to other methods), I’d like to see data that shows this actually works, especially with the small quantities indicated.

It’s been a while since we’ve looked at this subject but, honestly? There don’t seem to be any good choices here. (By the way, we have to revisit that Nevada/California story; I just discovered there’s more to it.)

Thinking about New York’s mattress sanitizing regulations (which don’t exist!) in the context of the apparently flawed regulations in other states, in the middle of this economy, you might say is a bit of an exercise, but I can’t be the only one interested in this subject, hmm?

Note: Virginia has two full-time staff and four part-time staff dedicated to Bedding and Upholstered Furniture Inspection. You can read their budget here.

These pages may be of related interest:

1. What would New York’s missing mattress sanitizing regs look like anyway?
2. Ending the 30-day trial risk plus remembering the essential mattress problem
3. Actually, this is what our used mattress regs could look like!
4. We are reviewing the new NYS Department of State proposed mattress sanitizing regs
5. Dateline NBC revisits the reconditioned mattress story