Are you looking to buy a new mattress, but are unsure about all the different available materials?
You may have not even heard about fiberglass and what it can mean for your health!
That’s why we’ve created the ultimate guide to mattresses that contain fiberglass.
We’ll teach you what fiberglass is, what the risks are, and how brands use fiberglass in their products. If you are looking to buy a mattress but are unaware of how fiberglass may impact you and your family, this guide is for you!
In this article, we’ll cover:
- What fiberglass is
- Why certain mattresses use fiberglass
- Which mattresses have fiberglass and how to spot them
- How to care for your mattresses.
Let’s get into it!
What is Fiberglass?
Fiberglass is a type of plastic that has been reinforced with very fine glass fibers.
These fibers are usually woven together to form a fabric or used in a non-woven mat and can be used in mattresses, for example.
Fiberglass is known for its strength, durability, and resistance to fire. This is why it is often used in mattresses, as it helps mattresses meet fire safety regulations.
Why Do Mattresses Contain Fiberglass?
Some companies will use fiberglass technology in their mattresses due to the materials’ fire-resistant properties.
This also helps them meet stringent fire safety regulations that need to be adhered to. Therefore, the main role of fiberglass is as a fire barrier or fire-resistant layer in the construction of the mattress.
This helps reduce the risk of a mattress catching fire and can slow down the spread of flames in the event of a fire.
Mattresses with fiberglass – this is something people are becoming more and more concerned about, and rightly so. Sure, it’s fine if you KNOWINGLY buy a mattress with a fiberglass fire barrier and do everything in your power to keep it inside the mattress, but what if you unwittingly bought a mattress with fiberglass, removed the cover, and unleashed nasty little glass particles all through your house?
Nobody wants that! So I’m here to share a list of 9 common/well known mattress brands that definitely use fiberglass in the fire barrier of their mattress. You’ve then got the power to make an informed decision about the mattress you’re bringing into your home.
Fiberglass mattresses and your health
Although the use of fiberglass in mattresses helps to increase their fire safety, there may be some health implications involved.
Mattresses with fiberglass cause the small glass fibers to become dislodged, especially if the mattress is damaged or taken apart. This causes the small fibers to be inhaled through our mouth and nose.
Although some of the research is conflicting, certain studies have found that these inhaled fiberglass particles can cause lung damage. Fiberglass has also been found to contribute to inflammation of the lung.
Fiberglass exposure can also cause skin irritation called fiberglass dermatitis, which is “one of the most common forms of occupational dermatitis resulting from mechanical irritation.”
Fiberglass Regulations
Agencies are now reviewing the safety of using fiberglass in mattresses and are putting protective measures in place.
For example, legislation such as Assembly Bill 1059 now bans the sale of mattresses with fiberglass in California.
Which Mattresses Have Fiberglass?
If you are buying a mattress, it is important to know whether it contains fiberglass.
Unfortunately, fiberglass mattresses are very common – comprising the bulk of Amazon’s top 15 mattresses, for example.
In general, mattresses made of cheap memory foam are more likely to contain fiberglass. Some brands and models that use fiberglass in their mattresses include:
- Zinus
- Linenspa
- Lucid
- Olee Sleep
- Sleep Innovations
- Ashley Gruve
- Ashley Gruve Hybrid
- Ashley Ultra
- Purple
- Casper Original
- Casper original hybrid
- DreamCloud
- Leesa Original
- Allswell Cool
- Comfort Tech Serene
- Full moon
- Ghostbed classic
- IKEA Amsosen
- Puffy Original
- Siena.
If you DO buy one of these mattresses (they are temptingly budget friendly and some are very comfortable), make sure you NEVER, EVER remove the cover, and use a mattress protector to protect the integrity of the cover.
Two Brands To Steer Clear Of
- Nectar
- DreamCloud
These two popular mattress brands are actually owned by the same company. I want you to stay away from them because their customer service is not trustworthy. I asked them via their online chat service whether their mattresses contain fiberglass, and they talked around in circles so badly I got dizzy from all their lines they spun.
The final answer on the matter was “no”, they don’t contain fiberglass, but they dodged around the issue so much I just don’t trust them. Buyer beware if you choose one of these.
How To Spot A Fiberglass Containing Mattress
It can be challenging to know exactly how to spot which mattress contains fiberglass. Here’s a simple list of things you can do to make this task simpler:
On Amazon:
- Look at the questions and answers for the mattress. Look for definitive answers from the brand selling the mattress clearly stating there is no fiberglass. Don’t trust answers from fellow customers on this one – I’ve seen them get it wrong many times.
- Look at customer pictures of the mattress. As people become more aware of the fiberglass issue, more people are posting photos of their mattress care tags which will clearly state if there is fiberglass or not.
What you’re looking for is “glass fiber”. The “glass fiber” will usually be given as a % of the material in or under the cover, and I’ve seen the amount of fiberglass vary from 12 – 68%.
Off Amazon:
- Talk to customer service. Online mattress brands MUST have impeccable customer service to survive, and if you feel like you’re being given the run-around, stay away and buy something else.
I want to give kudos to Zinus and Purple here: they both gave a straight and clear answer immediately confirming fiberglass when I chatted with them.
- Look for mattresses with removable covers (you can’t take a cover off a mattress that has a fiberglass fire barrier)
- Look for all-natural materials like natural or organic latex (like the massively popular Avocado Green Mattress), as these will usually have organic cotton and/or wool as the fire barrier.
Other tips:
Read the Label: Check the mattress label or tag for information about its construction materials.
Manufacturers are often required to disclose the materials used, including fire barriers. Look for terms like “fiberglass fire barrier” or “fire-resistant materials.”
Contact the Manufacturer or Retailer: If the label doesn’t provide clear information or if you have concerns, consider contacting the mattress manufacturer or the retailer before making a purchase.
They can provide information about the materials used in a specific mattress model and can tell you if the mattress contains fiberglass
Conclusion
Fiberglass is a plastic material that is reinforced with small glass fibers which are woven together.
While fiberglass is often used in mattresses to help increase their fire safety ratings, it is important to know that these fiberglass fibers can be harmful when inhaled.
There are some practical steps you can take when buying a mattress to ensure that the mattress you are purchasing is fiberglass-free.
These include making sure you read labels carefully, talking to customer service, and reading reviews titled ‘fiberglass’ to learn more about the mattress you are about to purchase!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is it safe to have fiberglass in the mattress?
It is safe to have fiberglass in your mattress as long as the fibers are never dislodged!
This means that the mattress should be safe as long as the coverings are not removed or damaged. It is important to keep your mattress covered if it contains fiberglass.
Do all mattresses have fiberglass in them?
Not all mattresses contain fiberglass. The use of fiberglass in mattresses is primarily for fire safety purposes and to meet safety regulations.
Some mattress manufacturers use alternative fire-resistant materials such as natural materials like wool or cotton to achieve fire safety compliance without using fiberglass.
How can I tell if my mattress has fiberglass?
There are a few things you can do to check if your mattress contains fiberglass.
First, check the label or tag on the seems to see if it mentions “fiberglass fire barrier”. You can also contact the manufacturer, refer to the product description, or inspect the mattress for signs of fiberglass.
What to do if my mattress has fiberglass?
Generally, nothing! There are many benefits to using fiberglass in your mattress, such as cheaper costs and better fire protection. As long as you follow safety precautions like keeping the mattress contents safely zipped inside, there’s not much to worry about.