Olee Mattress Fiberglass: you’re here to find out whether this mattress has fiberglass, and I’m here to tell you that it does. How do I know? I’ve spoken with Olee Sleep directly and asked them (see proof below). To their credit, they replied straight away, and informed me that yes, Olee mattresses do indeed contain fiberglass in their barrier.
Here’s the direct quote from my discussion with Olee mattresses:
Thank you for reaching out to Olee Sleep.
Our mattresses do contain woven glass-fibre technology underneath the inner cover for fire retardant purposes. Our brand Olee Sleep is CertiPUR-US Certified!
Please let us know if you have any further questions!
Can’t get any clearer than that! Kudos to them for just being straight up and owning it though. That’s a sign of a good honest company.
However, if this has put you off Olee, I suggest you check out my top 6 memory foam mattresses that do not contain fiberglass, as personally verified by me:
If you still want to know more about Olee mattress fiberglass, I’ll take you through the most common fiberglass questions:
- Why do mattresses have fiberglass?
- Why is fiberglass a problem?
- How do I know if my mattress has fiberglass?
- How do I deal with a mattress that has fiberglass in it?
- List: mattresses with fiberglass
- List: mattresses without fiberglass
- Olee mattress fiberglass: final verdict
Why Do Some Memory Foam Mattresses Even Have Fiberglass?
In the USA, all mattresses are required under federal law to have some sort of fire barrier or fire retardant in it.
Fiberglass is a popular choice of fire barrier because it’s low cost and non toxic. In the event of a fire it will melt in on itself (like liquid glass) without releasing toxic fumes
While fiberglass is non toxic, (we use fiberglass all through our houses for insulation, etc), but it can be really annoying if it gets into the wrong spaces.
Why Fiberglass Can Be A Problem
Ever touched an insulation panel that goes in a wall? Chances are it made you itchy. Fiberglass fibers are extremely fine but pointy, which can cause itching and irritation for some people
If fiberglass escapes the mattress, it will be very hard to clean up. The fine particles can end up in your bedding, your clothes, your floor… and you could have to pay a lot of money to remove them.
Unfortunately, Amazon, Reddit, and other places around the internet where people talk about mattresses are FULL of people who’ve been hit with having to deal with fiberglass escaping from their mattress. One of the biggest memory foam manufacturers in the US, Zinus, is even facing a lawsuit about fiberglass in their mattresses.
This short video highlights both the hazards of fiberglass if it escapes from a mattress and also how it is an EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE fire barrier (watch the mattresses burning at around 2 minutes in).
How Do I Know If My Mattress Has Fiberglass?
There are three ways to tell if a mattress has fiberglass inside:
- Read the label to find what the mattress is made of. You’re looking for words like “fiberglass” (obviously), “glass wool”, “glass fiber”, or “glass yarn”.
- Check your mattress instructions. If it states “do not remove the cover” (or words to that effect) that’s usually because there’s fiberglass in it. HOT TIP: some mattresses have zips on the cover, even though they have a “do not remove cover” warning. This zip is part of the manufacturing process, not an invitation to remove the cover. If you find yourself with a mattress that has a zip AND an instruction to never remove the cover, don’t touch that zip!
- Can’t find either of the first two? Here’s when I would assume a memory foam mattress contains fiberglass: It was cheap (I’ll define this as under $500 for a Queen or King size mattress) AND it’s made in China. You can ask a brand directly if you’re unsure, but I’ve done that hard work for you with these mattress fiberglass articles.
How To Deal With A Mattress That Has Fiberglass Inside
So you’ve realized your memory foam mattress contains fiberglass. First of all, don’t panic! The fiberglass isn’t toxic, but it will be annoying and even hazardous if it gets out of the mattress (more on that further down the post). Here’s how you deal with your mattress to keep the fiberglass in:
- Don’t remove the cover. Fiberglass is used as a fire retardant layer above the memory foams under the cover. Remove the cover and you risk unleashing the fiberglass. Keep it contained.
- Use a mattress protector. If the mattress cover gets a hole in it, fiberglass could escape through it. Remember, these are often cheap mattresses, so the cover material may be thin or less durable than more expensive brands. Cover your mattress with a good quality protector (LINK) as insurance against holes (and to extend the life of your mattress.
- Consider replacing it. If the idea of fiberglass in your mattress is just really freaking you out, it would be worth your peace of mind to just replace the mattress with a mattress that does not contain fiberglass. I’ve listed some great options for you earlier in this post.
Mattresses With Fiberglass: Brand List
This list was correct at the time of writing this article, and may be subject to change.
- Zinus
- Allswell
- DreamCloud
- Casper
- Sleep Innovations
- Linenspa
- Nectar
- Lucid
- Vibe
- Purple
- GhostBed
- Classic Brands (this brand is now out of business, but it has been popular over the years)
Mattresses Without Fiberglass: Brand List
This list was correct at the time of writing this article, and may be subject to change.
Olee Mattress Fiberglass: Final Verdict
I’ve spent a lot of time researching and thinking about this issue. I’ve seen too many images of glass fibers poking out of mattresses and heard too many scary stories to feel like I’d be comfortable buying a mattress with fiberglass in it.
When there are other brands offering you fiberglass free mattresses that are awesome quality for a great price, it’s a total no brainer to recommend you buy one of them instead.
