Do All Memory Foam Mattresses Have Fiberglass?

Aside from being free of fiberglass, the Amerisleep AS3 is designed to promote comfort for the widest possible range of sleepers. Its medium feel suits most sleeping positions with its mix of support and pressure, while its airy foams and technological cover stays cool at night.

The first foam layer is Bio-Pur® foam, a plant-based alternative to traditional memory foam. By replacing a portion of strandard ingreidents with plant-derived oils, Bio-Pur® delivers a more responsive and breathable feel than standard memory foam.

The second foam layer is Affinity foam with HIVE® technology. This sleep technology establishes five zones of support, ensuring the bed cradles the shoulders and hips and supports the head, back, and feet for a healthy spine alignment.

The last foam layer is Bio-Core® foam, a material carefully engineered to boost the bed’s durability and support. With Bio-Core® structuring the mattress, you don’t need to worry about the AS3 sagging and developing soft spots.

The AS3 includes free shipping and comes with a 100-night sleep trial and a 20-year warranty.

How Do You Know if Your Mattress Has Fiberglass?

Fiberglass is frequently woven into a layer inside the mattress, so you can only see it if you remove the outer mattress cover from your bed.

Most likely, the white, nearly translucent, shining substance will resemble plastic strands but is fiberglass particles. However, due to the propensity of fiberglass to break and shed, smaller fragments will likely tear from the woven layer. These fragments are hard to notice and might poke through the cover or seep out of the mattress. Additionally, tiny pieces may fly into the air, enter air conditioner systems, or be breathed in.

The materials used in the inner and outside of a mattress and the cover are often listed on the mattress label.

Examine the mattress label to ascertain whether, where, and how much fiberglass is present in the mattress. If you need help after reading the mattress tag, ask the mattress manufacturer about the particular materials or fire retardant components.

Glass-reinforced plastic, glass-fiber reinforced plastic, glass fiber, glass wool, and fiberglass-reinforced plastic are a few more terms that are frequently used to refer to fiberglass. Every mattress maker is expected to provide a list of all the materials used in their models’ inner and outer construction, along with the proportion of each substance used.

The mattress sticker should make it apparent if a mattress contains fiberglass and caution against removing the mattress cover if it does. Investing in fiberglass-free mattress covers might assist in extending protection because mattresses and their coverings deteriorate with time.

Other Potential Signs of Fiberglass

“Made in China” Labels

Most businesses, including mattress makers, benefit significantly from the low cost of doing business in China. Additionally, more relaxed rules mean that it always comes at the customer’s price, causing severe health hazards.

This is why it’s important to check if a mattress is made in the USA or if it hails from a country with less stringent safety standards.

Mattresses Made of Polyfoam

A proper memory foam mattress often costs a lot of money. Other mattress producers could use Polyfoam instead, which may contain fiberglass and other less expensive ingredients. Such mattresses may be promoted by an unscrupulous mattress company as having memory foam.

Low Price

Cheaper mattresses that cost $400 or less for a larger size are almost certainly fiberglass-filled. Additionally, less costly mattresses may use possibly dangerous materials among other cost-cutting techniques.

It can be intimidating to find a mattress on a budget, but it’s possible to find a fiberglass-free and otherwise eco-friendly mattress without overspending.

“Don’t Remove The Cover” Label

Mattress manufacturers do not want you to expose the fiberglass by removing the mattress cover. Not all mattresses with non-removable covers have fiberglass, especially as it can be tough to wrangle the cover back over the mattress thickness. However, enough do for you to be cautious of the internal fire barrier.

Greenwashing Terminology

As a reminder, ‘greenwashing’ is the term used for selling that tries to make a mattress sound more natural and non-toxic than it is. Many shoppers want an eco-friendly mattress, so unscrupulous retailers will try to take advantage of it.

It makes sense for a buyer to reject a fiberglass mattress in favor of a high-quality mattress without fiberglass. The majority of mattress manufacturers frequently utilize words like “glass wool,” “silica,” and “glass fibers” to purposefully deceive customers when reading the mattress tags.

Anytime you see this in a foam mattress, be aware that it’s a warning sign. If you want a non-toxic and chemical-free mattress without fiberglass, look also for certifications that can attest to its quality. Organic mattresses should always have such certifications, as the term is more well-regulated than ‘natural.’ But even natural mattresses worth the name should have a few such certifications.

How to Handle a Fiberglass Mattress

You likely have already tested your mattress for fiberglass particles or researched if your particular model contains it. Fiberglass itself is not poisonous, so you shouldn’t be alarmed if yours has fiberglass as a fire retardant. Once it’s out of the mattress, though, it won’t be very nice. Therefore, leaving the fire barrier intact with a quality mattress cover is important.

If your mattress cover develops a hole, the tiny fibers of fiberglass within will be able to escape quickly. Since budget mattresses tend to use fiberglass as a cost-saving measure, many use other lower-quality materials, and their coverings are likely similarly less costly and robust. Meanwhile, more expensive mattresses use more premium materials, so it can be worth it to invest more in your comfort.

If you do have a mattress with fiberglass, use a premium mattress protector to shield your mattress. So if the cover wears thin, the added barrier will keep it from spreading or coming in contact with you.

Never take the cover off a mattress because it has a fiberglass layer that is a fire retardant. You run the danger of releasing the fiberglass if you remove the cover. Lastly, replace the mattress with a safer choice if you don’t like sleeping on a mattress covered with fiberglass.

Signs of Mattress Fiberglass Exposure

Exposure to fiberglass from your mattress can lead to various symptoms. These may include:

• Itching and Skin Irritation: Fiberglass particles can cause itching, redness, and irritation on the skin.
• Respiratory Issues: Inhaling fiberglass particles may lead to respiratory symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, and irritation in the throat and lungs.
• Eye Irritation: Contact with fiberglass can cause eye irritation, redness, and discomfort.
• Allergic Reactions: Some individuals may experience allergic reactions, including rashes, hives, or more severe responses in sensitive individuals.

If you suspect fiberglass exposure from a mattress, we strongly suggest you seek medical attention. Removing and replacing the affected mattress is also recommended to minimize further exposure. It’s easier than trying to constantly clean up loose mattress fiberglass.

FAQs

Is it safe to sleep on a mattress with fiberglass?

When released from their coverings, fiberglass can affect sleepers’ health. However, provided the mattress and mattress cover remain secure and undamaged, any fiberglass inside the bed is generally safe for you to use. As an extra precaution, you can cover the mattress with a mattress protector. Still, it’s wise to browse fiberglass-free mattresses to replace it soon.

How do I know if my memory foam mattress has fiberglass?

There are several indicators of fiberglass in a mattress. The simplest and clearest is if it says so on the care label. Pay attention to creative terms for fiberglass, such as ‘glass wool.’

If your mattress is made of polyfoam or the mattress foam is made in China, there is also a good chance it has fiberglass. Lastly, while it’s not a clear sign that your mattress has fiberglass, a non-removable cover is a good reason to investigate further.

Where is the fiberglass in a mattress?

You should only see fiberglass if you remove the cover from your mattress, as it’s typically woven into a fire sock. The white, nearly translucent, and shining substance will most likely resemble plastic strands and tends to shine under a flashlight. However, if your mattress cover wears out, you may see these sparkling shards on top of the mattress.

Why do some mattresses have fiberglass?

Fiberglass is often used in mattresses because it is a low-cost flame retardant. That pleasant, comfortable mattress in your bedroom can be rather flammable, particularly if it is constructed of memory foam. Fiberglass was originally appealing because 

Are memory foam mattresses safe?

Memory foam is safe, yes. Despite some common myths and assumptions, memory foam does not promote cancer or other health problems.

Some shoppers are turned off the material by its off-gassing potential. However, memory foam’s chemical odor frequently goes away after a few days, and some higher-quality models have it disappear within hours of being unboxed. A very small percentage of sleepers may experience mild discomfort from the off-gassing smell, but these symptoms should disappear with the odor.

Conclusion

You’ll find memory foam mattresses that are not only comfortable but also offer excellent support. A well-made memory foam mattress can be great for people who have trouble sleeping. And you don’t have to give up this comfort to enjoy a mattress free of fiberglass.

But how do you know if a memory foam mattress is really made with fiberglass? The answer is simple: look for a certification label and contact the manufacturer if you need more clarification.