You may have heard of the fiberglass inside mattresses in a negative context, as concerns about this material have become more and more common in recent years. However, you may not know exactly what this material is or why it’s sparked controversy.
Fiberglass is, despite what the name implies, not pure glass. It’s partly plastic and reinforced with glass fibers. The material is used beyond just mattresses, such as in-home insulation since it works well as a thermal barrier.
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Why Do Mattresses Have Fiberglass?
Mattresses made in the U.S. must meet certain safety criteria when it comes to flammability. In the event of a fire, the fiberglass melts and coats the mattress’s insides, preventing the flame from spreading.
Naturally, fiberglass isn’t the only material that can stop a mattress from going up in flames. Chemical retardants were once common but are now banned due to toxicity concerns. Verified Source Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Works to control/prevent natural and manmade disasters. View source Fiberglass became a popular choice to replace these chemicals. Other alternatives to fibrglass are wool, plant fibers, and silica,
Is it Safe for a Mattress to Have Fiberglass?
This isn’t quite as simple as a yes-or-no question because fiberglass is meant to be a fire safety feature during sleep. Fiberglass inside the mattress reduces the chances of the bed going up in flames if exposed to fire. As long as the fiberglass stays inside the mattress, the bed should be safe enough.
What if that fiberglass gets free, though? Well, there are no known long-term concerns of fiberglass exposure, it can lead to coughing, a sore throat, red eyes, stomach issues, itchiness, and other symptoms of irritation.
These are not major medical concerns, but they can negatively impact your quality of life. Particularly because once fiberglass gets free, it’s difficult to remove it all from a living area, finding its way into the crevices of a cluttered bedroom. So those irritation symptoms will continue to persist until your home is clean.
Where is Fiberglass Inside a Mattress Located?
Fiberglass is usually found underneath the cover fabric, as a shell wrapped around the foams and springs inside the mattress. The idea of this design is that if the outside of the mattress does catch fire, the fiberglass will quickly melt into a barrier, slowing the spread of the flame and ensuring a sleeper has time to move away.
However, while the fabric cover should keep the fiberglass inside the mattress, some customers have complained that cheaply made mattresses can let the fiberglass leak through. Hence why many shoppers search for a nontoxic and chemical free mattress that doesn’t contain fiberglass.
Looking for a Mattress Free of Fiberglass?
Amerisleep’s mattresses are produced without fiberglass while still meeting all the necessary standards for sleeping safety. We offer memory foam, hybrid, and latex mattresses meant to suit various sleep styles.
| Mattress | Price |
|---|---|
| AS1 | $909 |
| AS2 | $979 |
| AS2 Hybrid | $1329 |
| AS3 | $1049 |
| AS3 Hybrid | $1399 |
| AS4 | $1259 |
| AS5 | $1539 |
| AS5 Hybrid | $1889 |
| Amerisleep Organica | $1849 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is fiberglass used in mattresses?
Fiberglass is used in mattresses to limit the potential of a deadly fire. It was meant as an alternative to chemical flame retardants, which later fell out of favor as their toxicity became well-known. Fiberglass was appealing because it was inexpensive and non-toxic, while also providing protection that could save people’s lives during a fire.
Does memory foam contain fiberglass?
The memory foam itself does not contain fiberglass. CertiPUR-US®, a common certification for high-quality memory foam, even notes that their seal means a foam doesn’t contain fiberglass.
However, just because there isn’t fiberglass inside the foam doesn’t mean a memory foam mattress lacks fiberglass entirely. The fiberglass typically encases the foams as a separate layer, so shoppers need to look for the best memory foam mattresses without fiberglass.
How can I tell if my mattress has fiberglass?
Often, mattress companies won’t openly advertise that their mattresses contain fiberglass. Still, an observant shopper can often spot the signs of a mattress with fiberglass. If they don’t refer to it as fiberglass, they may call it “glass wool” or “glass fibers.”
Another warning sign is a manufacturer stressing that mattress owners should not remove the cover. Removing the cover can let fiberglass escape, so even if a mattress brand won’t openly say their mattresses have fiberglass, this should put a shopper’s guard up.
What mattresses don’t use fiberglass?
Organic latex mattresses used to be the most certain way to get a fiberglass-free mattress. Instead of fiberglass, these eco-friendly mattresses tended to rely on flame-resistant wool or plant fibers.
However, it’s quite possible now to find all types of mattresses made without fiberglass, from memory foam to hybrids and even traditional innerspring mattresses.
Do all mattresses have fiberglass in them?
No, not all mattresses have fiberglass inside them, particularly as the drawbacks of fiberglass become more understood. However, the material is still used as a way for mattresses in the U.S. to meet federal safety standards.
Fiberglass is relatively inexpensive and it is quite effective as a non-chemical flame retardant. So it remains, for now at least, a common ingredient in mattresses.
Conclusion
More and more mattress shoppers are becoming aware of the potential risks to fiberglass, with a greater demand for mattresses free of fiberglass. Though it’s non-toxic, fiberglass can cause severe discomfort if it escapes its mattress.
If you do have a mattress with fiberglass, though, it’s not the end of the world. You can make sure not only to never remove the mattress cover, but even encase it in the additional barrier a mattress protector offers. This can provide some peace of mind until you’re ready to purchase a mattress without fiberglass.
About the author
Mitchell Tollsen is a graduate student and a freelance writer who’s contributed to the Early Bird blog for three years. Mitchell’s always been fascinated by the science of sleep and the restorative processes our bodies undergo when at rest. The self-titled “Sleep Expert” is always looking for ways to improve his shut-eye, and throughout the years has implemented numerous lifestyle changes and tried dozens of sleep-promoting gadgets to determine the best ways to truly get better rest.
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