Fiberglass has become a huge talking point in the mattress industry in recent years, with shoppers wanting to know whether the material is safe for sleeping on or not. There's a lot of misinformation flying around about the use of fiberglass in mattresses, but if it is dangerous, then why is it still being used as a flame retardant in some beds?
To find out, we recently spoke to Jonathan Warren, Director of Time 4 Sleep, and Adam Tishman, co-founder of Helix Sleep. Here they talk to us about why fiberglass is used in mattresses, how to tell if your mattress contains fiberglass, and what to do if it does.
Thankfully, most of this year's best mattresses for all sleepers are free from fiberglass, but some beds, especially cheaper models, still use it. Here's what you need to know...
What is fiberglass in mattresses?
Fiberglass is a type of synthetic material that is commonly used in wall insulation. This clear, straw-like material (which resembles translucent cotton candy or candy floss) is often invisible to the naked eye and can be woven into mattress covers, all-foam beds, and mattress toppers.
Fiberglass is a type of fire retardant. Mattresses can be extremely flammable without a proper flame barrier, so fiberglass is often used in mattresses to act as a fire retardant. "Fiberglass can serve as an insulating layer beneath the cover of a mattress, reducing the flammability of internal mattress materials," says Helix co-founder Alan Tishman.
Are fiberglass mattresses safe?
While the main reason for fiberglass use in mattresses is safety. The irony is that the material has become notorious for its risks. But how potentially dangerous are these risks? Time 4 Sleep's Jonathan Warren says that as long as the cover remains intact and keeps the fiberglass inside the bed, then there shouldn't be a huge risk to the sleeper. "The fibreglass itself is not inherently harmful," he says. "But it can become a concern when the fibres are released into the air and come into contact with skin, eyes, or respiratory systems."
Along with the health risks of fiberglass exposure, such as the link between fiberglass inhalation and lung disease, fiberglass can also spread throughout your home if it escapes from the mattress. If this happens, clean up is very difficult and expensive, often requiring the help of professional cleaners.
"The danger with fiberglass use in mattresses comes from the risk of a tear or rip exposing vast amounts of fiberglass to your home," says Adam Tishman of Helix Sleep. "Fiberglass is often used in a woven layer directly beneath the cover of a mattress. If the cover is torn, ripped, or removed, millions of fiberglass particles can be spread quickly throughout your home."
Tishman continues that the clear, thin appearance of fiberglass can make matters worse. "Because it is often not visible to the human eye, fiberglass can spread without your immediate knowledge," he says. "It’s not until symptoms like itching, coughing, or skin irritation appear that users are aware of the potential fiberglass exposure in their home."
Why do mattresses have fiberglass?
So, if fiberglass poses so many risks to both health and home, why is it used in mattresses? Well, according to Tishman, there are two main reasons: fire safety and money. "All mattresses in the US must meet two federal fire safety standards: the Standard for the Flammability (Smoldering) of Mattresses and Mattress Pads and the Open Flame Standard for Mattress Sets," he explains. "Fiberglass is a common component in the mattress industry because it’s a cheap way to meet these fire safety standards."
Warren says that there safer types of fire retardants that come without the health and safety risks, but some mattress manufacturers avoid these for monetary gain. “Some mattress manufacturers use fibreglass to cut down on production costs as other chemical additives and coatings commonly used to make memory foam mattresses fire retardant can quickly drive up prices," he points out. "However, this doesn’t prioritise the health and safety of customers."
Mattress production regulations are also less strict in the US, meaning that it is still legally sound to use fiberglass in mattresses. "UK production regulations are tougher than in other countries, but it’s still important to shop with reliable retailers and trustworthy brands who meet these safety regulations," says the mattress specialist.
"Most UK mattress suppliers use chemical additives that are added to the foam during production. These additives make the foam fire retardant and negate the need to have an extra protective inner case (or fibreglass), making them a popular choice. “On non-foam mattresses, the ticking - aka the mattress covering - is usually treated with a flame-retardant coating or back coating to improve its fire resistance and this is a much safer option than fibreglass. "
Do all mattresses have fiberglass?
No, many US mattress brands are now ditching fiberglass in favour of safer flame barriers, such as chemical-free Rayon fiber, thistle, and organic wool. Brands that create fiberglass-free mattresses include Saatva, Helix Sleep, Amerisleep, and Bear Mattress.
Fiberglass is also virtually non-existent in the best organic mattresses, with eco-luxury sleep brands such as Birch Living, Awara, and Avocado using natural, non-toxic flame barriers such as organic wool and cotton.
You may still find fiberglass in some cheap mattresses to keep both production costs and the mattresses' price tags low.
How to tell if a mattress has fiberglass
While you should never open up the cover of a mattress to check for fiberglass, according to Tishman, there are a few tricks to help you figure out whether your mattress does contain the material.
"The best way to know whether your mattress contains fiberglass is to check the label," he suggests. "Materials listed as “glass fiber,” and “glass wool,” can indicate that fiberglass has been used to some degree in the making of your mattress. It can also be helpful to contact the manufacturer of your mattress directly to inquire about all of the materials used."
And if your mattress does indeed contain fiberglass? "Avoid removing the external cover of the mattress, he warns. "You can also add a mattress protector or full mattress encasement to reduce the risk of fiberglass exposure."
Warren suggests investing in a cover that is specifically designed to guard against fiberglass exposure (look for a bed-bug resistant and waterproof mattress protectors) and to be cautious when transporting the mattress. "If you need to move a mattress that contains fibreglass, use personal protective equipment, like gloves and a mask,” he advises.
