Why Is Fire Retardant Important
Fire retardants are necessary for mattresses because many mattress types are made from flammable materials.
Memory foam, in particular, is highly combustible.
Without built-in fire retardants, some mattresses can become a blazing inferno after just a few minutes of open flame exposure.
But fire retardants like mattress covers and certain chemicals reduce mattress flammability and give occupants more time to escape before a home fire rages out of control.
That being said, some fire retardants like fiberglass and certain chemicals have been shown to carry significant health risks, too.
Locate The Fiberglass Leak
Identify the opening on the cover through which glass fibers are escaping. Locate any gaps in the mattress cover or spots where the cover has worn down to the point where the layer of fiberglass beneath is exposed. Otherwise, even if you clean the glass fibers, they will always escape from this place if you dont know where it is.
You can bag up any loose fiberglass if you wish to, or you can just skip to the next step.
Why Do Some Mattresses Like Zinus And Other Memory Foam Mattresses Use Fiberglass
As previously mentioned, the Consumer Product Safety Commission requires all mattresses in the U.S. to have a fire retardant mechanism before being cleared for sale. And as you already know, fiberglass is a cost-effective, chemical free option that’s an excellent fire retardant. To prevent the mattress from burning upon catching fire, the fiberglass inside melts instead.
In 2002, the U.S. government reported 20,800 fires associated with mattresses. The fires caused more than 300 fatalities and 2,200 injuries with a whopping $104 million in property damage. That’s why the CPSC initiated the flammability test standards. Since then, the act has saved more than 270 lives and prevented 1,330 injuries. Ten years later, research indicates an 82% and 34% reduction in deaths and injuries, respectively.
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Do Memory Foam Mattresses Have Fiberglass
While fiberglass might be a cheaper fire barrier, not all memory foam mattresses sold to customers have fiberglass. There are lots of fiberglass free mattresses sold every year, including these ones. However, you’ll pay more compared to the fiberglass ones.
Mattresses that don’t have fiberglass use a mixture of silica and wool to create a fire barrier. Memory foam mattress company is a reputable organization known for producing high-quality products. Suppose you don’t know how to tell these mattresses apart we’ll take a deep dive into it, as you’ll later see.
The Dangers Of Fiberglass In Your Mattress
You sleep on the same mattress for somewhere around 8-10 years, and fiberglass that is layered underneath the inner mattress cover has the potential to break down over time and poke through the top layer. Direct contact with fiberglass can result in extremely prickly, itchy and irritated skin.
Fiberglass particles also have the potential to pollute the air, which significantly reduces your indoor air quality. Airborne fiberglass can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, as well as damage to the lungs and upset stomach. High levels can aggravate existing conditions like asthma and bronchitis.
Once fiberglass particles have polluted the air in your home, it can be extremely expensive and difficult to remove them. This is because they can become embedded into carpets, clothing, bedding and other porous surfaces. Fiberglass can even end up in the HVAC system, transferring particles to the entire home.
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Advantages Of Using Fiberglass Free Mattresses
As it can be seen from the above discussion, mattresses containing fiberglass pose many dangers. However, all these can be avoided by using a fiberglass-free mattress. There are many advantages of using such mattresses, and thus many people are making the shift. Here are a few popular advantages:
- A fireproof mattress without the use of toxic chemicals or other substances.
- Fiberglass particles will not cause allergies and irritation.
- These mattresses are easier to clean, and their cover can be removed.
- Better sleep without nose or skin irritation caused by fiberglass.
- A more eco-friendly option.
How Can I Tell If My Mattress Has Fiberglass
Often, mattress manufacturers wont openly advertise that their mattresses contain fiberglass. Still, an observant shopper can often spot the signs of a mattress with fiberglass. If they dont 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, and this exposure to fiberglass can cause a number of health issues. So even if a mattress brand wont openly say their mattresses have fiberglass, non-removable mattress covers should put a shoppers guard up.
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Do Ikea Mattresses Have Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a chemical that Ikea has prohibited in all its products. It is commonly available in varnishes and paints. But the company has stopped its usage to protect the environment. Therefore, Ikea products cannot contain harmful chemicals.
The off-gassing you experience from your Ikea mattress is due to the two layers of polyurethane foam for just a few hours.
Is There Fiberglass In Your Mattress
If you were sleeping on glass, you would expect to know, but the truth is, many people are, and they dont even realize it! Im not talking about shards of broken glass but fiberglass. This material, which is more commonly used for roofing or between walls, may be in your bedding and is not suitable for your health or sleep.
Fiberglass uses glass fibers to make reinforced plastic, often arranged into sheets or cloth. It is more recognized as bright pink fluff that is used in the construction of buildings. Fiberglass is extremely strong, durable, and flexible, making it a popular building material. There is plenty of uses for the material, and it is also found in swimming pools, boats, hot tubs, surfboards, roofing, water tanks, aircraft, and septic tanks.
When used in the home as a building material, fiberglass is considered safe. That said, the dust from the fibrous glass is regarded as a human carcinogen, according to the US National Toxicology Program .
Unknowingly to many consumers, fiberglass is inside many mattresses. The material is added to provide a fire-resistant barrier, which makes them safer if there is ever a fire. It is also chosen because it is cheaper than using other, natural flame-retardant materials.
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What You Can Do
When you buy a mattress or crib mattress, EWG recommends looking for a company that is transparent about what it uses to meet fireproofing requirements and about the other materials in their products.
Mattresses can meet flammability standards using one of several safer alternatives, including wool or polylactic acid batting. Choose materials like wool and cotton and be wary of overstated claims.
You can find more information on choosing a healthy mattress here.
Health Effects Of Fiberglass
Exposure to fiberglass has various health effects depending on the type of exposure and the size of the fibers. Researchers found the larger fibers to cause eye, skin, and some parts of the respiratory tract irritation. Other possible effects include
- After a fiberglass exposure, your eyes may be irritated and turn red.
- Rashes may appear on the surface of your skin. The good thing is that touching fiberglass doesn’t have long-term health effects.
- Swallowing the fiberglass may cause stomach irritation but temporarily.
- You may also experience soreness in your throat or nose if you inhale the fibers.
Above are the most common effects of tiny fibers. However, little is known about the health effects associated with smaller fibers. According to some researchers, the smaller fibers, when inhaled, can reach the sensitive inner parts of the lungs causing severe health damage.
Those at risk of long-term exposure to fiberglass are those who directly work with this material daily in their workplaces or homes. If you’re wondering, there is no evidence indicating fiberglass causes cancer in humans.
While certain animal research studies showed an increased risk of cancer when fiberglass was implanted in rats’ lung tissues, the evidence was inconclusive due to the method used to plant the glass fibers. The International Agency for Research on Cancer identified some fiberglass fibers as potential cancer-causing agents based on the animal study.
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Tips To Remove Fiberglass From Your Bedroom
Even after being cautious at every step with your fiberglass mattress, you might have to remove the cover someday, or maybe do so by accident. This will lead to the fiberglass fibers escaping. However, there are steps you can use to control this spreading. However, its advisable to wear a protective mask cover before beginning.
Tips to remove fiberglass from your bedroom
- Vacuum all the surfaces in your home with a high-end vacuum cleaner featuring HEPA and ULPA filters.
- Repeat the process a few times till the desired results are achieved.
- Check out and clean dusty areas in the room like window sills, corners, and ledges.
- To stop the fiberglass particles from spreading, wash the ceilings, floors, walls, counters, and other hard surfaces with home cleaners.
- Thoroughly wash the curtains, blinds, rugs, and sheets in the washing machine. Afterward vacuum the machine.
- Air purify the contaminated room for 12 hours.
Check The Label Or Website
Always check the label or website when buying a new mattress to see what materials its made from. If it contains fiberglass, consider looking for an alternative.
Some less than reputable manufacturers will try to hide the word fiberglass or use greenwashing tactics to mislead you.
Look out for words such as:
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Who Is A Target Audience Of The Zoma Hybrid Mattress
This model is for those who are looking for a fiberglass-free mattresses. It is breathable, supportive, and has excellent motion isolation. Additionally, it should be noted that this mattress is one of the more affordable options on the market. You will also like this model if you want to get good back support and pressure relief.
Faqs About Mattresses And Fiberglass Everything You Ever Wanted To Know
Q: Is fiberglass in mattresses safe?
A: Fiberglass in your mattress is not safe at all. Inhaled or ingested, even the tiniest particle can wreak havoc on your respiratory system. Not to mention, these micro-thin filaments can easily get into the eyes and can cause tears that could damage the eyesight permanently. Let us not forget, fiberglass is actually glass the same glass that windows and drinking glasses are made out of. We recommend buying an organic mattress without fiberglass. You do not want fiberglass in your mattress! We recommend looking for one that is Certipur-Us or Greenguard Gold certified. Organic mattresses containing organic wool, certified organic latex, plant-based materials, and other high-quality materials are the way to go.
Q: Will fiberglass wash out of clothes?
A: Fiberglass can be washed out of clothes. The only caveat is that you may need multiple washes to ensure that they are all out. Because they are so small, it is hard to see if they have all been washed out, hence the added security of multiple washes. Washing fiberglass out of clothes must only be done in a washing machine and never by hand. Immediately after, make sure to clean out your machine by giving it another go on a rinse cycle.
Q: Do most mattresses contain fiberglass?
Q: Which type of mattress does not have fiberglass?
Q: How do you clean mattresses with fiberglass?
Q: What do you do if you have fiberglass contamination from a mattress in your home?
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How To Avoid Fiberglass In Mattresses
Many of the reports feature Zinus mattresses which are confirmed by the manufacturer as having fiberglass in the inner cover.
However, there are many more brands that use fiberglass in their mattresses and are less forthcoming in their declarations.
So heres 3 steps that you can take to identify if your current mattress has fiberglass in it and how to avoid buying a new mattress thats packed with fiberglass.
About The Author Of This Important Article
We wanted to bring this warning to the public because it matters to us that consumers are equipped with the truth.
Dealing with the fallout from a low-quality inner mattress cover made with fiberglass can be devastating to individuals and families alike.
These tiny, itchy fibers can become lodged in your couch fabrics, your clothes, and even the floor you walk on. Whats worse, if these fibers get sucked into your HVAC system, they can easily spread to every corner of your home.
Besides the health risks, it can also cost thousands to tens of thousands of dollars to get your house back to normal.
Thats why we offer 100% fiberglass-free mattresses built using all-natural fire-retardant materials in our covers. We advocate better health and sleep and provide a more health-conscious alternative to fiberglass that still keeps your family safe.
So if youre looking for a quality all-natural fabric mattress thats comfortable, supportive, and fiberglass-free safe for you and your family, consider a fiberglass-free mattress.
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Which Mattress Does Not Have Fiberglass
Heres a list of 5 great memory foam mattresses with NO fiberglass:
- Puffy. Puffy have a range of 3 awesome memory foam mattresses, all made in the USA. I talked with their customer service team to confirm there is no fiberglass inside their mattresses: instead they use a mixture of silica and wool. You can shop for a Puffy mattress from just $599, and get a free accessory bundle worth up to $455 while youre at it!
- Tuft and Needle Original. This is a great mattress if youre looking to buy your memory foam mattress on Amazon. You get a 100 night sleep trial, which is actually quite rare for Amazon. Ive seen their customer service reps guarantee in the Amazon questions that theres no fiberglass in this mattress. Do note this is not the case for all T& N mattresses, Im talking specifically about the ORIGINAL.
- Tempur-Pedic. Can you even talk about memory foam without mentioning the original brand? Tempur-Pedic mattresses have removable covers and no fiberglass, but they do cost quite a lot more than others Ive listed.
- Casper Element. Another well known brand that is sold on Amazon, this mattress doesnt have any fiberglass. Again, this fiberglass free advice relates specifically to the ELEMENT mattress.
You can also pretty much guarantee that brands that sell natural or organic latex mattresses, like PlushBeds and Avocado, will NOT use fiberglass, and have organic cotton or wool as the fire barrier instead.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
The Problem With Fiberglass In Mattresses
There are two main problems with having fiberglass particles in your mattress:
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How Do You Spot The Warning Signs Of A Fiberglass Mattress Inner Cover
So, now that you know why a fiberglass mattress inner over should be avoided. Lets look at some of the less obvious warning signs to help you spot them in the first place.
- Price Fiberglass is a low-cost protective material. And as such, bottom-shelf mattress manufacturers are more likely to use it than high-quality mattress makers. Many popular retail mattresses that sell for less than $600 for a queen will often contain an inner cover made with fiberglass.
- Origin Countries like China often have different manufacturing standards than those mattresses made in the USA. And while not all factories from China will use fiberglass, its more likely an internationally made mattress inner cover will contain fiberglass than a mattress cover produced in the US.
- Material Mattresses made from memory foam may also be more likely to have a cover with fiberglass. Since this material is so highly flammable, manufacturers may resort to lower-cost fire retardant solutions to meet US safety specifications.
It Is Safer Than Hard Chemicals
Compared to other hard chemicals, this substance is less likely to cause harm to humans.
Thats because this material contains fewer carcinogens than other hazardous compounds. Unless it is in contact with the air, it is not at risk when thoroughly pervaded in the internal cover of the mattress.
Safe materials
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What To Do If I Find Fiberglass In My Mattress
If your mattress has got fiberglass make sure to:
- Never remove the mattress cover. Removing the mattress cover can liberate the fiberglass shards into the air triggering respiratory problems and other health issues.
- Use a matters topper for extra protection
- Use a mattress protector. If your mattress uses fiberglass, it’s probably a cheap mattress. Cheap mattresses use low-quality materials, which means that the cover can easily get a hole in it, allowing fiberglass to escape. A good quality 100% cotton mattress protector will help prevent it and make your mattress last longer.
- Consider buying a new mattress. Your best bet is an organic mattress made from natural materials, which uses a plant-based fire barrier or wool as a fire retardant.
These tips will help you reduce the risk of exposing yourself to glass fibers in your mattress, making it safer for you and your family.
Fiberglass Mattresses In The News
In recent years, several reports of families coping with the devastating damage the mattress cover in their mattress caused them.
One case, in particular, thats garnered national coverage occurred in St. Louis.
Just have a look at this video titled The danger lurking in your mattress.
Its a living nightmare, horrible and through the whole house Kitchen table, kitchen chairs, countertops, dishes Now the furnace, air conditioner, everything in the house is contaminated Everything is destroyed. You never would have thought by taking off a cover you would destroy thousands upon thousands of dollars and your whole life.
There are plenty of other cases across the country too.
The culprits seem to be low-cost memory foam mattresses from manufacturer Zinus.
Zinus mattresses are widely available and sold at Walmart, Target, Home Depot, and Amazon.
However, some claim that other mattress companies also produce similarly dangerous products.
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