What to Know to Avoid Fiberglass in Your Mattress

When you picture your mattress, you think of a soft, safe place to sleep every night. It’s a sanctuary as well as one of the most frequently-used pieces of furniture you own. However, if you’re not careful when mattress shopping, you could find yourself breathing in fiberglass as you sleep.

What is Fiberglass?

Fiberglass is a material made by reinforcing plastic with glass fibers and synthetic chemicals. You may have seen fiberglass before. It’s that cotton candy-like material used for insulation in walls. You might not think that this is commonly found in mattresses, but it is, especially memory foam mattresses. 

It’s used because it’s known for being malleable yet durable, and cheap to mass produce. That, and fiberglass can withstand high temperatures, with its average melting point of 540oC. This allows mattresses made with fiberglass to meet the federal safety standard for open-flame fire resistance in mattresses. All of this makes it extremely tempting for manufacturers to use it despite the risks.

Is Fiberglass Dangerous?

There’s been some debate about the dangers of fiberglass to your health. Studies are ongoing regarding whether or not it causes cancer. However as fiberglass has many similarities to asbestos, there are many who suggest that it may exhibit similar health problems.

Even without potential long-term risks, fiberglass is not something you want to risk breathing in every night as you sleep. It’s an irritant, particularly to your skin, lungs, and eyes. That’s why when you see people working with it, they wear goggles, masks, work gloves, and cover as much skin as possible. Notably, fiberglass particles are easy to inhale. Once the tiny glass fibers enter your body, they could cut and penetrate your organs and tissues.

When it comes to mattresses, manufacturers typically weave the fiberglass into the inner cover or right beneath it. So you’re literally sleeping right on top of an irritant, with only a mattress protector and a bedsheet between it and you. This is why mattresses with fiberglass can cause inflammatory responses in both children and adults.

Is There Fiberglass in My Mattress?

If you’re concerned there could be fiberglass in your mattress, there are ways to check. First of all, fiberglass is most commonly found in cheap mattresses. If you’ve spent $600 or less on your mattress, you could very well be sleeping on fiberglass. More expensive mattresses use higher-quality, pricier materials that replace fiberglass. Memory foam mattresses are the most likely to have fiberglass, while organic mattresses are the least likely. 

Next, ask yourself if you’ve been experiencing certain physical symptoms. This is especially critical if you suffer from health conditions like asthma. The most common signs that you’ve inhaled fiberglass are:

• Sore or irritated throat
• Painful nasal passages
• Irritated, sore lungs
• Trouble breathing

Most crucially, check your mattress tag for a list of materials used in your mattress. Manufacturers have to list everything in your mattress on them, but some sneaky manufacturers will use different terms to trick you. Be wary of terms like glass wool and glass fibers. These are just “greenwashing” terms for fiberglass from manufacturers.

Fiberglass is more common in mattresses than you think. That’s why you need to be careful when mattress shopping. Don’t be lured in by the cheapest mattress, because you might pay for it with your health and comfort. Instead, come to a Gardner Mattress showroom to find high-quality, fiberglass-free mattresses meant to last.