Finding the best mattresses without fiberglass has been an ongoing subject for the past few years since the dangers of fiberglass mattresses were exposed. Things really heated up in late 2019 and early 2020 when numerous news outlets reported on homes contaminated by fiberglass from mattresses, and people affected by adverse health concerns due to fiberglass contaminations. After that, a few big mattress brands had lawsuits related to fiberglass filed against them.
While some mattress-selling websites will assure you fiberglass is safe when it’s contained inside the mattress, it’s really not that simple. Fiberglass is often just beneath the outer cover of a mattress, separated by only a thin layer of fabric and batting. Even when the fiberglass is deep inside the mattress, it can still break down over time and escape the mattress, contaminating your home while negatively affecting your health.
Big mattress review websites take what mattress makers say at face value, but I’ve learned that’s not always the best idea. Many mattress brand employees are not well-informed about the fiberglass in their mattresses. Sadly, some mattress maker employees might know about fiberglass but are told to be deceptive on purpose.
There are many mattresses that actually contain glass fibers being recommended around the web as fiberglass-free, and to me that’s very concerning.
I have been researching and keeping track of the best mattresses without fiberglass since shopping for my daughter’s first “big girl” bed in 2019 – these are my findings.
- Best Organic Mattress Without Fiberglass: Happsy Organic
- Best Mattress Without Fiberglass for Back Pain: Nolah Natural
- Best Dual-Firmness Mattress Without Fiberglass: Nest Bedding Raven
- Best Luxury Mattress Without Fiberglass: PlushBeds Botanical
- Best Pillow Top Mattress Without Fiberglass: Naturepedic Pillow Top
- Best Customizable Mattress Without Fiberglass: Spindle Organic
- Best Adjustable Firmness Mattress Without Fiberglass: Natural Form Refresh
- Most Affordable Latex Mattress Without Fiberglass: Peace Lily
Best Organic Mattress Without Fiberglass
Happsy Organic Mattress
Happsy Organic Mattress Summary:
Happsy mattresses are made without flame retardants, adhesives, or other harmful chemicals. The main fact that sets the Happsy Organic Mattress apart from other organic mattresses is that the whole mattress itself is certified organic. Other self-proclaimed “organic mattresses” are made with some materials that have been certified organic by the supplier, but often contain materials that aren’t organic.
Happsy focuses on sustainability, comfort, and promoting good health. It makes organic mattresses that don’t cost a fortune because it believes everyone deserves healthy sleep. Happsy gives back by donating at least 1% off its annual income to environmental organizations.
Happsy Fiberglass Free Construction:
All Happsy textiles are Global Organic Textiles Standard certified organic, and all latex is Global Organic Latex Standard certified organic as well. It also holds Forest Stewardship Council and Rainforest Alliance certifications, plus MADE SAFE and GREENGUARD GOLD certifications. Happsy is also a part of many organic, fair trade, and sustainability associations – probably more than any other mattress manufacturer.
This is what Happsy says about fiberglass on its website:
“When you don’t use highly flammable materials in the first place, you don’t have to douse your mattresses in flame retardants or wrap them in fiberglass. Happsy mattresses are made with the finest materials Mother Nature has to offer – organic cotton, wool and latex”
The Happsy Organic Mattress is Best for:
- The Most Organic Mattress Possible The Happsy Organic Hybrid Mattress is best for people that want a fully organic fiberglass free latex mattress without having to worry about shady “green” marketing tactics.
The Happsy Organic Mattress should be Avoided by:
- Side Sleepers and Combinations Sleepers Side and Combinations Sleepers might find the Happsy Hybrid to be too firm for their joints, especially if they don’t weigh a lot.
Best Mattress Without Fiberglass for Back Pain
Nolah Natural Mattress
Nolah Natural 11″ Hybrid Mattress Summary:
Nolah Natural 11″ Mattresses are designed to be super soft on top while also being extra supportive for the spine. The latex layers are hole-punched to be extra breathable when combined with the extra-breathable organic and wool and cotton cover. It’s recommended by many mattress outlets for back pain relief.
Nolah is a sleep technology pioneer with a mission to make the most of sleep and the mattress shopping experience as a whole.
Nolah Natural 11″ Hybrid Mattress Fiberglass Free Construction:
This is what Nolah says in their FAQ regarding fiberglass:
“Nolah is committed to our customers’ comfort and safety, and all our mattresses are 100 percent fiberglass-free.”
The Nolah Natural is Best for:
- The Nolah Natural 11″ Hybrid is best for pressure-free back pain relief.
Best Dual-Firmness Mattress Without Fiberglass
Nest Bedding Raven
Nest Bedding Raven Mattress Summary:
The Nest Bedding Raven is a gel-infused memory foam hybrid mattress that’s flippable and features a different firmness rating on either side.
The plush tufted side of a Nest Bedding Ravem Mattress is a Medium firmness while the diamond quilted side has a Firm feeling.
Nest Bedding Raven Fiberglass Free Construction:
This is what Nest Bedding had to say when I asked if the Raven fire barrier contains fiberglass:
“Our mattresses are fiberglass-free. Our mattresses will contain non-chemical hydrogenated silica as the fire barrier.”
The Nest Bedding Raven is Best for:
- Anyone Unsure about Which Firmness to Choose The Nest Bedding Raven has a Medium firmness side and a Medium-Firm side.
Best Luxury Mattress Without Fiberglass
PlushBeds Botanical Bliss Mattress
Botanical Bliss Mattress Summary
The Botanical Bliss mattress is easily one of the best choices for a fiberglass free luxury mattress. The Medium and Medium-Firm plushness options are perfect for all types of sleepers. Plus, it’s recommended by doctors and chiropractors as the best mattress for back pain sufferers.
The three thickness options of the Botanical Bliss make it compatible with above-average and petite-sized sleepers. Those that are conscientious about the environment and sustainability will be happy to know Botanical Bliss mattresses are highly biodegradable. PlushBeds makes the Botanical Bliss from eco-friendly materials, unlike other mattresses made from petroleum-based foams and synthetic textiles.
Botanical Bliss Fiberglass Free Construction
Here’s what PlushBeds has to say about Fiberglass:
“All our Latex mattresses are made without any use of fiberglass materials. Our Memory Foam mattresses are fiberglass free as well. Exceeding safety standards doesn’t require toxic chemicals or fire barriers made from fiberglass.”
The Botanical Bliss is Best For:
- Medium – Perfect for Combination and Side sleepers that need increased pressure point relief.
- Medium-Firm – Best for Stomach sleepers, and Back sleepers that suffer from lower back pain.
Note: – PlushBeds recommends average-sized sleepers under 225lbs to consider the 9″ thickness option. Larger sleepers up to 250lbs are recommended to consider the 10″ option. Heavy sleepers over 275lbs should choose the 12″ Botanical Bliss for extra support.
The Botanical Bliss should be Avoided by:
- Those that Prefer Conforming Mattresses – Because it’s a latex mattress, it doesn’t conform and let you sink in.
- Those that Prefer Springy Mattresses – Latex mattresses aren’t nearly as springy as innerspring and hybrid mattresses.
- Latex Allergy Sufferers – The Botanical Bliss is made with Latex, so those allergic should avoid!
- Budget Shoppers – The Botanical Bliss is not very affordable if you need a cheap mattress.
Best Pillow Top Mattress Without Fiberglass
Naturepedic EOS Pillow Top Mattress
Naturepedic EOS Pillow Top Mattress Summary:
The EOS (Ergonomic Organic Sleep) mattresses are Naturepedic’s most popular line of beds, and the EOS Pillow Top is the most luxurious mattress in the EOS line-up. The EOS Classic is a 12″ hybrid, while the EOS Trilux is a 9″ full latex mattress. The EOS Pillow Top is a best-of-both-worlds choice that has 6 inches of latex on top of 8-inch coils with a total mattress thickness of 15 inches.
Naturepedic EOS Pillow Top mattresses can be unzipped freely and have their latex layers rearranged to better suit each person’s sleeping needs. Queen and larger mattresses can also be ordered with split firmness options so that sleep partners can have different firmness levels on each side of the bed. If new customers feel their EOS Pillow Top mattress isn’t quite the right firmness, within 100 days of purchase the latex layers can be swapped out for a different firmness option for free!
Naturepedic is one of the leading organic mattress makers in business. It makes organic mattresses ranging from super simple and affordable options to mattresses on the opposite end of the spectrum that are hyper-luxurious and cost thousands of dollars.
Naturepedic EOS Pillow Top Fiberglass Free Construction:
The Naturepedic EOS Pillow Top mattress is made with Global Organic Textiles Standard certified organic cotton and wool. It also consists of Global Organic Latex Standard certified organic latex that’s also MADE SAFE, Forest Stewardship Council, UL/GREENGUARD Gold, and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified to be safe and responsibly sourced. Naturepedic is a part of multiple organic trade associations including OCS (Organic Content Standard), OTA (Organic Trade Association), HPD (Health Product Declaration), and Green America. The mattress contains no flame retardants, adhesives, or polyurethane foam.
This is what Naurtepedic states on its website about fiberglass:
“Through extensive research and creative product design, we’ve eliminated the need for fire retardant chemicals and flame retardant barriers in our products.”
The EOS Pillow Top is best for:
- The EOS Pillow Top is best for all types of sleepers including Side, Stomach, or Back. Because the EOS Pillow Top can be ordered in plushness options from Ultra-Plus to Firm, with split firmness availability, the mattress can be custom tailored to fit anyone’s needs.
The EOS Pillow Top Should be Avoided by:
- Sleepers wanting a Low Profile Mattress The Naturepedic EOS Pillow Top is 15″ thick, so anyone needing a low profile mattress will have to look elsewhere.
Best Customizable Mattress Without Fiberglass
Spindle 10in Organic Latex Mattress
Spindle 10″ Organic Latex Mattress Summary:
The 10″ Organic Latex mattress by Spindle is the best choice for a customizable fiberglass free mattress. It’s made of 3 different layers of latex that each have varying plushness ratings of Soft, Medium, and Firm. The best part is its unique ability to be unzipped and have the three latex layers rearranged to adjust the mattress feel.
The innovative way that Spindle mattresses are crafted makes them perfect for any type of side, stomach, or back sleeper. Spindle also offers King size mattresses with a split firmness, which is best for couples that have different sleep preferences. Split firmness mattresses have different layers of Medium/Firm layers for each side.
Spindle 10″ Organic Latex Mattress Fiberglass Free Construction:
Here is an excerpt from Spindle’s website regarding fiberglass:
“At Spindle, we believe that your bed should be a safe haven, free of potentially harmful materials. That’s why we only use wool as the flame retardant in our mattresses. Wool is a natural fire retardant and we do not use fiberglass and no other chemical flame retardants. “
The Spindle 10″ Latex Mattress is Best for:
- Any type of sleeper whether Side, Stomach, or Back. Spindle 10″ Organic Latex mattresses do not have to be ordered in the standard Soft-Medium-Firm layer layout. They can be ordered in a customized layer setup such as Medium-Medium-Firm, or even Soft-Firm-Firm.
- Those that want to keep their mattress for a long time. If you change your mind years down the line and want a different-feeling mattress, you can purchase new single replacement layers at any time to re-customize your mattress. And since the cover is removable, it can be cleaned often to keep the mattress fresh.
The Spindle 10″ Latex Mattress should be Avoided by:
- Those that Prefer Conforming Mattresses – Like other latex mattresses, it doesn’t conform or let you sink in and be cradled.
- Those that Prefer Springy Mattresses – Latex mattresses aren’t springy and responsive like innerspring and hybrid mattresses.
- Latex Allergy Sufferers – Spindle mattresses are made with Latex, so those with a latex allergy should avoid them!
Best Adjustable Firmness Mattress Without Fiberglass
Natural Form Refresh Mattress
Natural Form Refresh Mattress Summary:
There is a firmness-adjusting dial on Natural Form Refresh mattresses that make them the best pick for an adjustable firmness fiberglass free mattress. What’s even more impressive is that each side of the mattress has its own dial for adjusting firmness! Another great feature of the Natural Form Refresh is the body temperature-neutral wool cover that is removable and washable. The Wool cover is machine washable as long as enzyme-free detergent is used, and it should be dried with low heat or hung to air dry.
Natural Form is a Vermont, USA, mattress manufacturer. The Natural Form mattress manufacturing facility is entirely solar-powered for sustainability. It has a sister company named Big Mattress Co. that makes giant-sized beds not sold by most mattress makers.
Natural Form Refresh Fiberglass Free Construction:
Refresh mattresses are constructed by Natural Form using CertiPUR-US certified polyurethane foams that are tested for safe contents and emissions. The covers of Natural Form Refresh mattresses are made of natural OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified Australian wool.
Here’s what Natural Form has to say about its mattress construction:
“You can be confident that our foam and textiles are made with non-irritating fabrics and unwanted chemicals like Ozone depleters, Phthalate, Formaldehyde, and more.”
The Natural Form Refresh is Best for:
- The Natural Form Refresh is best for anyone that has varying sleeping habits and needs an adjustable firmness mattress to match their changing sleep needs!
The Natural Form Refresh should be Avoided by:
- Those that Prefer Conforming Mattresses – Similar to a hybrid mattress, it doesn’t conform or let you sink in and be cradled.
- Those that Prefer Springy Mattresses – Because the Natural Form Refresh has air pods instead of springs like innerspring and hybrid mattresses, it isn’t very responsive.
Most Affordable Latex Mattress Without Fiberglass
Peace Lily Mattress
Peace Lily Mattress Summary:
The Peace Lily Mattress is an extremely affordable fully latex fiberglass mattress, it costs less than many other hybrid latex mattresses on the market. One way Peace Lily really differs from other mattress brands is its pricing. Peace Lily prices are always low, so there aren’t any never-ending gimmicky sales. What’s makes the Peace Lily Mattress an even bigger value is the fact that it’s a dual-sided and dual-firmness mattress.
The Peace Lily Mattress is a triple-layer latex mattress made with 100% natural Dunlop latex that’s eco-INSTITUT® certified to be non-toxic. There is a 4″ layer of core latex foam in the middle of the mattress with 2″ layers of Medium and Firm latex on either side of it. Surrounding the latex layers is a 100% organic Global Organic Textiles Standard certified wool batting. The Peace Lily mattress cover is also 100% GOTS certified organic Cotton. Even the glue used by Peace Lily is a natural latex-based adhesive.
Peace Lily Mattress Fiberglass Free Construction:
Here’s what Peace Lily had to say about fiberglass when contacted:
“We do not use any synthetic fillers and there are almost no chemicals in any of our bed products. Peace Lily pillows, toppers, and mattresses are some of the most natural that can be found.”
The Peace Lily Mattress is Best for:
- The Peace Lily Mattress is best for sleepers wanting a full latex mattress that’s affordable.
- The Dual Firmness feature is another bonus for those that are unsure whether they need a Medium or Firm mattress!
The Peace Lily Mattress should be Avoided by:
- Very Heavy Sleepers The Peace Lily Mattress isn’t very thick, so it won’t support sleepers over 250lbs.
| Mattress | Thickness | Type | Firmness | Cover | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PlushBeds Botanical | 9", 10", 12" | Latex | 5.5-8 | Cotton | $$$ |
| Spindle Organic | 10" | Latex | 5-7.5 | Cotton & Wool | $$ |
| Natural Form Refresh | 11" | Air Pod Hybrid | 6-7.5 | Wool | $$$ |
| Peace Lily | 8" | Latex | 6-8 | Cotton | $ |
| Happsy Organic | 10" | Hybrid Latex | 6.5 | Cotton | $$ |
| Nolah Natural | 11" | Hybrid Latex | 6 | Cotton | $$ |
| Naturepedic Pillow Top | 15" | Hybrid Latex | 4-8 | Cotton | $$$$ |
| Nest Bedding Raven | 10" | Hybrid Foam | 5-8.5 | Polyester & Rayon | $ |
Here are some tips for finding fiberglass free mattresses, as well as recognizing fiberglass mattresses. There is also advice for purchasing healthy mattresses in person at brick-and-mortar stores. Plus, there are some tricks for dealing with a fiberglass mattress if you already own one, as well as tips for cleaning up a fiberglass contaminated home.
Recognize Mattress Material Certifications
Mattress makers like to plaster their product pages with certification logos their beds have attained, and they think that’s enough to assure shoppers their mattresses are as safe and healthy as possible! However, some of those mattress certification logos are better than others.
- GOLS and GOTS certifications mean the Latex and Fabrics used are organic.
- OEKO-TEX Standard 100 means the product is Non-Toxic.
- MADE SAFE certifications mean that a products ingredients have been tested to be safe for humans as well as the environment.
- CertiPUR-US certifications mean the memory foam is low VOC.
However, none of these certifications guarantee that a mattress is fiberglass-free.
Ignore Mattress Hype
Influencers will recommend questionable mattresses through social media without knowing the health concerns because they make a living through selling products. Mattress comparison websites will confirm mattresses as containing fiberglass, but then still link out to those manufacturers’ websites. Shady marketing websites only concerned about commissions will tell you that a fiberglass mattress is safe because the fiberglass is “deep” inside the mattress.
Check Mattress Labels
Mattresses must have a Materials and Safety tag attached to them when sold in the United States and many other places. Before buying a mattress in person that has not been thoroughly researched, check the materials section of the tag to be sure it is constructed without fiberglass. If a mattress cover says it’s non-removable then it probably contains fiberglass.
Identify Hidden Fiberglass
Fiberglass is used in many industries and manufactured in different parts of the world, so it may not always be called “fiberglass”. Other terms for it to look for include: glass fiber, spun glass, glass-wool, GRP (glass-reinforced plastic), GFRP (glass-fiber reinforced plastic), GFK (German: Glasfaserverstärkter Kunststoff).
Recognize Healthy Alternatives
Mattresses made without fiberglass will often use Rayon, Polyester, Wool, or Silica to pass flammability tests and meet certification standards. Silica is used in the form of non-woven silica mats beneath the mattress cover, fabrics treated with Hydrated Silica, and in combination with viscose in the production of “inherently flame-resistant” rayon. However, because silica is one of the main ingredients of fiberglass, a mattress maker might try to hide their fiberglass by saying it’s silica instead.
Avoid Cheap Mattresses
The mattresses that most often contain fiberglass are budget options costing less than $1000, especially memory foam mattresses. Although they might seem like a good choice for an affordable mattress, the risks far outweigh the benefit of saving money. This does not mean all mattresses with fiberglass are under a thousand dollars. There are some expensive mattresses that contain fiberglass, and there are some very affordable mattresses that are made without fiberglass.
Containing Fiberglass
If you have already purchased a mattress containing fiberglass that isn’t returnable, containment is the best way to mitigate the potential problem until a replacement mattress is obtained. Buy a plastic mattress cover on amazon to put over the mattress to contain any glass fibers that may potentially escape the cover in the future. Get a high mil/gauge rating to ensure the plastic is thick and not easily punctured.
If your fiberglass mattress is already leaking fiberglass, you should take immediate action to contain and clean up the fiberglass before your whole home is contaminated!
This article was originally published October 3rd, 2019.
Last Updated on May 4, 2024
While shopping for his daughter’s first “big girl” bed in 2019, John learned about the hidden dangers of fiberglass in mattresses. Since then, he’s made it his mission to expose as much hidden fiberglass in mattresses as possible. His ultimate goal is federal regulations that ban fiberglass from being used in mattresses, or at least a law that requires it to be listed as a material on required tags.
Hi John, thank you for your article. I have a Brooklyn Bedding Spartan matress and I noticed as I was changing my sheets, there were shiny threads coming out all around my matress. The tag says that they used polyester fiber. Is polyester fiber as bad as fiberglass?
A few people here and there that have very sensitive skin can be irritated by polyester, but most people are just fine with it! If you don’t feel like it’s irritating your skin, then I wouldn’t worry too much about it.
Hi John! Thanks so much for all your research! Currently shopping for a fiberglass-free vegan mattress and I’m between avocado and brentwood home. However, I just learned about nest bedding. Do you have any thoughts on them or know anything about them?
Nest Bedding mattresses are fiberglass free, but they told me “Some of our mattresses will contain non-chemical hydrogenated silica as the fire barrier” and when I asked which mattresses their reply was “That can be quite a few of our mattresses” – They also use Polyester and Rayon, their only cotton/wool mattresses are the Owl and Finch lines that use Silica as a fire-retardant. Avocado also uses Silica in some of its mattresses as well. I really don’t get all the hype behind these brands on other mattress review/comparison websites, they are decent but not exactly innovative by any means.
So many who post these lists (contractions all around) receive kick backs from companies, paid endorcements–hard to know who to trust (including this but you sound somewhat genuine). Companies can also be highly shady in their copy.
I do get commissions from some of these mattress manufactures through Amazon/ShareASale, but I don’t let that sway which companies I promote as the better choices. Some of the mattresses I recommend only pay like 6% commission, whereas the ones I don’t recommend can pay up to 20%. I like making money, but not at the expense of my integrity or peoples’ health.
Why cotton on Lucid “bad” ?
The cotton on LUCID mattresses is sprayed with fire-retardant chemicals. Yikes.. I don’t want to sleep on fiberglass, but I also don’t want to sleep on a bunch of chemicals either!
This is such a helpful site. Any thoughts about the safety of a mattress cover on a Thuma mattress would be appreciated. I can not find many in-depth reviews about the the mattress/mattress cover, perhaps because it is somewhat new. Thuma lists the contents of the mattress cover, but I am not familiar enough with the industry’s terms for possible red-flag materials, so I thought I would see if anyone on this site had any insights. I have read that the mattress cover is made of Tencel, recycled polyester, spandex, rayon, and a flame-resistant wool blend. Does “wool blend” mean a blend of different types of wool, or can it mean a blend of wool and something else? For complicated reasons, I need a lighter weight mattress, and this one might work. Thanks.
I would assume it’s a blend of Rayon or Polyester with Wool, just based on what you have posted, but I would definitely investigate further. Also, TENCEL is a type of Rayon.
Nothing on Saatva yet? Update Sunrising: https://www.naturalmattressfinder.com/sunrising-bedding-100-latex-mattress-review/
I will look into the use of DACRON, a registered trademark name for a specific type of Polyester similar to TENCEL being a type of Rayon. However, this article isn’t focused on natural/organic mattresses so I’m not too worried about the rest of the claims. Thanks!
Hi John,
Thank you so much for the research. Do you have any further information on use of Dacron in sunrising mattresses?
I am looking for an option with no fiber glass and no toxic chemical with in budget. Is it worth to go with this mattress?
Sunrising Bedding 8” Natural Latex King Mattress, Individually Encased Pocket Coil, Firm, Supportive, Naturally Cooling, Organic Mattress, 120-Night Free Trial, 20-Year Warranty https://amzn.to/3CpX88k
Hi John, what mattress would you then recommend for a vegan who does not use wool? It is quite the challenge. Need help! Thank you.
Plush Beds has a Natural Latex Vegan option that uses Rayon as a fire-retardant, but they are pricey. On the other hand, many of the other mattress manufacturers don’t contain fiberglass or wool such as:
BedStory – Polyester/Rayon
Naturepedic – Plant-based PLA Vegan Options to replace Wool, similar to Rayon
Sunrising Bedding – Polyester/Rayon
KEETSA – if you’re okay with a FR spray of Polyethylene Glycol, Glycerin, and Phosphate Salts.
JS, our site was a Godsend when I discovered a few years back–so truly, thank you for that. Yet I’m still at a STANDSTILL and need to buy now (Pandemic delayed as well). What about this–makes no sense (and may purely fiscal motivated but outright lies?) Their list of Contains Fiberglass contradicts you own and the manufactures’ sites (aside from Saatva Classic, perhaps 2 others). Grateful if you’d have a look when you get a chance. Much love and strong health wished you~ https://www.bestmattresspicks.com/faq/fiberglass-in-mattress
I only a see a few on their list of non fiberglass-free mattresses that differ from my own, and I would assume that’s because some brands have mattresses that contain fiberglass but also have other mattresses that do NOT contain fiberglass (listed as “some” in my table). Plus, some companies used to have fiberglass in the mattresses but realized the dangers and changed their manufacturing process, their article just needs to be updated.
Hope this helps!
As of right now there’s a class action lawsuit against Nectar b/c of fiberglass in their fire sock. I came upon your article since I now have to find a new mattress. I’ve been contacting companies as you did and I hav an update for you regarding Puffy. I asked them specifically if their fire sock had fiberglass.
Response: Fiberglass is encapsulated into the core-spun yarn of the fire sock, however, no fiberglass is bare or exposed. Our mattresses are also Oeko-Tek – 100 Certified.
So there we go they flat out answered YES. Although, I feel from that response that they think they’re in the clear b/c they throw some kind of certification at me and stating that it isn’t “bare or exposed”. Not sure if they truly understand what they answered.
Fiberglass is fiberglass no matter how you see it whether it’s exposed or yarn spun.
I agree – that is quite unfortunate! Thanks for the update!
I was wondering if you know of any “Coil Spring” mattresses that contain any fiberglass? Or is this strictly an issue with foam mattresses only? Can one safely assume that a Coil Spring mattress does Not contain fiberglass? Lastly, do you know anything about IKEA mattresses and if they are fiberglass-free? Thank you for any help! You are providing a great service and helping a lot of people!
Memory Foam mattresses are very flammable because of the chemicals used to make memory foam, so they are most likely to contain fiberglass as a cheap means of Fire Retardant. Latex mattresses are also naturally flammable, although maybe not quite as combustible as memory foam. However, latex mattresses are usually marketed as “natural” so they are less likely to contain fiberglass.
A coil spring and “Hybrid Spring” mattress that contains both coil springs and some memory foam or latex could very well still contain fiberglass. However, since coil and hybrid mattresses aren’t nearly as flammable as their latex and memory foam counterparts without springs, there are many that are fiberglass free and instead rely on wool, salt-treated cotton, as well as polyester/rayon for fire retardant tests.
I would ask before buying, and if their answer leaves any doubt in your mind then I would ask to see the label on the mattress before buying it just to be sure.
John:
You have done an amazing job of cutting through all the deceiption of some of these mattress companies. I have been on a “journey” for several weeks, now, getting more and more confused about which mattress to buy. Unfortunately, I did buy a Zinus for our son and daughter-in-law for their spare room. In reading the “fixes”, I found that possibly a good mattress cover would help and to never take the orginal cover off. Hope that is true. Fortunately the bed is not used too often or for long stays.
With that said we are still on the hunt for a new mattress for our own home. I am interested to know if you found anything on the Layla Copper Infused Memory Foam Mattress/10″/Natural cooling technology/thermal gel/flippable between firm & med soft comfort/ fits all sleeper types. Also I am wondering about the Pure Green Organic Latex mattress. And, the Casper Sleep Nova foam mattress, I am guessing has the woven silica. You are saying that is not really a bad thing?
Thank you for any information you can provide. You are doing us all a tremendous service!
I’d say that putting a plastic water-proof mattress cover over the Zinus mattress is the most you can do to help contain any fibers until the bed is replaced.
As for the other brands you’re considering:
Layla has ignored me both times I tried to get in contact with them and I’m not sure why. I would understand if I was a high-earning affiliate of theirs, but I’m not affiliated with them at all – just some random nobody shopping for a mattress as far as they know.
Casper does state that they use silica in their firesock, which they state is non-woven (but not loose strands like in a Zinus mattress) sort of like the fabric found under sofas as a dust protector, and they say the cover can be removed. However, many people report that the non-woven silica does deteriate and end up escaping the fabric and and the mattress, ultimately becoming just like Zinus’ fiberglass mess. I’d avoid Casper, and any mattress company using Woven or Non-Woven Silica – the only silica I might be okay with is Hydrated Silica, but even then I’d rather just not have any.
On the other hand, Sleep on Latex’s Pure Green Organic Latex mattress is a product I can totally get behind! Fiberglass and FR Spray free with GOTS, GOLS, Oeko-Tex Standard 100, EcoInstitute, GreenGuard Gold, and Fair for Life (Fair Trade) certifications. They are truly a great company. ?
Hello! Thanks for compiling this information. I currently have a Leesa foam mattress and was worried about its materials. I reached out to their customer service asking what materials were used in their fire retardant sock (since their webpage only says it is proprietary and meets whatever manufacturing standards). They actually gave an answer without dodging the question (though I realize now I didnt ask specifically about fiberglass; I was afraid if I did they wouldn’t give a real answer). “It is a proprietary blend consisting of rayon, silica, cotton and modacrylic.” Does modacrylic mean fiberglass? From a google image search I couldnt determine if it was more commonly a woven fiber or cut fiberglass pieces. Thanks!
Could you go into a little more detail about the relative safety of woven silica socks such as in Purple or Casper vs fiberglass? It’s very hard to find information on.
Awesome post. Thank you. Saatva (Classic), Casper and Avocado all sans fiberglass. Aware?
Casper definitely has fiberglass, whether they admit it or not… many people have had “Glass-like” shards released all over their homes from inside Casper mattresses. I will look into Saatva and Avocado!
Hi John, As far as the Brentwood mattress is the hydrated silica that is used considered dangerous? Thank you so much for such useful information. You have been such a big help in trying to choose a safe mattress.
I am still recovering from a Zinus Mattress fiberglass explosion. Tip: Tape Lint Rollers or Duct Tape capture the shards without spreading to other areas. Anyway, after the trauma I am looking for the cleanest mattress. I really like the details and online reputation of Sleep on Latex, but the mattress is very heavy (120lbs for Queen). The Sleep on Latex website even confirms that it is safe to remove the cover, which is more transparent than the other mattress companies. So before I buy something that I will never be able to lift on my own. Do you agree that Sleep on Latex is super safe enough to justify the weight and price? Or do you feel like any of the other verified mattress are equally as 100% fiberglass (silica, etc.)free? Do the polyester fire socs also have a fiberglass like texture (meaning complete explosion disaster waiting to happen)? I appreciate any info or advice that you have. Thanks for your time.
Possible update for your site: According to the Avocado Green Mattress website, they claim to have recently removed fiberglass liners from their mattresses.
Latex is just as flammable as memory foam so meeting fire safety regulations is just as hard for latex mattresses as it is memory foam – however, it seems the main reason for manufacturers making latex mattress in the first place is the marketability of latex because it is natural and can be organic while memory foam is purely synthetic and definitely not organic. With that in mind it would make sense that more latex mattress makers would use wool and/or salt as their means of fire retardation as opposed to chemicals or fiberglass which would diminish their marketability as natural, organic, and “safe”.
Regarding the polyester firesock, for both latex and memory foam mattresses, it is always a woven fiber cloth and not loose strands like fiberglass – you don’t have to worry about the polyester getting everywhere, it’s just not preferred because it’s a skin/eye/lung irritant to some people as well as being basically non-biodegradable.
I’m 6’5″ and weigh 280lbs and moving a dead-weight 120lb mattress does not sound fun at all! But.. if I’d gone through a Zinus fiberglass invasion like you then I’d probably have no hesitation buying a heavy latex mattress, especially from Sleep On Latex because of their reputation and how forthcoming with details they were when I asked them.
My one suggestion would be a heavy duty bed frame that doesn’t require a box spring like the one here – https://amzn.to/38c0cpL – The Heavy-Duty bed frame is much sturdier than a box-spring which can have wood inside bow and snap when over a regular bed frame that just has supports on the side. I used to have a box spring that bowed so badly that if you set it on the floor it would rock side to side like a rocking chair! I’m so glad I upgraded, and the extra storage space under the beds is nice too!
Zinus and other brands sell similar bed frames – https://amzn.to/3sPsOgp – but if you look closely you’ll notice they have a frame of bars but most of the support is on thick gauge wires (sort of like cattle fencing) and those wires do bend a bit. My daughter has a Zinus bed frame under her hybrid mattress and the wires are slightly bowed just from me laying with her at night to read bedtime stories. I don’t actually feel any difference, but I feel like the tack welds might break eventually.
Has anyone ever contacted Helix about their mattresses? My wife and I just purchased a Helix Midnight Luxe and i’m curious about this after reading your article and research on the topic. I’ve emailed Helix with the question and will report back.
I look forward to your follow-up post with their response!
Reply from Helix:
”
Hi David,
Thanks for reaching out! To adhere to fire safety regulations, every Helix mattress has a fire retardant barrier. Rather than a chemical spray, we use a flame retardant sock that smothers flames – this prevents oxygen from feeding the fire and keeps the flames from spreading to the foam.
The sock is made of a silica-based fabric, the fire-retardant materials are inert until the sock catches fire.
Standard models have an FR-inherent fabric that has fiberglass. Our FR-inherent fabric is sourced and made in the US where the fiberglass core is enclosed with polyester fibers. This means that there are zero risks that your skin would ever get in contact with fiberglass. All of our fabrics are still OEKO-TEX certified.
The Luxe and Helix Plus do not have any fiberglass in the FR (flame retardant) yarns, in both the top and border parts of the mattress. For both models, the FR yarn that is used is an FR Rayon, a derivative of cellulose (bamboo fiber).
Our mattresses are made in the US. Let us know if you have further questions!
Best,
Jessica, Comfort Specialist
“
Thank you so much for your helpful article! It’s there a way I can contact you with screenshots of a conversation with Lucid that proves there use of fiberglass? Your information you put on Lucid needs to be updated. Lucid’s reply was appalling.
Best,
Rony
I’m not surprised seeing as LUCID told me that almost all of their mattresses have fiberglass except a few of their gel infused mattresses, which I have them listed as “some” on the fiberglass column of the table – but yes, by all means email me at john@fiberglassfree.com so I can see what they had to say!
Hi,
Do you know if Milliard 6” Tri fold mattresses have Fiberglass? I have the full sized & twin sized ones
Hey John,
Thank you for compiling this information, it is definitely helpful when it comes to selecting a memory foam mattress. Have you heard of this manufacturer and whether their memory foam mattress contains fiberglass or chemicals? Thank you.
https://www.amazon.ca/Maxzzz-Gel-Bamboo-Ventilated-Mattresses-CertiPUR-US/dp/B08CC3D6D7/
I’ve just emailed them and will let you know what they say when I get a response!
Any updates?
“All mattresses on our online store don’t contain any Fiberglasses. Modacrylic, Rayon and Silica are also not included in our mattresses.
We don’t use any fire retardant sprays. The cover of 10 Inch Gel-Bamboo Charcoal Hybrid Mattress contains Rolyester. The mattress cover comes with zipper, detachable and machine washable.”
Hi there John,
This website is amazing man. Bless you for this. I am trying to find out if the Serra SleepToGo 10 inch Gel/Memory foam from Sam’s has Fiberglass in their cover. Someone had asked it before but I can’t seem to figure out how to get to the archived questions and answers. Thanks for any help you can offer.
On the product page there is a search blank above the reviews labeled “Search topics and reviews” and if the word fiberglass is searched there are quite a few questions and answers. Sadly, in one answer they say there’s no fiberglass and only cotton/rayon, but then other answers say there is indeed fiberglass in the Serta SleepToGo 10″ Gel Memory Foam mattress… I’d avoid!
I came across your article while searching for a new mattress. On Sam’s Club website, I was saddened to read that Tuft & Needle do have fiberglass in them. Their reply to a review question is at the bottom
https://www.samsclub.com/order/details/5264961099
I don’t have a Sam’s Club membership so I can’t view that page. What exactly does it say? The info might be outdated, or it’s a Tuft & Needle mattress from a line other than their Original or Mint lines which are the only mattress lines Tuft & Needle said were fiberglass-free. Let me know!
Sorry it took me so long to reply, I wasn’t notified about it. Here is a link, scroll down to the questions.
https://www.samsclub.com/p/tuft-needle-sams-club-full-classic-foam-mattress/prod24651279
Got it, thank you!
Sadly, it looks like Tuft&Needle mattresses sold through Sam’s Club do indeed contain fiberglass.
Thank you so much for the information. I am looking to buy a new mattress. I now know what I won’t be buying.
Nod by Tuft and Needle has fiberglass. I guess it’s their amazon exclusive more affordable brand.
Yeah I’m not surprised, “economy” lines are usually worse quality. According to Tuft & Needle only their Original and Mint lines of memory foam mattresses are fiberglass/silica/modacrylic free, so the other lines T&N mattress lines do.
Thank you for all of your research on this! Super impressed. I sound so ignorant, but I had no idea fiberglass was used in so many mattresses until I started searching for a mattress for my son and read some horrifying reviews. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
I just had a an online chat with an associate from Nectar, and they do, indeed, have fiberglass. The exact response was, “Yes, the FR barrier sock that surrounds the foam is almost 100% fiberglass”. Her next comment was, “But it’s not the nasty kind, like in insulation, if you beat it up and ground it down it might get bad, but under ordinary wear and tear it’s completely harmless”.
Thanks John this is helpful. It’s like a second job researching mattresses. Has anyone had any experience with “Sleep and Live” ?
I talked to live sleep mattress and have the ultra plush mattress. Mine does have fiberglass and they stated on the phone they do have 10 percent fiberglass in the sock.
I bought an 8″ Zinus memory foam mattress and cut it to fit into my Honda Fit. I cut the mattress outside and didn’t have any problems with the fibreglass. Zipped open the cover, took it off, cut the sock on the end, cut the mattress, loosely put the sock back over the end and zipped it all back up.
That sounds messy and not particularly safe! Hope you wore a mask! ?
The fire retardant sock in a Nectar mattress does contain fiberglass unfortunately.
Yes, it’s quite unfortunate.
LUCID mattresses DO contain fiberglass. Enter it as a question search term and read the reviews!
I completely agree, they told me specifically that only their 5″, 6″, 8″, 10″, and 10″ Inch Plush Gel Infused Memory Foam are fiber-glass free but instead of fire retardant chemicals sprayed on them.
John, clicked your link to Eco terra & began reading reviews. I opened a photo from a reviewer & there it was. 10% poly & 10% rayon in the cover. Thst is a direct contradiction to the info they provided you as well as to consumers. Why the shameful deception? Organic..blah, blah, blah…NOPE! Thought you’d want to know. Thank you so much for your in depth article. You could be the industry whistleblower. We consumers desperately need this info for the health of our families.
Thank you,
Sunny
I did see that review, actually, but I noticed it was from 2017 and did some more digging around. The Eco Terra website actually states “No Urethane” and has an updated photo of their mattress tag materials list and it is:
73% Latex, 21% Wool, 6% Cotton
So I’d say they heard the complaints and concerns of their customers and changed their materials to truly be healthy! I will contact them and ask just to be sure though.
Also, thanks you for the words of encouragement – I truly appreciate it! ?
According to this post Sealy mattresses contain fiberglass.
https://www.themattressunderground.com/mattress-forum/index/21406-fiberglass.html
Yes, I figured that’s why they ignored me. However, I refrained from adding second-hand info to this article and instead relied on answers directly from the mattress brands, their websites, and Amazon reviews with actual proof/photos. I didn’t want to blindly take info from other websites/articles and risk posting unverified misinformation.
I need to buy 8” twin mattresses for a bunk bed and would like to not have fiberglass in them. What are your suggestions for reasonably priced mattress that a 3 yr old and 5 yr old can use occasionally?
Honestly, because so many of these companies are shady about the materials in their beds I would only consider Plush, Brentwood, Amerisleep, and Sunrise for fiberglass-free memory foam. However, there are many more options if you switch to Latex from memory foam, and regular coil mattresses usually don’t have fiberglass since they aren’t as flammable as memory foam – you still have to watch out for harmful fire retardant chemical sprays with latex and coil mattresses but some companies use just organic wool to meet fire retardant regulations since wool is naturally fire retardant.
Bless your soul for making this.
I was trying to look for mattresses on Amazon, and was getting frustrated that I couldn’t filter the fiberglass containing ones.
Thanks so much 🙂
You are very much welcome! ?
Hey John! Great little bit of research. Anything on whats inside the Leesa bed? They too have the sock but not too much information on it. Thanks!
Thanks for this great article John. Would it be possible to add LEESA to your list? It seems they are favorites for Wirecutter and Buiness Insider. They also tow the “Luxury” line. Very curious to see how good they are…
Many thanks for the work!
My son wants a 12″ memory foam twin size mattress without Fiber glass, Modacrylic or Silica. He is also allergic to latex but I did not find any information on memory foam mattresses with or without latex. Do you know what mattresses contain latex? How do I research that? Thank you. Betty
Memory foam and Latex aren’t generally mixed, that I’m aware of. Cheap memory foam will be mixed with other petroleum products, but not Latex as far as I know.
Hi, PLEASE do an investigation into Nectar. I ordered a mattress from them and it has a tag that is labeled Classic Brands.
After pressing a salesman on it, he admitted that Classic Brands manufactures Nectar mattresses. So I am not sure how Nectar can claim there is no fiberglass.
I will definitely look into the connection between Nectar and Classic Brands mattresses. Was the Nectar mattress ordered from a reputable seller that wouldn’t sell counterfeits or use “bait and switch” sales tactics?
And what about the Classic Brands mattress’ tag – I’m curious, does it indeed say it contains fiberglass??
I look forward to hearing back!
Can you check Olee Sleep mattresses or Tulo mattresses to see if they have fiberglass? I bought my daughter an Olee last year. My son has a Best Price Mattress Foam Topper and now I am terrified that its made with fiberglass? The box came with a Certi-Pur US certificate so I though it was safe,
I received the following reply from Tulo support.
Our Tulo mattresses do not contain fiberglass. The sock retardant barrier layer is made of Triple Core Spun FR Inherent FR Rayon / Modacrylic / Nylon / Polyester and our mattress is made of industry standard polyurethane foam that is Certipur-Certified. Further information on the makeup of your mattress can be located on your law tag.
Thanks for posting this. IS there a Tulo support? I thought it was basically Mattress Firm and they stonewall you at every turn.
Core Spun FR Inherent FR Rayon / Modacrylic aren’t listed on the law tag, just nylon and polyester.
Could you please post the contact info for Tulo Support and if they’re referring to all of their foam mattresses?
Thank you so much. I’m trying to get this on some official document from them. MF is notoriously sketch.
I’ve come to the same conclusions about Tulo and MattressFirm. They make it very hard to get in contact aside from calling their sales number by phone, therefore, I question how much they care about customers and their safety.
You asked about modacrylic, or silica as well as Fiberglass; Casper uses “proprietary woven silica sock.” Is their silica potentially fiberglass?
Yes and no. Fiberglass (and regular glass, for that matter) is technically made from silica (which is a naturally occurring substance found in quartz, sand, etc), however, fiberglass is manufactured with about 2/3 silica content and another 1/3 of other plastics and other contents that are formed into loose fiber-like shards.
Silica, as opposed to fiberglass, is usually almost pure silica and it is either woven like a polyester type fabric or non-woven and bonded into sheets in a haphazard manner like felt or the dust cover found on the bottom of most sofas, chairs, and box springs.
So, in this article I refer to fiberglass as loose glass-like fibers that are not contained in a woven or non-woven fabric but instead just contained loosely in a pocket/sleeve/sock – like the Zinus mattresses that have an inner cover and an outer cover with a bunch of loose fiberglass shards just floating around between the two covers. Silica would be fabrics or padding, not loose shards.
I hope that clears things up, and sorry for the late reply. I took a few weeks off when the Corona Virus stuff started getting crazy in my area.
Hi there 🙂
I need some advice and keep returning to this page- maybe you can help. I spent so long trying to find a fiberglass-free memory foam mattress in my price range. Long story short, I bought a Sleepy’s Doze Plush memory foam mattress from mattress firm. In store, I asked if it contained fiber-glass and the employee was unsure but concluded that it didn’t. The tag only states that the outer cover is made of polyester. It doesn’t mention the inner cover at all- which is weird. It says not to take the outer cover off and Mattress Firm claims that’s because it’ll void the warranty. Anyways, I am so paranoid now that the inner cover is fiberglass and my cat could potentially get a wild hair up his butt to claw my bed (a daily task) and there will be fiberglass everywhere. I unzipped the cover a little to try and see if I could see any fiberglass but I can’t tell. It’s just a stretchy netted cover and it does glisten in the light but doesn’t look like there is glass. The employees in store and on the customer service line say they’re “pretty sure” it doesn’t contain fiberglass but that’s not good enough for me. Any advice? I took pictures of the inner cover too- maybe I can email them to you.
Sorry for the late reply, I had taken some time away with the onset of the Coronovirus and the quarantine.
My advice for you and anyone else buying a mattress in person is to request the MSDS sheet for the mattress. The Material Safety Data Sheet will list any and all chemicals used in the mattress and it’s cover including any silica, modacrylic, fiberglass, fire-retardant chemicals, as well as the actual fibers/cloth that the mattress is made from. If a store like Mattress Firm cannot provide the MSDS, then they aren’t really serious about safety or health concerns. I’d be suspicious of Mattress Firm not readily showing you the MSDS because they definitely have it – how do I know? If you go to https://www.sleepys.com/ and look at the bottom, the website says ” Copyright 2018 by MattressFirm.com, a Mattress Firm, Inc. Company” which means they own Sleepy’s, it’s their store brand, they know exactly what materials are used to make the mattresses.
This is a great article and very helpful. I’m confused as to why Dreamfoam has fiberglass, what am I missing?
As far as I can tell from what Dreamfoam Bedding said is that they do NOT use fiberglass, their fire retardant needs are met with a Non-Woven Silica/Rayon/Polyester/Cotton Blend provided by Jones Fiber Products – you can read more about their mattress materials here: https://www.jonesfamilyco.com/nonwoven/mattress-products.php
However, Silica in it’s crystalline form can still be hazardous.
Great, thanks!
I don’t see additional comments below the chart regarding Signature Designs. Also is Signature Designs related to Ashley Signature Designs?
You’re right, the response from Signature Designs seems to have slipped through the cracks and didn’t get added to the article! And yes, it is Signature Designs by Ashley. I will add their response to the article now!
The bad news is that they basically dodged the questions and gave me a cookie-cutter response obviously copy and pasted.
John-I was just on Amazon, memory foam mattresses, and read reviews…in particular the LUCID brand.
OH DEAR! Some people are experiencing horrible HEALTH issues after removing the cover.
Fiberglass particles flying through the air, under the bed, causing itching, BREATHING it,
gets in your clothes, affecting a child’s health, can’t get rid of fibers after MULTIPLE WASHINGS AND CLEANING THE ENTIRE HOUSE. HORRIBLE!!!
Yes, it is terrible! There are some people that have actually had to move out of their homes because the fiberglass had gotten all into the ventilation systems and couldn’t be cleaned… You can also watch some videos on youtube of people who are dealit with the ramifications of removing the inner cover on their memory foam mattresses. Some of these people didn’t even remove their mattresses’ inner cover on purpose – instead there was a hole created by wear or by accident/kids/pets. Very bad, and very sad..
You are correct regarding Nectar using Polyester and Rayon, I have updated the article/table. Thank you! However, although I’m not surprised at Nectar for neglecting to tell me about the Polyester/Rayon on their website’s chat feature, either through deception or ignorance – I highly doubt they’d use fiberglass without listing it on the mattress tags like some of the Amazon reviews are eluding to. That would be a lawsuit waiting to happen. I did notice some of the materials listed on the tags say “polyester fiber” which is not technically fiberglass but would still sparkle as if it were though.
Also, you are correct there is Dacron inside the Sunrising Bedding mattresses, which is a form of Polyester.
-john
Are “glass fibers” the same as “fiber glass?”
Yes, definitely.
Hi, John, is Sunrise Bedding still fiberglass free? I see you mention it has Dacron but previously cashmere wool. Here I see they say it’s made of high density fiber and someone says they are lying: https://amzn.to/3AZJmYd
I have a nectar mattress and the sock does contain glass fibers. The sock has disintegrated on the side that my significant other sleeps on. We have tiny .5 inch fibers every where. We contacted nectar for a replacement and are still waiting.
You’re absolutely correct and I’ve fixed the article. Nectar sales tactic training includes lying, apparently.
Here’s my first conversation with them over chat:
and here is our latest conversation:
That really pisses me off.
I just bought a Nectar mattress that I am returning. They made me take a picture of the tags, so I looked at them as I did so. The tag that lists materials does NOT include fiberglass, but the other tag definitely says, “DO NOT REMOVE THE COVER.” This tells me there IS fiberglass in the mattress. So they are indeed using it without listing it on the tag. I hope they’re sued.
This is very helpful research. Regarding Best Price mattresses, someone posted on Amazon a photo purportedly of a Best Price mattress tag that lists fiberglass. The poster wrote a long post about how he/she became physically sick because of this. I’ll post link to it. Other mattress buyers posted similar complaints in reviews and Q&As on that page. On this link, scroll way down to customer photos. I’m looking for low-price mattress and this scares the heck out of me.
https://www.amazon.com/Best-Price-Mattress-8-Inch-Memory/dp/B00GTCL480/
You’re right, that is scary!