DO TEMPURPEDIC MATTRESSES HAVE FIBERGLASS
Tempurpedic mattresses have been very popular for the comfortable and supportive sleep they provide. They were pioneers when memory foam entered the market, and have been a very recognized mattress brand ever since.
There have however been concerns about whether Tempurpedic mattresses have fiberglass, a material that can be dangerous to sleepers’ health if inhaled or ingested.
We chatted with Tempurpedic to bring you the most accurate answer. Let’s take a closer look at whether Tempurpedic mattresses contain fiberglass.
Table of Contents
What Is Fiberglass
Fiberglass is a type of reinforced plastic made of fine glass fibers. It is commonly used in construction, insulation, and various other applications, and found everywhere from roof insulation to golf pins; it is in your pool, septic tank, bathtub, pipes, and roofing; you will find it in airplanes, cars, surfboards, and door skins. And every industry in between! It has many benefits as it is lightweight and easy to mold into complex shapes.
Unfortunately, fiberglass can be a respiratory irritant if inhaled, causing symptoms similar to asthma, as well as skin irritation and other health problems. You may wonder how fiberglass in your mattress could end up inhaled? I’m so glad you asked!
Fiberglass is often found inside the mattress cover of mattresses. Unfortunately, wear and tear can break that thin layer. Things like kids jumping on beds, wear and tear over years of usage, as well as sometimes the compressing for shipping brand new mattresses, can break the fiberglass. If your mattress becomes open (i.e., unzipping of the mattress cover), the broken fiberglass fibers will become airborne. Once they do, they get everywhere in your home (!!), can be inhaled, and get into your lungs.
Claims About Fiberglass in Tempurpedic Mattresses
Tempurpedic’s Response To Claims
Tempurpedic has responded to the claims about fiberglass in their mattresses, stating that they do not use fiberglass as a material in their products.
Instead, they use a fire retardant barrier made from a non-woven silica-based material. The company has also stated that any particles found in their mattresses are most likely a result of the breakdown of the fire retardant barrier, not fiberglass.
Looking into silica with more detail, we find that the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences at the University of Washington states that “Glass, beach sand, silicone, and granite are all silica materials.” While the silica found in glass isn’t a huge threat to people’s lungs due to its larger size, it becomes fairly dangerous in fiberglass (or glass fibers), because of their small size, making them easy to enter your lungs.
So Do Tempurpedic Mattresses Have Fiberglass
The short answer is a definite YES.
We chatted with Tempurpedic and received the following answer:
Based on their answer, “core-spun glass fiber” (aka. fiberglass) is used in Tempurpedic mattresses. It is however not used in the mattresses’ foam layers or covers. We will cover this in the next section of this article, but it is an important point when determining safety of the mattress.
Tempurpedic claims that their foams are CertiPUR-US certified, as are nearly every mattress sold in the U.S. today. However, the CertiPUR-US certification ensures that no harsh chemicals are used in the foams inside a mattress – it does not look at fiberglass and does not look at the mattress cover – unfortunately many companies conveniently hide behind that certification.
Fiberglass is not a chemical, and actually replaces the use of harsh chemicals in mattresses, for fire retardancy purposes. It helps mattresses meet the flammability standards set forth by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Should You Be Worried About Fiberglass In Tempurpedic Mattress
When Is Fiberglass Dangerous?
Fiberglass becomes dangerous when airborne. How does that happen, you ask?
Excellent question! Fiberglass is generally woven as a very thin layer inside mattress covers. Regular wear and tear from years of use, children jumping on mattresses, and sometimes even the compressing process to fit the mattress in a box, can damage and/or break that fiberglass layer.
As that layer breaks, if you unzip the mattress cover, or if the cover gets damaged and rips, the broken glass fibers become airborne. They are small enough to enter your mouth, nose, and lungs, creating a dangerous health hazard, potentially leading to irritation and asthma-like upper respiratory symptoms.
Can Tempurpedic’s Fiberglass Become Airborne?
Tempurepedic confirms not using any fiberglass in its removable mattress covers, which should ensure that the fiberglass remains safely stored inside their mattresses. You will however find that layer just underneath the mattress cover, as a fire sock encasing the foam layers.
If you keep your mattress cover securely attached to your mattress, you should be fine. Even if the mattress cover accidently rips, the fiberglass should be deep enough in your Tempurpedic mattress, to remain inside of it.
In the Tempur-ADAPT collection, the ProAdapt and LuxeAdapt, as well as both Tempur-BREEZE mattresses, have removable washable covers. As soon as you start removing covers, you are exposing the fiberglass layer and potentially risking setting it airborne. Hence, for your safety and that of your family, we do not recommend unzipping mattress covers. If you need to clean a spill, it is safer to blot it with a clean cloth, water, and a mild detergent.
Fiberglass-Free Mattress Alternatives
As you shop for a fiberglass-free mattress, make sure to review our list of Best Fiberglass-Free Mattresses – updated yearly.
We do have a few favorites however. Choose any mattress from those manufacturers and rest assured that your health, and that of your family, will be safe from fiberglass:
Natural Form Mattresses
NaturalForm offers three mattresses and all are beautiful products. We like the Natural Form Refresh Mattress for its thick Merino wool layer, its airpods allowing each sleeper to control the firmness of their side of the mattress, and the overall quality of the mattress.
Nolah Mattresses
Nolah does not use fiberglass in any of their mattresses and any Nolah mattress will be an excellent buy! We have been loving the Nolah Evolution 15, but if you are looking for a more organic mattress and favor latex for the comfort layer, the Nolah Natural 11 is a great option as well.
Naturepedic Mattresses
We have a bit of a soft spot for Naturepedic when it comes to kids / crib mattresses, however, their adult mattresses are equally amazing! Made free of fiberglass and chemicals, and certified non-toxic and organic, they have earned the very coveted MADE SAFE certification, making them one of the cleanest mattresses you can lay your head on!
Avocado Mattresses
Avocado is a very special mattress brand, and another MADE SAFE mattress manufacturer. In fact, out of the 6 mattress brands on the MADE SAFE certification list, 3 are owned by Avocado. Their mattresses are non-toxic, organic, sustainably-manufactured, eco-friendly, and free of fiberglass or chemicals. They are an excellent option for all ages and should be top of your list as you consider fiberglass-free mattresses.
Do Tempurpedic Mattresses Have Fiberglass
The short answer is yes, though the fiberglass is not quilted inside the mattress cover, as it is in most mattresses. This makes the fiberglass less of a hazard and exposure to its owners, less of a risk. Tempurpedic makes excellent mattresses that are very comfortable to sleep on. If fiberglass is a big no-no for you, you will find plenty of fiberglass-free options in this list.
If you do decide to go with a Tempurpedic mattress, we recommend never unzipping the mattress cover (even if it is washable) and to cover your mattress with a waterproof mattress protector to add a layer of protection.
If you notice that your mattress cover is damaged, or if you ever notice fiberglass particles in your room, on your body, or your clothes, you may need to see a physician and/or discard your mattress. You should also immediately inform Tempurpedic for further guidance.
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
Yes, some Tempurpedic mattresses contain a thin layer of fiberglass within the fire sock (a fire-retardant barrier) to comply with federal flammability standards.
You can check the product label or contact the manufacturer to determine if your Tempurpedic mattress contains fiberglass. Additionally, if you notice any white powder on the surface of your mattress or bedding, it could be a sign that the fire sock has been damaged, and the fiberglass is exposed. In this case, you should contact the manufacturer for further guidance.
Yes, most Tempurpedic mattresses have fiberglass in their fire sock, which finds itself below the mattress cover, around the foam layers.
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What is fiberglass, and why is it used in mattress toppers?
Fiberglass is used in the mattress industry (mattresses and mattress toppers alike) as a cheap fire retardant to meet Flammability Standards without the use of harmful chemicals.
Is fiberglass safe to sleep on?
The problem of sleeping on fiberglass is the risk of that thin layer breaking and becoming airborne. When that happens and fiberglass particles are inhaled, fiberglass becomes very dangerous and can have serious health impacts.
How can I tell if my mattress topper contains fiberglass?
Check the label! While companies do not have to disclose the exact content of their mattress toppers on their website, they have to be clearly labeled! Look for other words that can describe fiberglass, such as: glass-reinforced plastic, glass-fiber reinforced plastic, glass fiber, glass wool, or fiberglass-reinforced plastic.
Are there any alternative materials to fiberglass that can be used in mattress toppers?
The most commonly used natural material to replace fiberglass is wool. More expensive and lesser used, it acts as a very effective fire barrier in mattress toppers and mattresses covers.
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Laura Georgieff
Laura is a mother of three who did not sleep through the night for the first 5.5 years of her kids' lives. She is passionate about sleep quality and loves sharing her experience and knowledge of all thing bedding! It is her mission to help you make the best decisions when it comes to sleep and help you get the best deal on the market!
