It’s true that fiberglass has been used in mattress construction for decades; however, this doesn’t mean its use is completely risk-free.

If the fiberglass particles start to leak from the mattress, it can create serious health issues for individuals, ranging from minor skin irritation to severe lung infections.

Learning that mattresses contain this material may bring up a number of questions, like why do manufacturers use fiberglass in mattresses, is fiberglass harmful and is it worth purchasing a mattress without fiberglass. We dive deeper into each of these questions and more below.

What Is Fiberglass and Why Is It Used in Mattresses?

Fiberglass is a composite material made of very fine glass fibers encased by plastic. While this may seem like a surprising material to be used in mattresses, it’s actually quite common in the industry.

What is fiberglass used for in a mattress? Most often, manufacturers choose to include fiberglass in mattresses as a cost-effective fire barrier to meet flammability regulations.

This is because when exposed to flames or high heat, fiberglass melts rather than combusting, helping to prevent or slow the spread of fire.

How Fiberglass Is Used in Mattresses

Fiberglass in mattresses tends to be isolated to just a few components; however, it can still be quite sizable.

It’s commonly found beneath the outer cover or inside fire-retardant layers, integrated into the mattress design for safety compliance. These specialized layers may be referred to as the “barrier fabric” or “fire sock”.

Which Mattresses Contain Fiberglass?

Some mattress types are more likely to be constructed with fiberglass than others. For example, fiberglass is more commonly used in memory foam and hybrid mattresses than in traditional innerspring models. However, some innerspring mattresses may still include a layer of fiberglass on the inner part of the cover as a fire barrier.

What If My Mattress Has Fiberglass?

If you discover that your mattress contains fiberglass, there likely isn’t an immediate cause for concern. However, there are some things you should do to best protect yourself and prevent the fiberglass from leaking out of the mattress.

Don’t remove the cover

As mentioned throughout, fiberglass in a mattress is commonly found in the inner layers to help create a fire barrier.

As such, the cover exists to keep the fiberglass contained. So, you’ll want to keep it intact to avoid exposing the fiberglass and allowing it to leak into the outer part of the mattress or the rest of your bedroom.

Mattresses containing fiberglass should have a tag on the cover that instructs you not to remove it.

Use a mattress protector

Additionally, you may want to add a mattress protector to your bed. While these are commonly used to protect your mattress against spills, stains and dust mites, they can also be an effective way to add an extra layer of protection and keep the fiberglass contained.

Plus, adding a mattress protector is generally much less expensive than purchasing a new mattress altogether.

Consider replacement

If you decide it’s not worth the risk, or your mattress is already nearing the end of its life, you may decide to purchase a new, fiberglass-free mattress, like the DreamCloud Luxe Hybrid Mattress or the DreamCloud Classic Hybrid Mattress.

This can be particularly important if you notice that the cover has been damaged, you’ve accidentally removed it without realizing the risks or the fiberglass has already started to leak out.

Is Fiberglass in Mattresses Safe?

Whether you’re a health-conscious consumer, a concerned parent or a renter, you might be concerned about the fiberglass content in the mattress that you or your family are sleeping on.

So, is fiberglass dangerous? The good news is that it’s generally safe when undisturbed. This is why you should avoid doing things that might expose the inner contents, like removing the cover or otherwise tampering with a mattress that contains fiberglass.

However, there are potential risks should the fiberglass contents become exposed or begin to leak out of a worn-out or poorly constructed mattress, which we’ll cover in further detail below.

What Happens If Fiberglass Escapes?

When fiberglass leaks from a mattress, it can quickly spread throughout the rest of the bedroom and even be tracked into other areas of the home if not contained effectively.

Fiberglass particles are small and lightweight, meaning they easily become airborne and go undetected until you or other members of the household start to notice symptoms.

These particles can accumulate on flat surfaces, cling to soft fabrics and even get into a home’s HVAC system, further spreading the fiberglass contamination.

Health Risks Linked to Fiberglass Exposure

Even limited exposure to fiberglass can create minor symptoms like skin itchiness and redness. More serious health risks have been associated with prolonged or repeated contact, such as:

• Skin irritation: Long-term exposure can create a serious fiberglass skin rash or irritation as the tiny glass particles penetrate the skin; contact dermatitis is possible in more severe cases.
• Respiratory issues: Serious respiratory issues are possible from prolonged fiberglass inhalation, which can irritate the throat, nose and lungs, leading to wheezing, feelings of shortness of breath and worsening of existing respiratory issues.
• Eye discomfort: Even small amounts of fiberglass in the eyes can cause serious symptoms, like redness, discomfort and scratching.
• Allergic reaction: In some cases, people can experience an allergic reaction to fiberglass called fiberglass dermatitis, which can appear as itching, redness, blisters and even hives. 

What Should You Do If Fiberglass Makes You Sick?

If you believe that fiberglass from your mattress has made you or another member of your household sick, here’s what you should do:

Seek medical attention

If you’re experiencing symptoms like ongoing skin irritation, respiratory issues or other effects, consult with a medical provider immediately.

It can be particularly risky if you’ve inhaled fiberglass or it’s gotten into your eyes, in which case you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

For minor or short-term fiberglass exposure, you may be able to manage the symptoms on your own at home. For instance, if your skin was briefly in contact with fiberglass, place the affected area under running water to ensure it’s completely removed. Use a cloth if needed to gently grab and pull the fibers away from the skin.

Clean your space

Once your health concerns have been addressed, the next priority should be cleaning the bedroom that had the faulty mattress.

Carefully seal and remove the mattress from the room so it can be disposed of. Then, be sure to thoroughly clean the bedroom, starting by vacuuming the floors and surrounding fabrics (like curtains, rugs, upholstered furniture, etc.) with a vacuum that has a HEPA filter. This ensures that even the smallest of fiberglass particles can be effectively removed from the area.

Wash any items in the affected area that are machine-washable, like clothing and bedding. Wipe down any hard surfaces like window sills and nightstands that may have been exposed to remove the harmful fibers.

Consider filing a complaint

If fiberglass exposure from the mattress causes illness, you can consider filing a complaint with a number of regulatory bodies, including:

• Your state’s Attorney General
• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
• The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

Doing so can help bring accountability to dangerous or faulty manufacturing practices and prevent additional consumers from being affected similarly in the future.

Keep detailed records of any medical issues you believe to be caused by the mattress, relevant timelines and attempts to reach out to the manufacturer.

Replace your mattress

Finally, a mattress that has begun to leak fiberglass and make you or your family members sick should be replaced as soon as possible.

The potential health risks of fiberglass exposure can become more severe with time, so it’s important to get rid of the faulty mattress immediately to limit your exposure.

Going forward, you might want to consider a higher-quality or fiberglass-free mattress to reduce the risk of this occurring again in the future.

How to Check for Fiberglass in Your Mattress

These are some of the ways to help you determine if your mattress contains fiberglass:

• Read the law label. All mattresses have a law label, which may be attached to the mattress or sewn into the side. Check for a list of materials, looking for mentions of fiberglass and any possible variants, like “glass fiber.”
• Look for a “Do not remove cover” label. This label should be a red flag that the mattress contains fiberglass, as removing it would allow it to escape and present certain health and fiberglass safety risks.
• Contact the manufacturer directly. When it doubt, reach out to the mattress’s manufacturer to determine if it’s constructed with fiberglass. Specify which model you own, and ask about the materials the mattress is made of. 

Safer Alternatives to Fiberglass in Mattresses

Fiberglass isn’t the only fire-resistant material that can be used to achieve mattress safety standards. There are other, more natural flame retardants that are commonly used in fiberglass-free mattresses, including:

• Wool 
• Silica 
• Rayon

Tips for Buying a Fiberglass-Free Mattress

If you’d like to err on the side of caution and purchase a mattress that uses alternative fire-resistant materials, here are some tips to help you find the best mattress without fiberglass.

Reading verified customer reviews

One of the best sources of information when it comes to mattress shopping is to consult the reviews from verified customers.

Regardless of what a mattress brand promotes about its products, learning about the quality and characteristics from those who have purchased and slept on the mattress can provide you with highly valuable information.

Look specifically for any reviews mentioning fiberglass, helping you verify that the mattress is, in fact, fiberglass-free before you get the chance to inspect or break it in yourself.

Looking for certifications (e.g., CertiPUR-US, GOTS)

Other useful advice is to check out the certifications that a mattress may have received. There are many mattress certifications that indicate the brand has met certain safety, manufacturing or environmental standards, which may indicate that it’s free from fiberglass. Specifically, look for mattresses that have the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certification. This means the mattress contains at least 95% organic materials and is free from harmful chemicals and materials, like fiberglass. Additionally, a certified CertiPUR-US mattress means the memory foam is made without harmful chemicals or heavy metals.

Asking retailers direct questions

If you’re not sure whether a mattress contains fiberglass or not, you can always reach out to the manufacturer directly. You can ask them about the presence of fiberglass in their models and what alternative material they use as a fire retardant. Be wary if they use terms like “fiber reinforced plastic,” “glass wool” or “glass fiber,” which are just a few different ways to say fiberglass.

Frequently Asked Questions