by Fiberglass was one of the most frequently used ingredients in mattress manufacturing. But it is no longer used in mattress manufacturing, at least in the US. Mattress manufacturers in the US are transparent about their manufacturing processes (check the top rated mattresses made in USA).
Therefore, if you have to be 100 percent sure, you can check the label of your mattress and see if it contains fiberglass or not. Ikea is another top furniture brand in the US and is eminent for its mattresses (check the best selling IKEA mattresses).
But do their mattresses contain fiberglass or other harmful chemicals or VOCs that cause off-gassing and are not good for the environment?
We are about to find out all about it in this post.
Our #1 fiberglass-free mattress we recommend (Saatva)
Are Ikea Mattresses Toxic?
Ikea is a responsible furniture brand; therefore, it ensures that it doesn’t use harmful chemicals or VOCs to construct its mattresses. Therefore, it is safe to say that IKEA mattresses don’t have toxicity in them because they don’t off-gas too much.
Their mattresses have 15 percent synthetic latex, giving off that rubber-like odor. Their foam mattress has polyurethane foam, which is a relatively non-toxic ingredient.
But Ikea mattresses are safe as the company has a strict environmental policy. Therefore, it has removed toxic chemicals in its mattress manufacturing process and replaced flame retardant with less-flammable material.
What are Ikea Mattresses Made of?
If you are considerate about the fiberglass in Ikea mattresses, you can take a chill pill. Ikea mattresses don’t have fiberglass in them. Instead of fiberglass, the company uses other fire-retardants in their mattresses.
Other fire-retardants include the likes of rayon or polyester. Both materials work as effectively as fiberglass to protect your mattress from catching fire. Flame protection from fire retardant chemicals is one of the primary reasons why manufacturers produce fiberglass mattress. But Ikea chooses to go for the alternatives to meet industry standards.
The company has passed out toxic, carcinogenic chemicals from its mattress production process (also check the top-quality mattresses without fiberglass). But some materials might still have chemicals, such as piping or stitching.
But it’s a pretty small percentage of all the materials used to construct a mattress. Therefore, no impact should be expected from these traces.
They have a very transparent manufacturing process, and you can look at the label and see what chemicals they have used in the procedure.
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 Glass Fiber the Same as Fiberglass?
Fiberglass is a reinforced fiber, whereas glass fiber is just reinforced plastic. And that is exactly why fiberglass is eminent as glass or glass fiber reinforced plastic.
However, glass fiber is flattened into a sheet, and it is randomly arranged or even woven into a fabric. Glass fiber is referred to as fiberglass at times, while the composite is called the fiberglass-reinforced plastic. Here, glass fiber is a material that consists of many extremely fine fibers of glass.
In either case, these materials are unsafe for humans and the environment; therefore, more mattress manufacturers are moving away and looking for alternatives (check the top rated mattresses).
How Do I Know If My Mattress Has Fiberglass?
Unfortunately, it’s not always 100 percent clear whether the mattress you are using contains fiberglass or not when you go out to buy it. This is the case even with the most transparent companies out there.
But there are some ways you can use to identify a mattress that contains fiberglass. The good thing is that by law, manufacturers have to declare what they are using in their mattresses.
Therefore, you can conveniently check the label of your mattress. This list includes both the inner and outer materials of the mattress. The list will highly determine the percentage of each material in the mattress.
Another good way is to look for a warning label that instructs you not to remove the mattress cover. It will release the fiberglass confined by the cover, which can be harmful.
Are Mattresses Still Made with Fiberglass?
Some companies still use fiberglass in their mattresses due to its beneficial aspects. It might be somewhat harmful, but fiberglass has been the material of choice for a very long time by many mattress manufacturers because:
- It is durable and highly resistant to pests. Therefore, it makes your mattresses long-lasting.
- Companies can get fiberglass cheaply, allowing them to meet industry standards related to fire and safety.
- Fiberglass is highly effective as a fire barrier, and it’s a mandatory condition met in many countries by mattress manufacturers.
What Mattresses Do Not Have Fiberglass in Them?
Modern mattress manufacturers are trying their best to find alternatives to fiberglass. Many of them have found their way to move away from fiberglass. One of them is Ikea, but you can go for other mattress brands. These include the likes of:
- Amerisleep AS3
- Amerisleep Organica
- Zoma mattress
- Zoma Start
- Saatva Classic
- Avocado Vegan
- Joybed LXP
- Happsy Mattress
- PlushBeds Botanical Bliss
Should I Worry About Fiberglass in My Mattress?
Some fiberglass forms can injure your health if released into the room. However, if your mattress and its cover stay intact and in its place, you don’t have to worry about the fiberglass in your bed. Still, you need to go for mattresses that don’t have fiberglass, like the Ikea mattress.
Can I Sue for Fiberglass in the Mattress?
Yes, you can sue for a class action lawsuit if you have found fiberglass in the mattress and it has damaged your health somehow. You can get your money back for the cost of the mattress and the extent of your injuries.
Key Takeaways: Fiberglass and IKEA Mattresses
IKEA’s Stance on Fiberglass
IKEA mattresses do not contain fiberglass. Instead, the brand employs alternative fire-retardants like rayon or polyester to ensure safety.
Environmental Commitment
IKEA has removed toxic chemicals from its mattress manufacturing process, ensuring reduced off-gassing and minimal environmental impact.
Difference Between Fiberglass and Glass Fiber
While both are derived from fine glass fibers, fiberglass is a reinforced fiber, whereas glass fiber is reinforced plastic.
Identifying Fiberglass in Mattresses
To ascertain if a mattress contains fiberglass, checking the label is crucial. A warning against removing the mattress cover can also be an indicator.
Industry Trends
Many modern mattress manufacturers, including brands like Amerisleep and Saatva, are moving away from fiberglass, opting for more sustainable alternatives.
Fiberglass Concerns and Recourse
If undamaged, a mattress containing fiberglass poses minimal risk. However, for health concerns arising from fiberglass exposure, legal options are available.
Conclusion
Ikea mattresses are high-quality with environmentally friendly materials to meet industry standards. These mattresses don’t contain fiberglass and are not bad for your health.
Some other brands on the market don’t use fiberglass; instead, they go for fiberglass alternatives, including silica, wood, etc.
IKEA mattresses and fiberglass FAQs
How do you remove fiberglass from a mattress?
The best practice is to hire a professional cleanup company to remove the fiberglass from your mattress. This is the safest way to clean your mattress from fiberglass. You should not attempt to clean it alone, or you might increase the risk of contamination.
Do most mattresses contain fiberglass?
All-natural latex mattresses don’t have fiberglass in them. But memory foam, innerspring, and hybrid mattresses have fiberglass. But some good alternatives to fiberglass are plant fibers, silica, and wool.
Does all memory foam mattress have fiberglass?
No, not all memory foam mattresses have fiberglass in them. In some cases, a good alternative is a silica mixed with wool.