Fiberglass is a cheap fire retardant used in many budget mattresses. If it leaks, it can ruin your home and health. Here is who to trust and who to avoid.
| Brand | Verdict | Fire Barrier Material |
|---|---|---|
| Saatva Natural | Safe | Uses natural thistle & wool barriers. |
| PlushBeds Latex/Natural | Safe | Uses organic wool. |
| Avocado Latex/Natural | Safe | Uses organic wool. |
| Nolah Foam/Hybrid | Safe | Uses proprietary woven silica sock (non-glass). |
| Bear Hybrid | Safe | Uses 'Whisper Shield' rayon. |
| Nectar (Newer) Memory Foam | Caution | Newer models use PE blend, but older models (<2022) had fiberglass. |
| DreamCloud (Newer) Hybrid | Caution | Same parent company as Nectar. Verify label. |
| Zinus Budget Foam | Avoid | Notorious for fiberglass contamination lawsuits. |
| Ashley Furniture Budget | Avoid | Often uses glass fiber socks. |
| Lucid Budget | Avoid | Contains glass fiber. |
| Vibe Budget | Avoid | Contains glass fiber. |
| Birch Natural | Safe | Wool barrier. |
| WinkBed Hybrid | Safe | Rayon/cotton blend barrier. |
US law requires mattresses to withstand an open flame for a specific period. To meet this standard cheaply, budget manufacturers wrap the inner foam in a "sock" made of glass fibers. When exposed to fire, the glass melts and forms a barrier.
However, if you remove the cover (even if it has a zipper!), these millions of microscopic glass shards can explode into your room, contaminating clothes, HVAC systems, and lungs.