Hey all – I’m currently shopping for a new mattress and just went down a rabbit hole about fire retardants… and now I’m a little freaked out.
I came across a few posts and articles talking about fiberglass being used in mattresses as a flame barrier, and how it can leak out if the cover is removed or damaged. Some people even mentioned having to throw out everything in their bedroom after exposure because the fiberglass fibers spread everywhere. 
I had no idea this was even a thing. I always assumed fire retardants were something sprayed on (which I was also already a little wary of health-wise), but now I’m seeing that many mattresses use fiberglass or other materials sewn inside as a barrier.
So now I’m wondering:
- Are most mattresses still using fiberglass today?
- What are the different fire retardant options?
- Are there safer options that still meet fire safety laws?
- Is this something all mattress companies are transparent about, or do I have to dig to find out?
I really want to avoid anything toxic or potentially harmful (especially since I have kids), but it’s hard to tell what’s just marketing and what’s real.
If anyone has done recent research or bought a fiberglass-free/nontoxic mattress recently, I’d love to hear what you found. 
Thanks in advance!
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Hey there the tonic,
Welcome to the community.
Fiberglass is a type of material that some mattress manufacturers use as a fire retardant, typically sewn into the mattress or added to the cover. It works by creating a barrier that slows the spread of fire. However, if the cover is damaged or removed, the fiberglass fibers can escape and spread, potentially causing skin irritation, respiratory issues, or a mess that’s difficult to clean. One tell tale sign is when the instructions say “do not remove this cover.”
Though it’s still used in some mattresses—especially in budget or foreign-made brands and some more expensive mattresses too, there’s a growing trend to avoid fiberglass in favor of safer, more natural materials like wool, which also acts as a fire barrier Silica, Kevlar and and other materials are used as fire retardants. Silica is not the same as fiberglass although many will immediately point to Silica as fiberglass, it is not, although it is one of the ingredients that fiberglass is comprised of. Silica, an abrasive, is found in many common products, like tooth paste.
Many mattress companies are moving away from fiberglass in response to consumer demand for non-toxic options, and some offer more transparent labeling to help you avoid it. You still need to be careful as there are some manufacturers that dont list it on the law label, or call it by another name.
When shopping, look for mattresses that explicitly state they are fiberglass-free and use natural or safer alternatives like wool, cotton, or plant-based fire barriers. Checking reviews, contacting the manufacturers, and querying folks here at TMU can help you sort the fiberglass issue out.
Hope this helps,
Maverick
Hello thetonic,
It is good to be aware of what is in or on your mattress, since we spend roughly one-third of our lives there.
In answer to your question about safe options, there absolutely are safer options. Wool is often used as a flame retardant - and meets fire safety laws. Natural materials such as cotton and wool will not be as flammable as synthetics, generally. Organic cotton smoulders, but does not burst into flames. Wool is often quilted into the mattress covers or can surround the springs of a mattress.
It used to be that all mattresses were made of natural materials. When synthetic materials, some of them petroleum-based, came into use, they were much more flammable and flame retardants became necessary for safety reasons.
It depends on the state you are in as to whether such chemicals are regulated.
A couple of examples:
New York has a law against certain chemical flame retardants. California requires a label warning for cancer-causing chemicals. Ω
The mattresses we sell do not utilize harsh chemical flame retardants or fiberglass. The mattresses we offer are completely fire safe due to the use of natural and organic materials, including wool.
Most companies should be able to tell you easily what they use for flame retardants and whether fiberglass is involved.
Best of luck in your search and let us know if we can help.
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