What Is A Fiberglass-Free Mattress, And Why Do You Need It?
Introduction
Fiberglass is an inorganic, nonmetallic material with excellent properties, which is widely used in construction, traffic, and electronics. The things we are familiar with, such as boats, aircraft, tubs, and even mattresses. You may wonder how could a "glass" be applied in making a mattress. Let’s jump right in without further ado.
1. Definition of Fiberglass
Fiberglass refers fine fibers that are formed from combining plastic and glass. The material is first heated to a molten state and is then spun into a fine filament, which is finished as woven sheets. These fibers can be flattened into a thin sheet, woven into glass cloth, or randomly combined into different valuable glass fiber varieties. It is worth noting that the raw materials used for fiberglass are no different than those used to make kitchen glass and window glass. It is the production process that gives this substance the form you are familiar with.
2. Why Use Fiberglass for Mattresses
The exceptional properties of fiberglass such as flexibility, durability, and lightweight put it ahead of other fiber-reinforced materials. These attributes make fiberglass used in a wide range of industries for a variety of products. As a matter of fact, fiberglass is also used in mattress production. Who would have thought that fiberglass might be the last material that we would find in a mattress. It is hard to imagine there is actually "glass" in our soft, comfy mattress.
Due to the mattress manufacturing process having to meet the safety criteria when it comes to flammability, many manufacturers will take advantage of the features of fiberglass-fire resistance. As an inorganic material, it neither burns nor supports combustion. It retains almost 25% of its initial strength at a temperature of 1000°F (540°C). It is because of this property, the fiberglass layer in the mattress acts as a protective layer, if your mattress catches on fire for any reason, it will melt rather than burn freely. It also slows down the spread of fire; it increases the time for the flames to reach the combustible materials inside your mattress.
3. Potential Harmful Effects of Fiberglass on the Human Body
Fiberglass refers fine fibers that are formed from combining plastic and glass. The material is first heated to a molten state and is then spun into a fine filament, which is finished as woven sheets. These fibers can be flattened into a thin sheet, woven into glass cloth, or randomly combined into different valuable glass fiber varieties. It is worth noting that the raw materials used for fiberglass are no different than those used to make kitchen glass and window glass. It is the production process that gives this substance the form you are familiar with.
Although the fiberglass is non-toxic, we cannot 100% promise this material would not be harmful to us. The manufacturer usually sews a tag with "Do not remove cover" to warn against removing the cover, because they clearly know that doing so would expose the fiberglass layer underneath. We can also search for approximately how many people were injured when the cover was removed because they did not pay attention to the tag or just wanted to clean the mattress. Many people do not expect the incident to happen. If you've ever touched the fiberglass insulation before, you would know how itchy it can be on your skin. The worst part is that once fiberglass comes off your mattress, it's almost impossible to get rid of. In fact, it can get to anywhere in your home - air, carpet, furniture, clothes, everything. It's everywhere, just like dust, except it's made up of tiny pieces of glass. This makes fiberglass cleanup both expensive and painful. One cleaning professional said that depending on the severity of the situation, it could take anywhere from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars to remove fiberglass from your home. So even if fiberglass is an effective flame retardant for mattresses, is it worth risking our health and finances to continue using it when there are other safer fireproofing materials already available?
4. Why Do You Need Fiberglass-Free Mattress?
1. Breathe Easier And Sleep Better:
Fiberglass-free mattresses provide a healthier sleeping environment by not releasing potentially harmful particles into your bedroom. This means you can breathe easier and sleep better, knowing that your mattress is fiberglass-free. So, it's crucial to look for a mattress that is certified as fiberglass free.
2. Reduce Skin Irritations:
Recent studies have found that exposure to fiberglass particles can cause skin irritations. If you have susceptible skin, you must be extra careful when purchasing a mattress. Also, ensure the fabric is fiberglass-free to avoid skin irritation and get a good night's sleep.
3. Suffer From Allergies? Fiberglass-Free Mattresses Can Help:
If you suffer from allergies, finding a mattress free of all potential allergens is vital. A fiberglass-free mattress can help reduce the severity of your allergic reactions and provide relief from the symptoms. For those with sensitivities, fiberglass inhalation is hazardous and should avoid at all costs.
4. Safer For Children:
Children are especially vulnerable to the risks posed by fiberglass-filled mattresses. A fiberglass-free mattress can help keep your little ones safe and healthy while they sleep, giving you peace of mind. Most parents usually select mattresses with certification mentioning the absence of fiberglass.
5. Improved Air Quality:
When you opt for a fiberglass-free mattress, you can also improve the air quality in your bedroom. Air quality is valuable since it affects the quantity of oxygen that gets into your lungs. Those with lung problems should choose a fiberglass-free mattress as it increases the amount of oxygen in your bedroom, which can help improve your overall well-being.
5. How To Spot a Mattress with Fiberglass
Check the Label
Generally, the label would include the main materials used and their proportion of use. When we choose a mattress, we should pay more attention to the material of the mattresses. But there is a special case, due to strict laws, which vary from country to country, products need to have material labels. Some manufacturers would use ambiguous information on the label or make it very difficult for the buyer to access the information. Therefore, it helps to check and ask for the information before purchase.
Check the Manufacturer's Instruction
To avoid the situation mentioned above, we should carefully read the manufacturer's instructions carefully; if it says, "Do not remove the cover," it is most likely because the mattress contains fiberglass. Some mattresses have zippers on the cover despite the "Do Not Remove Cover" warning; such zippers do not invite you to remove the cover, but are part of the manufacturing process; therefore, if you encounter a mattress with a zipper or "Do Not Remove Cover" warning, you should avoid touching the zipper and opening it up.
6. What Should We Do If Our Mattress Has Fiberglass
It is imperative to confirm whether your mattress contains fiberglass and if they do, don’t have to panic. As we mentioned before, fiberglass is a non-toxic chemical. Fiberglass does not harm the sleeper if it is safely contained in the mattress. So what else can we do ensure we are not affected by this material?
Never Remove the Cover:
We already know there is a fiberglass layer under the mattress cover that acts as a flame retardant, removing the cover would expose the fiberglass to the air, carpet, and clothes. Exposed fiberglass is also prone to injury to our skin and is very difficult to clean.
Use Mattress Cover:
As long as the fiberglass is inside the mattress, you can continue to sleep on your mattress. To keep the fiberglass being kept inside, a mattress cover can act as a protector, which can help contain any debris and loose materials inside the mattress, which helps the fiberglass from spreading.
Replace the Mattress:
If you’ve noticed your mattress is already worn and the fiberglass can leak through, replacing the mattress would be a safer option.We suggest that you consider how you dispose of your mattress so that it does not affect the health and safety of others. Many mattress recycling programs have been established to reduce the number of mattresses going to landfills, and parts such as steel springs can be repurposed into other items.
7. How To Choose Fiberglass-Free Mattress
It is hard to recognize the mattress with or without fiberglass because the fiberglass is woven into the mattress, making it a challenge to identify it with the naked eye. When buying a mattress, you can also look for health and quality certifications that ensure that the material will not cause adverse health reactions or expose you to harmful substances. If you're on a budget, low-cost mattresses may be attractive, but they will inevitably sacrifice the quality of the mattress and the related certification. It is important to find a mattress that is nationally certified and eco-friendly on a limited budget.
SweetNight® is a cross-border company focused on building quality sleep products, and it is also about exploring homeware lifestyle possibilities. So far, it has accumulated 86 patents, from design patents to utility patents, and other intellectual property technology patents that help product innovation and development.
At SweetNight®, we can proudly tell you that the full range of our Prime Mattress is fiberglass-free, and all material has been certificated by CertiPUR-US. This means the materials we use have been scientifically proven to meet third-party standards for chemical and pollutant emissions, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and flame retardants, ensuring that you can have a safe and sound sleep at night.
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