Do Ikea Mattresses Have Fiberglass? (Safe + Flame Retardant)

Have you ever asked yourself or your friend if IKEA mattresses have fiberglass, are they safe and flame retardant? Well, you are at the perfect place to find the answer to such a question.

Ikea mattresses do not have any fiberglass. In place of this potentially harmful fire retardant, Ikea mattresses instead contain alternatives like polyester and nylon, which are thought to be equally effective at meeting the fire protection standards of the industry but are far less harmful.

In the following article, we look in more detail at the use of fiberglass in Ikea mattresses, how to tell if a mattress has fiberglass and some of the problems with using it. 

Do Ikea mattresses have fiberglass?

Ikea mattresses do not contain fiberglass. In place of fiberglass, Ikea mattresses are made using other fire-retardant materials like polyester or rayon, which both work as effectively as fiberglass in protecting against fire.

Fire protection or flame retardant is one of the primary reasons fiberglass is used, yet Ikea typically opts to meet industry standards with safer alternatives.

According to Ikea, customers do not need to be concerned about harmful materials or chemicals like fiberglass. Ikea state that their products will always strive to meet the expectations of their customers whilst also fulfilling the legal standards of the industry.

Over the last few years, Ikea has worked to remove any harmful materials and chemicals. 

Read also: Does Casper Mattress Have Fiberglass? (Best Without Fiberglass)

Why do Ikea choose not to use fiberglass?

According to Ikea’s website, the brand is attempting to use as few chemicals as possible, which extends to fire retardants.

In most cases, Ikea strives to use alternatives to fire-retardant chemicals and fabrics like fiberglass. This is likely an attempt to minimize the use of potentially harmful materials.

Best Mattresses Without Fiberglass

below you can see the Best Memory Foam Mattress Without Fiberglass:

What is fiberglass?

A material which has slowly seen a decline in use in recent years, fiberglass is a fire-retardant, reinforced plastic made using the fibers from glass.

It is usually woven into fabric or flattened and combined into a sheet known as a strand mat. It is a very durable fabric, yet lightweight and flexible enough to be used in fabrics.

Why do some mattresses have fiberglass?

Some manufacturers use fiberglass in mattresses because of the beneficial properties it offers. Despite being somewhat harmful, it has been the material of choice for a long time and is still considered effective by a lot of manufacturers.

Let’s look at some of the reasons fiberglass is considered by some to be a good option for mattresses:

• Fiberglass is very durable and resistant to things like pests, making it ideal for long-lasting mattresses,
• It’s easy for manufacturers to get hold of cheaply and allows them to meet the fire and safety standards of the industry,
• It’s an effective fire barrier – something mattresses in many countries are required by law to have.

Read also: Ikea Mattress Return Policy in Canada (What´s Covered + More)

Why is fiberglass a problem?

As long as it remains inside the mattress cover, fiberglass doesn’t necessarily cause any problems. However, if the mattress cover is removed and the fiberglass manages to get out, it can cause a number of issues.

Let’s take a look at some of the reasons fiberglass should probably be avoided for use in mattresses:

It can cause skin irritation

Fiberglass is very fine and pointy, meaning it can be quite sharp to the touch. When confined inside a mattress cover, this is unlikely to cause a problem.

However, if the fiberglass manages to escape from inside the cover, it can cause irritation and inflammation when it comes into contact with your skin, resulting in itchy, uncomfortably skin. 

It can also lead to throat irritation

Similarly, fiberglass which escapes from the mattress cover is very easy to inhale while you sleep. If this happens, it can cause irritation to the throat which can be painful and uncomfortable.

When confined to the mattress cover, this is unlikely to be a problem as the cover offers some protection from inhalation.

It can be very difficult to remove

Fiberglass which gets free from the mattress cover spreads very quickly and easily. Once out in the open, it easily gets stuck in and clings to furnishings, clothing, and floors and can be very difficult to get out.

It also leaves you exposed to inhaling or coming into contact with the fibers, which as we have seen can be harmful.

How do you know if your mattress has fiberglass?

Unfortunately, it isn’t always clear whether a mattress contains fiberglass when you purchase it. Luckily, there are some ways to identify a mattress containing fiberglass once you have it at home, as manufacturers are required by law to declare which materials have been used.

One way to identify fiberglass in a mattress is by checking the label. Mattress labels must list materials used to create both the outer and inner covers, plus the percentages of each material used. Look out for a percentage of glass fiber on your label, as this means fiberglass has been used.

Another way to check for fiberglass is to check for a warning label, which should instruct you not to remove the cover from your mattress.

Removing the cover of a mattress which contains fiberglass is likely to release the fiberglass from the confines of the cover, which can be harmful, as we have discussed. 

Final Thoughts

Ikea mattresses do not contain any fiberglass. Instead, other fire-retardant materials like polyester and rayon are used to protect against fire. Fiberglass is often used to meet industry standards when it comes to fire protection but is known to be somewhat harmful and so many manufacturers, including Ikea, are opting for alternatives.

References

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/files/pdf/5c/df/5cdf003d/ikea_faq_flame_retardants.pdf

https://www.fibreglassdirect.co.uk/blog/post/what-is-fibreglass-or-fiberglass