Getting Quality Sleep
One of the often overlooked factors in getting a restful night's sleep is considering the materials used in your mattress. While firmness and comfort are often most important, the presence of harmful materials can significantly impact your health and your sleep. Fiberglass is a common component of many mattresses, but it can actually pose many dangers.
What is Fiberglass?
Fiberglass is a man-made material created by weaving together two materials: reinforced plastic and very fine glass fibers. It is non-flammable, lightweight, durable, and moldable. It has been used for home insulation since the 1930s. Because it’s so versatile and cheap to make, it’s now a common component in various consumer products. One of those products where you may find fiberglass is where you sleep—your mattress.
Fiberglass in Mattresses
Because mattresses are a highly flammable household item, manufacturers are required to meet the federal safety standard for fire resistance. This standard of flammability in mattresses has been in place since 2007. One material that is effective at meeting this standard is fiberglass, as it is an effective fire retardant. Once exposed to flames, it melts, so the mattress is not engulfed by the fire.
Many mattress companies use fiberglass because it’s super cheap. In recent years, however, fiberglass has become the center of many consumer concerns and complaints because of the potential dangers it poses.
The Risks and Harmful Effects of Fiberglass
Where you sleep—and what you sleep on—should always be a safe space. But if your mattress contains fiberglass, you’re at risk for harmful effects. Fiberglass that’s in your mattress, layered underneath the inner mattress cover, has the potential to break down over time. This can be from normal wear and tear, washing, or even removing the mattress cover. Once the fiberglass escapes the mattress, your health can be impacted. There are many consequences from the exposure to fiberglass:
- Skin: Direct contact with fiberglass can result in extremely prickly, itchy, and irritated skin. There are not many remedies except waiting for the effects to dissipate.
- Eyes, nose, throat, and stomach: Fiberglass can cause irritation and damage to your eyes, burning in your nose and throat, as well as coughing and sneezing. You can also feel nauseous or have stomach pain with exposure to fiberglass.
- Respiratory Issues: Fiberglass is an inhalation hazard and can cause damage to your lungs and aggravate asthma and bronchitis. Long term exposure can even cause lung disease.
- Air quality: Fiberglass particles can pollute the air, which has a significant impact on your indoor air quality. Once they come out of the mattress, these particles can get everywhere, including clothes, furniture, and carpets. They can even end up in your HVAC system, transferring particles throughout your entire home. Fiberglass cleanup is difficult and expensive.
- Pollution: Fiberglass waste generated during manufacturing and disposal processes contributes to environmental pollution.
What Other Mattress Companies Don’t Want You to Know
Although mattress companies are legally supposed to disclose every material used in their products, many labels do not disclose the use of fiberglass. When looking at the mattress label, if it says “do not remove cover,” or “Made in China,” it may contain fiberglass.
The use of fiberglass can also be disguised with other terms to mislead the consumer. Look for names like glass fiber, glass wool, silica, glass-reinforced plastic, or glass-fiber reinforced plastic.
iSense Mattresses are Free from Fiberglass
It’s crucial to avoid sleeping on a mattress that could potentially have a negative impact on your health and well-being. And no one wants to sleep on tiny shards of glass, of course. Sadly, fiberglass can be found in many conventional mattresses, including ones that claim to be innovative and health-conscious.
But at iSense, safety and comfort are the top priority when designing mattresses. Our mattresses are always crafted without the use of fiberglass. The materials we use are carefully selected and made with CertiPUR-US® certified materials. This means no harmful chemicals are ever used. By prioritizing a fiberglass-free design, iSense ensures that its mattresses offer a healthier sleep environment, free from the potential hazards associated with fiberglass exposure.
The Advantages of Fiberglass-Free Mattresses:
Opting for a fiberglass-free mattress has many benefits, both for individuals and the environment. By choosing a mattress free from fiberglass, consumers can enjoy a safe place to lay their head, improved sleep quality, and overall well-being, without the risks that come with exposure to fiberglass. Fiberglass-free mattresses also contribute to environmental sustainability.
Choosing the Right Mattress
Shopping for a new mattress can be an overwhelming experience with all the aspects to take into consideration, and can be even more challenging when you need to watch for, and avoid, mattresses made with fiberglass. Always do your research when shopping for a new mattress. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer directly to make sure the mattress you choose is not made with fiberglass.
Fiberglass-free mattresses like those offered by iSense are gaining popularity among consumers who want a safe space to sleep. With its commitment to quality sleep and innovative design, iSense uses safe, healthy materials while also ensuring environmental sustainability.
