Do Leesa Mattresses Have Fiberglass?

Leesa mattresses have recently come under scrutiny over concerns regarding potential fiberglass and chemical exposures from these popular bed-in-a-box models. With growing consumer interest in non-toxic, clean sleeping options, questions have emerged on what materials and chemicals are used in Leesa mattress construction.

This article will dive into the key details around fiberglass and toxicity in Leesa mattresses to help consumers make informed decisions.

What Materials Are Inside Leesa Mattresses?

Leesa mattresses feature multiple layers of foam and fabrics encasing the foam layers. The main interior components include:

• Polyurethane foam comfort layers – This synthetic petroleum-based foam makes up the soft comfort layers that contour to the body. Polyurethane foams off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and require flame retardant chemicals to meet fire safety standards.
• Polyfoam support core – A firmer base foam layer provides core support. Polyfoam also emits VOCs and requires flame retardant additives.
• Rayon/polyester fabric covers – Soft fabric covers encase the mattress layers. These fabrics meet quality standards for durability and breathability.
• Fire retardant barriers – Thin fiber-reinforced fabric layers between the foam and covers act as fire barriers to meet flammability standards. These fire barrier layers are required in all mattresses sold in the US and is an area of focus around potential fiberglass exposures.

Do Leesa Mattresses Have Fiberglass?

Yes, Leesa has acknowledged their mattress models contain a small amount of fiberglass fibers encased within the rayon-based fire barrier fabrics. Most mattress manufacturers utilize similar woven fire barrier fabrics, which may incorporate fiberglass strands and rayon, polyester, or other threads.

Fiberglass acts as a fire-resistant material to meet government flammability standards. Mattress companies state that the fiberglass is fully encapsulated within fabrics and polymers to prevent direct exposure. However, consumers have raised concerns that compression and movement over time could allow particles to escape through the barriers.

While Leesa maintains that fiberglass barriers do not pose health or exposure risks, they have faced class action lawsuits over this issue along with other mattress brands using similar materials. These cases are still developing.

What Is Leesa’s Response to Fiberglass Concerns?

In response to consumer inquiries into potential fiberglass exposures from their mattresses, Leesa has asserted that their products contain no loose fiberglass that can become airborne or inhaled.

As stated on their website and in public statements, Leesa claims their fiberglass strands stay fully locked within the fire barrier’s rayon threads even under heat and pressure. They insist this encapsulated fiberglass cannot migrate outside the barriers where it could reach consumers. Independent lab testing has validated that no loose fiberglass escapes the barrier materials in Leesa mattresses according to the company.

However, some consumers remain skeptical over whether compression cycles gradually wears down the integrity of the fiberglass containment over months and years of mattress use. Despite Leesa’s assurances of product safety, class action lawsuits claim these thin fire barriers may develop tears and holes allowing particles to be released from the weakened encasements over time. But Leesa defends their materials and manufacturing standards which they insist prevent any fiberglass exposure.

Are Leesa Mattresses Toxic?

While Leesa mattresses may incorporate small amounts of concerning materials like fiberglass, they do work to limit other toxic chemicals in their foam layers. All Leesa mattress models meet the voluntary CertiPUR-US certification standards for foam performance and durability.

To qualify for CertiPUR-US certification, polyurethane foams must be analyzed by independent labs and found to have:

• No ozone depleters
• Low VOC emissions
• No PBDE flame retardants
• No heavy metals
• No formaldehyde
• No prohibited phthalates

However, some consumers argue that CertiPUR foam still contains other flame retardants and VOC-emitting compounds that could be considered mildly toxic. There are also no restrictions on allergens which could trigger reactions. So while Leesa mattresses avoid the very worst chemicals, they don’t satisfy those seeking fully non-toxic or organic options.

In particular, the polyurethane foam itself emits some volatile organic compounds and other chemicals associated with its petroleum-derived production process. So consumers with chemical sensitivities may still react to off-gassing from new Leesa mattresses as they would other bed-in-a-box models using CertiPUR-US foams. Those wanting zero VOC emissions may be disappointed.

How Do Leesa Mattresses Compare to Other Brands?

The materials and certifications used in Leesa mattresses are comparable to many competing bed-in-a-box brands in this price range. Including thin fire barrier layers with rayon and fiberglass threads is standard across the mattress industry to meet flammability requirements. The use of CertiPUR-US-certified polyurethane foam in the comfort and support layers is also typical for many mattress-in-a-box companies.

Brands that share similar constructions to Leesa include Casper, Tuft and Needle, Purple, and Nectar among other popular boxed mattress brands. While foam densities, layering arrangements, and fabric covers vary across brands, the core materials inside these compressed mattresses are often quite alike.

Each company maintains rigorous quality control and safety standards to keep fiberglass fully encapsulated and eliminate risks of exposures. But some variation likely exists in how resilient different fire barrier materials will remain over years of use. Independent testing on this longevity is still limited.

Alternatives to Consider for Non-Toxic Mattresses

For consumers still uncomfortable with the materials used inside Leesa mattresses, several alternatives exist focused explicitly on non-toxic or organic materials:

Brentwood Mattress (read our review here)

• GOLS organic certified latex rubber foam
• 100% GOTS organic certified wool and cotton
• No polyurethane foam, adhesives, or chemical flame retardants

Birch Mattress

• Natural Talalay latex rubber foam
• GOTS organic fabric covers
• GREENGUARD Gold certified for low emissions

PlushBeds Botanical Bliss

• GOLS organic certified latex foam
• GOTS organic fabric covers
• Free of harsh chemicals and flame retardants

While these non-toxic options cost more than Leesa mattresses, they give consumers confidence in the material’s safety and purity. Those seeking mattresses with verified organic or natural components have several excellent brands to consider that avoid adhesives, barriers, and chemical additives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Leesa cannot claim to be a purely clean or non-toxic mattress brand, they do try to reduce chemicals beyond basic government standards. Their inclusion of thin fiberglass fire barrier layers is typical for the mattress industry, though product safety concerns still linger among some consumers.

Leesa maintains ongoing independent testing to ensure fiberglass stays fully encapsulated in their fire barriers without risk of exposure. And their CertiPUR-US foams avoid many harsh chemicals found in cheaper polyurethane foams. But for those wanting absolutely no polyurethane, adhesives or fire retardants near their skin, Leesa doesn’t eliminate all materials of concern like some organic brands.

Carefully examining the full list of materials and certifications remains key for finding the healthiest mattress tailored to each consumer’s needs and chemical sensitivities. While Leesa makes reasonable efforts to use responsibly produced foams, consumers will have to weigh if the mattresses satisfy their personal standards for purity and non-toxic assurance.