Are Purple Mattresses Toxic?

If you look at any Purple mattress, you will notice that it’s made using a wide range of materials. As you go through these ingredients, it’s normal for any savvy shopper to ask themselves – are Purple mattresses toxic? In today’s article, we will be dissecting Purple mattresses and highlighting whether their ingredients are toxic.

Are Purple Mattresses Toxic?

Purple mattresses are not toxic. However, the materials used in their mattresses are not organic. Any time you are interacting with an inorganic mattress material, there are some serious concerns that you need to be mindful of.

Below, we will be listing some of the materials used in Purple mattresses and explaining whether they are toxic or not. Let’s start with polyurethane foam.

Is the Polyurethane Foam Used in Purple Mattresses Toxic?

According to Purple, they do not use memory foam in their beds. Instead, this brand utilizes polyurethane foam which has low VOCs. Purple also explains that their polyurethane foam is CertiPUR certified and is free of formaldehyde, ‘Tris’ flame retardants, phthalates, and heavy metals.

Even though this is a great move by Purple to use certified polyurethane foam, shoppers need to understand the safety concerns associated with this material. Polyurethane foam will still off gas when used in a mattress. It is harmless to most adults. But if you suffer from respiratory conditions, the gas from polyurethane foam can worsen your symptoms.

Is the Fiberglass in Purple Mattresses Toxic?

For years, Purple has been claiming that its mattresses do not contain fiberglass. However, from the research Sleep Aim conducted on this brand, we discovered that Purple mattresses do contain fiberglass. We even have an entire article that discusses the presence of fiberglass in Purple mattresses.

The fiberglass in Purple mattresses is safe as long as it remains tucked beneath the cover. The minute you remove the cover or it gets worn out, these fiberglass particles will escape the mattress and contaminate your premises.

Exposure to fiberglass can lead to several issues. The most common side effect is itchy skin or the development of rashes and blisters. In case your Purple mattress starts to leak fiberglass, you may also experience irritation of the throat and eyes.

Just like the polyurethane foam, the fiberglass in Purple mattresses isn’t toxic as long as it’s not tampered with. But if you remove the cover or it gets torn, you may find yourself in a fiberglass contamination.

Is the White Powder in Purple Mattresses Toxic?

A few years ago, Purple mattresses used to be delivered with a powdery substance that was spread all over the bed. It was pretty noticeable during unpackaging and it caught the attention of the HonestMattressReviews.com who did an expose about it. The Purple mattress white powder fiasco was so messy that it turned into a lawsuit.

Upon investigation, the white powder was identified as a polyethylene copolymer. It’s a popular type of plastic that is used in many products such as food containers and plastic bottles. An inquiry made by the lawsuit concluded that this white powder is non-toxic and Purple Mattress was compensated for the damages caused to their brand.

You don’t have to worry much about this white powder because Purple no longer uses it in its mattresses. Initially, Purple used this powder to prevent their mattresses from sticking when they are in transit.

Do Purple Mattresses Off-Gas?

All foam mattresses will off-gas after unpackaging. The only difference is that Purple mattresses have low VOCs. Therefore, the off-gassing subsides after a day or two. Rarely will you encounter a Purple mattress off-gassing more than three days after unpackaging.

The off-gassing of Purple mattresses isn’t a cause for concern because they do not use harmful ingredients in their mattresses. However, if you want to be 100% safe, after buying a Purple mattress, you can leave it in the open air for about three days so that it can fully off-gas.

Do Purple Mattresses Have Harmful Chemicals?

Purple mattresses do not have harmful chemicals. From 2007 going forward, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the use of harmful chemical flame retardants. Therefore, all beds that are sold in the US are free of harmful chemicals. This includes TCEP, TDCPP, PBDEs, and formaldehyde.

Because Purple mattresses don’t have harmful chemicals, they are less susceptible to off-gassing strong fumes. So far, we haven’t encountered Purple mattress owners who have experienced the side effects of harmful chemicals.

Are Purple Mattresses Allergen-Free?

The other area where Purple Mattresses have done a commendable job is not using allergens in their mattresses. In a new Purple mattress, you will not find dust mites or mold. They have also tried to the best of their ability not to use allergic materials like latex.

However, to be safe, we highly recommend going through the list of ingredients and confirming whether you are allergic to anything. You can find Purple mattress ingredients on the label or description if you are buying it online.

Are Purple Mattresses Certified?

Certifications are one way to tell that a mattress is not toxic. The good news about Purple mattresses is that they are CertiPUR-US certified. For those of you who are not familiar with CertiPUR, they are an independent NGO that is dedicated to ensuring sleepers invest in quality and safe mattresses.

The CertiPUR certification was invented by a group of scientists and environmentalists whose main goal was to ensure foam used in the US is free of harmful chemicals and VOCs. Because Purple mattresses have this certification, they are free of phthalates, formaldehyde, and heavy metals.

Are Purple Beds Safe for Kids?

Since they are non-toxic, Purple mattresses are safe for kids. If you are looking for a bed that’s more kid-friendly, they have a mattress that’s specially made for children. This bed is hypoallergenic. This guarantees that your child will be protected from harmful allergens. It is also 100% non-toxic. To support these claims, the Purple Kid’s mattress is CertiPUR-US and CleanAir GOLD certified. It will off-gas in less than three days.

What Else Are Purple Mattresses Made Of?

Apart from the polyurethane foam and fiberglass fire sock, what other materials can you find in a Purple bed? Familiarizing yourself with these additional materials is crucial when diagnosing the safety of a Purple mattress.

The top layer is made up of lycra, polyester, and viscose. Beneath that is the Purple Grid technology which is a Hyper-Elastic Polymer. This is the material that gives Purple mattresses a soft and pressure-relieving feeling. After that, you will find a comfort and base layer made out of polyurethane foam.

When you look at the ingredients Purple mattresses are made of you will notice that they are safe even though they are not natural or organic.

Where are Purple Mattresses Made?

Most toxic mattresses are not manufactured locally. In countries such as China, there are no strict rules governing the mattress industry. Therefore, manufacturers are free to add whatever material they want to their mattresses.

Purple mattresses are made here in the US. They are based in Utah and have factories all over the country. Because these beds are manufactured locally, they have to adhere to stringent regulations that advise against the use of toxic materials.

Should You Buy a Purple Mattress?

Now that you know Purple mattresses are not toxic, it’s crucial to also evaluate other factors. Such as comfort and durability. Purple mattresses are known to offer excellent initial comfort. With a firmness of 6 out of 10, they are soft enough for most lightweight sleepers. These beds are suitable for combination sleepers and have a high motion transfer resistance.

However, there are a few drawbacks you should be aware of. Purple mattresses tend to be very pricey when compared to other memory foam beds. And the worst part is that they are not durable. People complain of these mattresses sagging within the first two to three years. There are also a lot of complaints about their warranty and return policies. Some owners of Purple mattresses have expressed how these beds cause back and hip pain.

When you pair up the above drawbacks of Purple beds with the numerous fiberglass complaints, you should definitely explore other options before making a decision. There are many fiberglass-free mattresses out there that are more durable, comfortable, and will provide you value for money. A great example is the Saatva line of mattresses. Not only are their beds non-toxic, but they are made using natural materials. You are, therefore, assured of 100% safety.

Conclusion

Purple mattresses are not toxic. However, they are made using lots of synthetic materials like fiberglass, polyurethane foam, and Hyper-Elastic polymer. These materials are CertiPUR certified but they do pose some serious concerns. If you want a mattress, that is 100% safe, you should consider those that are strictly made out of organic materials.