Does Purple Mattress Have Fiberglass? 

Regarding the fiberglass issue, Purple is one of the few mattress brands that has denied any allegations about using such a material in their beds. However, from the many years that Sleep Aim has been reviewing mattresses, we are smart enough not to believe everything the manufacturer claims. Because of that, we set up on a journey to unearth whether Purple mattresses contain fiberglass or not.

Short on Time? You can check the mattresses with no fiberglass here.

What Does Purple Have to Say About the Allegations of Fiberglass Usage?

On the Purple blog, they have an article discussing their mattresses’ safety. They are very clear that their beds do not contain fiberglass. Purple explains that their mattresses contain a special non-chemical flame barrier that is GREENGUARD Gold Certified and is safe for all sleepers.

On their FAQ section, still on their official website, Purple digs into the flame retardant they use on mattresses. The company says that their non-toxic flame retardant is made using silica fibers spun on yarn and knit deeper into the fabric. They also go on to advise against exposure to silica fibers.

From the above, it’s clear that Purple don’t admit to the use of fiberglass in their beds. As a matter of fact, they are very determined to show sleepers how conscious they are about making mattresses with safe materials. But before you place an order for a Purple mattress, you may want to hear some of the experiences different sleepers have had with these beds.

What Do Sleepers Have to Say about Fiberglass in Purple Mattress?

When mattress shopping, it’s always essential to go through reviews posted by customers or those who have tried out the bed. That’s the best way for you to get unfiltered and raw information about that mattress. When researching fiberglass in Purple mattresses, we found a disturbing post on Reddit.

A particular user had posted a question about the presence of fiberglass in Purple mattresses. The first comment is about a customer who removed the cover of a Purple bed and discovered fiberglass when he shined a flashlight on the mattress. In disbelief, he touched the shiny shards, and they would break just like fiberglass.

From the experience narrated above, it appears that Purple Mattresses have fiberglass. As much as Purple may try to hide or conceal this matter, buyers need to be aware.

What are These Silica Fibers?

Fiberglass aside, let us look into these silica fibers that Purple mattress claims to use instead of fiberglass.

According to Wikipedia, silica fibers, also known as water glass, are fibers made using sodium silicate. In most cases, silica fibers are used for heat protection.

Still, on silica fibers, most people don’t understand that silica fibers have a close relationship to fiberglass. Silica is often made using silica sand and other materials. On the other hand, fiberglass comprises around 65% silica and other compounds. That means that Silica is a crucial fiberglass component and still carries its safety concerns. At the same time, silica fibers have the same applications as fiberglass. In mattresses, they can be used as flame-resistant barriers.

Are the Silica Fibers Safer than Fiberglass?

Assuming that Purple uses silica fibers instead of fiberglass, is this material a safer alternative? Probably not! What Purple Mattress is doing here is that they are trying to disassociate themselves from fiberglass use. Purple is well aware that many sleepers know the dangers of fiberglass contamination. Therefore, to avoid the backlash, they have decided to use the term silica fibers so that their mattresses can seem safer.

As much as the Purple brand may want to distance itself from fiberglass, sleepers should also be aware of the dangers of silica fibers in mattresses. Tiny particles of Silica can cause the following issues when they leak through the cover. Or when you accidentally remove the cover of a Purple mattress.

• Silicosis – This is a condition caused by long-term exposure to silica dust. Excessive inhalation of Silica scars the tissues in your lungs, making it difficult to breathe. Most cases of silicosis are usually fatal and life-threatening. Considering that a mattress is something you can own for years. If the Silica in your Purple bed rises to the surface, there is a considerable risk of developing silicosis.
• Lung Cancer – Even though research is still underway, silica particles can also trigger the development of lung cancer.
• COPD – Silica dust can also lead to a wide range of respiratory issues such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, whereby the patient finds it hard to breathe. It’s important to know that COPD is untreatable.

The health concerns of Silica exposure have been around for years. It’s just that it mainly affected workers. If Silica has found its way into mattresses, buying a bed containing this ingredient is quite risky.

Is There Fiberglass in a Purple Mattress?

It can be quite confusing when you come across contradicting information as a shopper. Purple claims that they only use silica fibers as their flame retardant. Purple mattress customers have admitted to seeing fiberglass shards under the cover. But the good news is that the company weaves it deeply in the mattress so that users are not exposed to it. You can see the response from Purple’s customer services below.

Here at Sleep Aim, we believe that Purple beds do contain fiberglass. We think that Silica fibers is a phrase Purple uses to conceal the presence of fiberglass in mattresses. Besides the experiences Purple mattress owners have shared on the internet, Purple isn’t the most genuine mattress brand in the market. A few years back, there was a lawsuit about a white powder that people claimed was harmful to sleepers. Even though Purple won that lawsuit, it was determined that the powder was meant to prevent the mattress pillow from sticking to itself during compression and shipment. There were still some valid issues raised, and suddenly, Purple stopped using that powder.

The other thing is related to the side effects of breathing silica dust. Purple claims that they use silica fibers and not fiberglass. As seen above, Silica is equally as harmful, and sleeping on a mattress with such a material is very risky.

How to Know If a Purple Mattress Contains Fiberglass?

When dealing with a brand that doesn’t want to be straightforward with its customers, you must be very cautious when shopping for such a bed. In case there are features of Purple mattresses that you like, here are some tips on how to tell whether the bed contains fiberglass or not.

• The first tip is to look through the mattress tag or description. Legitimate manufacturers should list fiberglass on the ingredients. However, since not all manufacturers are authentic, they may intentionally not discuss the material their flame retardant is made of.
• Find out if the cover is removable. There is one characteristic mattresses with fiberglass share, and that’s the fact their covers aren’t often removable. That is to prevent fiberglass contamination when a sleeper removes the cover unknowingly.
• Another tip to help you identify a fiberglass mattress is checking for red flags. For instance, cheap memory foam beds made in China usually have a fiberglass sock on them.
• Finally, research can help you figure out whether Purple mattresses contain fiberglass or not. Fiberglass is a commonly used flame retardant. Therefore, there are other brands that also use this product. We have discussed this topic extensively here. Anyway, through research, you can be assured of learning the good, the bad, and the ugly of a mattress before buying it.

What’s Wrong with the Use of Fiberglass in Mattresses?

You have already seen the dangers of silica fibers in mattresses. However, if you have never been a victim of fiberglass contamination, you may not know how bad this material can be. Fiberglass, similar to silica fibers, is an excellent flame retardant. In case of a fire, fiberglass melts and stops the flames from engulfing the mattress. But, fiberglass in a bed can leak into the air and;

• Cause respiratory issues such as irritation of the throat, nose, and lungs.
• Fiberglass can also get into your eyes and cause some irritation. Your eyes may turn red, but you should notice some relief when you wash them with water.
• Fiberglass can trigger asthma attacks.
• When fiberglass shards settle on clothing and furniture, removing them is usually a nightmare. You may lose a lot of property because of fiberglass contamination.

What to Do If You Already Own a Purple Mattress?

After reading the above and you have already bought a Purple mattress, you may feel a little bit scared and overwhelmed. But there is no need to beat yourself up. Here are steps to ensure you sleep on a safe mattress.

1. Avoid removing the cover at all costs. It doesn’t matter what you spill on the mattress. Never remove the cover.
2. Since these covers are unreliable, consider investing in a mattress protector. A protector will ensure you have an extra layer of defense from the fiberglass or silica fire sock.
3. Replace the mattress as soon as you can. Every time you sleep on a Purple mattress, the thought of there being fiberglass or Silica beneath the covers will make you feel nervous. There are plenty of fiberglass-free beds that offer more comfort and pressure relief than Purple mattresses.

FAQs

Q: What are the Purple mattresses made of?

A: These beds are made of foam, polyester, viscose, and lycra.

Q: Does the Purple mattress off-gas?

A: The manufacturer claims that their mattresses do not off-gas, yet many customers have complained of an unpleasant smell coming from their new beds. Purple mattresses do off-gas and need a few days for the unpleasant gasses to dissipate.

Q: Can I be allergic to a Purple mattress?

A: There have been a few cases of allergic reactions associated with Purple mattresses. However, you should always check the list of ingredients before buying a bed and see if you are allergic to anything.

Conclusion

Purple mattresses are very affordable. This is one of the main reasons why they are very popular. However, the fact they continue to deny the fiberglass allegations made against them should make a shopper think twice about buying one of their beds. You should also be wary of their silica fiber flame retardant. This material also has some adverse effects when human beings are exposed to it. If you have reconsidered your decision to buy a Purple mattress, here are alternatives worth exploring.