No, IKEA mattresses are not toxic.
For obvious reasons, IKEA consumers, too, have started wondering if the brand uses any materials that may be toxic to the body. After all, one spends almost seven to eight hours on one’s mattress. One could risk exposure to harmful chemicals if the mattress contains them.
However, although IKEA mattresses are affordable, they are not toxic at all. The brand has devised alternatives to make their mattresses durable and fire retardant without using harmful toxins. They do not use flame-retardant materials, fiberglass, or any chemical substances that may cause adverse effects on the consumer’s health.
With consumers becoming increasingly conscious about their health, there have been concerns in some quarters about IKEA mattresses being toxic or not. It has come to light that some mattress brands are using flame retardants or fiberglass that may have an adverse effect on the user’s health.
While some users feel that their mattresses can be firmer, it has got nothing to do with the presence of toxins. In fact, IKEA mattresses are one of the safest options that you will come across.
IKEA, the popular Swedish home furnishing brand, has consumers all over the world. Among other items for home use, IKEA also sells a wide range of mattresses. IKEA is known for selling high-quality products at affordable prices, and the same goes for their mattresses as well.
What is the Concern With Toxic Materials in Mattresses?
There are two main concerns with the use of toxins in mattresses.
1. Use of Flame Retardants
Some companies are using chemicals to make their mattresses fire-proof. While the chemicals will not stop the mattresses from catching fire, they will melt the mattress rather than make it burst into flames.
Moreover, the fire will spread a lot more slowly, and it will smoke less. You may even salvage your mattress if you can put out the flames on time.
As mattresses are expensive, this was once considered an important feature of a mattress until the health concerns due to the presence of the chemicals came to light.
2. Presence of Fiberglass
Fiberglass is another component used by some brands as a flame-retardant. Some brands may not use fiberglass directly but use silicone instead. The silicon contains a fair bit of fiberglass, and it is placed just below the top layers of the mattress.
The idea is that the flames will not reach the inner, more combustible layers of the mattress, as the fiberglass will slow its progress.
However, removing the top layer will increase the chances of the fiberglass particles mixing with your indoor air. Sleeping on it will increase the risk of exposure which can cause skin allergies, breathing problems, and irritation in the eyes and ears.
Do IKEA Mattresses Contain Toxins?
No, IKEA mattresses do not contain any kind of toxins. IKEA has very strict policies in place that prohibit the use of any kind of harmful chemicals in their mattresses. They use eco-friendly components to make their mattresses as much as possible.
To ensure this, IKEA stopped using PBDE – a brominated flame retardant- as early as 1998. They do not use any other kind of chemicals either like lead, mercury, or formaldehyde.
In addition, the brand does not use fiberglass in their mattresses as well. Fiberglass is made by using synthetic chemicals, glass fibers, and plastic. The minuscule glass fibers can cause harm if you are exposed to them.
However, some brands use it because it is cheap and readily available. But IKEA uses a combination of other affordable materials instead of fiberglass to make their mattresses safe and healthy.
The two most popular varieties of IKEA mattresses, Sultan Heggedal and Morgongava, amongst others, are made from natural materials. Since the brand has a 100% transparency policy, you can visit its website and check the components that go into making their mattresses. Most of their mattresses are top-rated and organic and will not cause any health hazards if you sleep on them.
Does That Mean IKEA Mattresses are Flammable?
If IKEA does not use flame retardants or fiberglass in their mattresses, does that mean they easily catch fire? Is your investment at risk? Will your IKEA mattress burst into flames the moment a spark comes anywhere near it?
While it is natural to have these concerns, the answer is no. Just because IKEA does not use fiberglass or flame retardants in their mattresses, it does not mean they will easily catch fire.
To make their mattresses safe, IKEA uses other affordable materials like polyester and rayon to make them flame-retardant. While synthetic, they also melt when they come in contact with flames.
The mattress will melt, rather than the inner core catching fire. They create a thermal barrier preventing flames from spreading to the inner layers. Or, it takes far longer for the flames to spread, giving you ample time to try and put it off completely.
In addition, IKEA also uses substances like wool in their mattresses to keep the fire at bay. Wool is eco-friendly and less combustible, as well as affordable. All this makes it an excellent component to be used in their mattresses.
Are IKEA Mattresses Certified?
No, although IKEA claims their mattresses are safe, they are not certified by Greenguard or Certipur. This is because they make budget-friendly mattresses, and getting certification at such low costs is impossible.
However, that does not make them harmful in any way. IKEA’s own internal policies require that their mattresses are free from all toxins and chemicals.
In addition, they also undergo rigorous testing that proves that the mattresses are safe for use. You can get excellent options at affordable rates without being exposed to any kind of health risks.
Are IKEA Mattresses Free From Toxins?
Yes, all IKEA mattresses are free from harmful toxins.
However, since IKEA is available worldwide, they must also meet certain local requirements in various countries. Because of this, some of their mattresses are treated with flame-retardant chemicals so that they can go past the emission requirements.
IKEA also tries not to use PolyFoam or polyurethane in their mattress, which is porous and is known to be toxic. Any chemical flame-retardant easily gets absorbed by the Polyfoam mattress, so IKEA uses rayon, polyester, or wool for their products instead.
Yet, these chemicals are used within permissible limits. None of them are used in quantities that may pose a health risk in any way. IKEA uses rayon, wool, and polyester as much as possible to prevent their mattresses from catching or spreading fire.
Moreover, they are constantly experimenting with and developing new technologies to eliminate chemicals in their mattresses. That way, their products will be entirely eco-friendly and organic shortly. IKEA sells all kinds of mattresses, including spring mattresses, natural latex, and memory foam.
Conclusion
IKEA is a reputed brand that considers the safety and health of its consumers of primary importance. They are especially mindful of the use of chemicals in the mattresses and ensure that none finds a way into them.
Their mattresses undergo rigorous in-house testing regularly, and as of now, none of their products have been flagged for using toxins or chemicals.
Hence, if you are looking for a new mattress, you can definitely consider their products. Although their mattresses are not certified, they are safer than most available in the open market and are definitely worth considering.
