Olive + Crate · Mattress Protectors
Olive and Crate Waterproof Cooling Bamboo Mattress Protector, Is It Non-Toxic?
Avoid until the brand discloses waterproof treatment chemistry.
This protector combines bamboo with undisclosed waterproof treatment. The brand provides no information about coating chemistry or PFAS content.
The better-graded swap
Avocado Green Mattress
Organic Cotton Mattress Pad Protector
85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Bamboo fabric with unspecified waterproof coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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Is Olive and Crate Waterproof Protector non-toxic? What it is made of
This protector combines bamboo fabric (naturally breathable, antimicrobial, and biodegradable) with an unspecified waterproof coating. The coating is the critical unknown, most waterproof mattress protectors use either Teflon-type coating (Teflon-based), PVC, polyurethane, or increasingly, PFAS-heavy fluorocarbon systems. Without disclosure of which technology Bamboo Nature employed, you cannot assess whether the waterproofing will off-gas volatile compounds over time or persist in the environment after disposal. The "cooling" claim typically relies on the bamboo's natural moisture-wicking, which is compromised once sealed by a waterproof layer, so performance claims warrant skepticism.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Undisclosed waterproof coating volatiles
The unspecified waterproof treatment may off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or semi-volatile compounds, particularly in warm or humid conditions. Without chemistry disclosure, the risk cannot be quantified but is consistent with legacy waterproof mattress protector formulations.
Coating degradation and microplastic shedding
Waterproof coatings on textiles can degrade, flake, or shed particulates with age, especially with laundering or body heat exposure. Bamboo Nature provides no durability data or guidance on expected lifespan before coating failure.
Allergenicity from undisclosed additives
Waterproof coatings and adhesives may contain sensitizing chemicals or residual catalysts that trigger dermatitis or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals, but the lack of ingredient transparency makes assessment speculative.
Reduced breathability and heat retention
Waterproof barriers inherently trap moisture and heat; marketing claims of "cooling" conflict with the physics of sealed membranes. This can increase night sweating and microbial growth if the underlying bamboo absorbs sweat and cannot fully dry.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Bamboo fabric itself does not inherently contain formaldehyde, but finishing resins applied during processing or waterproofing can. No reports or certifications for this brand suggest either absence or presence; contact the manufacturer.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Bamboo Nature has not publicly disclosed the chemistry of its waterproof treatment, which is a significant red flag in an era when PFAS transparency is expected and often legally required in some markets. The brand has no established third-party certifications (such as GOTS, OEKO-TEX, or similar) that would independently verify absence of harmful chemicals. No major recalls or public controversies are on record for this specific product, but the silence on waterproof chemistry suggests either lack of transparency or reliance on undisclosed proprietary coatings that may contain legacy PFAS compounds.
How it compares in its category
Mattress protectors range from simple cotton barriers (no waterproofing, limited accident protection) to sealed synthetic membranes with known chemistries. Premium brands like Saatva, Helix, and some organic manufacturers now explicitly state PFAS-free polyurethane or Teflon-type coating-free waterproofing; others use older Teflon-type coating that off-gases in heat. Bamboo Nature's lack of disclosure places it below transparent competitors and on par with budget brands that prioritize cost over chemical honesty. The bamboo-specific angle is marketing-driven; the waterproof layer is what determines safety.
If you buy it
Use at room temperature and avoid direct heat exposure (heated mattress pads, high humidity from humidifiers) to minimize off-gassing of any coating chemicals. Wash only in cold water with mild detergent and air-dry; machine drying or heat can degrade the waterproof layer and release volatile compounds. Replace after 5 to 7 years or if waterproofing visibly degrades, peels, or develops odor. Before purchase, contact Bamboo Nature directly and request their Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the waterproof coating; a refusal or vague answer is a reason to skip.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Olive + Crate has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Olive and Crate Waterproof Cooling Bamboo Mattress Protector?
- organic cotton
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- No PFAS statement found from the brand
- Organic cotton
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Waterproofing chemical exposure
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- 100% linen, no reported coating
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Heavy metals
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
More mattress protectors grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.