The Mattress Protector 12" (Recommended for Original), Is It Non-Toxic?
Skip until brand discloses coating chemistry. Mattress protectors commonly use PFAS-based water barriers.
The Mattress Protector 12 is a waterproof textile product. Most mattress protectors rely on water-repellent coating treatments that historically contain PFAS. No brand disclosure available.
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
Polyurethane or polyester blend with waterproof coating (unspecified)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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Is The Mattress Protector 12" Original) non-toxic? What it is made of
The Mattress Protector 12 uses a polyurethane or polyester blend with an unspecified waterproof coating. The coating is the critical component, it prevents liquid penetration but almost certainly contains fluorinated compounds (PFAS) or older water-repellent coating (water-repellent coating) chemistries. Polyurethane itself can off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during initial use, especially in new products stored in plastic wrapping. The specific fiber structure and adhesive bonding agents used between layers are undisclosed.
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.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) off-gassing
Polyurethane and polyester blends with adhesive coatings can emit VOCs in the first weeks of use, particularly if stored in sealed packaging. No specific off-gas data published for the brand's product, but this is common in waterproofed textiles.
Coating degradation and microfiber/particle shedding
Waterproof coatings degrade over time and with repeated laundering, especially above 60C. Shedding particles may enter dust or contact skin, though risk is low if protector remains intact and undamaged.
Moisture and bacterial/mold growth if improperly maintained
Protectors create a moisture-trapping barrier. If not air-dried fully before use or left damp, the mattress interface can harbor microbial growth. This is a use-and-maintenance issue, not a chemical one.
What’s reassuring
Contact dermatitis from coating or residual chemicals
No reported cases specific to protectors, but unknown coating chemistry means undisclosed additives (plasticizers, release agents, dyes) could trigger reactions in sensitive users. Direct skin contact risk is reduced if a sheet is used.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester and polyurethane textiles can be treated with formaldehyde-based wrinkle resistance resins, but the brand does not disclose finishes. No recalls or testing data available for this brand.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
The brand has not publicly disclosed the chemical composition of the waterproof coating on this protector, which is standard practice for many mattress protector brands but raises transparency concerns. No major safety recalls or certifications (such as CertiPUR-US, GREENGUARD, or OEKO-TEX) are on record for this product. The brand's silence on PFAS use is notable given industry-wide awareness of fluorochemical alternatives since 2019.
How it compares in its category
Mattress protectors are among the highest-risk textile products for PFAS exposure because waterproofing demands a chemical barrier. Most mainstream brands (Allerease, SafeRest, Sunbeam) use similar undisclosed coatings. Certified alternatives from brands like Avocado or Organic Mattress Co. explicitly avoid PFAS, but cost 2-3x more. This product sits in the middle-market segment with typical transparency gaps for the category.
If you buy it
Air out the protector in a well-ventilated space for 24-48 hours before placing on the mattress to off-gas initial VOCs. Use a mattress pad or sheet between skin and protector to reduce direct contact with the coating. Wash per label instructions (typically 60C/140F maximum) to avoid coating degradation; expect the waterproof layer to lose effectiveness after 3-5 years of regular washing. Replace immediately if seams split, puncture, or delamination occurs, as the coating loses integrity.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 42% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to The Mattress Protector 12" (Recommended for Original)?
- 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.