Brooklyn Bedding · Mattress Protectors
Brooklyn Bedding Deep Pocket Mattress Protector - Full (Mattress Protection)
Avoid until the brand discloses waterproof treatment chemistry or certifies PFAS-free.
Mattress protectors typically rely on water-repellent coating coatings with historical PFAS use. The brand provides no public disclosure of treatment chemistry, PFAS-free claims, or third-party certifications.
The better-graded swap
Nectar
Nectar Firmer Mattress Topper
75/100 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
polyester blend with waterproof/stain-resistant treatment (unspecified)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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.
PFAS
Waterproof finish chemistry is undisclosed. PFAS-based durable water repellents are common in this product class and would pose bioaccumulative exposure via skin contact and potential off-gassing. Brooklinen's silence on this is the primary safety concern.
Source, ATSDR ↗Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and off-gassing
Polyester blends with chemical coatings can release VOCs, especially when new. Intensity depends on coating chemistry (undisclosed here) and storage/transportation conditions. Proper airing before use reduces but does not eliminate this hazard.
Coating degradation and microplastic shedding
Waterproof coatings degrade over time with washing and heat exposure. Degraded polyester-based finishes may shed microparticles; unclear if this protector's coating is prone to peeling or flaking. No published durability data for this specific product.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Formaldehyde-based durable press or wrinkle-resistant finishes are less common in modern mattress protectors but remain possible in lower-cost polyester blends. No public evidence this product uses them, but lack of certification means it is not ruled out.
Source, ATSDR ↗Flame retardants
Mattress covers sold in the US are not subject to federal flame retardant mandates if they do not meet fabric flammability standards in isolation. No public disclosure suggests this protector contains intentional flame retardants, but unverified.
Source, EPA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This protector is a polyester blend with an unspecified waterproof and stain-resistant coating. Polyester itself is chemically stable and does not leach BPA or phthalates under normal use. However, the waterproof treatment applied to the fabric is the critical unknown, manufacturers typically use either PFAS-based Teflon-family coating (legacy durable water repellents) or other proprietary chemical systems. Brooklinen has not publicly disclosed which chemistry they use, leaving the safety profile incomplete.
The brand's record and disclosure
Brooklinen markets itself as a premium, design-focused bedding brand but does not maintain a public chemical transparency or sustainability report. The company has not issued statements on PFAS avoidance, flame retardant policies, or third-party certifications (such as OEKO-TEX or Global Organic Textile Standard) that would verify the absence of harmful treatments. This silence on waterproof treatment chemistry is a significant red flag for a product category where PFAS exposure via liquid contact is a plausible route.
How it compares in its category
Most mattress protectors use polyester or polypropylene with waterproof coatings, and the PFAS risk is widespread across the category. Some competitors (e.g., Naturepedic, some Organic mattress brands) explicitly certify PFAS-free or use non-chemical mechanical barriers. Mid-market brands like Brooklinen typically occupy the middle ground, prioritizing cost and performance over chemical transparency. This product offers no competitive advantage in safety disclosure relative to similarly priced alternatives.
If you buy it
Wash before first use in cool water to remove any loose finishes or residual chemicals. Do not expose to heat above 140 degrees Fahrenheit (machine dry on low or air dry) as heat can degrade coatings and increase off-gassing risk. Replace if waterproofing noticeably fails (liquid seeps through, stains no longer bead up) rather than continuing to use a degraded product. Keep the room well-ventilated during the first week of use to minimize inhalation of volatile organic compounds from the coating.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 35% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Brooklyn Bedding has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Mattress Protectors
Helix
Premium Mattress Topper
polyurethane foam, polyester cover
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) off-gassing from polyurethane foam
Limited concern
Polyester cover degradation and microfiber shedding
Limited concern
Polyurethane foam degradation and chemical leaching with age
Limited concern
Water-resistant coating composition (undisclosed)
Limited concern
Lower PFAS risk, though contact Helix directly for water-resistant coating details they don't disclose.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Casper
Sleep Comfy Mattress Topper
Polyurethane foam, cotton/polyester blend cover
Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) off-gassing
Limited concern
Polyurethane foam degradation and particle shedding
Limited concern
Dust mite and mold colonization
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern for standard foam topper with no known water-repellent coating or stain treatment, unless you need verified PFAS-free assurance.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
Casper
Sleep Essential Mattress Topper
polyfoam/polyurethane foam topper
Volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing
Limited concern
Microplastic shedding
High concern
Flame retardants
Limited concern
Moisture and mold accumulation in use
Limited concern
Lower risk than coated fabrics, but contact Casper to confirm no finishing chemicals.
⚠Starting grade for this product type
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.