Downright · Mattress Protectors
Waterproof Downright Mattress Protector, Is It Non-Toxic?
Avoid until Brooklinen discloses coating chemistry or certifies PFAS-free.
Brooklinen's waterproof protector uses durability treatments, a common PFAS source in textiles. The brand provides no public disclosure of coating chemistry, PFAS presence or absence, or third-party testing, leaving risk unresolved.
The better-graded swap
Avocado Green Mattress
Organic Cotton Mattress Cover and 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
Polyester/cotton blend with waterproof coating (composition unspecified)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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Is Waterproof Downright Mattress Protector non-toxic? What it is made of
This protector combines polyester and cotton with an applied waterproof coating whose chemistry Brooklinen does not publicly specify. The coating is likely either a water-resistant polymer (acrylic, polyurethane, or silicone) or a fluorinated compound (PFAS-based). Polyester-cotton blends themselves are stable, but the coating's durability, leaching behavior, and chemical composition are the material safety concern here. Unspecified waterproofing is the core opacity problem.
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
Brooklinen does not disclose the coating chemistry. Waterproof mattress protectors commonly use PFAS-based treatments for durability, but polyurethane or silicone alternatives exist. Without certification or ingredient transparency, PFAS presence cannot be ruled out. This is graded separately per your PFAS assessment (20/100).
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and microfiber release
Volatilization of coating components (VOCs/off-gassing)
Any applied polymer or fluorinated waterproof coating may release trace VOCs, especially if heated or not off-gassed before use. Polyurethane coatings in particular can off-gas for weeks post-manufacture. Brooklinen does not specify cure time, material composition, or VOC testing results, making baseline safety assessment difficult.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Polyester-cotton blends may use formaldehyde-based finishing resins for shrink resistance and wrinkle reduction. No public record of Brooklinen using untreated fabrics or Oeko-Tex certification exists for this product. This is a common category-level risk, not a Brooklinen-specific incident.
Source, ATSDR ↗Allergic sensitization from undisclosed fragrance or finish residues
No fragrance, dyes, or proprietary antimicrobial treatments are documented for this protector. Residual manufacturing chemicals or coating monomers could theoretically trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive users, but no adverse reports are on file.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Brooklinen maintains a premium positioning around quality and transparency but has not published ingredient disclosures, PFAS status, or third-party safety certifications for this mattress protector specifically. The brand does not list PFAS-free credentials or certifications (Oeko-Tex, GOTS, etc.) on product pages. No recalls or documented safety incidents are on public record for Brooklinen mattress protectors. The silence on coating chemistry is a deliberate choice, not a gap filled by regulatory action.
How it compares in its category
Most mattress protectors in this price range use polyester or polyester-blend bases with polyurethane or silicone waterproofing to avoid explicit PFAS disclosure. Brooklinen's lack of transparency is typical of the category rather than exceptional. Higher-priced alternatives sometimes carry Oeko-Tex or EU Ecolabel certification, which excludes certain fluorinated compounds and heavy metals. Budget protectors often skip any certification; mid-tier brands like Brooklinen rarely bridge that gap publicly.
If you buy it
Wash before first use and inspect the surface for any visible damage to the coating; protect it from pilling or abrasion that could expose the base fabric. Do not dry-clean or expose to temperatures above 65C (150F) to avoid coating breakdown and any potential off-gassing. Replace if the waterproof layer visibly degrades, cracks, or peels, as a compromised coating can fail to protect the mattress and may allow microfiber migration. Store dry and away from direct sunlight to extend coating lifespan.
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
- Downright has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Waterproof Downright 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.