Sleep Outfitters Helix Cooling Mattress Protector
Avoid until the brand reveals what chemicals waterproof this product.
Helix's cooling protector uses waterproof and stain-resistant finishes common in mattress protection, usually PFAS-based, but Helix provides no chemical details or PFAS-free claim.
The better-graded swap
Sleepyhead
Sleepyhead 3 Gel-Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper with Washable Cover
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
Polyurethane or polyester blend with waterproof coating (composition unspecified)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Is Sleep Outfitters Helix Cooling Mattress non-toxic? What it is made of
This protector uses polyurethane or polyester (Helix does not specify the exact ratio or fiber type) with an unidentified waterproof coating. The coating is the critical unknown, waterproof barriers on textiles are conventionally achieved via PFAS (PFAS "forever chemicals") or, less commonly, alternative chemistries like polyurethane or wax. Without disclosure, the waterproof layer's composition cannot be verified. Polyester itself can release trace antimony (a flame retardant and polymerization catalyst) under heat and moisture; polyurethane is generally stable but can off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during manufacturing off-gassing.
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
If the coating uses polyurethane or other synthetic polymers, low-level VOC off-gassing is possible during the first weeks of use. If PFAS-free mechanical barriers are used instead, this risk is negligible. Brand silence prevents assessment.
Source, ATSDR ↗Antimony leaching from polyester
Polyester fibers may contain residual antimony (Sb) from manufacturing. In a warm, humid mattress microclimate with prolonged skin contact, trace leaching is theoretically possible but typically remains below health-concern thresholds for protector fabrics. Risk increases if the protector is heated above 130F or washed in very hot water.
Microplastic shedding
Repeated washing and friction (especially if the mattress protector shifts or experiences pilling) may generate microplastic fibers from the synthetic blend. Shed fibers could accumulate in dust and bedding. No brand-specific data exists; risk depends on weave quality and durability.
Coating degradation and delamination
Waterproof coatings on textiles can crack, peel, or delaminate over 2-5 years of use, especially with heat or repeated washing. Degradation may release coating residues into the sleep environment. Without knowing the coating chemistry, toxicity of degradation products cannot be assessed.
What’s reassuring
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No evidence of formaldehyde-based finishes in Helix mattress protectors; however, typical polyester textiles may contain trace formaldehyde from manufacturing resins. This is not a known issue with this brand, but standard textile testing would confirm.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Helix Sleep (the mattress company behind Sleep Outfitters branded products) does not publicly disclose the chemical composition of their mattress protectors or the specific waterproofing agents used. The brand has not published certifications (e.g., OEKO-TEX, GOTS) that would restrict PFAS or other restricted substances, nor has it made statements addressing customer concerns about chemical safety in protective textiles. This silence on waterproofing chemistry is a significant transparency gap, particularly given widespread industry awareness of PFAS alternatives.
How it compares in its category
Mattress protectors vary widely. Premium alternatives (e.g., Saatva, Avocado) often disclose PFAS-free status or use mechanical barriers (tightly woven fabrics) instead of chemical coatings. Mid-market protectors like Helix typically rely on conventional waterproof coatings but often fail to specify whether those coatings are PFAS-based. Budget protectors frequently use PFAS. Without disclosure, this product sits in a murky middle where competitors either claim lower-concern alternatives or are transparent about PFAS use; Helix does neither.
If you buy it
Before purchase, contact Helix directly to request the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or technical specification sheet for the waterproof coating. If the brand cannot or will not disclose, assume PFAS-based chemistry. After delivery, allow the protector to air out in well-ventilated space for 24-48 hours to reduce off-gassing. Wash before first use in warm (not hot) water to remove manufacturing residues. Avoid high-temperature dryer cycles, which may accelerate coating degradation and leaching; air-dry instead. If the protector develops creasing, cracking, or peeling within 12 months, discontinue use and request a refund, citing undisclosed chemical composition.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Helix has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Better-graded alternatives in Mattress Protectors
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Casper
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- Polyurethane foam, cotton/polyester blend cover
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) off-gassing
3 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
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.