These are mattress covers to seal in flame retardants, dust mites & mold spores.
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1. Polyurethane Lined Covers
If you have an old mattress and you want to block flame retardants from migrating out of the mattress, use a cover like Organic Lifestyle’s Bed Bug Cover, which is also waterproof and will protect you from dust mites and bedbugs as well.
Another good use for this cover is when you are moving a mattress into a high humidity environment like a trailer, or you have to put a mattress on a flat surface like the floor for a while.
The polyurethane did have an odor to me but after some offgassing, I found it to be great.
2. Polyethylene Covers
Polyethylene covers are the least toxic plastic cover but they do not hold up very well after washing and are not usually marketed as mattress encasements.
I have used the Uhaul mattress encasements for temporary protection from contamination or if I need to put a mattress on the floor in a hurry. These are disposable (not washable).
3. Polypropylene Covers
There are polypropylene covers as well, they hold up a little longer than plain polyethylene.
This All in One cover is a mix of polyethylene and polypropylene and is reported to be very tolerable by someone very sensitive to plastic.
Plastic covers do slow down offgassing somewhat, from the foam or secondary scents, but usually, these VOCs eventually soak into the plastic layer, so it’s not a permanent solution.
Mattress Encasement to Fully Block Offgassing, Scents, Pesticides, and Other Contaminants
Block Offgassing with Aluminized Tarps
If you do not have a choice but to use a mattress that is offgassing or fragranced and you want to block the odors/chemicals, you can use aluminized tarps and tape.
I have used these to sequester many beds, especially when traveling.
Discard as soon as the aluminum flakes off, or face the aluminum down.
The other option would be thick mylar bags (not the thin sheets).
Mattress Cover to Block Dust Mites
Cotton Covers
If you just want a dust mite cover (that is not waterproof, and doesn’t block flame retardants) I use these Allersoft cotton mattress and pillow protectors.
That brand is not organic but they were good for me after one wash. I’m really happy with them as they have reduced my allergies and the price is a steal.
For organic cotton versions, I like these pillow covers. These are still reasonably priced.
A full organic cotton mattress encasement is going to cost more. The Solus brand is priced well at around $100.
Barrier cloth can also work here.
Rachel says
I believe I have a sensitivity to foam used in mattresses (after symptoms improved when I threw away my Tempur-pedic). Unfortunately, pretty much all conventional mattresses contain foam now, including the Sealy I’m sleeping on now. I cannot buy another mattress, so I’m looking into buying a mattress encasement.
Question: would encasing a mattress in polyurethane be truly protective against whatever it is in the foam causing problems? They say the pore size is zero, but the membrane is hydrophilic, so moisture can pass through. If moisture can pass through, can’t other chemicals do so as well?
Obviously not a scientist here. But if water can pass through the membrane, then I guess it seems like other chemicals can be contained in the water and pass through as well? Thoughts?
Corinne says
Plastic covers do slow down offgassing somewhat, from the foam or secondary scents, but usually, these VOCs eventually soak into the plastic layer, so it’s not a permanent solution.
Birgitte Jorgensen says
Thanks for your helpfull advice.. I am not sure though if any of the covers are big enough in order to be wrapped around the mattress (so they are sealed) – or are they only top layers? And can you please advice me on which one that can be wrapped around the entire mattress
Carole Resnick says
I am specifically looking for a product that will block scents in a mattress when I’m traveling. Are all of these products appropriate for that purpose – or is that only the aluminized tarps? I’m doing my best to sort through the wonderful info you have here, but am still al little confused about what to choose!
Corinne says
plastic can work depending on how sensitive you are, how strong the scent is and how long they are in contact with one another. It may not work in all cases. Bring both options.
Elizabeth John says
I am really surprised by all these comments and the name of this blog. It makes no sense to use seriously dangerous chemicals like polyester and polyurethane to block out chemicals in a mattress. To use dangerous chemicals to block out dangerous chemicals instead of just using a certified organic cotton and wool mattress. Wool is a natural fire retardant as are other organic fibers. All these chemical mattress covers only create a chemical fulll home.
Corinne says
polyester and the polyurethane coating are not dangerous chemicals.
my blog is first and foremost to serve people with chemical sensitivities and this is what works for a lot of people with chemical sensitivities to block mattress odors/VOCs.
it might need a little airing out and washing first but then it won’t have any measurable offgassing.
having worked with chemically sensitive folks for 8 years, a good portion cannot tolerate wool and cotton bedding, especially when new. Others can’t afford to buy a new mattress or are using this strategy when the travel to block contaminants.
so if you don’t have chemical sensitivities or don’t know about the range of sensitivities out there, or are doing extreme plastic avoidance, this blog may not make sense to you.
Clara says
Thank you Corrinne! So, is the Organic Lifestyle’s Bed Bug Cover the best one for sealing in mycotoxins?
I’ve never had visible mold in my current home, but there has been water damage and my functional medical doctor thinks I should do my best to get rid of potential mycotoxin exposure from my bed and pillows.
I have a mattress that is only a couple years old, and it’s made of natural coconut fiber, natural latex and natural wool. I think those are all mold-resistant, but to take extra care I am looking for a mattress cover and to buy new pillows. I can’t afford to buy a new mattress currently.
Clara L Kramer-Wheeler says
Also, any pillow covers you recommend? I plan to buy new pillows and I want to put covers on them in case they get exposed to mycotoxins.
Zippy says
How long generally does memory foam take to completely off gas?
Jared says
Grateful to find a building biologist practitioner, wow!
So, I purchased a new mattress four months ago. Two months ago, we identified that we’ve been living in mold for five years. Ugh.
Since the mattress is relatively new (no visible mold, but I know spores/mycotoxins can make their way in), I’m thinking about using is encapsulated until we can afford a new one.
But I’m also a big plastic avoider, so while plastic is compelling to protect against possible mycotoxins in the mattress, is plastic really the only option? And that’s okay with respect to chemicals.
Any thoughts on this tricky topic?
Corinne says
The biggest problem I have found with items from a moldy house is the mVOCs, because if we were really talking about spores and particles those could be easily HEPA vac-ed or steam cleaned out. And I would do those two things if I really had to bring a bed. Also a bed is the last thing I would bring from a moldy house, but it’s only 4 months old so it might be fine. But as for the mVOCs they would have to be blocked by plastic or foil.
Dee says
Not seeing a recommendation for a mattress that may have gotten some mold spores on it…?
Corinne says
the plastic options would block mold spores.
Tyler says
Hi Corinne!
Seriously, thank you for this site. I’m sure you’ve heard it plenty of times but this has been a godsend for dealing with my MCAS and chemical sensitivity.
My question is, do the polyurethane lined mattress covers actually seal in mattress offgassing? On the listing for the organic lifestyles bed bug cover you linked, it says it reduces it but doesn’t prevent offgassing odors from coming out. So I’m wondering, how much it would actually lower the offgassing? Is it just some, or would it be the majority? I’ve got an unhealthy mattress I can’t replace yet so it would be really great to know.
Thanks again.
Jenna says
Will a polyurethane cover contain all VOCs, or just flame retardants? Thank you so much for all your information 🙂
Ana says
Hi Corinne! Thanks so much for this and all your other posts!
I am sensitive to chemicals and also have dust mite allergies. I’m debating between the Solus 16″ Organic Cotton Dust Mite Mattress Covers that you mentioned and one called BedCare™ Organic All-Cotton Mattress Covers — my new mattress will be 13″ thick so it might fit better. It also has a smaller micron size, if that’s relevant. Does that one look good to you? Or is the Solus better? Thanks for your input!
BedCare™ Organic All-Cotton Mattress Cover:
https://www.natlallergy.com/organic-all-cotton-allergy-mattress-covers.html
Ana says
Another one I’m looking at is Avocado’s Mattress Protector — it has a layer of polyurethane with GOTS certified organic cotton:
https://www.avocadogreenmattress.com/collections/protectors/products/organic-waterproof-mattress-protector?variant=41634565980310
Jude says
Hi there,
DO you happen to know of a product that is a complete encasement, that doesn’t let any chemicals through? I am very ill and need something really effective. Thank you so so much!
Corinne says
This post covers all the options.