We will look at a few areas of possible concern with mattresses:
- Flame retardant chemicals
- Fiberglass
- Volatile organic compound (VOC) offgassing
- Other chemicals used in foam
IKEA mattresses are top of the line in terms of safety and chemicals amongst polyurethane mattresses in my opinion.
As someone who was chemically sensitive, and has worked with many chemically sensitive people to choose mattresses over the years, they are certainly one of the top brands to consider for polyurethane mattresses.
In the US and Canadam IKEA only offers polyurethane-foam-based mattresses.
While in some countries they do offer other types like natural latex. In this article I will be focused on polyurethane.
My top pick for the most non-toxic IKEA mattress, is any option with springs and with regular polyurethane foam (instead of memory foam, or latex), with the thinest layer possible of foam.
If you want to compare them to other mattress types, including those without foam, please see my article on mattresses for the chemically sensitive.
Flame Retardants in IKEA Mattresses
IKEA uses or doesn’t use flame retardant chemicals depending on which country the item is sold in.
Some countries do still require the use of flame retardant chemicals so IKEA has to use them.
But we will be focusing on the US and Canada where flame retardant use in polyurethane furniture foam is no longer required.
When did IKEA stop using flame retardants in mattresses?
When California changed its policy in 2015, no longer requiring flame retardants to be used in furniture, IKEA shifted.
California law now requires a label indicating whether there are chemical flame retardants or not in the furniture.
These new laws took effect in January 2015. (You can look for TB117-2013 label which states whether flame retardants are present).
IKEA furniture (upholstered and mattresses) made after January 2015 and sold in the US and Canada does not contain flame retardants in the foam.
Flame retardant chemicals (non-halogenated phosphorous-based inorganic salts) are only used for some stitch bonds, piping, and zippers on spring mattresses in the US. (Source)
Around the mattress, IKEA uses a fiber fire barrier made of rayon/polyester batting which is inherently fire-resistant. (Source)
Fiberglass
IKEA does use fiberglass in some of their mattress lines, be sure to check for the presence of “glass fiber” under product details – materials.
Many of their mattress are free of fiberglass.
Pre-2015 IKEA Mattresses
If you have a mattress from IKEA made between 2000-2015 it may contain the flame retardant “Tris” because that was widely used at the time.
This is not confirmed by IKEA, but this was the main flame retardant used in polyurethane after PBDEs were phased out (and then banned).
All brominated flame retardants (like the harmful PBDE) were phased out from IKEA furniture production in 2000 (source).
These flame retardants do not dissipate or offgas over time like VOCs, they are semi-VOCs that can make up to 30% of the foam that will continue to come out of the product for the lifetime of the foam.
If you would like to review the toxicity of these chemicals see:
- EPA on brominated flame retardants
- Prop 65 on Tris
- Toxic Free Future on Tris and PBDE
Offgassing From IKEA Mattresses
This section is about polyurethane foam in general, as we don’t have any specific information on the offgassing levels or chemicals from IKEA mattresses specifically.
Polyurethane furniture foam offgases volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Catalysts and surfactants used in the formulations are responsible for most of the VOC content (source).
Here are the VOCs in polyurethane foam according to one study.
The “total VOC content is particularly high on the first day, 407.2 μg/g, and then decreases by less than half on the second day.
This is because highly volatile compounds such as catalyst molecules evaporate sooner.
It increases again after five days and reaches its maximum, 433.5 μg/g on the tenth day.
This is probably because the volatile substances inside the foam cells are likely to reach the foam surface after such a period of time. After that, a small but continuous decrease is observed on the twentieth and thirtieth days.” (source)
In another study, eight types of polyurethane mattresses were tested to compare VOC emissions under different temperatures, relative humidity, and CO2 concentrations. (Source)
These were the results at a higher temperate, as the body heats up the foam they were trying to simulate that.
Another study measured the VOC levels of different furniture foams including standard polyurethane and memory foam polyurethane.
This study showed that at 30 days the emissions from the various polyurethane foam types were between 100-200 μg/m3.
Not surprisingly, memory foam was the highest offgasser. (Source)
Toxicity
GreenGuard Gold allows for 220 μg/m3 total VOCs which would allow all polyurethane to meet GreenGuard Gold if we go based on the last study above.
CertiPUR, the polyurethane industry’s own certification, allows 500 μg/m3 total VOCs.
IKEA never uses third-party certifications like this, yet I feel confident in their record of always being ahead of the pack with lowering chemicals of concern, plus their good record (regarding mattresses) with chemically sensitive folks.
That is to say, I trust IKEA more than I trust the certifications, and I would expect them to be best in class in terms of offgassing.
The results of simulations in one of the studies suggest no possibility of human health risk for the period of 28 days, as the estimated values were found to be much below the prescribed limits. (Source)
Mitigating the Offgassing
One suggestion for crib mattresses made of polyurethane is to allow six months of airing out which will allow it to give off most of its VOCs before bringing it in the house or putting it to use, suggests Ying Xu of UT Austin, a coauthor or a study of polyurethane foam. Source
Highly chemically sensitive folks may want to take the same approach.
In my experience working with chemically sensitive folks for 10 years, IKEA foam is one of the best if not the best tolerated brand of polyurethane mattresses.
Sensitive folks may want to offgas a polyurethane mattress from anywhere for a few weeks to a few months, depending on their level of sensitivity.
You may also consider sequestering it.
Chemically sensitive folks may want to go with regular polyurethane over memory foam types to get the lowest offgassing levels possible.
Many IKEA mattresses only have a thin layer of foam over the springs, that is another way to reduce offgassing.
Other Chemicals
Crib mattresses may contain semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), including plasticizers, and unreacted isocyanates. (source)
Plasticizer concentrations in crib mattress polyurethane were typically in the range of 0.1−10 mg/g, although several foam samples contained higher concentrations, such as sample 13 (63.6 mg of DINP/g).
The identified plasticizers may have originated during the manufacturing process.
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) was also detected in two foam samples (source).
This study tested new and old mattresses.
Conclusion
While we don’t have any empirical data measuring the exact VOC levels of IKEA mattresses, we have lots of evidence that this company is ahead of the curve when limiting chemicals like flame retardants and lowering VOCS.
They are an industry leader in this aspect without a doubt.
Chemically sensitive folks have also found that in terms of polyurethane mattresses, IKEA subjectively seems to be one of the best companies to go with, especially at this price point.
My top pick for the most non-toxic IKEA mattress, is any option with springs and with regular polyurethane foam (instead of memory foam, or latex), with the thinest layer possible of foam. US and Canadian mattresses don’t contain flame retardants in the foam.
If you want to compare them to other mattress types, including those without foam, please see my article on mattresses for the chemically sensitive.
Corinne Segura is an InterNACHI-certified Healthy Homes Inspector with certifications in Building Biology, Healthier Materials and Sustainable Buildings, and more. She has 10 years of experience helping others create healthy homes. You can book a consult here.
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Anna Barlog
Hello! I’m on the IKEA website now and I’m not sure how to tell for sure which one is ok. I really need something soft, or a medium with a soft topper, there’s only two soft ones and one has memory foam so that one is out, but I don’t know how to tell if the other one is ok?
Could you please help me out here and tell me if “VÅGSTRANDA” would be ok? The part that confuses me is that when listing the content it has polyester, polypropylene and viscose as part of the lining etc while it seems the batting is polyurethane. Would that make it “ok” if you’re looking at it from an offgassing perspective? I’m quite sure I wouldn’t react to it but I want to have a healthy sleep environment on top of avoiding materials that I don’t tolerate. Thank you!
Violetta Sur
I’m in Canada. Corinne do you know if Ikea pillows (feather, polyester, and polyester/cotton mix) contain any flame retardant chemicals? It’s so difficult to confirm with their customer service….it’s like they never have that information.
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
their customer service is not useful for that but they have a number of fact sheet about Flame retardants and no they would not be used in pillows in canada from what i understand. flame retardants are not needed in polyester. If the pillow was memory foam there might be some countries that would still be using flame retardants.
Violetta Sur
Ok that’s great to know. Some of their pillows have cotton blend or cotton cover for the polyester fibres….. and they also use feathers or down as stuffing. Would those require flame retardants in Canada? I have a feather pillow from IKEA that my daughter uses sometimes, but if it has these chemicals I’m tossing it….
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
I’m not sure, I dont know the history of flame retardants in pillows and which ones were used in what years and by which companies.
M
Hi – I was pleased to see that IKEA phased out the use of FRs in 2015 as we have some upholstered furniture purchased in 2016/2017 – I came across this statement on another website: ” I thought about going the IKEA route, as they pledged to phase out the flame retardant chlorinated Tris in 2010. However, I found out it was simply replaced with another undisclosed “organo-phosphorous compound” that gets incorporated into the foam filling.” (https://blog.organicolivia.com/my-search-for-a-non-toxic-couch-2/). I understand IKEA now uses barriers to eliminate the need for chemicals, but that seems to be a recent move. Do you have any idea if this claim is true – or what they might have used in the interim between 2015 and now? I can’t find this anywhere in IKEA’s resources and their agents haven’t been able to give me a straightforward reply – not sure if you have more knowledge than that. I’m also curious, in terms of say lamps from IKEA, where would the FR chemicals be applied – to the shade and the base? Or just to the cord and electrical components? Again, not much info from IKEA themselves. Thank you!
jason
Hi Corrine
Wow you’re articles are. well informed and in depth .I’m on the next part of my journey with all of this .So I am looking for dining table chairs and matching bench and kitchen bar stools that are FR , zero- low VOCs no spray repellent etc
I’m not a fan of anything that’s not a natural material .
So eg my sofas are mainly wool 70% 20% polyester 5% nylon and acrylic
My mattress is a Snoozel one ..
Can you help please or send me in the right direction.
Currently looking at dining seats and kitchen stools but they made from a cotton velvet ( not polyester like most ) but they have FR .
Many kind regards Jason
Natalie White
Do you have any information about charcoal filled mattress pads or duvet covers? I bought one several years back from a place online but I think they’re not in business anymore. It really helps when I travel to put on top of whatever random smelly mattress is in the hotel or apartment. I would like to buy another one.
Corinne
there are charcoal sheets in the post on sequestering offgassing.
Ashley
Hi! Thank you for this incredibly helpful article. I see that you overall seem to think IKEA mattresses are pretty safe given the cost, but was wondering if you could help me out on a conundrum. Reading from one of the press releases, it says “In US: Mattresses/mattresses sets have a fibre fire barrier made of rayon/polyester batting with an inherently fire-resistant property. Flame retardant chemicals (non-halogenated phosphorous-based inorganic salts) are only used for some stitch bonds, piping and zippers on spring mattresses in the US.” I know you said above that spring mattresses are preferable because there is less foam. But given the spring mattresses contain FR, would you go with a foam one? Trying to decide on an extendable mattress for my daughter and I’m stuck between the two. Thank you!
Corinne
that seems odd that it would only be spring mattresses that have FR on zippers/ticking. They have all foam mattresses with zippers and ticking as well. I wonder if that’s a error in the print.
Ashley Jovanovski
I’m not sure! I tried chatting with an Ikea rep on their website and they seemed to verify it, but only after I prompted them with what I had read. Here is where I was looking https://www.ikea.com/us/en/files/pdf/5c/df/5cdf003d/ikea_faq_flame_retardants.pdf . They do seem to use non-halogenated FR (which my prelim research says is not toxic?) so maybe I will just stick with the spring one we already had delivered rather than swapping it out for foam. Thank you for your reply!
Shed
Hi, I recently learned about toxic mattresses, would it be better if I just get a 5-year old mattress but in good condition? Mattresses that old, may have no more off-gassing and dissipitated FR? Hope to hear from you.
Corinne
FR doesn’t dissipate, it’s not a gas, it’s a part of the foam that can make up 30% of the foam. It will continue to leach out for the life of the product and get worse as the foam breaks down.
Paris
Hi Corinne,
Thank you so much for all your amazing articles and research.
Just wondering if fire retardants are in our clothes? I’ve been trying to research this and I’m getting mixed answers. I read one article that said materials are treated prior to being made into garments and that’s how they get away with not telling us and that all clothes are treated unless natural / organic? Thanks 🙂
Corinne
No fire retardants are not in most clothing. Only specialized clothing for some industries, it will be labeled.
Lindsey
What about furniture without foam? Were flame retardants commonly added to furniture made with springs, cotton or polyester batting, and down cushions?
Thanks for doing all this research. Your website is a wonderful resource!
Roger Paulson
Please visit my website. organicseating.co.uk
Bethany
Hi Carrie, We moved into my grandfathers house a couple of years ago it has been kept immaculatly clean but has carpeting throughout. We are saving for hardwood but after I read this article I am beyond stressed because we have small children. I vacuum regularly with a HEPA vac but I am not sure if living on them is hurting my children. Do the flame retardants wear off over time or get worse. Thank you in advance.
Bethany
Sorry Corrine auto correct changed your name to Carrie.
Geneva
I bought a 1970’s curtain to make a dress. Once I started sewing and ironing the seams as I went, I noticed a familiar smell from childhood (I’m in my 4o’s). I realized it was probably treated with something and a google search turned up drapes were treated with FR’s in the 70’s as well. Do you think repeatedly washing/soaking it would get rid of the treatment? It’s such a pretty dress but I’m afraid to wear it and of course, the smell is not tolerable.
Corinne
https://www.mychemicalfreehouse.net/2024/03/can-you-wash-flame-retardants-out-of-fabric.html
Verity
What about IKEA mattresses in the UK? Are they fairly safe too and don’t use flame retardants?
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
UK still requires flame retardants as far as I know but they in the process of changing it. i don’t keep up with the UK generally though.
Laura McGovern
Hi Corinne,
I hope you are well. Thank you for writing such an informative article. I recently purchased an adjustable bed mechanism and mattresses (x 2 singles that make up a super king) to go into my existing bed. However, on arrival I discovered it was sprayed with fire retardant just prior to being delivered. It has been 5 days and I still get a headache and feel nauseous from even spending 5 minutes in the room, so I’ve been sleeping in the spare bedroom. I have contacted the company and asked her how to remove the flame retardant, but I do not hold out much hope. Seeing as the mechanism and the accompanying mattresses cost me a huge amount of money and so I cannot afford to replace the mattresses, do you have any other ideas for reducing the toxic dust? Should I buy a Hepa filter hover and hover the bed or can I have the bed professionally cleaned? I do not think I will be able to purchase the fitted bed sheet to prevent the fumes as I have x 2 long (190 cm) single mattresses that make up my super king bed and I do not think it would fit. I would really appreciate your advice.
Regards,
Laura
Corinne
Flame retardants are mixed into the foam, I have not heard of spraying a mattress before delivery, what brand is that? I would encase it.
Mac
Hi Corinne, thank you for this informative post!
Do you think the Ikea Haugesund spring mattress is safe long term? https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/haugesund-spring-mattress-medium-firm-dark-beige-80307416/
It seems to have more polyurethane foam than their thin spring mattress. Do you think after a few days most of the offgasing would be done?
Thanks,
Mac
Corinne
A lot more than a few days to fully offgas any polyurethane. But safe is relative. I like IKEA for polyurethane and adding springs reduces the foam.
Lisa Wood
Thanks so much for this very important information! My cat was just diagnosed as hyperthyroid and I’ve been investigating possible causes and flame retardants play a big role in this. I’m looking all over the Internet for organic safe cat beds.… Very hard to find! I think so many people do not realize that their pets are exposed to fire retardants in just pet products alone. I’ve looked at several companies that do sell chemical free pet beds, but not a great selection. Any recommendations?
Thank you,
Lisa
angela
Hi Lisa- I have recently had the same problem with my cat. I went on Etsy and bought organic hemp and linen beds and couches and they weren’t that expensive. They also make organic hemp cat beds. Most of the sellers are from the Ukraine and hand sew everything to order
Emily
Hi , we are looking at a couch right now from IKEA. I got home and wanted to make sure of the materials before purchasing it. Now the materials and ingredients read this:
Frame
Particleboard, Plywood, Fiberboard, Solid wood, Polyurethane foam 1.5 lb/cu.ft., Polyester wadding, Polyurethane foam 2.0 lb/cu.ft.
Seat cushion:
Polyurethane foam 2.0 lb/cu.ft., High-resilience polyurethane foam (cold foam) 2.2 lb/cu.ft., Felt liner, Polyester fiber balls
Back cushion/ Lumbar cushion:
Polyester fiber balls
Metal parts/ Pocket spring unit:
Steel
Leg:
Solid beech, Stain, Clear lacquer
Smolder resistant lining:
Polyester wadding
So I called about the “smolder resistant lining” and she said yes it is a flame retardant. I’m so confused and was frustrated after seeing the materials and talking to a customer service rep. I have heard IKEA was getting rid of all that so I am confused now.
Corinne
IKEAs liners are not made with chemical flame retardants but the are just in the general sense of the word retarding fire. Most of the new liners are attempts to pass safety requirements without added chemicals. Though it’s possible that some companies are using a treated liner. Here is IKEAs statement on the liners https://www.ikea.com/ms/en_JP/pdf/reports-downloads/product_safety/IKEA_FAQ_flame_retardants.pdf
Unknown
Hi, if i go for a jute or seagrass rug does it explicitly have to state being made from all natural materials too.. or does this only really go for convential rugs? Thank you for all the great info!
Corinne
Those are usually all natural, you can ask them if they add any treatments to the jute or seagrass.
Unknown
What about stuff made in Canada that doesn't specify?
Susy
I am looking for a carpet pad that is flame retardant free. Any options? Thank you!
Susy
I am looking for a carpet pad that is flame retardant free. Any options? Thank you!
sarad
Also, do you think synthetic latex falls into the "lesser of evils category?" As an aside, I would love to see a list showing a scale from good to bad materials toxicity-wise. e.g. what's worse, polyurethane or synthetic latex? Have anything like that?
Corinne
Hi Sarad, It gets a little complex to go through all the options. I will add something to the post on mattresses. Otherwise you can email me if you want to go through the options that might be best for you personally.
Rachel Malk
I'm looking for a less toxic mattress. How do you feel about an innerspring IKEA mattress? It is understanding that it now doesn't have FR. What about other chemicals added? I was planning on buying an innerspring and adding a natural latex topper. Thank you!
Corinne
I did add the info to the beginning of the post here https://www.mychemicalfreehouse.net/2013/02/furniture-and-matresses.html
sarad
Holy cow, thanks! Yes, I did see your post about natural latex; what an odd issue. I'm also curious about the other "natural materials" mattress IKEA has. Via their mattress finder on the main mattress webpage, if you choose "natural materials" it lists only MORGONGÅVA. If you look at their 2017 buying guide, it also shows their MYRBACKA (which for all I know could mean they use cotton thread), which includes memory foam.
Corinne
I don't see anything about the MYRBACKA that is natural/green.
sarad
This is all SO helpful, thank you for taking the time to research and share it. Have you followed the new line of IKEA mattresses? The Heggedal is not available anymore. Do you know what's it new equivalent is? What's the most non-toxic (i.e. the lesser of evils) of what they offer now? Many thanks.
Corinne
Thanks for the update! I'll look into it.
Corinne
They changed the name to MORGONGÅVA – I need to email them to confirm no FRs and find out what is in the limited warranty. I don't recommend natural latex anymore, see my warning in the post about bedding. Perhaps adding synthetic latex to it helps, I'm not sure.
Joe Blow
What is the source of this claim that IKEA has removed FRs from its couches and mattresses? There appears to be no official news release or website info directly from IKEA itself. This leads me to believe it it simply hearsay.
Do you have an official IKEA statement on the matter? I cannot find one.
Corinne
Yes, I did research this carefully. I did have a statement but I'd have to do some backtracking to find it now.
Corinne
Try emailing them.
Unknown
Thank you so much for making this post! I'm researching ALL of this stuff – which I'm sure you understand how confusing that can be! Your post is a huge help. 🙂
Unknown
It's my understanding that Ikea has removed all flame retardants from their furniture as of January 2015, a result of changes to California's TB-117 flammability requirements. Have you investigated whether this is the case?
Corinne
Hi, yes this is the case. All their furniture manufactured after that date. I have updated the post.