Key Takeaways:
- Negative health impacts from VOC exposure can include headaches, respiratory issues, and skin irritation.
- Non-toxic mattress protectors are made from materials like organic cotton and food-grade, biodegradable polyethylene.
- Check for certifications like GOTS and GREENGUARD Gold to ensure the safety of your mattress protector.
Off-Gassing VOCs
You may already know that off-gassing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are consistently higher indoors than outdoors. According to the EPA, they can be ten times higher in your home. Unfortunately, VOCs are often found in mattresses, bedding products, and children’s sleepwear. Here’s some good news! There are many safe waterproof mattress protectors that do not contain any VOCs. NATUREPEDIC Organic Waterproof Mattress Protector for Bedwetting is one of our favorites. Scroll down to find out why.
How VOCs Impact Your Health
VOCs are a real concern, because they create indoor air pollution which can lead to serious health issues. VOCs are especially concerning in the bedroom, where we spend a full one-third of our lives sleeping and breathing all the chemicals in the air.
VOCs can come from a wide variety of products in our home, including:
- paints
- waterproofing materials
- flame retardants on bedding and children’s pajamas
- mattresses bedding materials like sheets and mattress protectors
- household cleaning supplies
- aerosol sprays and air fresheners
- dry-cleaning fluid on clothes
- woodflooring
- furniture.
Symptoms of VOC Exposure
How do you know if VOCs are affecting you and your family?
Watch for physical and psychological symptoms like:
- respiratory tract irritation in eyes, ears, or throat
- allergy flareups
- skin irritation
- nausea
- fatigue
- headaches
- dizziness
- visual disorders and memory impairment.
If you notice any of these symptoms after bringing new products into your home, then VOCs could be the culprit.
Safe Waterproof Mattress Protectors for Bedwetting
Which Materials Are Safe
Waterproof doesn’t have to mean plastic. There are natural waterproofing methods, such as tightly woven fabrics and non-toxic coatings, that offer protection without compromising your health.
Look for materials like organic cotton, wool, and bamboo. A protector with an organic cotton top layer and a food-grade polyethylene waterproof layer is a great choice. This combination brings together the softness of cotton with the healthy and eco-friendly properties of polyethylene. Another great choice for waterproof backing layer is thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Both materials are safe and sustainable without any off-gassing VOCs. If you can’t find the names of the waterproofing materials on the label, then choose a mattress protector that’s breathable and cooling. Most likely the waterproof layer is a micro-porous barrier that allows air to pass through while blocking liquids out. These materials don’t rely on vinyl or plastics, the chemicals that can emit VOCs.
Remember to look at how the raw materials were grown (i.e., no pesticides) and how the products were manufactured. A manufacturer could start with organic materials and then add chemical flame retardants or stain repellents, which turns organic materials into a finished product that’s toxic.
The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is one of the top certifications for organic textiles, ensuring that the entire manufacturing process meets strict environmental and social criteria. And GREENGUARD Gold ensures the product has been certified for low emissions. When you see these labels, you can rest easy knowing your mattress protector is safe and non-toxic.
Good Housekeeping’s Top Choice
One of our favorite mattress protector covers is NATUREPEDIC.
They just won the Good Housekeeping Top Choice 2024 Award for Best Organic Waterproof Mattress Protector for Bedwetting. There are no VOCS, so it’s safe and non-toxic. It’s 100% waterproof. The organic cotton fibers make it soft and comfortable. The food-grade, non-GMO plant-based polyethylene layer makes it breathable and cooling. These materials are naturally hypoallergenic, so it’s an outstanding product for anyone with sensitive skin, allergies, or asthma.
The NATUREPEDIC organic waterproof mattress protector has earned an incredible 4.9-star rating from more than 930 verified customers.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will a waterproof mattress protector without any VOCs still block liquids from seeping into the mattress?
Absolutely. Waterproof mattress protectors that are free from VOCs use safe, non-toxic materials like TPU or food-grade polyethylene to prevent liquids from reaching your mattress. These materials create a waterproof barrier without harmful chemicals. And they’re biodegradable.
2. What are the most common off-gassing VOCs in waterproof mattress protectors?
Common VOCs in waterproof mattress protectors include flame retardants, stain repellents, formaldehyde, benzene, phthalates. These chemicals can be used in the manufacturing of certain plastics and synthetic fabrics, but rest assured, there are non-toxic alternatives available.
3. Can a waterproof mattress protector block VOCs in a new mattress from off-gassing into my bedroom air?
While a waterproof mattress protector can help prevent new VOCs from entering the air, it’s not a complete barrier to off-gassing from the mattress itself. It’s best to allow a new mattress to off-gas in a well-ventilated area before use, and then use a non-toxic protector as an additional layer of defense. Or better yet, choose a mattress that does not contain off-gassing VOCs.
