What is Polyurethane?

If you’ve ever sat on a sofa, lounged in a recliner, or taken a seat on a bus, you’ve probably already interacted with polyurethane. It’s fair to say that nearly every mattress, pillow, cushion, pad, etc., from the past few decades has been made with polyurethanes. But why is that the case, and should consumers be wary of polyurethane-based foams in their products? 

What is Polyurethane?

Polyurethane is a highly versatile and popular industrial polymer that’s often used in foams, coatings, and insulators. It was first developed by German scientist Dr. Otto Bayer and reached industrial-scale production in 1937. By the 1950s, it had made its way into products and homes around the US. 

There are a lot of great things about polyurethane: it’s easy to synthesize, flexible and stable. It can be modified to create a variety of textures and structures. But there are also a few problems. 

For one thing, polyurethanes are highly combustible. This makes them a fire safety concern if not properly coated with fire-retardant material. Likewise, creating this material typically involves sourcing and breaking down petroleum–a fossil fuel–which means that production can have a potentially negative impact on the planet. 

The manufacturing process and using polyurethanes can also be harmful to human workers. They may experience adverse health effects after being exposed to toxins from polyurethane spray foams. 

Fortunately, to counter these challenges, some researchers and manufacturers are developing new ways to synthesize this material. 

For instance, one 2023 review of polyurethanes made from bio-derived materials found that applying plant-based alternatives (like castor oil) during manufacturing can actually result in a better-performing result. The study also notes that these bio-derived compounds can also reduce the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that happens during polyurethane foam degradation. 

How Polyurethane Can Show Up in Bedding

So, if it’s a potentially problematic material, why is it so common in the items we use every day? 

Polyurethane foam is a staple in many mattresses and pillows because of its positive properties. It gives memory foam its ability to fit the shape of your body. It also helps ensure that your pillows and mattresses retain their shapes over time. 

Plus, since polyurethane can be manufactured in all sorts of firmness and density levels, it’s easy to customize to different product designs and comfort preferences. And, of course, polyurethanes are cost-effective to produce and use. 

It’s important to note that while there may be some valid concerns surrounding polyurethanes, they’re not considered unsafe to use. In fact, they can be combined with sustainable materials and utilized effectively in everything from organic mattress toppers to non-toxic pillows.

Our Take 

Overall, this material may not really be dangerous, per se, but they’re not perfect, either. If you’re extra concerned about exposure to VOCs, you might want to limit how much polyurethane you keep around. But rest assured that you can enjoy your pillows, mattresses, and other squishy soft home goods without worrying about your health and safety. 

If you shop for bedding from reputable brands that do their due diligence to fireproof their polyurethane-based materials and design products that are safe for consumers, you should have nothing to worry about. 

In other contexts (like using a polyurethane-based coating or spray), use it as directed. Follow any recommended safety protocols to protect your body. 

At the end of the day, do what feels right based on your preferences. But don’t entirely write this material off. Who knows what kind of bio-derived foams we could see hit the market in the future?

Featured image via Canva