Essential Waterproof Mattress Pad

Name: Essential Waterproof Mattress Pad
Brand: Pottery Barn

PFR Grade

Poor — significant plastic content, use with caution

Waterproofing treatment likely contains PFAS. No PFAS testing published. No GOTS or OEKO-TEX certification. Pottery Barn has not disclosed the chemical composition of their waterproofing treatments.

PFR Caution

Waterproof mattress pad with polyester fill and waterproof barrier. Popular mainstream option from Pottery Barn.

Score Breakdown

How scores are calculated

Materials (40%): How plastic-free the product is — raw materials, construction, and coatings.

Packaging (20%): Is the product packaged in plastic? Is it recyclable?

Transparency (20%): Does the brand disclose ingredients, sourcing, and manufacturing?

Durability (20%): How long does it last? Longer-lasting products reduce plastic waste over time.

Materials

Packaging

Transparency

Durability

$89See Safer Alternatives in Sleep & Home

This is a rating of this specific product only — not the company. Other products from this brand may score differently.

Last updated: April 6, 2026

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High Exposure Risk — Why This Product Category Matters

Adults spend roughly one-third of their lives in bed. Mattresses, pillows, and bedding can contain flame retardants, formaldehyde, polyurethane foam off-gassing, and PFAS waterproofing treatments. During sleep, the body is in a prolonged, close-contact state with these materials — and the bedroom is often the least-ventilated room in the house.

Synthetic Plastic Content

60%

synthetic plastic by weight

Why We Rated It This Way

Pottery Barn's waterproof mattress pad almost certainly uses PFAS for its waterproofing treatment — this is the standard chemistry for waterproof textiles. The brand has not disclosed or tested for PFAS, which is a significant transparency failure.

Chemical & Health Analysis

Each chemical of concern is broken down below — what it is, where it comes from in this product, what it does to the body, and who is most at risk.

Contains:Polyester fill, PFAS waterproof treatment

pfas

Source

PFAS waterproofing treatment in mattress pads

Health Risk

Endocrine disruption, thyroid dysfunction, cancer risk

Who Is Most At RiskAdults sleeping on PFAS-treated bedding nightly

Peer-Reviewed Sources

All health claims are based on published, peer-reviewed research from the NIH, WHO, IARC, and peer-reviewed journals. This information is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice.