Making Batting More Resistant to Flame

The standard for making cotton flame and smolder-resistant is the application of boric acid to the fiber. 

Generally applied in the mixing machine prior to garnetting, boric acid is introduced to the cotton fibers along with a small amount of oil and chemical surfactant. To further achieve even distribution and adherence to the fibers, the boric acid is ground to a very fine consistency prior to application. 

Even untreated cotton batting, a natural cellulose product, tends to burn slow. It does not melt, become molten or drip like man-made materials and is more likely to smolder rather than flame after the initial source of flame is removed. This allows more time for reaction to a fire, a critical factor in safety during fires.

Properly treated cotton is self-extinguishing. Use of treated cotton batting in mattresses, futons and upholstered furniture significantly reduces the risk of injury because of its negligible burn factor and reduced emission of toxic fumes.

Applied as a white powder, boric acid is inorganic and is odorless. The Environmental Protection Agency has established that boric acid is benign. As an indication of how safe boric acid is to humans, it is used as an ingredient in many forms of eyewash.