What most people don’t realise is that a mattress protector is a really important accessory to have for your mattress. Even more astounding at times is the fact that some people don’t even have a clue about what a mattress protector does for your bed.
What does a mattress protector do?
A bed protector’s first and most fundamental function is to keep your bed mattress clean and ensure its longevity. The human body goes through so many states of being during all four seasons of the year. People sweat and perspire when it’s hot, and we also secrete oil from our skin and shed dead skin cells. Women sometimes end up wearing makeup to bed, and one also finds that assorted body fluids and pet dander can also be a factor in some cases.
Body fluids can easily soak through your sheets and into your mattress. You will find that once a little gets into your mattress, it’s almost impossible to get it out. A mattress protector prevents any fluids from getting into the mattress, and it can be taken off and simply washed.
By taking this precaution, you will ensure that your mattress remains like new for so much longer. You will find that perspiration, or any moisture will immediately begin to wear down the foams in the mattress, thereby shortening its overall comfort life and life span. If a little moisture were to get through every night in just a few years, you will definitely need to replace your mattress more quickly than if you had used a protector.
Safeguarding your warranty
While the most popular reason why people shop for mattress protectors is to prolong the life of their mattresses, it is also primarily to ensure that your warranty is safeguarded. If you were to get your mattress stained or ripped, then you will find that your warranty would fall away. Warranties tend to have tighter restrictions with regard to stains, so this usually means stained mattresses cannot be returned for a service or to be replaced.
Keeping your mattress clean and hygienic
Clean mattress protectors are designed to fit over your mattress in much the same way as a fitted sheet does and are, therefore, easy to remove and wash. In most cases, mattress protectors are waterproof and if you or your children were to accidentally spill some drinks or even food stuffs on your mattress, it will not be absorbed further by your mattress. This will help prevent permanent stains and foul smells over time. When accidents happen, you can simply wipe the mattress protector, remove it and then wash it in your washing machine.
As mentioned before while we are sleeping we all sweat, while also producing oil from our skin and shedding dead skin cells. A clinical research review revealed that older mattresses can contain as much as 4.5kg in dead skin cells and could also have absorbed as much as 160L of sweat and other bodily fluids within a period of 8 years. While that may sound disgusting to most of us, choosing a mattress protector will minimise this drastically and keep your mattress more hygienic for a longer period.
Get protection against dust mites
Mattress protectors are incredibly effective in protecting you against dust mites. On average, an adult human sheds between one and a half grams of skin every day, often feeding the dust-mites already living on your mattress. Mattress protectors also help to prevent dust mite allergies from acting up, which are very common and they most commonly lead to issues such as sneezing, a runny nose, wheezing, and a shortness of breath.
By using a good mattress protector and in doing so thereby, reducing the amount of dead skin cells absorbed by your mattress, you will automatically be reducing the number of dust mites. As they would have insufficient food sources to live off and therefore it will curb their reproduction.
What makes a mattress pad different?
What most people don’t realize is that a mattress protector is quite different from a mattress pad. While mattress pads may add some level of padding to the mattress, they are not generally found to be waterproof. Mattress protectors are by design thin and will not change the feel of the mattress and are also waterproof. If you smartly buy the right mattress, you will not need any extra padding on the mattress, and you will be able to use the thin, waterproof mattress protector instead.
You will also find that there are also mattress toppers, which are even thicker than mattress pads. In cases where you use a foam topper, we recommend that you use your mattress protector over the topper, and as such, it covers both the topper and the mattress.
What are the types of mattress protectors?
There are a number of mattress protector products on the market, where the best types will have some sort of performance fabric on the top in order to wick away heat and moisture from the body. Be warned that as you review, these options will tend to be the most expensive, but are perfect for people who struggle with sweating a lot at night. These options are both waterproof and the fabrics are breathable. A great example of this is the Bedgear Dri-Tec protector product. If you’re concerned about your bedding being all organic, Naturepedic sells an organic waterproof fitted protector pad.
The Protect-A-Bed® premium deluxe mattress protector from Bed Centre is waterproof and breathable, but it doesn’t have the performance fabric on the top. It is more moderately priced, but has most of the functionality of the most expensive mattress protectors. The cheapest types of protectors are the ones that feel a lot more plastic. They tend to be less breathable and some are less durable and as a result, these are less expensive. We believe that, at the bare minimum, everybody needs to shop for at least something like the SafeRest protector. Bed protectors are available in a variety of sizes that, include: single, queen and king sizes.
Cotton mattress protectors
The standard cotton mattress protector does a very basic job of providing you with the necessary protection. They are naturally hypoallergenic due to the organic composition of cotton. Cotton fabric is available without chemical and pesticide treatments, which is ideal for those who may suffer from skin sensitivities. It is also breathable enough to allow your mattress to stay cooler for a comfortable sleeping experience. They tend to less expensive and are easy to maintain and care for. They are generally available in cotton terry towelling for waterproof protectors.
Polyester mattress protectors
Polyester is a durable fabric that is often offered in a variety of textures and styles. Polyester protectors are easy to wash and maintain and are often less expensive than other fabrics. While polyester may not as cool as other fabrics like Tencel®, it’s often blended with other materials to maximize your protection and comfort. Please note that polyester does not wick moisture, although it can be fast-drying it is not considered hypoallergenic.
Tencel® Lyocell mattress protectors
Tencel lyocell is an eco-friendly textile that has been sourced from sustainable resources. Tencel is used as a bedding fabric which is known for its botanic origins and comfortable properties. The mattress covers are highly breathable, they are naturally hypoallergenic, providing moisture-wicking and they also inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria. Tencel mattress protectors are ideal for people who have sensitive skin because Tencel is very soft and smooth, and not abrasive or itchy like wool or cotton fibers.
Plush velour mattress protectors
Plush velour mattress protectors are usually made from cotton but can also be made from synthetic materials such as polyester. Velour or velours is a plush, knitted fabric or textile similar to velvet or velveteen. Velour can be a woven or made into a knitted fabric, which allows it to stretch. The fabric combines the stretchy properties of knits with the rich appearance and feel of velvet. If you want the feeling of luxury into your down time with dry, warm comfort that a plush velour waterproof top surface provides.
Coolmax ® Technology
A mattress protector that features Coolmax® technology is an ideal fit if you have a memory foam mattress that gets hot easily. Cooling mattress protectors utilize specialty engineered fabrics that help to create a cooling sensation by lowering the temperature of the bed while you sleep. It tends to be a perfect fit for hot sleepers or those who prefer a crisper cold sleeping climate. Cooling mattress covers typically work by dissipating heat faster than most other fabrics. This will keep your bed feeling cool all night for a comfortable great night’s rest. Another cooling fabric to consider in similar cases would be bamboo.
Bamboo mattress protectors
Bamboo mattress protectors are primarily popular due to the natural benefits of the soothing and comforting bamboo fabric. The fabric on bamboo mattress covers is moisture-wicking and inhibits the growth of odour-causing bacteria. Bamboo mattress protectors allow sensitive sleepers to rest more soundly since bamboo is a naturally hypoallergenic mattress cover. Here are some of its best features:
- Bamboo provides super softness, and when you compare bamboo to cotton, it is like comparing cashmere to wool which gives you a more soft and luxurious feel all the way to your pillow
- It is skin friendly to those people that have any form of skin allergies or sensitive skin, and you will consistently find that bamboo fabric is the best for you
- It provides moisture wicking so the bamboo fabric will always absorb moisture away from your skin, and this would in turn help keep you cooler and drier during the night and also resists odour
- Bamboo fabric is also breathable and it performs extraordinarily well regardless of the temperature due to its thermo control
- Bamboo is highly sustainable, and it is gradually becoming an increasing alternative to cotton and it is also great for the environment. Bamboo is one of the fastest growing plants in the world currently and it would yield more than cotton even when grown on the same plot of land
Other Types of Protectors
6-Sided Mattress Encasements
In this type of encasement, the mattress is zippered up, where the encasement contains the entire mattress. It’s very much like placing a mattress into a large protective fabric bag. Mattress protector encasements are ideal for shielding against bed bugs, dust mites, dander, allergens and other bed born contaminants. To ensure maximum protection, you should select a model that includes a micro-tooth zipper, or has a zipper small enough to prevent bed bugs from entering or escaping your mattress. The only major drawback is installing it and removing it, as it will most likely be challenging to lift up your entire mattress off your bed.
5-Sided Fitted Sheet Style Protection
In the case of a fitted sheet-style mattress protector, it is placed over a mattress just like a fitted sheet. It easily slides over the edges and corners of the mattress, giving a full “skirt” around the sides and using elastic edging to ensure a good fit. Its top surface waterproofing is an ideal safeguard against spills, stains, and incontinence. It also serves as protection against normal wear and tear. However, while fitted sheet-style mattress protectors may offer top or side surface protection against bed bugs and dust mites, they tend to be less effective than encasements because the bottom of the mattress is exposed.
