Which Mattress Protector is Right for You?
As soon as you buy yourself a new mattress, you should encase it in a new mattress protector. In fact, you should try and never sleep on your mattress without it.
Why? A mattress protector’s main job is to keep dirt, dust, and spills out of your mattress, protect it from sweat stains and minor tears. If accidents happen, it is much easier to remove the mattress protector and toss it into the wash.
Of course, a spill is not the end of the world, since most mattresses can be spot cleaned (in fact, all our mattresses comes with a washable and stain-resistant cover). However, having a mattress protector is still highly recommended as it adds that extra layer of protection and even extends the lifespan of your mattress.
Some experts say that it can extend its lifespan for up to 10 years, and in some cases, the use of a mattress protector is even required by the manufacturer’s warranty.
But as with everything bedding these days, there is a dizzying array of options out there, so it’s not as simple as just going to a store and picking the first mattress protector you see on the shelf. So how do you know which type to choose? Which type is right for your bed and your lifestyle?
Mattress protector styles
There are three types of mattress protectors, depending on how they attach to your mattress.
- A strapped protector is secured to your mattress with elastic straps at each of the four corners. Keep in mind that this type protects only the top of the mattress but not its sides or bottom.
- A fitted protector comes with elastic pockets that ensure the sides of your mattress are covered in addition to the top. It fits your mattress exactly as a fitted sheet would. For most people, a fitted mattress protector would be the most suitable choice.
- The third kind of protector is called encasement: it covers the mattress fully on all sides and is secured with a zipper. This is a good choice for people who are worried about bed bugs in addition to various contaminants as the zipper is small enough so that bed bugs cannot get in.
Mattress protector fabrics
In addition to the style, you will see a choice of various mattress protector fabrics on the market. Mattress protectors can be made from polyester, vinyl, polyurethane, cotton, and bamboo, among other fabrics.
Vinyl, which is found in many inexpensive waterproof mattress protectors, is effective in protecting the mattress against liquids but the downside of it is that it is not breathable and will, therefore, trap moisture making you sleep hot.
It is also noisy, so light sleepers will likely wake up from its crinkling noise as they turn in bed. It should also be pointed out that some types of vinyl are considered toxic.
Polyurethane is another material that can make your mattress protector waterproof, but it is more breathable than vinyl. It has microscopic pores that allow sufficient airflow but don’t allow dust mites and liquids to get in.
Mattress protectors made from cotton will be soft and breathable. They usually come with a bottom layer such as polyurethane to make them waterproof.
Bamboo, which is the material we’ve chosen both for our mattress protector and our bed sheets, is known to not only have better moisture-wicking properties than cotton, but it is also smooth and cool to touch. If you want a cooling mattress protector, bamboo is the fabric to go for.
Other things to keep in mind
Keep in mind that mattress protectors come in a variety of sizes to fit all mattress sizes from single to queen size mattresses and king size to even California king mattresses. Keep your mattress dimensions in mind when buying a new mattress protector for your mattress.
About Puffy
Puffy is a California-based company committed to developing total bedroom solutions to help customers achieve optimal sleep health. The company was founded on the idea of creating mattresses and bedroom products that feel like sleeping on a cloud.
Puffy has been featured on The Ellen Show, The Talk, and was recently awarded Best Mattress of 2021. Puffy sells all products direct-to-consumers online. For more information visit https://puffy.com.
