Finding the right bed sheets and buying a mattress that works for you are important to a good night's sleep. However, sometimes a well-appointed bed is not quite restful enough. Enter: The mattress pad. Also called mattress toppers, these can range from a thin padded protective sheet to thicker slabs that are almost like a small mattress. Moreover, mattress pads are great for providing extra cushion to a firm mattress and they can often help guard against dust mites. The style, thickness and size of a mattress pad will depend on your personal sleeping habits and your bed. But, if you're looking for one in the market, here are some very general things you should keep in mind.Cotton, latex and wool are commonly used for mattress pads. Cotton ones are usually thinner and quilted, but they are machine washable. Latex and wool pads are dust mite and mold-resistant, which makes them more durable than cotton. Almost counterintuitively, wool pads can work for the warmer months -- since they're absorbant, which helps keep you cool.
However, natural latex will stand up to the test of time (20 years or more!) because it's derived from rubber trees.Another alternative to materials for mattress pads is memory foam, which molds to your body. Although it's lightweight and comes thicker than the other options, this option absorbs heat and can sometimes get too hot during the night. However, because of memory foam's thickness, some thicker pads can actually be a good alternative to buying a completely new mattress when you need one. Good to know: If you're often hot when you sleep, the perfect temperature to sleep in is about 65 degrees. In that case, a wool or cotton pad will definitely be a better option than memory foam. Keep featherbeds in mind. These are extremely soft and great alternatives to mattress pads if you're looking for something that's more lightweight and soft. Filled with down, they're great at regulating body heat when you're sleeping, keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. If you're looking for one, go for one with about 200 thread counts, which makes it more durable but still soft.
Go for the extra features. If your mattress is not hypoallergenic, a mattress pad that is can make for a simple, affordable add-on. More recently, odor-eliminating mattress pads that act as a protective layer between you and your mattress have also hit the market. Flip through the slideshow below to see some of our picks for mattress pads in the marketplace now. And, let us know in comments below what are other important things that you look for in mattress pads and featherbeds. Have something to say? Be sure to check out Stylelist Home on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.A mattress can be one of the most costly components in the bedroom, so once you've found the mattress of your dreams, you'll want to protect your investment. Mattress protectors/pads and encasements prolong the life of your mattress while protecting the mattress from dust, dirt, stains and more. Mattress covers and box spring covers can be flame resistant, hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, allergen resistant to deter dust mites, pet dander and the like, even impermeable to help stop the penetration of bed bugs through fabric.
Much like mattresses, mattress protectors are available in sizes ranging from twin and twin-XL to full, queen, king and California king as well as sized for a crib mattresses. A waterproof mattress protector for the crib is a practical investment that will pay for itself. For those heading off to college, a mattress protector is an important part of any bedding ensemble but more so when the mattress is previously owned. So, what's the difference between a mattress encasement and a mattress pad/protector? A cover typically covers three sides only, similar to the way a mattress pad or topper fits. A mattress pad is placed above the actual mattress, and is used to protect the mattress from staining and wear, and to help keep sheets on the bed. Some are hypoallergenic, and the thick ones provide extra comfort and support. Many types of mattress pads and encasements are available. Mattress Encasements for Allergy Protection For chronic allergy sufferers, there is no better solution than a full mattress encasement and box spring encasement.
There are many options that offer protection from allergens such as dust, dust mites, dead skin, pet dander and pollen. Mattress Encasements for Bed Bug Protection People all over the world are concerned over the growing outbreak of bedbugs. While a mattress encasement will not protect your home from a bedbug infestation, it will effectively lock bedbugs out of your sleep system. Only total encasement mattress protectors with a locking zipper provide protection against bedbugs. Fitted: A fitted pad is like a thick, fitted sheet, with a bit of quilting on the top and fitted, elastic sides to make sure that the pad does not move around. Anchor: Anchor pads are a cheaper version, covering the top of the mattress and anchored by elastic bands in the corners. Guaranteed-to-Fit: A guaranteed-to-fit mattress pad is also similar to the anchor pad, except the sidewalls expand to accommodate variations in mattress size. Memory Foam: One type of mattress pad that provides extra cushioning is the memory foam pad;
this looks like a thin mattress. Egg Crate: A foam egg-crate style of mattress pad is a less expensive option for more cushioning. Down: Extra softness can be achieved with a down or feather type of mattress pad. Materials: Mattress pads are available in many types of material, such as cotton, wool, polyester, organic fabric, silk, foam, down, feathers and synthetic down.Sleep Tite Quilted Queen Mattress Pad with Damask Cover and Down Alternative Fill Set your store to see localavailability Twin XL Quilted Mattress Pad with Damask Cover and Down Alternative FillQueen Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress Pad King Quilted Mattress Pad with Damask Cover and Down Alternative Fill Full Quilted Mattress Pad with Damask Cover and Down Alternative Fill Twin Quilted Mattress Pad with Damask Cover and Down Alternative FillQueen Memory Foam Mattress PadQueen Gel Memory Foam Mattress Pad Twin Size 4 in. H Down and Duck Feather Mattress Topper Queen Size 4 in.