A mattress protector with elastic on top of a bed base A mattress protector is an item of removable bedding that sits on top of, or encases, a mattress to protect it. Some mattress protectors also provide protection to the person sleeping on the mattress from allergens and irritants such as dust mites, bed bugs, mold, and dead skin (like dandruff). Although the surface of a mattress can be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner, it is very difficult to completely remove stains from most standard mattresses. An unprotected mattress can become marked or stained quite quickly as natural perspiration produced throughout the night passes through a standard cloth sheet and creates a characteristic yellowish-brown tidemark where it has been absorbed into the upper surface of the mattress. Mattresses are also susceptible to many other contaminants. The simplest form of a mattress protector is a lightly quilted fitted sheet. It provides minimal protection against liquids and little or no protection from dust mite allergens.
In addition to conventional natural fabrics, new forms of synthetic protector or topper have appeared over the years including memory foam and spacer fabrics. These are more expensive than conventional protectors but add the advantages of pressure relief and in the case of the later, the ability to be washed. Waterproof mattress protectors keep the mattress clean by securing it from absorbing body excretions (such as sweat) or other liquids resulting from spills. These can take the form of flat rubberized flannel pads (commonly used under a bedsheet for infants) or special breathable fitted covers. The plastic pads are hot to sleep on and change the feel of the mattress. A urethane laminate on cotton that has good wicking properties is an alternative to a rubberized flannel pad. A protector with a thin laminate that is not pulled too tightly across the bed will not change the feel of the bed. Also, the laminate is still breathable which means that it will not trap body heat. Most mattress warranties are voided if the mattress gets a stain, so most sleepers use mattress pads to prevent stains.
The use of a mattress protector is often recommended to individuals who are known to be susceptible to certain kinds of allergies, especially dust mites. Dust mites produce waste products that irritate the lining of the airways and lungs and particularly with children can bring on allergic reactions, asthma and can irritate skin conditions such as eczema. A full zippered encasement allergen filtration mattress protector can provide an extra layer of protection between the user and their mattress, filtering allergens that are known to trigger allergy and asthma symptoms. For protection against bed bugs, the mattress and box spring must both be fully enclosed with no possible openings. Zippered cases are commonly used for this purpose. This prevents new bed bugs from getting into the mattress and box spring, and traps any bed bugs that are already inside. Mattress protectors must be left on for at least a full year to make sure that the trapped bed bugs and their eggs die.[1] If the cover is taken off early, the bed bug infestation may relapse.
Waterproof mattress protectors also reduce allergy symptoms by reducing the ability of mold to grow in a mattress. Mattress protectors which can be easily disinfected are commonly used in children's nurseries and health care facilities. A 2002 Norwegian study has found that foam mattresses are 4 to 8 times more likely to host dust mite feces than spring mattresses. There are different types of mattress protectors. Encasements are shields that protect the mattress directly, typically from bed bugs, and are often used in hotels. Protectors are used to protect the mattress from bed-wetting or allergic situations. In contrast, mattress pads and mattress toppers are primarily used to provide comfort features for the user. Pads are thinner, while the thicker toppers tend to be more comfortable and expensive. In hospital or other medical settings, a disposable underpad may be used to absorb blood and other bodily fluid, in concert with a hospital gown. This is sometimes light blue and known as chux pad,[3] after an old brand name for a disposable diaper.
^ What is an underpad or chux ^ Disposable Diaper HistoryGOTS-Certified Organic Cotton Dust-Mite & Bed-Bug Mattress Barrier Cover Takes approximately 7-10 days to ship Email to a Friend Comfort Exchange & Returns With the recent outbreak of bed bugs, our customers have been requesting that we bring back a popular item from our past: our organic mattress barrier cover. And we just had to agree. Protect your family from the effects of dust-mite allergens and your organic mattress from invaders like bed bugs. Our barrier cover is made from tightly-woven 100% certified organic cotton, with a 4.5-micron pore size, and closes with a heavy-duty brass zipper. Simply remove from mattress and machine wash in hot water (cover will become softer with each washing). Unlike similar synthetic products, our sturdy, breathable organic cotton encasements offer a more healthful sleep. Available in different depths to meet your specific needs. Call for a quote. This item is made to order in our Northern California Eco-Factory™ and takes approximately 7-10 days to ship.
Machine wash in hot water, tumble dry low. Allergies caused by the fecal droppings of dust mites are the number-one trigger for asthmatics, and cause many of us to wake up sneezing or with swollen eyes. Their favorite habitat is the padding inside our beds, and their food source is our sloughed-off skin cells. For best results, use our Mattress Barrier Cover when your mattress is new, before a dust-mite population settles in. Without a steady supply of skin cells, dust mites cannot survive. I have a fluffy wool mattress topper plus a thin flat wool protector mat. Would it make sense to encase the fluffy topper within the barrier cover? It certainly wouldn't feel as luxurious but do you recommend that? Since wool is naturally resistant to dust-mites, I wouldn't recommend putting the Wooly inside the Mattress Barrier cover, unless you are particularly concerned about bed-bugs. As you mentioned, the Wooly would not feel as luxurious if it were placed underneath and would compress more quickly.
On the other hand, if you are using some kind of moisture pad (like our Flannel Mattress pad or Wool Moisture pad), it is probably best to put that on top of your Wooly (since the Wooly cannot be washed). Seeing as this product is organic and listed as being simply really tightly woven fabric, what additional protection exists as part of the product to ensure that bedbugs are unable to bite through the mattress cover? View all related questions. Ask a question and Give an answer. Help your fellow customer. Our mattresses are eligible for our 90-Day Comfort Exchange. With the exception of our mattresses, pillow tops, and custom orders, any item can be returned within 30 days for a full refund, exchange, or in-store credit of the item cost, as long as the product is received unused, and in its original packaging. Our pillows can be returned if you do not open or remove their sanitary-seal packaging. Please call 800-284-4983 for a return authorization number and instructions.
