We’re all princesses frightened of sleeping on peas these days – how else to explain the rise in popularity of mattress toppers, that squidgy extra layer of comfort under your sheet, atop the bed. Memory foam is popular, but complaints include its sometimes strong smell, plus it can retain heat so well that the bed boils. As an alternative, natural fillings are growing in popularity and availability, so I decided to undertake a home trial. Penrose Products alpaca mattress topper bedding set, £80 Fibre from alpacas is soft, luxurious and supremely comfy. Like silk, it moderates body temperature, and it is naturally hypoallergenic so great for allergy sufferers. Luxury alpaca mattress enhancer, £151.99 My daughter found it heavy at first, but is now adjusted and sleeps like Rip van Winkle. What more can you want? Ultimate microfibre topper with silk, £85 Dust mites hate silk, making it the ideal choice for anyone suffering allergies, and you can get toppers, duvets, pillow cases and bedding for the full experience.
Silk filled mattress topper, £85 It’s also lightweight, and stays cool – perfect for women of a certain age. Deluxe wool bedding set, £213.48 Sleeping with wool is said to provide up to 25 per cent more deep regenerative sleep (i.e. stage four REM sleep), over traditional down or synthetic bedding. Devon Duvets British wool mattress toppers, from £110 I found it soft underneath and naturally warm. The accompanying duvet was super snugly, but the pillows too firm for my taste. Hastens BJ top mattress, price on request This could be the perfect topper: thick, firm, and unbelievably cushioning. Horsehair is very durable (hence its use in traditional upholstery), and as the strands of hair are open-celled (or hollow), moisture passes through easily, wicking sweat away. Plus the individual hairs never squash into a permanent shape, which I felt gave it the promised added “spring”. READ: The best duvets for a good night's sleep READ: Which type of pillow should you buy?
READ: The best TV standsWaterproof mattress pad is a great investment not only for people with incontinence. Pet owners, families with young children, and owners of camps and rental properties would also find one useful. A waterproof mattress pad can protect expensive bedding while provide a dry sleeping environment. This type of mattress pad provides moisture protection and absorbency. While there are lots of pads to choose from, consider the type of waterproof barrier. Polyurethane and vinyl are both waterproof, but the former is breathable. This means that a mattress pad made of polyurethane won’t reflect body heat and therefore, will be a lot comfortable to sleep on. This is an important consideration if you sleep hot. Another factor to consider when shopping for a mattress pad is the type and number of absorbent layers. Typically, a waterproof mattress pad consists of three layers. The top is the absorbent one, while there are barrier and bottom layers. There are also models with a four layer pad providing extra layer of fine cotton.
This not only improves the appearance of the pad, but also enhances comfort. Naturally, this type of pad is more expensive. Before you buy a mattress pad, you should also have an idea on the size of the bed or mattress that you will put the pad on. You must know the actual length, height, and width of the mattress because mattress pads are only available in sizes such as small, medium, and large. Queen Size SafeRest Premium Hypoallergenic Waterproof Mattress Protector – This hypoallergenic mattress pad can protect you and your family against allergens, dust mites, urine, and fluids. It is made from soft cotton terry with the back coated by a hypoallergenic, breathable, and 100% waterproof membrane layer. It can absorb moisture thanks to the cotton terry component. It is also completely noiseless when you sleep on it. This mattress pad is machine washable, and backed by a full replacement, 10 year warranty. It is very easy to put on, as it slips on to a mattress like a fitted sheet.
This mattress pad is a budget item. LUCID Premium Hypoallergenic 100% Waterproof Mattress Protector – This mattress protector is made from an ultrathin, polyurethane barrier that can repel liquid and fluids and safeguard the mattress. The said barrier has tiny pores that allow air to pass through for a more comfortable sleep. Its top surface won’t change or affect the feel and sound of the mattress itself. This mattress pad is safe for use of children and pets. It has a deep pocket design that keeps the pad tightly in shape on mattresses that are up to 22 inches deep. You won’t have any troubles putting on and taking off the mattress protector with the said design. Its a high end item Queen Size SureGuard Mattress Protector – 100% Waterproof, Hypoallergenic – This mid-price queen size mattress protector gives excellent protection against sweats, liquid, urine, and stains. It provides allergy relief, too, as it blocks dust, pet dander, pollen, and mildew.
It is also very lightweight that you should not encounter any troubles putting it on the mattress. It expanded skirt, meanwhile, makes it doubly easier to fit with a mattress. On the other hand, its cotton terry surface gives sleepers a soft and comfy sleeping space without affecting the feel of the mattress. This is a machine washable mattress protector that comes with a 30 day money back guarantee. Queen Size Luna Premium Hypoallergenic 100% Waterproof Mattress Protector – This mattress protector is ideal for allergy sufferers as it prevents allergy triggers like pollen, dust mites, and bacteria from passing through the membrane material. It has an exclusive airflow technology wherein proprietary microscopic pores are found in the membrane layer. These pores allow air to pass through, while preventing dust mites and liquids to do so. This technology also helps in extending the life of the mattress, and aids in controlling temperature while a user sleeps. The mattress protector can also stand up to multiple washings, although the manufacturer recommends quarterly washings for best results.
Priva High Quality Ultra Waterproof Sheet Protector 34″ x 52 – This mattress protector has four layers of protection. The top surface is made of soft, quilted cotton and polyester, while underneath is a polyester fiberfill layer for extra protection. Then there’s another super absorbent , high density layer while the bottom layer is vinyl water proof barrier that has a soft, polyester knit finish. It is generously big at 52 inches, providing ample bed and sheet protection. It features the manufacturer’s Vintex Safe Guard Barrier System that ensures that the sheet protector is free of cadmium, lead, and mercury. It can absorb up to five cups of liquid. With all the options that you have, it can be quite confusing to pick just one waterproof mattress pad. There are several things that you have to remember. One is that you need to research on all available waterproof pads that you can find in the market. One way to do so is to read a mattress protector review.
This way, you can find out what you can expect from a certain waterproof mattress pad. Think of the person who’ll be using the mattress pad. If you have an adult bed wetter, a thicker pad may be needed for more protection. You would have to go for a thicker protector than say, a cotton waterproof mattress pad. A six-layer mattress protector may also serve you well instead of a three-layer pad. While you should be aware of the length and height of the mattress, you must also be concerned with the depth. After all, the depth of mattresses is not standardized. There’s now a wide range in depth with the emergency of various pads like pillow-top and memory foam, unlike in the past when mattresses were typically nine inches deep. Depth pertains to the height from the bottom to the top of the mattress. If you’re unsure of the depth, go up a size. You will be able to tuck any excess fabric under the mattress, but it can be difficult to force a mattress that is too deep into a narrow cover.