Sleepopolis is supported by readers. Product links on Sleepopolis are referral links. If you use one of these and buy something Sleepopolis makes a little bit of money. See how it all works here.Do I need a mattress pad or mattress protector for my new Casper, Tuft & Needle, Leesa, Saatva, or other online mattress? This is by far one of the most common questions I receive on my blog, and it’s long over due for a quick question and answer post. First off, it’s important to note the differences between mattress pads and mattress protectors. A mattress pad is a relatively thick piece of quilted material that sits on top of your mattress, but below your sheets. A mattress pad can help to protect your mattress to some degree from general wear and tear, and help reduce allergens, but in general you’d purchase a mattress pad to add comfort to your mattress. The primary reason I would suggest buying a mattress pad is because you’re unhappy with your current mattress and a mattress pad can be a nice short term solution to add comfort to an older or uncomfortable mattress.
If you’re buying a brand new mattress, whether it’s foam, innerspring, or otherwise, there is really no need to purchase a mattress pad. Mattress toppers would be a similar option if you’re seeking a temporary solution to add comfort, but that’s another blog post. A mattress protector also sits directly on the surface of your mattress, but below your sheets. It’s similar to a fitted sheet in the way it covers the mattress. They are generally made from cotton, polyester, or other materials, and are designed to help repel liquid and prevent other sources of damage (dirt, dust, allergens, etc). The most common use for a mattress protector is simply as a liquid resistant protector. In the event you were to spill a drink, have an accident prone child or pet, or have a sexy-times accident, the mattress protector will help to ensure your expensive mattress stays fresh, clean, and unsoiled. I would highly recommend a mattress protector to anyone who is purchasing a new mattress, or already owns a mattress without a mattress protector.
They are an inexpensive way to ensure your mattress stays nice for years. Most mattress protectors are fairly thin. They don’t have to be thick to do their job if they are made well. As such, they have very little impact in terms of the feel and comfort of the mattress they are on. My wife and I have been using a pretty good and inexpensive mattress protector we purchased from Amazon when we bought our mattress. We’ve slept several times with it off to get a sense of the feel and I cannot tell any noteworthy difference in feel, comfort, or sound when the mattress protector is on vs. with it off. In addition to protecting your mattress from damage, liquids, etc. they can also aid in reducing allergens, dust mites, and asthma issues. If you have an older mattress that you’re not terribly happy with I would recommend a mattress pad. Mattress pads are an inexpensive way to add a little life to older or otherwise uncomfortable mattresses. If it’s a new mattress, there is no need to purchase a mattress pad (assuming you are happy with the mattress).
A mattress protector on the other hand is all but required. It’s inexpensive, protects your investment, has no visible impact, and shouldn’t dramatically change the way the mattress feels. In my book it’s a no brainer. Below are my favorite mattress protectors and mattress pads:Skip to main content. Home Guides Home Home Improvement Does a Memory Foam Mattress Need a Protective Covering? A cover designed specifically for memory foam keeps a mattress clean. A memory foam mattress is a bit different than a conventional mattress, being made of special foam that conforms to the body's shape. Like a conventional mattress, a cover is not entirely necessary between the mattress and fitted bed sheet, but it does help keep the mattress clean. Some mattress manufacturers recommend using a pad or cover to protect a memory foam mattress, noting that conventional mattress pads or covers impede the beneficial qualities of memory foam. Covers made especially for memory foam are a good choice to protect the mattress.
Memory Foam and Mattress Pads A conventional mattress pad offers a thin layer of cushioning, which works well with a standard spring-based mattress but is not ideal for memory foam, since memory foam is designed to allow the body to sink into it for form-fitting comfort. Retailers of memory-foam mattresses sell covers specifically designed for memory foam, offering protection against moisture and dust mites. The cover keeps the mattress clean, since the cover is machine-washable and the mattress is not. Clean the mattress itself with a vacuum cleaner. A mild soap on a slightly damp sponge cleans spots and stains; avoid saturating the mattress to keep it in pristine condition. References Tempurpedic: Product CareSealy: Memory Foam -- Caring for Your Sealy Photo Credits Siri Stafford/Digital Vision/Getty Images Suggest a CorrectionWe do not recommend using an electric blanket or heating pad with your mattress. Due to the temperature-sensitivity of the TEMPUR material, adding high heat can hinder its ability to react to your body temperature and conform to your body shape.
If you ever do use an electric blanket or heating pad, we recommend limiting its use to 30 minutes, and only on low or medium heat.We do not recommend using a conventional mattress pad or mattress cover with your mattress. These items add another "layer" between you and the TEMPUR material, reducing its ability to conform to your body.If you use a mattress protector, we offer the MattressProtector by Tempur-Pedic™, which was designed to protect your mattress without impacting the feel or performance.The covers on most of our mattresses can be removed and washed. If you're not sure if your mattress cover is removable, please refer to the tags sewn into the cover or contact our Customer Service department.We recommend a cold temperature setting for machine washing and a cool setting for machine drying. Do not "over-dry" the cover and do not use chlorine products or harsh stain removers of any kind.If you spill liquid on your mattress, please take the following steps. Because the mattress should never become wet, we can't promise that these steps will completely remove the stain or odor.
If your mattress has a cover, remove it, wash it in cold water with mild detergent, and hang dry for best results. Never use bleach or bleaching products with the cover.After the cover has been removed, soak up as much of the liquid using towels as possible. This may require pressing down on the material with the towel(s) to release the moisture.Once excess moisture is removed, let the mattress air dry. To speed up the drying process, place a fan so that it blows on the mattress.Never wash the TEMPUR® material.TEMPUR&trg; material should never become wet. We offer a special wet-safe cover to provide extra protection against liquid spills.Do NOT wash or Dry Clean the TEMPUR-Topper Supreme. The cover can be removed and washed in cold water, dried on a cool setting or air drying which is recommended. Do not use chlorine products or harsh stain removers.Each of our mattresses use our patented, one-sided design that means you'll never have to flip, rotate, or turn it. The TEMPUR material will return to its original shape time after time, year after year.