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Do I Need A Mattress Pad And Protector

Mattress Protectors Available In Many Sizes

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Just as beds come in all different shapes and sizes, so do many mattress protectors. When you buy a Bambi mattress protector, you will be able to choose between seven different sizes . To give you an idea of the different sizes, the following are common:

When deciding on which size to buy, its important to make sure you choose the right size for your mattress. As an example, if you have a king-size bed, a king size mattress protector will fit much better than a king single mattress protector. This will result in a snug fit that offers maximum comfort and ongoing protection.

Can You Use A Mattress Pad And Mattress Topper Together

While mattress toppers can help prevent wear and tear on your mattress, they’re still susceptible to spills and stains. Using a mattress pad that covers both your mattress and topper can help extend the life of both products. Make sure to choose a deep pocket mattress pad that can fit the full height of your mattress and topper.

What Does A Mattress Pad Do

A better question might be what does a mattress pad not do? Mattress pads are the jack-of-all-trades for beds. Depending on material and model, they can offer benefits like:3

  • Increased mattress life
  • Temperature regulation
  • Breathability or airflow

You might hear the terms mattress pad, topper, and cushion used interchangeably. While similar, there are slight distinctions.

A pad is thinner, usually providing less physical support and more overall mattress protection. A topper or cushion is thicker, adding extra comfort and bed height. At Casper, weve combined the best of both worlds. Our latex foam mattress topper provides plush support, breathability, and mattress protectiona winning trifecta.

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Mattress Encasement Vs Protector

A mattress protector often acts like a fitted sheet, providing a barrier between the mattress and the sheets and yourself, leaving the bottom of the mattress exposed. An mattress encasement typically is a zippered product that encases the entire bed, which is excellent if you suffer from dust, pollen, or fabric allergies.

Mattress Protectors Vs Mattress Pads: What Are They

Do You Put A Bed Sheet Over A Mattress Protector
  • Mattress protectors keep your bed safe from spills, stains and dust mites
  • Mattress pads offer some protection but not as much
  • Pads add a little extra softness, while protectors are too thin to do so

While both accessories keep your mattress fresh, mattress protectors are specifically designed for the task and often have a waterproof fabric that creates a barrier against accidental spills and bedwetting. They also safeguard against yellow sweat stains, and block allergens such as dust mites, with full mattress encasements stopping bed bugs from getting in.

While mattress pads also offer some protection, few are completely waterproof. However, they do have a thin layer of plushness that subtly alters the feel of your bed. Pads are usually one to two inches thick at the most, compared to toppers that are usually two to four inches thick.

So mattress pads wont drastically change your beds feel or firmness, or offer pressure relief like a proper topper, but they can make your bed feel more plush.

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Can You Put An Electric Blanket On A Heated Mattress

Yes, heated mattress pads, heatedblankets and heating pads cansafely be used over mattressprotectors. Can you leave your electric blanket on all night? While amodern, well-maintained electric blanketis unlikely to cause problems with proper use, itis not recommended to keep electric blankets on all night.

Take A Look At How A Mattress Pad Can Improve Your Sleep:

Increased comfort: The added layer of cushioning can make a firm or worn-down mattress more comfortable. Whether the coils in your innerspring mattress give out or your memory foam mattress begins to break down, a mattress pad can serve as a temporary fix for more cushioning.

Extends mattress life: Over time, mattresses begin to break down. The weight of our bodies adds pressure to the materials and fabrics, while sweat and bodily fluids can seep through. A mattress pad serves as an extra barrier between you and your mattress. It can absorb light spills, sweat, and fluids and prevent mold and bacteria from growing inside the mattress. Be cautious, thoughthey dont offer complete protection like mattress protectors.

Affordability: Mattress pads are a budget-friendly option to increase the comfort of an older bed. For those who need more time to budget for a new mattress or need a temporary fix, a mattress pad will get the job done.

Easy to use: Mattress pads are light and easy to place on top of a mattress. They fit like bedsheets, are stable, and are unlikely to move around. They can also be easily removed for washing.

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Mattress Pads Vs Mattress Protectors: Key Takeaways

Mattresses are a significant investment for many people. After all, you spend about a third of your life sleeping, so you want a comfortable surface to catch some shut-eye on to live an energized life. Mattress pads and mattress protectors are two covers you can fit over your bed to either enhance comfort or provide protection.

  • Mattress pads add extra cushioning and support to a mattress. Theyre usually used on older mattresses that have worn down and are an affordable option to make a bed more comfortable. They droop over the sides of a mattress and fit like a fitted sheet.
  • Mattress protectors protect a mattress from liquids, body oils, bacteria, fungi, chemicals, and allergens to increase the longevity of your bed and enhance hygiene. They droop over the sides of a mattress like a fitted sheet or fully encase the mattress.
  • Mattress toppers are a thick memory foam layer that lays across the top of a mattress and is secured in place by fitted sheets. They are between 2- to 3-inches thick and provide more cushioning than mattress pads.

What About A Mattress Pad Or Protector

Mattress Topper vs Mattress Pad vs Mattress Protector

Mattress pads and protectors are a thin, protective covering designed to prevent dust mites and protect your mattress from body sweat and oils. Mattress toppers, however, guard against natural bodily secretions and provide gentle support and luxurious comfort. Mattress toppers are much thicker than a mattress pad or protector and are engineered to contour to your bodys natural curves and mimic the cushioning layers of a mattress.

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Vinyl/pvc Avoid It Completely

Vinyl is dangerous on two levels. First PVC is a known human carcinogen. Second, the plasticizers that are used to soften the hard PVC plastic and make it flexible enough to use as mattress protectors or pads are phthalates. Every day we learn more about how toxic phthalates are, especially to babies and childrens small, developing bodies.

Phthalates make up 30%-40% of the weight of the vinyl surface, and have been linked to:

  • reproductive harm
  • kidney and liver damage

Even more alarming, they are weakly bound to the vinyl and leach or off-gas into the surrounding air, to be breathed in.

Do You Need A Mattress Protector For Memory Foam And All Beds

You need a mattress protector for memory foam mattresses because the encasement will protect the mattress against spills, liquids, and sweat and extend mattress life.

A mattress represents an investment and not a small one. If properly looked after, it will benefit you and comfort you for many years to come. The mattress protector acts as a barrier between you and the mattress, extending the life of your mattress. In the event of an unpleasant accident, such as a liquid spill, or child bedwetting, you can simply remove and wash the protector, as it is machine washable, while keeping your mattress intact.

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Do Mattress Protectors Stop Bed Bugs

Absolutely, they do. It is also one of the biggest reasons why people buy a protector in the first place. Honestly, sleeping on a mattress without a protector is like leaving your front door wide open, any intruder can walk in easily.

According to a study, close to 90% of bed bugs are found near mattresses or box springs. A protector can trap existing pests and starve them to death, while also preventing invasion from new ones.

Why You Should Protect Your Memory Foam Mattress

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It is not necessary to keep your memory foam mattress covered however, a cover should be used as a barrier against liquids, sweat, and urine. A mattress cover, in addition to containing allergens, may be beneficial. If you have a memory foam mattress, choose a protector that is designed to eliminate dust, mites, and bed bugs.

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Polyurethane Can Be Safe But Do Your Research

Polyurethane on its own can be relatively safe, depending on how its formulated. It can be formulated with added chemicals or solvents. Polyurethane foam, for example is highly toxic due to additives to make it into a foam. You definitely want to avoid mattresses made with polyurethane foam, but the plastic is a different story. If you see a waterproof mattress protector made with polyurethane plastic, youll need to dig deeper to determine its safety. Its difficult to know if a plastic is off-gassing, but sometimes the toxic smell will give it away.

How Old Is Your Mattress Has It Started Sagging

A good mattress topper can provide extra cushioning. Its main purpose is to make a mattress softer and more comfortable.

So if youre considering a mattress only because you find your mattress too firm for your liking, a topper is the way to go.

Mattresses, depending on the material and care, are expected to last between 5-10 years. If your mattress shows signs of wear-and-tear such as sagging, a topper may be quite an expensive and short-term fix for it.

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Mattress Pads Versus Mattress Protectors: Key Differences

Mattress pads have 1-2 inches of quilted cushion and are primarily intended to make the mattress feel more comfortable and plush. They are particularly beneficial for older mattresses that have lost their cushioned give. They look like a fitted sheet.

Mattress protectors usually encapsulate the entire mattress to seal it in. As they are designed to protect the mattress, they are waterproof and contain no cushioning. They tend to be more expensive than mattress pads and may be somewhat noisy due to the materials used. Mattress protectors are particularly important for new mattresses because they protect against damage to the mattresspotentially protecting the warranty from invalidationand seal in allergens and toxins.

Mattress Toppers And Mattress Protectors What’s The Difference

Why use a mattress pad? Here’s why!

It can often sound like we’re talking about the same thing when we mention mattress protectors and mattress toppers but they are actually quite different. Each serves a different, but just as important, purpose in achieving the perfect nights sleep for your guests. Although adding a mattress topper and mattress protector to your guest beds might be a little more expensive and require a little bit more effort, they can have a big impact on the comfort of guests and the quality and endurance of the rest of your bedding.

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Alternatives To Mattress Protectors

Have you purchased your favorable mattress, but you are now limited by a strict budget? Do you feel that the mattress protector will be too expensive? If you cant get a mattress protector just yet, there are other things you can do to protect your important investment.

Alternatives to mattress protectors include traditional flat sheets and fitted sheets made of linen or cotton. They feel great, offer some coolness, and provide a little protection for the mattress, especially if you layer them. However, they are not waterproof, so you will need something more if you really need protection against liquids.

If water proofing is an urgent problem, you can spread a layer of plastic between the bedsheet and the mattress. This would be a very good economical, short-term solution.

Do Memory Foam Mattresses Need A Special Mattress Protector

Memory foam mattresses are becoming increasingly popular, but there is some debate about whether or not they need a special mattress protector. Some people say that memory foam mattresses are more susceptible to spills and stains, so a protector is a good idea. Others say that memory foam is less likely to absorb spills and stains, so a protector is not necessary. Ultimately, it is up to the consumer to decide whether or not to use a mattress protector.

A mattress protector is typically a cover that is made of a material such as cotton and is intended to keep your mattress dry. You should use it on your bed because it aids in the removal of dirt, fluids, dust mites, and insects from your bed. A mattress protector will not provide any padding because it does not have the purpose of doing so. Because of the unique texture and design of memory foam mattresses, they are widely used in the mattress industry. It moves and imprints your body shape as you lay on it, causing you to feel a sinking sensation. Side sleeping is possible because of the extra cushion provided by this mattress. Pillowtop mattresses are made of foam and have padding on the top of the bed that provides added comfort.

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Do You Need A Mattress Pad

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you may want to consider ordering one:

  • Do you need extra support for medical or personal reasons?
  • Do you want to adjust the firmness of your mattress and make it firmer or softer?
  • Is your mattress old and uncomfortable?
  • Do you want to add a light layer of protection between your bedding and mattress?

If youre consistently waking up at night from being uncomfortable, or are experiencing neck stiffness or body aches, a mattress pad might be the perfect solution.

Will A Mattress Topper Help With Back Pain

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An old, sagging mattress can exacerbate back pain. If you’re not ready to invest in an entirely new mattress yet, then a mattress topper can be a less expensive way to improve your comfort. Toppers can provide additional support where your mattress is lacking. Plus, because toppers increase comfort, you’re less likely to need to move around to find a comfortable position while you sleep. This can also help mitigate back pain.

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Which Is Right For You

The decision between a mattress pad or topper and a mattress protector will ultimately come down to your needs. If youve recently purchased a new mattress and want to protect your investment, a mattress protector can do that for you. If you have an old bed or are unhappy with your current mattress comfort or firmness level, a mattress pad or topper in the appropriate thickness and material can help improve your sleep experience.

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Does A Mattress Topper Go Under The Sheet

Yep, sure does!

Since your mattress topper will likely be a standalone stretch of cushioning, it needs to be held in place somehow. Otherwise, toss and turn sleepers may shift the structure of the mattress topper, eliminating its benefits altogether.

Some mattress toppers come with elastic loops in the corners that you can hook around your mattress. Others may not.

Placing a fitted sheet over your mattress topper ensures it will be less likely to clump up in the middle of the night.

On top of that, a sheet will typically be made of much more comfortable material than a mattress topper. And without a sheet on top, you may find yourself waking up scratching in the middle of the night.

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Who Should Use A Mattress Protector

Briefly, you need a mattress protector if you want to shield your new or old mattress from any possible damage and extend its lifespan. Also, you can read the research from Happysleepyhead to find the most suitable mattress protector for yourself.

Heres the kicker:

Since mattress protectors are pretty thin, they dont affect the comfort and support levels of your bed.

  • want an additional protection for an expensive mattress but dont want to change the overall feel of their bed
  • have children, pets, or other sources of potential liquid damage
  • are prone to sweating but want their bed to stay clean
  • are allergy-prone and want to minimize the chance of their bed becoming a breeding ground for dust mites
  • love the motion isolation or temperature regulation properties of their current mattress.

If your mattress features a special cooling technology, rest assured you will still feel it through your protector. If you choose a quality one, of course.

What Kinds Of Mattress Toppers Are There

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The most important factor in mattress protectors and toppers is the material, and theres a few common types to choose from.

Memory foam mattress toppers work in exactly the same way as memory foam mattresses, its just a thinner layer that rests on top of your existing mattress. Memory foam gently moulds to your body, providing additional comfort and support.

Egg crate mattress toppers go by many names, so egg crate is a good catch-all for a lot of different brands. They are made of a bumpy nodular foam surface that looks sort of like an egg box, often in a padded cover. They can be easily rolled up or stacked, so while theyre not quite as luxurious as memory foam, theyre a lot more flexible, and usually cheaper too.

Wool or fleece mattress toppers use natural materials that reduce the risk of allergies, and theyre surprisingly soft less itchy than you might expect. However, they are very much on the expensive side.

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