What Is The Difference Between A Mattress Protector And Encasement
There are two main types of mattress protectors: five-sided and encasement. The difference is how much of the mattress it covers. Five-sided mattress protectors cover the top of the mattress and the sides, which makes them ineffective against bed bugs, which can easily crawl to the bottom of the mattress. However, five-sided protectors are usually good for keeping liquids and dust mites from getting to your mattress.
Five-sided protectors vary in their coverage. They generally have a top section that protects the top of your mattresses. Where they vary is on the sides. Some, including our top pick, use the same protective, top-panel material on the sides. Other models have a basic polyester-blend skirt that doesn’t protect against spills or dust mites.
Mattress encasements completely “encase” the mattress. They usually have zippers that seal the mattress in and protect all six sides from liquids, dust mites, and bed bugs.
Purple Mattress Review Breakdown
The Purple is an all-foam mattress available in one firmness level, which is medium-firm. Sold at affordable prices and delivered directly to your door, the Purple is a good option for customers seeking comfort on a budget. Through the use of Purple Grid technology, the Purple mattress provides sleepers a mix of contouring and responsiveness. Its available in twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, California king, and split king sizes.
The Purples comfort layers are made up of 2 inches of Purple Grid on top of a 3.5-inch polyfoam layer. Its support core is made of 4 inches of high-density polyfoam . Combined, these layers excel at providing pressure relief to sleepers. The cover is made of a polyester-viscose blended fabric. Altogether, the Purple measures 9.25 inches in height, which is average and fits standard sheet sets.
The Purple Grid is a unique technology created by the Purple company that consists of hyper-elastic polymer molded into a grid shape. The Purple Grid contours to the body like memory foam, but feels more responsive. Spaces in the grid allow for airflow, making the Purple a cooling mattress. All-foam mattresses tend to trap body heat, but that isnt a problem with the Purple.
Firmness
How Long Can Mattress Toppers Change The Feel Of Your Mattress
A high-quality mattress topper should last you around three to five years. That said, the lifespan of a mattress topper depends on a variety of factors, including your body weight, the material and thickness of the topper, and the condition of the mattress underneath. Latex toppers tend to last the longest due to the durability of the material.
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What Does A Mattress Protector Do
A mattress protector accomplishes four things:
- Keeps the mattress clean. Human bodies are pretty gross. We all perspire at night. We all produce oil from our skins. Some of us wear makeup. We all also shed dead skin cells. There are other activities that can produce a wet spot on the bed. All of this can soak through your sheets and into the mattress. Once a little gets into your mattress, its almost impossible to get it out of your mattress. A mattress protector prevents any of that from getting into the mattress and can be taken off and washed.
- Keeps the mattress feeling in like new condition for longer. Perspiration will wear down the foams in the mattress, shortening the comfort life. Its a similar effect to a kitchen sponge after too many uses. Even if only a little moisture gets through, after years of every night use that adds up. You will need to replace your mattress more quickly without the protector.
- Helps prevent dust mite allergies from acting up.Dust mite allergies are very common and can lead to issues such as sneezing, runny nose, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Dust mites eat dead skin cells, and there will be dead skin cells in your mattress if you dont use a protector.
- Helps protect the warranty. As I mentioned in my warranty post, a stain will void the warranty. Even if the stain has nothing to do with the warranty issue, it still voids the warranty.
For all those reasons, everybody needs a mattress protector.
Types Of Mattress Pads
There are basically three ways mattress pads can be made:
- Fitted. These are designed similarly to fitted sheets. When you pull the sides and corners down under your mattress, they stay accurately in place. However, you should shop for a fitted pad carefully and choose the one that will have pockets large enough to wrap over your mattress .
- Strapped. These have bands of fabric in each of the four corners, which should be put under the mattress in order to hold the mattress pad in place. Although they sit on top pretty well, they might still move along with your movements and therefore require you to adjust them occasionally.
- Free. These are commonly referred to as mattress toppers. They just lie on the surface of your mattress freely and, consequently, require frequent readjustments.
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Mattress Toppers Are Only A Temporary Solution
Your mattress is important, especially when you consider that you spend up to a third of your life in your bed. Thats why its a must to find a bed that cradles and supports you where you need it most so that you can get your healthiest and most restful sleep.
If youre dealing with minor issues related to your mattresss firmness, support or pressure relief, a mattress topper might give you some immediate, short-term relief. Just be careful not to expect your mattress topper to work a miracle with a mattress thats truly past its prime or has major structural problems.
When its time to shop for a new bed, Purple is ready to wow you with the ultra-comfort and support of the Purple Grid. No mattress topper required!
Benefits Of Sleeping On A Purple Mattress
When it comes to the benefits youll see in our Purple mattress review, clearly great sleep is at the top of your list. But how youll get that from the above listed materials? Below we will go through how the Purple bed will feel and perform. Giving you a first hand look at how it works for side sleepers, stomach sleepers, back sleepers and combination sleepers. Even how the Purple mattress works for bigger and taller sleepers too.
We will also detail how this polymer gridded bed performs for motion isolation, sleeping cool as well as edge support. Though the Purple mattress sets itself apart from memory foam mattresses, latex mattresses and hybrid mattresses, there will be similarities that come through in the benefits it offers.
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Vinyl And Cotton Mattress Pads
These mattress pads usually have the same washing instructions, and bleach should not be used on both. For cotton pads, you may use fabric conditioner, but for vinyl, it should be avoided since it can damage the fabric.
Here are the steps you should follow rigorously:
What We Don’t Recommend And Why:
Casper Waterproof: In general, I’m a fan of Casper products. Its sheets are among the most cozy I’ve slept on, and its Nova Hybrid is one of the most comfortable mattresses I’ve tested. But, the company’s mattress protectors get a hard pass from me. While the Casper Waterproof lives up to its name by passing our leakage tests, it was the hardest one to put on because of its small elastic ring. I worked up a sweat each time I wrestled it on. Plus, it comes with a minimal one-year warranty.
Linenspa Encasement: We were hoping this would be a good alternative if the Utopia Bedding encasement isn’t available, but we can’t recommend it. It passed the leakage tests, protects against bed bugs, and has a nice 10-year warranty. But, it only fits mattresses up to 12 inches thick, made loud rustling sounds when moving on it, and it trapped heat.
Casper Breathable: This protector is water resistant, not waterproof. Consequently, it was the only protector we tested that failed the leakage tests, both before and after we washed it five times. It also appeared to shrink in the wash so there were portions of the mattress that weren’t covered by the top section of the protector. The Casper Breathable protector only has a one-year warranty. It was cooler and quieter than most of the other models, but at $149, it needs to protect your mattress better.
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Mattress Protectors And Pads: Do You Need One
I never thought much about mattresses until I had to buy one for the first time. Not only was the choice overwhelming there are so many types but the price tag was no joke.
Like any big investment, I wanted to do whatever I could to keep my mattress is good condition.
What I discovered after researching ways to keep my mattress clean and comfortable is this: people need a mattress protector but mattress pads and toppers are optional.
Do You Need A Mattress Pad Or Mattress Protector
What is a mattress pad? And what is a mattress protector? Are these 2 products the same or different? Maybe you should just choose whatever sounds cool. Well, stop right there. When it comes to bedding items, you shouldnt be ignorant. The mattress youve worked so hard to search for deserves nothing less. What do you say?
A mattress pad and a mattress protector are 2 different things, to begin with. They serve 2 different purposes. They can work together. But most of the time, one of them is enough. In the following guide, you will get to know each accessory and its benefits. It will be clear to you which one you need more.
Once you nail the correct product, you can now start choosing the model that matches your existing mattress. We have top recommendations for you for both items. That said, we shouldnt keep you waiting. Lets get down to business.
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What Else We Recommend And Why:
Bear Protector: There’s a lot to like about the Bear Protector, but it just wasn’t the best in any of our categories. It was one of the quietest, and in addition to being leak-free, it also absorbed more liquid than any of the other models. The biggest negative was that it seemed to hold onto heat. Still, if you want a mattress protector that will absorb any spills rather than pooling, this is a great option.
Tuft & Needle: We like that this protector comes with a 100-night risk-free trial period and is made of OEKO-TEX certified materials, which means it’s an eco-friendly alternative. It also passed our leak tests, but it only fits mattresses up to 14 inches thick, and it was one of the worst at dissipating heat.
Lucid Premium Terry Top: This is the most affordable protector we tested, has the longest warranty , and can fit the thickest mattress sizes , but it was one of the noisiest and got pretty hot while lying on it. Still, if our budget pick is sold out, this is a worthy backup.
Who Started Purple Mattress
Purple has a variety of imaginative names, specifically brothers Terry as well as Tony Pearce, who are experts in manufacturing and materials, respectively. They used both their knowledge to create advanced versions of items they deemed needed more attention in terms of design and comfort.
The result was the creation of Floam which is a cushioning fluid that can be found in many items, from footwear to medical instruments. The issue in using Floam lies in the fact that it was usually only available for institutional bodies as the cost to create the technology was costly.
The brothers set out to design a cheaper Floam and then came up with their patented Hyper-elastic Polymer. Flexible, soft, and long-lasting, the Hyper-elastic polymer soon became the foundational component of what creates a Purple mattress supportive yet supple in the same way.
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What Is A Mattress Pad
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 youd purchase a mattress pad to add comfort to your mattress. The primary reason I would suggest buying a mattress pad is because youre 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 youre buying a brand new mattress, whether its foam, innerspring, or otherwise, there is really no need to purchase a mattress pad.
Mattress toppers would be a similar option if youre seeking a temporary solution to add comfort, but thats another blog post.
Who Should Use A Mattress Protector
- You bought an expensive mattress – You want to protect your investment and make sure you dont inadvertently null your warranty by allowing the mattress to become stained.
- You have kids or pets Children and animals are the most likely culprits for introducing stains to your mattress. Blood, urine, vomit, pet dander, food and drink they bring it all.
- You use your guest room a lot Do you have frequent visitors sleeping on a guest bed? You can make them feel a whole lot better about the hygiene of their sleeping area if you use a mattress protector to help keep your mattress clean.
- You suffer from allergies Dust, mold, mildew and other environmental allergens can often find an ideal home in mattresses. By using a mattress protector, you put up a barrier against these kinds of substances which can help keep your bed healthy and allergen-free for a good nights sleep.
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Is There A Difference Between Mattress Pads And Mattress Protectors
Unlike a mattress pad, a mattress protector is meant only to provide an extra layer of protection for your mattress. They typically provide no extra comfort or cushioningjust peace of mind that your mattress is shielded from stains, bacteria, fungi, bed bugs, dust mites, allergens, and other unwanted contaminants that can build up over time.
Mattress protectors are usually thin sheets made out of cotton or polyester designed to cover most of the mattress. Some mattress protectors are secured with elastic, like a fitted sheet, whereas others are zipped over the mattress like cushion covers. They come in a variety of materialsthe one you choose depends on the specific purpose.
Mattress protector fabric can be waterproof, quilted, natural, or synthetic. They are designed to be washable and breathable. Mattress pads and mattress protectors can both extend the life of your mattress, especially if you have young children
Support & Pressure Relief By Sleeping Position
Back Sleepers
Those who sleep exclusively on their backs should find adequate support on the Purple. The beds medium-firm feel gently contours to the bodys curves, which encourages healthy spinal alignment. Sleepers of average-weight and lightweight sizes should feel supported, but heavier folks may sink in a bit too far into the transitional layer, particularly those who weigh more than 300 pounds.
To find a mattress better-suited for plus-size back sleepers, check out the beds that made our best mattresses for back sleepers countdown.
Side Sleepers
The Purple mattresss gel grid collapses at areas like the hips and shoulders, delivering the pressure reduction that side sleepers need for comfortable sleep. While the Purple is a good mattress for pain relief and spinal alignment for lightweight and average-weight side sleepers, some people may still prefer a softer feel.
Heavyweight side sleepers would do better with a thicker comfort system than that found in the original Purple. These folks may want to consider the Purple Hybrid Premier or one of the beds that won a spot in our best mattresses for side sleepers list.
Stomach Sleepers
Combination Sleepers
Still, heavyweight combination sleepers might not achieve the support they need on the Purple. If youre in that category, head over to our best mattresses for combination sleepers page to find a better fit.
NERD RATING: Will this bed work for you?
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Can You Flip A Zinus Mattress
A Zinus mattress is similar to Casper, Leesa, Purple, Tuft & Needle, and Nolah AirFoamin that its best rotated and not flipped. Rotating your Zinus mattress 180 degrees every six months is more ideal to flipping it over. Sleeping on every inch of the mattress by rotating regularly, enures your sleep comfort.
Can You Use A Heated Mattress Pad On A Purple Mattress
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Moreover, can you use a heated mattress pad on a latex mattress?
It is safe to use a heating pad with your latex mattress, as the need arises. A heating pad with a cover is best as well. Also, avoid using your heating pad, an electric blanket, or other heating device on exposed latex.
Also Know, what do you put under a purple mattress? For the best use of the Purple®Mattress, you will want a strong and sturdy base! This can be a platform, box foundation, or an adjustable bed frame it all works just fine. Keep in mind all slats should be 3″ or less apart for the best support. Avoid springs in your foundation to prevent a sagging mattress.
Besides, can you put a fitted sheet over a heated mattress pad?
An under electric blanket is designed to be slim enough to fit under your fitted sheet on your bed and goes directly on top of the mattress, like a heated mattress pad. They sometimes will have a stretchy sewed seam the same as your fitted sheet for a secure fit that does not move during sleep.
Do you flip a latex mattress?
Rotating and/or Flipping Is Not Necessary for Latex Mattresses. The very cell structure of latex mattresses makes them stronger and more durable than what you‘ll find in traditional mattresses. Latex bounces back because it’s foam rubber. Traditional mattresses use various man-made materials to cover innersprings.
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