Your bed is more than the place you sleep, so you want to make sure it's fresh and clean. After all, we all enjoy popcorn in bed for movie night and many pet owners are guilty of letting their pets in bed with them to snuggle. We can't blame you! A mattress protector can help protect your favorite mattress from everything life throws (or spills) its way.
Do I Need A Mattress Protector?
Technically, no, you don't need a mattress protector. After all, you, better than anyone else, know how much wear and tear your mattress gets every day. If it's just you, it probably gets less use than if you have young children or pets climbing in and out.
However, a mattress is a big investment and, if treated well, it can bring you years of better rest. This is why we recommend using a mattress protector on your Leesa mattress. A mattress protector provides a barrier between your mattress and life, so when a mess happens, you can easily remove and wash your mattress protector with no damage to your mattress.
Benefits of using a mattress protector
Mattress protectors are one of the most underrated and underutilized pieces of bedding we know! Mattress protectors not only add a few years of life to your mattress but also offer a shield against the elements. We encourage new mattress owners to protect their investments as much as possible, especially against preventable damage caused by sweat, spills, and pet stains! Pet dander, pollen, and other allergens accumulate on our bodies throughout the day and even come with us to bed; mattress protectors can prevent these allergens from settling into the mattress and instead, they cling onto the protector, which is machine washable!
Better Comfort
Sleep quality and comfort can vary drastically depending on the material and quality of the mattress protector. An inexpensive protector may not offer the same level of protection or comfort as a more expensive one. Lower-quality, cheaper protectors, often made from plastic, maybe stain-resistant and waterproof, but they may also retain more body heat. During hot summer nights or cold winter nights, this may mean waking up to a damp bedsheet or a soggy mattress.
Among the many benefits of higher-quality cotton, bamboo, and polyester protectors are:
Their comfort enhancement
Moisture wicking capabilities
Breathable properties
Hypoallergenic features
The ability to regulate body temperature
We suggest you choose your protector based on its quality and if it meets the desired features of a mattress protector. It is possible to find protectors that enhance the feel of your mattress. For example, mattress protectors that are thicker and more pillowy are available if you are looking for extra comfort. In addition to providing extra comfort to a newly purchased mattress, an excellent mattress protector ensures that life's little accidents will not damage your bed and will prolong its lifespan. Similarly, they can rejuvenate an aged, sagging mattress without purchasing a new one.
Protects you From Allergies
Pollen, pet dander, and dust mites can cause allergies in many people, knowingly or unknowingly. As a result of your runny nose and itchy eyes, allergies can also interfere with your sleep. Some of us may spend countless hours each night sneezing, having a runny nose, wheezing, facial pressure or pain, or feeling short of breath. Still, dust mite allergies often escape our consciousness. Although we wake up tired in the morning after a restless night, we seem to shrug off these problems.
Regardless of if you have allergies or not, a hypoallergenic mattress protector can provide a better night's sleep for everyone. Hypoallergenic mattress protectors provide a layer of defense between you, your bed, and the allergens. These protectors can also reduce eczema, asthma, and other severe allergy symptoms. Imagine what it would be like to get consistent quality, restorative sleep that doesn't leave us exhausted or rely on an endless supply of coffee throughout the day. In that case, we will all be able to better deal with daily stress and be more productive.
Can Lengthen the Life of Your Mattress
The simplest and most effective way to prolong the life of your mattress is to protect it. A mattress's foam is so sensitive to moisture that moisture of any kind will wear it down. The unexpected can happen at any time and that is why the bonus protection layer here is invaluable since spills will never reach the mattress. For this reason, most mattress protectors are waterproof, preventing sweat, urine, body oil, and other liquids from soaking into the mattress. In addition to prolonging the life and freshness of your mattress, a mattress protector will prevent mold and dust mites from accumulating, letting you sleep peacefully.
Can Protect the Warranty of your Mattress
Mattress warranties vary, but most cover only structural defects, such as sagging mattresses and faulty materials. Usually, this occurs as a result of poor construction. In other words, normal wear and tear, stains, or spills invalidate the warranty if improper use by the customer causes them. To ensure your mattress is covered, please refer to your manufacturer's warranty details before returning it.
Mattress covers protect mattresses from stains, spills, dust, yellowing, and more with their waterproof layers. However, food and drink spills and other accidents can void a mattress warranty since liquids corrode mattress materials, resulting in the mattress breaking down and losing structural integrity. Liquid damage and irremovable stains are not allowed to be returned to warehouses because they are unsafe and unsanitary. Whether the staining is due to the issue you are dealing with, your warranty will be void.
A mattress protector is a worthwhile investment if you are concerned about how you will like your bed or are nervous about discovering a defect soon after purchase. You can easily use, clean, and replace a mattress protector; washing and replacing mattresses is not this simple. Protectors designed specifically for beds encase the mattress and cover its six sides. During the day and while you sleep, this will ensure protection from accidents outside your control.
How often should I change my mattress protector?
Maintaining the cleanliness and effectiveness of your mattress protector requires cleaning at least twice a month. If it becomes soiled, odorous, has been sick, or you have recently had guests over, you should clean it immediately. You should always follow the manufacturer's instructions to ensure that you are following their specific guidelines. A protector’s job is to protect your mattress, so it should be replaced if it shows signs of wear or has holes in its surface. Mattress covers with tattered areas are less likely to repel substances and liquids. Therefore, accidental spills may be more likely to seep into your mattresses.
FAQs
What happens if I don't use a mattress protector?
After a long day, our bodies regenerate and heal by shedding dead skin cells at night. As a result of the particles that fall off, dust mites have easier access to their food source. Sweat, saliva, body oils, and any allergens left on our skin from the day are also left behind. Mattress protectors prevent dead skin cells, dust mites, sweat, saliva, and body oils from soaking into your mattress. These stains will also void your manufacturer's warranty and any additional protection plans you might have purchased for your bed. Mattress protectors are highly recommended, of course!
Can I Sleep on a Mattress Without a Cover?
Sure! However, we don't recommend it. Without a mattress cover, your mattress gets exposed to germs, bacteria, dirt, dead skin cells, and fluids. Moisture and sweat can also wear down the foam in your mattress, shortening its lifespan. As dead skin cells accumulate on your bed, dust mites will come to eat them and leave behind their allergen-rich excretions. These excretions can cause sneezing, a spike in asthma symptoms, and even skin infections. Accumulated dirt or "clutter" can also give bed bugs a better hideout, allowing them to remain in your mattress even longer. Investing in a mattress cover is the cheapest way to preserve your mattress and one of the easiest ways to keep it clean. In addition, most mattress covers are machine washable, so you don't have to worry about getting your dirty mattress into your washing machine.
What are Mattress Protectors For?
A mattress protector resembles a fitted sheet and is placed directly on your mattress and under your sheets. Mattress protectors prevent liquids, stains, bed bugs, dust mites, bodily fluids, dust, and other allergens from entering your mattress. As a result, a mattress protector can improve your mattress's longevity and hygiene and promote general wellness by improving your sleep quality.
How Long Do Mattress Protectors Last?
Depending on how it is cared for, a mattress protector has an average lifespan of one and two years. If this lifespan surprises you, consider that mattress protectors collect dead skin cells, oils, and allergens. The buildup eventually becomes too overwhelming. As mildew and bacteria accumulate on your protector, it might even begin to smell. At this point, your protector may have a significant accumulation of bacteria or mold, and you need to replace it. In addition, over time and with daily use, your mattress protector will likely become worn or tattered. If any places look particularly worn-down, they may soon develop holes. A protector with holes allows substances to seep into it, defeating its purpose.
