Mattress Toppers
June 2020Mattress protectors and bed covers explained
A high-quality mattress topper can provide an extra layer of comfort and support, while a mattress protector acts as a barrier against spills, stains, and general wear and tear. Although relatively inexpensive, these additions can significantly improve your sleep environment and help to keep your new mattress feeling fresh for years to come. This article will explain the benefits of investing in both a mattress topper and a protector when purchasing a new mattress.
- What is a Mattress Protector?
- Do I Need a Mattress Protector?
- How to Choose the Right Mattress Protector
- How to Fit a Mattress Protector
- Mattress Topper vs Mattress Protector
- The Best Fabric Choice for Mattress Toppers
- Why are Mattress Toppers Useful?
What is a mattress protector?
A mattress protector is usually a cotton or polycotton fitted sheet that is quilted. This relatively inexpensive item is the first line of defence your mattress has against sweat, spills and other fluids. Without this, your mattress may quickly become stained and damaged by nightly use. Think of it as a washable protective cover that sits under your bedding.
Do I need a mattress protector?
The simple answer is yes! Most mattress protectors are relatively cheap to buy and are machine washable. This means you can wash and clean them alongside your regular bed linen maintenance routine.
How to choose the right mattress protector?
Buying a new mattress protector is relatively easy and nowhere near as detailed as buying a new mattress! Mattress protectors all follow a similar construction method. They are usually made from a stretch material (containing polyester or another stretch fibre) with elasticated corners so they fit snugly on top of your mattress. The main choice of mattress protectors is the material they are made of:
- Synthetic / Polyester Mattress Protectors (Cheap and easy to replace)
- Natural fibre blend like Cotton/Polycotton/Linen Mattress Protectors (More expensive but breathable)
Mattress protectors are relatively inexpensive. You certainly shouldn’t be paying more than £40 for a kingsize synthetic one. Natural fibre protectors may reach the £100 mark, which is where they start to stray into mattress ‘topper’ territory (more on that below).
Ideally, if you have a natural fibre mattress then you want to mirror this with the mattress protector. There’s no real point in putting polyester over a natural fibre mattress, as it will reduce its breathability. At the least, a poly-cotton blend is far better than pure synthetic.
How to fit a mattress protector
Fitting a mattress protector is really easy as they usually have elasticated sides. Slide the mattress protector over your mattress (and mattress topper if you have one). Then stretch each corner over the matching corners of the mattress: just like you do with a fitted bedsheet. The short clip below shows how they fit on and off a mattress and mattress topper combination. It also shows how lightweight they are, making them ideal for washing compared to the much thicker Natural Latex topper beneath it.
What’s the difference between a mattress protector & mattress topper?
Mattress protectors differ significantly from mattress toppers as they are far thinner. They can be washed and are at a price point where they can be replaced more frequently than a mattress topper. When you start to move towards £100 for a protector it may be worthwhile looking at a mattress topper. However, a protector of some sort should always be used.
So, what is a mattress topper and what does it do?
Mattress toppers are separate items of bedding that you add to the mattress in order to increase the level of longevity to the built-in primary layer, and also to add a separate primary comfort layer to suit you. Mattress toppers can help tweak and perfect your mattress, along with offering them protection. Mattress toppers act as a comfort layer where a protector does not.
- A mattress protector can be washed and removed easily
- A mattress topper will increase the comfort layers of a mattress
- A protector will offer no comfort difference to a mattress
- A mattress protector should be washed with your bed linen
- A topper usually can’t or shouldn’t be washed. (this disturbs the fillings and they’re usually too large for a washing machine)
- A protector is still required on top of a mattress topper
A mattress protector should always be used, even if you have a topper.
Natural protectors/toppers are always preferable. They are more breathable and don’t retain as much heat as synthetic covers
The Best Fabric Choice for Mattress Toppers
The general rule of thumb is that the upholstery used to make the topper should be ‘in keeping’ with what is used as the primary layer within the mattress. This means that, if the mattress has a wool or wool-and-cotton primary layer, the topper should also be built with the same or similar upholstery components. On the other side of the scale, a latex mattress should have an additional topper consisting of latex, and a memory foam mattress should have a topper consisting of memory foam.
If you have read the techniques of mattress construction in another post you will know that, as you get higher up the mattress to the actual sleeper, the material has to get softer. This thesis stops when the mattress is fully constructed and you start again using the mattress as the support element and begin again to add further bridging and comfort layers in the form of toppers.
If we look again at the Savoir Royal State, we see that the primary comfort layer in the mattress is carded cashmere wool; one of the softest and most luxurious primary layers in any mattress. But if we look at what toppers are placed on top of this, we see that the first one is a horsetail foundation with carded cashmere as the primary. The second topper is loose horsetail completely encased in lambswool. The toppers they utilised on this mattress set are not softer than the carded cashmere within the mattress, but they start using what can be deemed as relatively firmer components, and then going softer as you get closer to the user’s body.
Are Mattress Toppers Any Good & Do They Work?
Now that we’ve discussed the difference between mattress protectors and mattress toppers, it’s important to look more closely at toppers. Mattress toppers are useful for two main reasons:
1. Adding additional comfort layers to your mattress
2. Aiding in the longevity of your mattress
1.Additional Comfort Layers
Mattress toppers won’t make a mattress firmer, but can increase overall comfort. They will help increase the sink and upholstery feel of a mattress. This is particularly useful for taking even the most high-end mattresses to the next level of comfort. Since toppers are separate, they can be turned, fluffed up and rotated: just like your mattress. This helps to keep them feeling fresh for longer.. It’s far easier to revive a topper than an entire mattress!
In essence, a mattress topper acts as an additional substantial comfort layer that the mattress may not have room for. The topper elevates what is already a fabulous mattress to even greater levels of comfort. When combined, you will certainly be in heaven!
2.The longevity of the mattress
With the basic principles understood, it now stands to reason that, if you were to sleep directly on the mattress, there is nothing there to combat the three main enemies to your mattress:
1. Body Perspiration
2. Dead skin cells and bacteria
3. Undue Settlement and Indentations
Even just one of these should give cause for concern, but when all three are considered they undoubtedly warrant using a topper with your mattress. Going back to the questions we received over the years, we have concluded that the more you invest in your mattress, the more essential a topper becomes.
The long-term benefits of using a topper will pay dividends. So don’t look at this purchase as an expense, but view it as insurance that your mattress will be long-lasting – staying as new as possible for a greater period of time. When the topper has taken all it can after the brunt of nightly activities it’s a small cost to replace it instead of the entire mattress prematurely.
Summary
Over the years we have purchased, tried, sampled and discussed the merits of all protectors and mattress toppers in general. Our conclusions are that you do not have to go to enormous expense, although we say to steer away from ultra-cheap versions: particularly if they are the feathered variety. In our experience, there is far too little material in them to be of any use or benefit.
With both toppers and protectors, the more natural the fibres contained within, the better your sleep experience will be. A protector is a must have for any mattress, whereas a topper is for those who want the absolute finest sleeping comfort!
We have our own range of contemporary single and double mattress toppers. In particular, we specialise in high-quality latex mattress toppers, perfect to provide that initial sink to a bed without losing the support or getting too hot, unlike memory foam counterparts. We would love to hear your views on toppers so ask a question or get in touch for further help.
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