But what if we told you there’s a way to protect yourself from these fungal spores, skin cells, dust mites, bacteria, plasticizers, and flame retardants living among you? A mattress protector does just that—protects your mattress.
Mattresses can be an expensive investment, and your health is an even more valuable investment. Many mattress buyers may be asking themselves, “What is a mattress protector?” and “Do I need a mattress protector?” That’s what we’re going to uncover for you below—take a look!
What Is a Mattress Protector?
A mattress protector sits right on top of your mattress and acts as a protective barrier from spills, bacteria, and some allergens. Mattress protectors fit like a fitted sheet and can either cover the top and sides of your mattress or fully encase your mattress.
The main benefit of mattress protectors is that they are often liquid-proof. So, whether you were wining and dining and spilled your glass while binging Netflix or your dog got a little too excited when he came to wake you up, a mattress protector will ensure no liquid seeps through to your mattress.
So, do you need a mattress protector? Take a look at some surprising stats you may not know about the mattress you sleep on every night below:
- Adults produce about 100 liters of sweat in bed per year — that’s roughly 26 gallons, or enough to fill a little less than two kegs of beer.
- Rolling from your back to your stomach while you sleep can resuspend particles trapped in your bed into the air.
- If you have a 7-year-old mattress, you’re sleeping with about 16 million bacteria — now that’s a slumber party!
- Along with millions of bacteria, make sure you say “Hi” to the 1.5 million dust mites that may be living, defecating, and reproducing on your mattress.
- One study found that pillows aged between 1.5 and 20 years old can be home to 4 to 17 different species of fungus — that number can be much more for mattresses.
Mattress protectors are one of the most important accessories you can have when it comes to protecting the surface you sleep on. Not only will they increase the longevity of your mattress, but they’re also extremely affordable and keep you protected from your mattress.
What Does a Mattress Protector Guard Against?
As you now know, you’re not alone when you sleep. So, how do you protect yourself from all the nasties that are burrowing in your mattress? With a mattress protector.
Below is a list of what mattress protectors guard against:
- Dust Mites: These tiny creatures are almost invisible to the human eye and are less than a millimeter in length. Dust mites thrive in warm, humid climates (aka your bed), and are one of the most common allergens people suffer from. Dust mite feces and their bodies can lead to nighttime nasal congestion, a runny nose, coughing, itchy skin, throat, eyes, nose, and mouth, and asthma
- Liquids: The protective layer of a mattress protector is often liquid proof and will guard against spills from beverages, sweat, body oil, and other bodily fluids. If any liquids come in contact with your mattress protector, it can easily be washed and dried.
- Pets: We know, there’s almost nothing better than sleeping with your dog. Seeing those puppy eyes and wagging tail is impossible to resist, especially when they’re begging to cuddle up with you when the sun goes down. A mattress protector will ensure no liquids, dirt, germs, and other debris brought in by your pet tarnish your mattress.
- Bacteria: Millions of bacteria are found on mattresses. While most won’t cause any harm, you can sleep peacefully at night knowing a mattress protector will keep these microorganisms away.
- Fungi: Fungal spores are another microorganism that can cause allergic reactions to those susceptible, such as runny and stuffy noses, headaches, itching, wheezing, asthma, and bronchial diseases.
- Flame Retardants: To prevent the start and growth of fires, some mattress manufacturers add flame retardants. While flame retardants can prevent or slow down a fire, they’re hazardous to humans and the environment. They can be released into the air, which is why many bedding companies are eliminating the use of this chemical. They can cause cancer, thyroid issues, harmful health effects on child development, and a host of other health issues. A mattress protector will keep flame retardants at bay if your mattress contains them.
- Skin Cells: Your skin is constantly changing and regenerates itself every 27 days. So, where does all that skin go? Into the air in the form of skin cells. And who loves skin cells? Dust mites. When you sleep, you will shed thousands of skin cells, which will get caught on your mattress. A mattress protector will allow you to keep skin cells and dust mites out of your mattress, thanks to the ability to wash it regularly.
- Plasticizers: Phthalates, also called plasticizers, are used to make plastics more elastic. In mattresses, they are sometimes used for the foam to make the mattress more cushioned. However, similar to flame retardants, plasticizers can cause a variety of health problems, such as asthma.
Do I Need a Mattress Protector?
Do you need a mattress protector? Yes—bottom line. Of all the mattress accessories out there, a mattress protector is arguably one of the most important ones you should buy. You spend 8 hours a day, 365 days of the year, in your bed, so it’s crucial to take care of your bed and your health. A mattress protector will keep you and your partner safe from harmful chemicals, bacteria, dust mites, and other sneaky creatures, and can also increase the lifespan of your mattress by three times.
A warranty is another thing a mattress protector protects. Because mattresses are an expensive investment, they often come with a warranty in case something goes wrong due to a fault by the manufacturer. However, there are eligibility requirements that come with a warranty, and simple things such as a spill can void your warranty, leaving you with an empty bank account and a mattress you no longer want.
What Are the Different Types of Mattress Protectors?
At Layla Sleep, we offer three different types of mattress protectors that are great at preventing night sweats, protecting your mattress, and protecting you. Our hypoallergenic bedding will keep your nasal passages clear of dust, allergens, and harmful bacteria. Here’s how we can help you sleep better:
Essential Mattress Protector
The Layla® Essential Mattress Protector is our most basic mattress protector that offers all the protective qualities you need to sleep soundly at night. The Essential Mattress Protector:
- Can fit a mattress up to 14” deep
- Is liquid-proof
- Is breathable
- Is stain resistant
- Has a dust mite barrier
- Is hypoallergenic
- Is silent
- Has overlocking corners
Cooling Mattress Protector
The Layla® Cooling Mattress Protector takes this up a notch (besides the heat), compared to the Essential Mattress Protector. Hot sleepers who wake up in a pool of sweat, rejoice! The cooling fibers in the Cooling Mattress Protector wick moisture and heat away to keep you calm, cool, and collected while you’re getting your shut-eye.
Along with the same benefits of the Essential Mattress Protector, the Cooling Mattress Protector offers:
- Cooling fibers
- Extra padding
- Hexagon stitching
Full Encasement Mattress Protector
If you’re ready to go big or go home, invest in the Layla® Full Encasement Mattress Protector. This mattress protector fully wraps your mattress with a six-sided protector that can even lock out intruders such as bed bugs. Along with the benefits of our Essential Mattress protector, our Full Encasement Mattress Protector offers:
- Full encasement
- Bed bug protection
- Stretchy fabric
All of our mattress protectors are constructed with a quiet polyester fabric. Whereas most mattress protectors sound like a vinyl record being scratched, ours is completely silent, so you can get the best sleep possible.
Not only that, our line of mattress protectors are machine washable and dryable to clean up all of life’s messes, is fitted with elastic corners to fit the shape of your bed, and are made with cooling fibers to give you a comfortable sleep all night long.
Sleep Soundly With a Mattress Protector
What is a mattress protector, and do you need one? A mattress protector is a simple cover that acts as a shield to keep harmful organisms such as fungal spores, dust mites, bacteria, and chemicals away from you while you sleep.
They’re also liquid-proof, effectively blocking any beverages, bodily fluids, and other liquids from entering your mattress. And yes, you need one. If you wake up feeling congested or not 100%, it may be because allergies caused by dust mites and bacteria are irritating your body.
With a mattress protector from Layla Sleep, you’ll wake up on the right side of the bed, ready to seize the day every morning.
