by A mattress protector, as the name suggests, is a layer that covers your regular mattress to protect it and keep it from wearing out sooner than it should. Sometimes, however, the mattress protector, itself, can make you uncomfortable and hot. It is important to consider how your bed affects your body temperature at night, because that can have a big impact on the quality of sleep you have and even on whether you fall asleep easily or not. A study published in the July 1997 issue of Sleep, for example, examined the relationship between a drop in body temperature and falling asleep. The relationship between temperature and sleep is so important that the journal, Physiology & Behavior, devoted an entire section of their February 2007 issue to the topic. So, how do you fix or replace a mattress protector that’s uncomfortable or makes you hot?
To fix or replace a mattress protector that’s too hot or uncomfortable, choose a mattress protector that covers your mattress, make sure it is made of thermoregulatory materials that dissipate heat, and are still soft and quiet, and finally cover it with a waterproof mattress protector that’s breathable.
Nobody wants to be uncomfortable or hot in their bed or sweat all night in their bed. After investing in a good mattress, you don’t want the mattress protector to ruin the comfort that mattress was designed to offer. You also don’t want the mattress protector ruining your sleep.
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What is a Mattress Protector?
A quality mattress protector can cover and protect your regular mattress. Source: Amazon.As said earlier, a mattress protector is an extra layer covering your regular mattress that serves to protect your expensive mattresses from getting damaged and increases its life expectancy. Instead of having to try to clean or wash an entire mattress, a protector can simply be removed and washed with other sheets and pillowcases.
A mattress protector fits over your regular mattress to protect it from the accidental spills and permanent stains. Some mattress protectors just protect the top and others fully encase the mattress on six sides. Besides liquids and moisture, a mattress protector can also protect you from allergens and irritants such as dust mites, bed bugs, and mold depending on the material of the mattress protector.
There are many different types of mattress protectors. Nearly all are waterproof, usually with some kind of waterproof membrane. They are made from a broad range of materials, but they are generally thin and designed not to significantly change the feel of the underlying bed. This is different from a mattress pad which is specifically intended to change the comfort or support of the mattress. If your mattress pad is hot, you might enjoy our tips to fix a mattress pad that makes you sweat.
The top or five-sided types of mattress protectors are easily removed for regular cleaning or laundering along with your other bedsheets and pillowcases. The six-sided zippered types that completely encase and protect a mattress are more difficult to remove for cleaning, but those, too, can be protected by a more easily removable five-sided type. We’ve discussed zippered mattress covers and how to choose easy to use ones in our article.
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Do you Need a Mattress Protector? Why?
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that a mattress protector can be one of the most important accessories for your bed. Easy to handle, it offers affordable protection for your expensive mattress and ensures a longer life for your regular mattress.
You need a mattress protector because it protects your mattress and you. It will help keep your mattress clean and dry and will prolong the life of your mattress. More importantly, it can protect you from allergens and pests.
A mattress protector keeps your regular mattress clean. And it isn’t just from accidental spills or bedwetting accidents. Human bodies leave a lot of biological waste behind when they get out of bed. People tend to perspire at night, some a lot, and they also excrete oil from the skin. Everyone sheds dead skin cells. All of this is likely to work its way into the mattress through the bed sheets. Once it is in your regular mattress, it is difficult, sometimes impossible to get it out. A mattress protector prevents any of that from getting into the mattress, and it can be taken off and washed just like your regular sheets and pillowcases. Mattresses aren’t easy to clean whereas mattress protectors are. We’ve discussed whether you need a mattress protector, in detail, in our article.
Mattress protectors are especially in helping to prevent dust mite allergies from acting up. Dust mite allergies are quite common and can lead to sneezing, runny nose, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Dust mites like to eat those dead skin cells that are left behind in your mattress when you don’t have a mattress protector. Hypoallergenic mattress protectors like this one from Amazon can protect against dust mites.
Overall, a mattress protector prolongs the life of your regular mattress. Perspiration (or any moisture, like a spilled drink, or urine) tends to wear down the material inside the mattress, weakening its structure and shortening its life. You are likely to need to replace your mattress sooner without the mattress protector. A mattress protector will also help protect the mattress’ warranty. A stain will void most mattress warranties. Even if the stain has nothing to do with the warranty issue, it will still make the warranty worthless.
Expensive mattresses like tempurpedic mattresses or mattress pads like magnetic mattress pads are especially important to protect since you probably want them to
How to Replace a Mattress Protector That Traps Heat and Makes You Hot
Bamboo based mattress protectors are great at regulating heat. Source: Amazon. A waterproof protector is a good choice for protecting a mattress against spills, dirt, dust mites, and allergens that can cause stains and other physical signs of deterioration.
However, some waterproof mattress protectors tend to raise the temperature of your bed and make you sweat more. So, you need to look for a mattress protector that has more than just great liquid resistance.
To replace a mattress protector that traps heat and makes you hot, buy one made of materials that regulate temperature and allow air circulation, avoid synthetic materials like vinyl, and make sure the mattress protector is “breathable.”
Tip 1. Buy a Mattress Protector Made From Cotton, Latex, Wool, or Bamboo Which Regulates Temperature
Materials such as cotton and latex help to regulate the temperature of your bed by allowing air to circulate through it. Latex naturally breathes very well because it contains air channels. Cotton is very soft and naturally absorbent, and, being a good conductor of heat, it helps you keep cool in summer and warm in winter. As a bonus, cotton is naturally non-allergenic and non-toxic. Also, you can consider one of the many newer materials that are great for staying cool or wicking moisture away. Here’s a great bamboo-rayon, waterproof, mattress protector from Coop.
Tip 2. Buy a Vinyl-free Mattress Protector
Although vinyl is an excellent waterproof material for membranes used as a strong barrier against liquid spills, perspiration, and urine accidents, it can make you feel quite hot when used in bedding. It doesn’t allow air to circulate through it. Sleeping on some synthetic materials, like vinyl, are like sleeping on plastic, making you sweat all night long. This can disrupt your sleep and make you feel lethargic the next day. Fortunately, these days, there are many vinyl-free, breathable materials available to choose from that will be just as waterproof.
Usually affordable, vinyl products can be good for short-term or emergency situations, but, long-term, it will discourage the free flow of air which can mean little to no temperature regulation. Stopping the air from circulating through the bedding to the mattress can make sleeping unbearably hot. Here’s a vinyl-free bamboo microfiber cover from Zen Bamboo.
Tip 3. Buy a Mattress Protector That Offers Breathable Protection
One of the most important considerations when you purchase your mattress protector should be its breathability. When air can circulate through the mattress protector, it helps with nighttime temperature regulation. Breathable materials help your body to maintain its optimum temperature, and you won’t perspire excessively. The breathability of your liner will also ensure that your mattress gets the airflow it needs. This air flow helps prevent bacteria growth and the buildup of unpleasant smells. This mattress protector uses a down-alternative to regulate temperature and breathe.
Three Mattress Protectors That are Cooling, from Amazon
| Product from Amazon | Cooling Properties | Price |
| SafeRest Vinyl-free Mattress Protector | Breathable waterproof membrane maintains optimal temperature and reduces sweating | ~$35 |
| Linenspa mattress protector | Allows air to circulate to keep your body cool. Also waterproof and allergen free. | ~$20 |
| Bedecor Cotton Mattress Protector | Breathable. Made of Cotton, a cooling material. | ~$30 |
Tips for Replacing an Uncomfortable Mattress Protector
There are many things that can make a mattress protector uncomfortable besides being too hot. The waterproof membrane is some mattress protectors can be very noisy. Some mattress protectors are stiff and uncomfortable. A mattress protector that doesn’t fit the bed will also be uncomfortable. Also, a mattress protector that can’t be washed will soon end up being unpleasant to sleep on. If you’re wondering how often to replace a mattress protector, check out our article!
To replace an uncomfortable mattress protector buy a mattress protector that is made of a softer material, like bamboo, and is quiet. Ensure it fits your mattress and make sure the mattress protector is washable so you can clean it often.
Tip 1. Buy a Softer Mattress Protector Made of Bamboo
Materials made of bamboo are environmentally-friendly and super soft with a luxurious feel. Being a breathable material, bamboo fabric also offers extraordinary comfort regardless of the temperature. Bamboo fabric absorbs moisture away from your skin, leaving it cool and dry during the night with no odor. People with skin allergies or sensitive skin can turn to bamboo fabrics because they are naturally anti-bacterial and hypoallergenic.
Tip 2. Buy a Mattress Protector for the Exact Size of Your Mattress
Mattress protectors protect your mattress topper, mattress, or mattress pad. A mattress protector that doesn’t fit your bed will be uncomfortable. It will move around and bunch up, whether that’s from being too small or too large. So, make sure to carefully measure the mattress and mattress topper that the protector needs to cover before you select one.
Different sizes are available, and you can buy one that can envelop the entire mattress or one that just covers the top and sides of the mattress. It depends on the level of protection you need. Typically, the ones that envelop the entire bed provide a more complete protection from more than just spills and liquids, also protecting against allergens and pests.
Tip 3. Buy a Mattress Protector That is Washable
You need to buy a mattress protector that can be washed. That will help keep bacteria-attracting spills, dust, dirt, and other nasties in check, away from you, and out of your valuable mattress. Also, make sure it is made of materials that can sustain many regular washes.
Tip 4. Buy a Mattress Protector That is Quiet
If you pick a mattress protector made of noisy materials like plastic or vinyl, the crinkling and cracking throughout the night will disturb your sleep. Instead, make sure to get one that offers quiet protection, as many do these days.
Three Recommendations for Comfortable Mattress Protectors From Amazon
| Product from Amazon | Description | Price |
| PlushDeluxe Bamboo Mattress Protector | Comfortable quilted terry cloth top Cooling Hypo-allergenic Silent, non-crinkling |
~$45 |
| Utopia Bedding Bamboo Mattress Protector | Breathable Soft Comfortable |
~$45 |
| UltraPlush Premium Mattress Protector | Super soft Comfortable Wicks moisture away Quiet, non-crinkling |
~$60 |
Can You Use a Mattress Topper to Make a Mattress Protector More Comfortable?
A mattress topper is not the same as a mattress protector. Mattress toppers tend to be thicker and are designed to offer comfort and support. They aren’t generally designed to protect against spills, although they can protect the mattress against wear and extend the life of your mattress. A mattress topper works as an extension of the mattress, giving it extra support, depth, and cushioning. They can give a new lease on life to a tired and older mattress and can often make the bed feel brand new.
You can use a mattress topper to make a mattress protector more comfortable because mattress toppers are usually a thicker layer with higher density than a mattress protector. Mattress toppers and mattress protectors can be used together to add comfort and prolong the life of your mattress.
Whether or not you want to use a mattress topper with your mattress protector will depend on what you are looking for. You may simply decide to add a protector to your regular mattress if the bed is already quite comfortable. Mattress protectors are designed not to change the feel of the bed. On the other hand, if you want to give your mattress a boost, combining a mattress topper with the mattress protector may be just what you are looking for. If you are adding a topper to make your mattress feel more luxurious, don’t forget to get a mattress protector that is designed to protect both your mattress and your topper. Want a detailed discussion on whether you need a mattress topper? We’ve done that!