If you want to get the longest life and best performance out of your mattress, the most important, yet basic thing you can do is to keep it covered. And while few people, if any, would consider using their mattress without sheets, it’s actually pads and bed protector cushions under the sheets that make a difference.
The biggest enemy to a mattress is moisture, since mattresses are nearly impossible to dry and can quickly grow mold and mildew when damp. This is why adding protective cover layers under the sheet surface makes a difference. Whether or not we realize it, we sweat and perspire during the night. Our skin also produces oils in addition to the creams or lotions applied during the day. Over time, these oils and moisture can make their way through a sheet and into the mattress surface. Even if you have a specialty mattress, it’s just as important to cover foam or latex. The most basic step to guard your mattress is a cotton mattress pad. Though the pad’s primary goal is to add a little softness to the mattress, it is also an extra barrier between the surface and the mattress that is both removable and washable. These are not waterproof but their absorption is enough that it can slow body moisture from reaching the mattress or provide a minor barrier should a glass of water be spilled.
For a higher level of protection, vinyl or plastic mattress pads provide a water resistant barrier between sheets and the mattress. These can be surface level pads or complete encasements that zip up around the mattress. In addition to the moisture resistance, full zipper vinyl mattress encasements can prevent dust mites from gaining access to a mattress. Simply put, protector pads are integral to getting the most out of your mattress investment.