Mattress protectors—are they really necessary? When we spend one-third of our lives in bed and spend our hard-earned money on a quality mattress, it’s important to keep that space clean and protected. We’ve gathered the top 20 reasons why a mattress protector is necessary so you can be the judge.

1. Breathe Easier—Protect Yourself from Allergens

Your mattress can be a breeding ground for typical allergens such as dust mites, pollen, mold, pet dander, and more. Since washing your mattress isn’t an easy feat, most allergen sufferers will find that an easy-to-clean mattress protector is a great way to limit allergens in the bedroom, allowing for uninterrupted, higher-quality sleep.

2. Avoid Sweat Buildup on Your Mattress

Whether it’s due to your bedding, medication, menopause, a warm sleep environment, or simply regular changes in your body temperature, many sleepers find that they sleep too hot, typically resulting in night sweats. Additionally, when your body is lying on top of that sweat for hours at a time, it’s pushing the moisture further down into your mattress. Keeping your mattress protected from the buildup of sweat and moisture is extremely important in order to inhibit potential mold and mildew that can trigger allergies and cause other health issues. You can also help ease those sweaty nights with our Cooling Mattress Protectors that cool five times faster than traditional polyester.

3. Accidents Happen—Stay Protected!

Sheets and bedding are easy to clean after an accident, but an entire mattress? Not so much. Whether you, your kids, or your pets have the occasional accident in bed, a mattress protector is a great way to provide a waterproof barrier for your mattress. And if an accident does happen, follow our guide on “The Simple 2-Step Way to Get Pee Stains Out of a Mattress”.

4. Protect Your Mattress from Spills

Reaching for that glass of water before bed and accidentally knock it over? Enjoying a fresh cup of coffee in the morning and miss the nightstand? Spills are bound to happen, and when they do, it’s better to keep your mattress protected. The great thing about Purecare’s 5-Sided Mattress Protectors is that they even protect the sides of the mattress from inevitable spills.  

5. Pet-Proof Your Bed 

Our furry friends love hogging their spot in bed, but they can sure leave a mess afterwards. Between fur, dandruff, drool, or dirty paws (and who knows what else), keeping your mattress protected from your pets is a must.

6. Keep Your Mattress Protected from Humidity 

Closely related to temperature, humidity can have a huge impact on our sleep. When humidity is too high, it can turn your bedroom into a breeding ground for moisture-loving irritants like mold and dust mites. Additionally, memory foam mattresses and pillows absorb moisture even more than other bedding, so it’s best to keep your pillows and mattresses protected from this added moisture. Learn more about “How Humidity Affects Sleep” on our blog.

7. Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite!

Mattress protectors are one of the best ways to both prevent and detect bed bug infestations. Purecare’s Total Encasement Mattress Protectors keep your mattress completely protected on all six sides with a special locking zipper that keeps bed bugs from entering or exiting the encasement. A mattress protector can help you detect bed bugs early, taking precaution before they spread. It can also act as a barrier, trapping bed bugs inside to keep you safe and stop the infestation from spreading further. 

8. Keep Dust Mites Away with a Mattress Protector

If you think your house is dust mite-free, you may want to think again! According to the American Lung Association, “roughly four out of five homes in the United States have dust mite allergens in at least one bed.” Dust mites cling to mattresses, so protecting your sleep space with a mattress protector can act as a barrier against these irritating allergens.

9. Stop the Growth of Mold in the Bedroom

Sweat, spills, high humidity, and other sources of moisture can turn your mattress into a breeding ground for mold—potentially causing irreparable damage. A mattress protector can act as a barrier against moisture buildup, preventing the growth of mold on your mattress. Additionally, ensuring your protector protects more than just the top of your mattress (with either a 5-Sided Mattress Protector or a Total Encasement Protector) can prevent mold on the sides and bottom of your mattress.

10. Rid Your Bed of Mildew

Like mold, mildew is also attracted to damp surfaces. While mildew is typically seen as the less severe of the two and easier to clean, it can also cause allergic reactions and potentially harm your mattress. By preventing the buildup of moisture in your mattress with a protector, you can help prevent the growth of mildew.  

11. Avoiding Asthma Flares During Sleep

Along with allergies, many of the irritants listed above can cause asthma flare-ups. For many people, asthma can worsen at night for a variety of reasons, causing shortness of breath, coughing fits, and tightness of the chest. This can lead to disrupted sleep and overall lower sleep quality. While a mattress protector can by no means cure all asthma symptoms, adding a protector can help reduce the allergens that could otherwise worsen asthma triggers. 

12. Breakfast in Bed: The Safe Way

While it’s typically not recommended, many of us can admit to occasionally eating in bed. Whether it’s a special Mother’s Day or anniversary breakfast in bed or even a late-night midnight snack, it’s best to keep your bed protected when eating or drinking in bed. Crumbs and spills can create an unhygienic sleep space and even attract pests. A mattress protector makes it much easier to clean those unwanted messes.

13. Prevent Stains from Body Oils

Along with sweat, natural body oils can cause staining on your pillow and mattress. Pillow and Mattress Protectors can act as a barrier, preventing your body oils from seeping into your pillow or mattress, causing permanent stains. 

14. Mattress Protectors Extend Your Mattress’ Lifespan

A mattress can be quite the investment, so you’re going to want it to last as long as possible. Think of a mattress protector like insurance for your mattress—it keeps your mattress protected in case something unexpected happens. Whether it’s spills, accidents, or everyday wear and tear, using a mattress protector and regularly washing your bedding can help keep your mattress fresh and clean.  

15. Protect Your Mattress—Protect Your Warranty

Most mattress companies require you to use a mattress protector to protect your warranty. As mentioned above, buying a quality mattress is an investment, and using a protector can help protect that investment as well as its warranty. 

16. Drooling on Your Pillow? Keep it Protected! 

Not only should you keep your mattress protected, but your pillow also benefits from added protection. Because not all pillows are easily washable, a pillow protector can protect your pillow from all of the potential problems listed above. But another major problem our pillows face is drool and saliva. Protecting your pillow from this excess moisture can be helpful, especially if you’re a side or stomach sleeper or suffer from allergies (as these people are more likely to drool in their sleep).

17. Skin Care, Meet Pillow Care

Treating yourself to a face mask or your nightly skin care routine can be a calming way to wind down before bed. But if those lotions, oils, or clay make their way onto your pillow, you’re left with a rather unrelaxing mess. Using a pillow protector that covers all 360° of your pillow can ensure that your pillow stays clean while you relax.  

18. Create a Cleaner, More Hygienic Sleep Space with a Protector

Think of your favorite shirt. You may wear it a couple of times a week, but the longer you wear it, the more gross and smelly it becomes. Now think about your mattress. When’s the last time you washed it? And you sleep on your mattress every night. Using a protector that is easier to wash and care for can create a healthier, more hygienic sleep space.

19. Keep Your Bed Fresh for Guests

If you host guests often, it’s important for them to feel clean and comfortable in a bed away from home. Ensure that their sleep space and your mattress are as hygienic as possible by utilizing a mattress protector on all of the beds in your home.   

20. Protectors Make Cleaning Days Easier

Let’s face it—a mattress is not an easy thing to clean. But cleaning a mattress protector? That’s easy. Purecare’s 5-Sided Protectors are designed to fit your mattress just like a fitted sheet, so when laundry day comes, you can easily slip it off, machine wash it, and slip it back on with no sweat. Most of our protectors can even be washed on hot settings, so you’re sure to get a more optimal clean. And if you’re really in a deep-cleaning mood, check out our tips on "How to Properly Clean Bedding". 

Premium Protection

Now that you’re aware of the many, many reasons why you need a mattress and pillow protector, it’s time to invest in one that you can count on. Purecare’s premium protectors not only keep you protected from everything mentioned above, but they also come with numerous benefits that can make life easier and help you get the quality sleep you need:

• Designed with a streamlined fit to fit a variety of mattress types (including adjustable base mattresses)
• Certified to block even the smallest of viruses
• Tested for durability and tear resistance
• Made with quiet, lightweight, and breathable performance fabric
• Treated with Antimicrobial Silver Product Protection (AgCl) to keep your bedding fresher, longer
• Includes double-bound MiteTight® seams to prevent allergens and dust mites

Experience premium protection today with Purecare’s 5-Sided Mattress Protectors, Total Encasement Mattress Protectors, and Pillow Protectors. Not sure which is right for you? Explore this simple guide to find out.