Mattress Protector vs. Mattress Pad – A Comparison

Mattress protectors and mattress pads are two elements that we require for a cosy and comfortable sleep. While both differ in terms of their functionality and appearance, they are ultimately designed to augment your sleeping experience. 

If you are confused about the use cases of a mattress pad and a mattress protector and what you need for yourself, this comparison should help you clear the air. 

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What is a Mattress Pad?

A mattress pad is a thin layer of quilt placed between the mattress and sheets. Its primary purpose is to add a layer of luxury and comfort while also adding some protection for your mattress against stains and spills. If you have opted for a waterproof mattress pad, it can also add waterproofing which ensures that urine, sweat, or other liquids do not percolate and get absorbed by your mattress.

Waterproof mattress pads, in most cases, carry an additional backing material, such as a membrane or lamination, on their underside. The material adds a layer of waterproofing, but waterproof protectors and can be used in conjunction with waterproof mattress pads. 

Mattress pads are approximately an inch thick and are designed to improve the feel of your bed. For this, they are available in many materials, such as feather, latex, foam, and wool, and you can buy one depending on the comfort you seek.

At Bargoose, we offer both a four ply Deluxe Quilted Waterproof Mattress Pad and a three ply Quilted Waterproof Mattress Pad.

Types of Mattress Pads

Mattress pads can be divided based on the materials used. Here are its common types –

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Wool

A natural ingredient, wool helps create thin pads and adds to the overall comfort factor. In addition, it offers good protection against fire because of being antimicrobial and can also regulate body temperatures.

Cotton

The most common mattress pads have cotton in them. Its usage is so widespread because it makes the pads breathable, hypoallergenic, and easy to adjust to. But given the natural tendency of cotton, these suffer from wear and tear more quickly than other types.

Memory foam

If you are looking for optimum support, a memory foam mattress pad should be your choice. It adjusts to the body shape because of its polyurethane material contours, enabling it to act as pressure and muscle relief.  

What can a mattress pad do?

Here are the primary functions of a mattress pad –

• Slow down the wear and tear process of your mattress
• Adds a layer of comfort to uncomfortable beds
• Helps in protecting your bed against spillage and dust mite allergies

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Benefits of a mattress pad

Some people buy mattress pads to add a layer of protection to their new beds. It is because mattress pads offer a myriad of benefits, such as –

It improves mattress life

Regardless of whether protected or left on their own, Mattresses suffer from wear and tear. Given that it has to sustain the weights of human beings regularly, it is bound to wear. In addition, it is also exposed to body liquids, such as sweat and other body fluids, and other materials, such as dust and mites, which means that its life is always in question. Adding a mattress pad can increase the longevity of your bed. Its ability to absorb sweat and other fluids and prevent them from reaching the mattress reduces bacteria build-up and extends the mattress’ life.

Easy to apply and remove

Mattress pads are like bedsheets. These are easy to apply and are placed on top of a mattress, and fit snugly if you get the right size. These can be applied and removed without seeking professional help.

Affordable

Irrespective of whichever variant you opt for, a mattress pad is an affordable version to improve the comfort of a worn-out bed. People often use it as a backup option and bring it in when they lack the budget to buy a new mattress.

Improves the comfort factor

The primary purpose of having a pad is to improve the comfort levels of your existing bed. It offers a layer of cushioning, which can act as a cover for the loss of efficiency of your memory foam. In other cases, the addition of wool-based or other luxury material-based pads can improve the feel of even a new bed.

	Bargoose Four Ply Deluxe Quilted Waterproof Mattress Pad
	Bargoose Three Ply Quilted Waterproof Mattress Pad

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What is a Mattress Protector?

A mattress protector is a durable, fitted sheet or zippered six sided encasement placed between your bed sheet and the mattress surface. If you are using a mattress pad, it is placed over the protector. These usually cover the entire bed, including the sides. In some cases, you will also find zippered mattress protectors which cover the bottom, fully encasing the mattress. These protect your mattress from liquids, bed bugs, dust mites and other allergens depending on the style you choose.  

You can use protectors for all bed types, but be careful to check the depth of the mattress and buy a protector that can cover the entire surface with ease.

Types of mattress protectors

Mattress protectors can be differentiated based on fit, construction, or the material used. Here are the different types based on material –

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Cotton

Known for their comfort, these add some luxury to your existing mattress but aren’t the best when it comes to protection.

Polyurethane Barrier

Polyurethane is a synthetic material that offers high resistance to bugs and is waterproof and breathable. In most cases, it is used in combination with other materials, such as cotton or polyester, which helps increase the effectiveness of the end product while keeping the comfort factor intact.

Polyester

Polyester is frequently used for manufacturing waterproof protectors. Though they may differ heavily based on the manufacturer, or if they have been knit or woven. May sure you know what needs you are trying to satisfy before making your purchase.

Vinyl

Vinyl is a synthetic material which works excellently to defend against dust mites, bed bugs, spills, sweat, incontinence and more.

Bargoose bedding offers the best quality vinyl mattress protectors and encasements in the industry. Bargoose BedBug Solution Zippered Six Gauge Vinyl Mattress Protectors feature the patented BugStop Seal.

Spandex

Spandex mattress protectors are stretchable and are known for their fit. Given their nature, they can adjust to varying bed sizes with ease. These also offer good protection against water and other liquid types. Standex may be added to the fabric when constructing covers to add stretch.

Listed below are mattress protectors based on their fit –

Fitted

As the name suggests, these protectors fit like a bedsheet. These coverings offer adequate protection against spills, stains, sweat, and other occurrences caused by human contact but leave the mattress exposed from the bottom.

Bargoose Home Textiles manufacturers a variety of fitted mattress protectors:

• AllergyCare Cotton Fitted Mattress Protectors
• AllergyCare Organic Allergen Barrier Mattress Protectors
• Bargoose Fitted Six Gauge Mattress Protectors 
• Bargoose Fitted Three Gauge Mattress Protectors 

Zippered Encasement

If you like complete protection for your mattress, this encasement type of protector is the best for you. These come with a zipper and offer 360-degree protection for your bed.

Bargoose also manufactures the following zippered mattress protectors:

• BedBug Solution™ Elite
• BedBug Solution™ Hybrid Mattress Protector
• BedBug Solution™ Six Gauge Zippered Mattress Encasement 
• BedBug Solution™ Basic
• AllergyCare™ Cotton Allergen Barrier Bedding
• AllergyCare™ Organic Cotton Allergen Barrier Mattress Protector
• AllergyCare™ Pristine Allergen Barrier Bedding
• Bargoose Zippered Three Gauge Vinyl Mattress Protector
• Bargoose Barrier Bedding Zippered Polypropylene Mattress Encasements

Anchor Band

Also known as strapped, these have four straps at the four top corners of the mattress. While they cover the top, the sides and bottom are left unprotected. These are a great economic choice for many businesses.

What can a mattress protector do?

As the name suggests, a mattress protector does the job of shielding your mattress. It covers a myriad of use cases, including protection against –

• Bed bugs
• Dust mites
• Bacteria
• Allergens
• Sweat
• Incontinence
• Overheating
• Liquid and stains

Its protection capabilities depend on the material you choose. This helps augment your overall sleep quality and is excellent for improving the general hygiene and health factor while keeping the mattress’ longevity intact.

Benefits of a mattress protector

Protects your health

If you are someone with allergies, a mattress protector is a must-have, as it helps curb your exposure to dust mites and other allergens. These prevent microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, dust mites, and more from thriving in your bed and disturbing your sleep. Its ability to absorb liquids also protects your mattress from these unwanted elements.

Increases mattress lifespan

A protector is designated with the job of preventing unwanted elements from reaching your mattress. It means that having them on will ensure an improved life for your bed and enable you to enjoy the newness of the mattress for longer.  

Covers your mattress warranty

Most mattress manufacturers do not provide a warranty on spillage. So, having a protector enables you to prevent liquids from seeping and reaching the mattress, thereby preventing you from abstaining from the warranty.

Ease of cleaning

Imagine how much of a mess it is to clean your mattress. Most of us do not do it for years straight because of the fear, but a mattress protector is easy to clean, and you can do so regularly. Moreover, it eliminates the need for your mattress to undergo periodic maintenance.

At Bargoose we offer a variety of mattress protectors in both the fitted and zippered encasement style. Take a look at our comparison chart to pick the one that would be best for you.

What is a Mattress Topper?

Mattress toppers are thicker than mattress pads and are an excellent addition for those looking for more softness, firmness, cooling, or pressure relief. These are essentially an extension of your existing bed and are a cheaper alternative to buying a new mattress. In addition, their usage extends the life of your current bed and can help you get rid of discomfort caused by your old mattress.

What is a zippered duvet/comforter cover encasement?

The word ‘‘duvet’’ comes from French and means down (a traditional filling extracted from geese and ducks). A zippered duvet is different from a comforter cover encasement. While both sit on top of the bed and are designed to offer warmth during winters and keep you cool when the sun is at its peak, they differ in thickness and often the material used.

A zippered duvet is an encasing made of cotton or cotton-poly blend on the outside with down filling. These are usually white and are meant to add to the comfort quotient.

Comforter cover encasements do not have the same filling quantity as a duvet and are therefore thinner. 

However, these do not require a cover like a duvet and lay comfortably between your body and mattress. Unlike most duvets being in white, comforters come in several colours and prints and are often quilted to ensure the filling is spread evenly.

If you are looking for additional protection, you can opt for a hypoallergenic duvet cover. These work effectively in containing the allergens or repelling them, enabling the user to minimize their exposure to symptoms linked to allergies. Alternatively, you can also opt for waterproof or bed bug proof variants which provide better protection against water and bed bugs, respectively. 

At Bargoose we offer duvet covers in our AllergyCare Line, including our AllergyCare Pristine, AllergyCare Cotton, and AllergyCare Organic Cotton. 

What is a pillow protector?

A pillow protector is a covering that protects your pillows by offering a layer of security against spillage, wear and tear, and moisture. These come in several types, such as allergen barrier, waterproof, or bed bug protectors and allow you to enjoy your favorite pillows a little longer while offering better protection against unwanted elements.

Bargoose has a complete line of pillow protectors including:

• CleanAir™ Allergy Relief Pillow Protector
• BedBug Solution™ Zippered Vinyl Pillow Protector
• AllergyCare™ Organic Cotton Allergen Barrier Pillow Protector
• AllergyCare™ Cotton Allergen Barrier Zippered Pillow Protector
• AllergyCare™ Pristine Zippered Pillow Protector
• Terry Waterproof Pillow Covers
• Standard Zippered T-130 Pillow Protector
• French Fold Pillow Protectors
• Hidden Zipper Pillow Covers
• Bed Bug Proof Polyester Tricot Pillow Encasements
• Bed Bug Proof Polypropylene Pillow Encasements
• 3 Gauge Zippered Vinyl Pillow Protectors

What is the ultimate way to protect a bed?

Typically, you are unlikely to need both mattress pad and mattress protector for your bed. While mattress pads are an inexpensive way of increasing the longevity of your worn bed, mattress protectors add a layer of protection to ensure the wear and tear process is slow. If you are happy with your existing mattress, you probably do not need a pad, but a protector is a must to enable the bed to remain the way you like it for longer.