So it’s come to the point that, for one reason or another, you require a waterproof mattress protector for bedwetting. This is nothing to worry about or be ashamed of, but it certainly is an issue that you will want to deal with — and quickly. After all, bedwetting is a problem that can only get more and more unpleasant with time if you do not take certain precautions.
In this article, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on waterproof mattress protectors. It may not seem like much, but a well-picked and properly cared-for protector will save you time, money, and nerves in the long run. Apart from being functional, many models can look quite nice and decorative to boot!
Benefits of Waterproof Mattress Protectors
You may have already figured out (or read about) some of the benefits listed below. Others may come as news to you. Regardless, here are some reasons you may want to look into getting a proper mattress protector, instead of improvising or doing nothing at all. As it turns out, it may offer a lot more value than meets the eye.
They Will Alleviate Health Concerns
While urine is initially sterile, it quickly becomes a fertile breeding ground for all sorts of bacteria and other microorganisms. These little buggers need more than just urine to thrive, though, and bedwetting will get them exactly where they want to be. A mattress that soaks up any urine, let alone large amounts, can easily turn into a hotbed of potential infections!
I don’t need to tell you why this is bad — but just know that it can get even worse. If your bed is made of wood and the mattress repeatedly gets wet, you’ll have more to worry about than microorganisms. Moist wood is just about the perfect breeding ground for both mold and fungi, neither of which you want in your bedroom, or any room for that matter.
You Won’t Have to Deal With the Smell
The scent of stale urine is never pleasant, but combine it with the aforementioned bacteria (and/or mold and fungi), and it becomes horrendous. And no, washing won’t solve the problem — not completely or permanently. All you will be doing is trying to fix the symptom instead of addressing the cause. Plus, you’ll have to put in a lot of effort to get the stench out of your bedroom.
Yes, even a mattress protector may start to smell after prolonged use, but it is an item that you should take off and wash as needed, perhaps several times in succession. And let’s face it — replacing a mattress protector is always easier, quicker, and cheaper than replacing a mattress.
They Will Reduce or Eliminate Discomfort
Even the most high-quality mattress will become an uncomfortable nightmare after getting sufficiently soaked. The liquid will be seeping out as you sit or lie on it — as if the mattress is a giant sponge being squeezed by your body weight. Your bed will feel like less of a bed and more of a gigantic puddle.
Even worse, if the moisture has been trapped inside the mattress for a long time, it will be either too hot or too cold when compared to your body temperature. And it will get everywhere. Obvious health concerns aside, trying to fall (and stay) asleep on something like that will not be a challenge worth accepting!
They Will Increase the Lifetime of Your Mattress and Bed
After a prolonged presence in your mattress, moisture will start eroding it from within, quickening the deterioration of the foam. And if you’re using a mattress with springs instead of a foam type, this will only get worse. Metal is not good at handling water and will rust and fall apart in time. That alone is a reason for concern, but there is more.
If you allow it to get to the point where mold and fungi actually start to grow on, in, or around the bed, the situation will be much more difficult to fix. And if you let it progress even further, you may end up having to replace the whole bed. Indeed, by investing in a quality mattress protector, you may actually end up saving money.
What to Look for When Shopping for a Waterproof Mattress Protector
For something as simple-looking as a layered piece of fabric, there’s certainly a lot to consider. As it turns out, making a sheet that’s able to absorb huge amounts of moisture without sacrificing other qualities is not exactly easy.
For instance, you will always want a mattress protector to make little (or no) noise at all as you sit, turn, or lay on it. This is perfectly understandable, as noise is the enemy of a good night’s rest. However, the more inner layers a mattress protector has, the more likely it is to make noise. It’s often a trade-off, though not always, as some of the more expensive models can be rather quiet while staying absorbent.
Ease of cleaning is always a good thing, and the easiest protectors to wash are those that you place over the mattress instead of wrapping everything up and zipping it down. To clean these, you can simply lift them off the bed and put them in the washer.
However, these lay-me-down types may end up complicating your other activities because no matter how well they adhere to the mattress, they can always skid or get pushed off. In contrast, the zipper models are usually secure against both leaks and other invaders, like insects and mites.
And this is only the tip of the iceberg. Do you need a hypoallergenic fabric, perhaps? How about a protector that won’t get destroyed in a washer or dryer? The (potential) complications keep piling up.
In the end, it’s all a great balancing act with plenty of trade-offs. Therefore, when determining what sort of mattress protector best suits your needs, you should start by sorting out your priorities. You ought to ask yourself, “What do I need the most, and what can I do without?”
8 Best Waterproof Mattress Protectors for Bedwetting
After explaining all that, it’s clear that no product on the list below will be objectively superior to another. But if you know what you need by this point, picking out your winner shouldn’t be a problem.
1. SafeRest Premium Hypoallergenic Waterproof Mattress Protector
SafeRest Premium is one of the most absorbent mattress protectors that you can possibly buy. The membrane backing and cotton terry surface will ensure that no leaks ever happen. The material is also lovely to touch, as well as soft and quite breathable, which is a rare combination.
It is a fitted sheet, which is a nice compromise between a zippered and a lay-me-down model. It grips the mattress snugly, doesn’t move around, and comes in a total of six sizes. You will be able to put it on and take it off to wash it within seconds.
As for the downsides, the material does make some noise when you move, though not much. Still, if your ears are sensitive, it may be an issue for you. Additionally, if your mattress is rather thin, this particular model may not fit around it as snugly as it should.
2. LINENSPA Waterproof Sheet Protector
This convenient little mattress protector may just be the easiest model on this list to move around. It is a lay-me-down, so you can just place it on the bed, and you’re done. Likewise, taking it with you when traveling may just be the easiest thing in the world. All you need to do is roll or fold it and put it in your bag.
This one also has cotton for the top layer, which makes it one of the more absorbent mattress protectors on the list, as well as one of the softest to touch. Furthermore, the bottom side has a non-slip backing, which does justify the name… for the most part (more on that later).
The protector will be safe in both your washer and dryer, so you’ll be able to clean it quickly and put it back on. It’s also one of the cheapest ones on the market, but it delivers great value.
The main problems with this product stem exactly from what makes it so special and convenient. Even though it feels secure (and is most of the time), you’ll feel it when it skids. Additionally, even though you’ll enjoy lying on it, it will feel quite different than anything else, so it may take some getting used to.
3. Milliard Quilted Crib and Toddler Mattress Protection Pad
If you want a waterproof protector that is specially tailored for babies and toddlers, here’s one that will last you a good while. You can easily use it in cribs and on toddler beds alike. The cotton layer is not only hypoallergenic but also very breathable. It is even great at temperature regulation, so your baby or toddler won’t get a cold from sleeping on it.
All the strengths of cotton are here, and the product is both soft and able to soak up a lot of liquid. It prevents dust mites, pollen, and even bacteria from penetrating into the mattress below, which is an especially great feature if your toddler is on the sensitive side. And given how easily agitated babies can get, you’ll be glad that this model is almost noiseless.
As for the downsides, many have reported the product being a bit too small for their (regular-sized) mattress. However, this might be a simple case of brand incompatibility. You might want to check the measurements before you order.
The lack of a zipper may also be a problem if you want to secure it better. On top of that, there seems to be a high percentage of faulty products, so be ready to possibly ask for a replacement.
4. Priva Vinyl Mattress Protector
As a departure from cotton, this fitted mattress protector is mostly made of vinyl, which is a much better option than it sounds. Properly treated vinyl is flexible, soft, and surprisingly quiet when you squeeze or roll around on it. You will also find it incredibly easy to clean, as you will be able to wipe most lightweight spills from it with a disinfectant. When you need to, of course, you can just as easily put it in the washer.
This waterproof model has been made with your health in mind, so it is hypoallergenic, as well as BPA- and latex-free. It can be machine-washed and dried up to three hundred times before it starts to fade, which doesn’t mean that you have to stop using it then. You can get it in four different sizes too.
Still, while fitted sheets are usually convenient, this one may be a bit on the larger side. You may find that it slides around your mattress, so you might have to keep readjusting it. Also, while a well-used, faded model will work just as well, it may not be as pleasing to the eye as it was when you first bought it.
5. Zen Bamboo Mattress Protector
Did you know that processed bamboo can make for a great, water-resistant fabric? My next entry proves it by being not only incredibly soft but also breathable and quite cool. It’s a real pleasure to lay and sleep on, and just so you don’t end up missing out, it comes in four sizes. Even better, it’s also quite good at accommodating larger or smaller mattresses in case you end up buying the wrong size.
This protector is hypoallergenic and won’t allow pretty much anything to go through your mattress — from water to allergens and bacteria. Furthermore, Zen Bamboo has such confidence in its product that it offers a lifetime warranty on it. Ruling out any physical damage, after getting this protector, you won’t have to buy another one for a very long time.
This high quality expectedly comes at a high cost, as this model is one of the more expensive products on the list. If you also like your mattress protectors to have a snug, almost perfect fit, you won’t get it here, as this one has no zippers. Finally, the one-size-fits-most philosophy means that you won’t find a version for particularly small beds or cribs.
6. LUCID Premium Rayon Protector
If the price is an important factor, then this model is something you’ll want to consider. Not only is it one of the cheapest mattress protectors you can get, but it also provides great quality and reliability. You can get it in an impressive number of sizes, too — six in total.
It is easy to clean, as you can put it in your washer and/or dryer without any issues whatsoever. Softness is this product’s greatest strength, thanks to the jersey fabric it is made from. It will quickly make you forget that it was a functional rather than a luxury purchase.
What you won’t like about it, however, is the noise that it will make. It’s certainly not quiet, especially when you wear it out a bit, which may disrupt your sleep if your hearing is sensitive. Jersey fabric, for all its softness, is also not very breathable, and the protector doesn’t feature a zipper either.
7. Utopia Premium Zippered Protector
Are you worried about other models not offering full protection due to a lack of complete enclosure? This Utopia’s protector has a firm zipper to fully secure your mattress from insects, dust mites, bacteria, and whatever else that may come for it. Just slide it over, zip it up, and you can rest assured that it’ll be completely safe from degradation.
The material used here is knitted polyester, which makes it not only soft but also highly breathable. Also, neither you nor your washer will be able to damage it easily. Yes, you can also put it in your washer and/or dryer. Though it’s not the cheapest, this product gets you a great bang for your buck.
Sadly, what it doesn’t do is stay quiet, especially in the first couple of weeks of use. The noise it makes while you toss and turn on it will gradually fade but is definitely something to consider. Furthermore, even though it does have a secure zipper, it can be a bit loose on some mattresses. You might want to measure everything before ordering, just to be certain.
8. SureGuard Mattress Protector
As yet another cotton-made cover, this one has been designed with comfort in mind. It’s one of the softest and most pleasant to lie in mattress protectors that you can find. And if that isn’t enough, it’s also completely quiet, so nothing will rouse you from your rest. You can currently find it in six sizes.
The cotton is hypoallergenic, fully waterproof, and absolutely amazing at making moisture seemingly disappear. Lying on this sheet protector, even when it hasn’t been recently washed, will feel like lying on the mattress itself. And when you do decide to clean it, all you’ll need to do is put it in the washer. Like most cotton-based products, you can calmly place this one in the dryer too.
On a less glamorous note, the SureGuard Mattress Protector seems to have a higher than average defect rate. Many have reported having to ask for a replacement, as the one they’d bought was letting in water. Such a high-cost product (especially when considering larger sizes) should never have this issue.
Care, Maintenance, and Some Closing Advice
You generally won’t need to take any special steps in order to maximize your mattress protector’s lifespan. As you’ve probably noticed, most of the models are entirely washing machine- and dryer-safe. These are durable pieces of fabric that can withstand a constant chemical assault, so they should last for a while.
The fact that a mattress protector is chemically resistant, however, doesn’t mean that it is indestructible. For instance, just to be sure, you should avoid washing and drying it at extremely high temperatures. This may cause the insides to start unraveling, which can impede or completely destroy the protector’s ability to absorb moisture.
The protector may also shrink, which can be annoying if you’ve taken special care to have it fit snugly over your mattress. Also, even when it is dryer-safe, you should avoid using the “wrinkle guard” option if your dryer has it; it will put additional stress on the absorbent layers within.
Never iron the mattress protector, not lightly, and not even for a little bit — the heat can damage it. You should also avoid using bleach with most models, though some may be able to take it.
If you find that you are unable to get the smell out, even after additional cycles, it’s possible that you got a faulty product. In that case, you should contact the supplier or manufacturer and see what the next step should be.
Finally, as a general rule, you should read the packaging for tips or warnings. The manufacturer knows the product best and should be able to help you get the most out of it. Instructions and warning labels are always there for a reason. And if you take the time to learn those reasons, your mattress protector could last you almost a lifetime.
