Do you need a mattress protector? What it does and which kind to get
Yes. A mattress protector is the one accessory we would not skip, because a mattress cannot be washed and a protector can. It catches the spill, the sweat and the dust that would otherwise go into the foam or the quilting, and it keeps the mattress in the condition a brand warranty expects. Here is what a protector does, the four kinds we carry, how to get the fit right, and which one we would pick for you.
What a mattress protector actually does
A protector is a thin, washable layer over the mattress and under your fitted sheet. It is not a pad or a topper: it adds no cushion and should not change how the mattress feels. Its job is to stop three things reaching the mattress.
- Liquids. Sweat, a knocked-over glass, a sick child, a pet accident. A waterproof membrane holds the liquid on the surface so you can strip the protector and wash it.
- Dust and allergens. A sealed membrane may help keep dust mites and other common allergens out of the mattress, and you can wash a protector in a way you never could a mattress.
- Stains. Many brand warranties require the mattress to be kept free of stains and used on proper support. Our FAQ puts it plainly: warranties "do not cover comfort preference, stains or a mattress used without proper support." A protector is the simplest way to keep that box ticked.
The four kinds
Protectors differ in how much of the mattress they cover and in what the top fabric feels like.
Waterproof fitted protector
The everyday choice. It fits like a fitted sheet, with an elastic skirt around the sides, and the waterproof layer covers the top. The Malouf Prime smooth protector and the Purple waterproof protector are this type, and Tempur-Pedic makes its own Tempur-Protect protector.
Five-sided protector
The waterproof layer wraps the top and all four sides. It is the one we suggest for kids and pets. The Malouf Five 5ided smooth protector is the base version; the Five 5ided Omniphase and Five 5ided HyperChill add cooling fabrics on top.
Full encasement
A zippered cover that encloses all six sides of the mattress. The Malouf Encase 360° protector zips around the full perimeter, so the top half comes completely off for washing. It is the pick for allergy households, rentals and guest rooms. It takes two people to fit, so many people add a fitted protector on top for everyday washing.
Terry or smooth feel
This is a surface choice, not a coverage choice. A terry protector has a soft cotton loop surface, like a light towel; the Malouf Prime terry protector is this type. A smooth protector has a flat knit surface that is thinner, cooler, and disappears under the sheet. Go smooth if you sleep warm, terry if you like a little softness.
| Kind | Covers | Best for | Washing | We carry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterproof fitted | Top, with an elastic skirt | Most adults, first protector | Easiest | Malouf Prime, Purple Waterproof, Tempur-Protect |
| Five-sided | Top and four sides | Kids, pets, spills | Easy | Malouf Five 5ided (smooth, Omniphase, HyperChill) |
| Full encasement | All six sides, zippered | Allergies, rentals, guest rooms | Two people to remove | Malouf Encase 360° |
| Terry vs smooth | Surface only | Terry for softness, smooth for hot sleepers | Same as the base type | Prime terry vs Prime smooth |
Getting the fit right
Measure before you buy.
- Measure the mattress height, including any topper. Measure at the edge, from the bottom of the mattress to the top. The protector goes over a topper, so add its height too.
- Match the pocket depth. Malouf's fitted protectors list a fit range of 6 to 22 inches, which covers most beds. Purple makes a standard and a deep pocket version, so pick by your measurement. A pocket that is too shallow pops off a corner at night.
- Split sizes for adjustable bases. A split king is two twin XL mattresses, and a split California king is two separate halves. Each half needs its own protector, so buy the split size, not one king. Malouf and Tempur-Pedic make split sizes, and Malouf also makes split head sizes for beds that split only at the top. Our adjustable base guide explains the sizes.
- Twin XL is not twin. It is 5 inches longer, the size for dorm beds and each half of a split king.
Protectors and your warranty
Each brand sets its own mattress warranty. Most cover manufacturing defects, such as sagging beyond the brand's limit, broken coils or split seams, and do not cover stains or a mattress used without proper support. Our refund policy works the same way: a mattress coming back on a comfort exchange has to be clean, with the law tag attached and no staining of any kind. A protector from night one does not change the warranty; it keeps the mattress in the condition the warranty and the exchange expect.
Pillow protectors
Pillows take more sweat and oil than the mattress. A pillow protector is a zippered cover under the pillowcase. It washes with your sheets and may help keep dust and allergens out of the fill. The Malouf Prime pillow protector is the smooth, waterproof match to the Prime mattress protector; the HyperChill pillow protector comes as a set of two with a cooling fabric. Both come in queen and king, and pair with anything in our pillow collection.
Care and washing
Check the care label, but the general rules are:
- Wash it before first use if the label says to.
- Machine wash warm or cold and tumble dry on low. High heat can damage the waterproof membrane.
- No bleach, no ironing, no dry cleaning.
- Wash it as often as your sheets, or right away after a spill.
One thing to know before you buy: like all bedding and pillows, protectors are final sale once opened. That is in our refund policy, so measure first.
Which one we'd pick
- Kids or pets. A five-sided protector, so a spill that runs down the edge is caught too. Malouf Five 5ided smooth, or the Omniphase version if the room runs warm.
- Hot sleeper. A smooth fitted protector rather than terry. Malouf Prime smooth, Five 5ided HyperChill, or the Tempur-Protect Breeze on a Tempur-Pedic Breeze mattress.
- Allergies. A full encasement such as the Encase 360°, a fitted protector over it for easy washing, and pillow protectors on every pillow.
- Adjustable base. The split size for your mattress, one protector per half, in whichever type above fits your household.
- Not sure. A Malouf Prime smooth or Purple waterproof in the right pocket depth. The one most people need.
Come lie on a mattress and we will fit the protector to it. Mattress Central, 3319 Glendale Blvd, Atwater Village, Los Angeles, open daily 9 AM to 8 PM, (323) 522-3410. Delivery is free, and around Los Angeles our own team sets it up and takes the old mattress away (California orders). Every mattress comes with a 120-night comfort exchange; the details are in our FAQ. Browse protectors, bedding and pillows, or read our adjustable base guide if you are sizing for a split king.