Mattress Protectors

A mattress protector is the unglamorous bit of bedding that doubles the lifespan of a £600 mattress for £20. Three types of protector cover the household needs. Waterproof protectors (TPU or polyurethane backing) for households with children, pets or older relatives; cooling protectors (gel-cap or breathable cotton) for hot sleepers; quilted protectors (extra padding without waterproofing) as the all-purpose pick. Aspire Furniture, Bedeck Home and Cherry Lane Garden Centres between them cover £5-£219 across the range. Skirt depth matters for fitting on the mattress: the deeper the mattress, the deeper the protector skirt needed. Standard 25cm skirts fit most household mattresses; 35-40cm skirts cover deep-pocket mattresses and toppered beds. Machine-washable protectors at 60 degrees are the long-life pick because dust mites and bacteria die at that temperature. Most protectors fit single, small double, double, king and super king sizes; check before ordering.