A lot of people sweat at night, but that's not the case for you, right? The reality is that even if you don't notice damp pajamas or sweat dripping down your face or body, we still perspire each night, to the tune of up to one cup (240mL) per snooze. That said, have you ever taken the sheets off the bed, expecting to find a clean and spotless mattress, only to find a mysterious stain on the surface? If this sounds like a familiar scenario, you're not the only one. 

Whether you’re in the midst of raising a young child who is learning to use the potty, living in a household where incontinence is an issue, or if you often eat or drink in bed and tend to spill, a waterproof mattress protector can be a mattress saver. Waterproof and breathable mattress protectors help maintain healthy sleep hygiene while keeping your mattress clean and fresh, just as it was the day you brought it home.

The sleep experts at Bed Tech, a mattress and sleep accessory company in business since 2009, recommend selecting premium-quality mattress protectors as the best choices for keeping a mattress clean and dry. A good-quality protector will safeguard your mattress and protect it from sweat, prevent moisture from soaking in, and discourage dust mites from accumulating. 

These top 3 premium protectors, made by Bed Tech, will safeguard your mattress from almost any spill or liquid, withstand multiple washes, and won't change the feel of your bed.

Choosing the Right Waterproof Mattress Protector: A Guide for Every Sleeper

Using a waterproof mattress protector is an excellent way to give you peace of mind and safeguard your sleeping surface. Mattress protectors naturally promote healthy sleep hygiene, making them a great choice if you have young kids or pets, are experiencing incontinence, care for someone who does, or tend to spill things in bed.

Next, sleep experts give their explanation as to why:

A waterproof protector keeps your mattress free from stains, odors, mold, and mildew. Using a premium-quality protector can prevent biofluids such as sweat or urine, as well as other liquids, from soaking into and staining your mattress. If these biofluids come into contact with your mattress, it will absorb them like a sponge. This soiling can permanently stain your mattress and leave a lingering odor that could promote bacterial growth.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urges that the key to mold control is moisture control. The EPA advises: When water or another liquid leaks or spills indoors, act quickly. If wet or damp materials or areas become dry within 24-48 hours after a leak or spill, in most cases, mold will not grow.

Drying out wet or moist areas, or simply preventing them from getting wet in the first place, helps prevent mold from forming, as it thrives in dark, damp spaces, such as underneath the sheets on the bed. Mold can form on your mattress, a dark, often damp place, especially without any protective layer. Consequently, it’s important to have a waterproof barrier to protect your mattress from staining, dampness, or moisture.

Using a mattress protector also makes it more manageable to clean up messes, spills, or accidents. A waterproof mattress protector, different from a mattress cover, is a great product that gives you peace of mind, making a midnight spill or a late-night accident less stressful and time consuming. By keeping more than one waterproof mattress protector on hand (recommended if you or someone in the household is toilet training or experiences incontinence), you can simply toss the soiled protector in the washing machine and remake the bed so you can get back to sleep.

For beds used by those with advanced incontinence, you might consider using two layers of waterproof mattress protectors. This method allows you to remove the soiled protector easily while leaving the unaffected one on the bed. Although this may not be the most comfortable solution due to the feel of the double layer, it can save you time when remaking the bed after an accident.

Exploring the Benefits of Premium Quality Mattress Protectors

If you're in the market for a product that can help protect your mattress from sweat or other fluids, focus on waterproof and breathable protectors that meet the following guidelines:

Mattress protectors should be absorbent and waterproof, preventing leaks and stains from reaching the mattress. According to one medical professional, Lindsey Vestal, a waterproof mattress protector should bear at least 400 to 500 mL (13.5 to 17 ounces) of liquid. This amount compares to the volume of a full bladder release.

In an ideal world, a mattress protector’s absorbency should withstand various scenarios and protect your mattress from significant moisture or spills. For scenarios where absorbency and protection from excess sweat or biofluids are key, consider one of Bed Tech's top premium mattress protector choices:

Bed Tech Cotton Loop™ Protector

• 100% Waterproof – Repels all liquids, including bodily fluids & accidental spills.
• Holds a substantial amount of liquid without it leaking into and staining or soiling the mattress.
• Made using breathable terry loop cotton.
• The cotton creates a soft, quiet protective barrier.
• Accommodates mattress depths from 6” to 18” with a universal fit.
• Eliminates sweat and skin cell build-up that causes dust mite accumulation & allergy-causing bacteria
• Won't alter the feel of your mattress.
• Hypoallergenic
• Phthalate Free

Some versions of premium mattress protectors, while still waterproof and breathable, also feel cool-to-the-touch and have temperature-balancing technology conducive to a good night's sleep. The main drawback of some mattress protectors is that they are waterproof but lack cooling, airflow, and breathability. For some, mattress protectors can make them feel overheated while they sleep. If this sounds like you, consider a cooling version of a mattress protector, such as:

Bed Tech Blue Ice™ Mattress Protector

• 100% Waterproof – Repels all liquids, including bodily fluids & accidental spills.
• A fitted sheet style silk fabric protector that balances body temperature to help prevent overheating.
• Accommodates mattress depths from 6” to 18” with a universal fit.
• Eliminates sweat and skin cell build-up that can lead to dust mite & allergen accumulation
• Won't change the feel of your mattress.
• Hypoallergenic protector maintains a healthy sleeping environment.
• Phthalate Free

Premium mattress protectors are also durable, reusable, and easy to launder. The waterproof material backing may tarnish with frequent washing and drying. And according to Harrison King, Vice President of Quality Control at American Textile Company, the durability of waterproofing materials can vary from one protector to another.

Many brands perform independent testing involving five or more laundry cycles, demonstrating and confirming their reliability and effectiveness. But as any toilet-training parent realizes, only five washes really isn’t that many! That's why Bed Tech recommends protectors that remain reliable through an extensive number of wash-and-dry cycles. That is, without deteriorating or losing their waterproofing ability to protect your mattress.

Additionally, since waterproof protectors are meant to absorb and hold liquid, we preferred those that dried quickly, such as the Bed Tech Tencel™ 5.0 Protector.

Pro-tip: You don't have to wash your waterproof mattress protector just because you're washing your sheets, or bedding. According to Harrison King, VP of Quality Control for an American textile company, if your protector isn't exposed to leaks or spills, it’s totally acceptable to wash it only about three to four times a year. For a more streamlined approach, the sleep experts at Bed Tech recommend washing your mattress protector every other time you wash your sheets to maintain healthy sleep hygiene.

A high-quality waterproof mattress protector should be breathable and quiet to sleep on, without altering the feel of your mattress. Mattress protectors are designed to be placed directly under your sheets, on the mattress, to protect it. With a protector on and your sheets over that, the breathability and absorbency levels are more influential to the sleeper than the feel of the protector itself. That said, Bed Tech recommends a couple of premium versions of smooth and quiet mattress protectors that won't alter the feel of your bed:

Bed Tech Quiet Comfort™ Protector

• Ultra-thin, “invisible,” smooth, quiet, and comfortable fabric.
• 100% Waterproof – Repels all liquids, including bodily fluids & accidental spills.
• Accommodates mattress depths from 6” to 18” with a universal fit.
• Eliminates sweat and skin cell build-up that can lead to dust mite & allergen accumulation
• Won't alter the feel of your mattress.
• Hypoallergenic protector maintains a healthy sleeping environment.
• Phthalate Free

Bed Tech Tencel™ 5.0 Waterproof Mattress Protector

• Ultra-thin, smooth, and soft-to-the-touch fabric barrier.
• Durable, soft, and quiet.
• Cool, breathable, natural Tencel™ fibers help wick moisture and dissipate heat.
• Five sides of waterproof protection - includes top and side mattress protection to repel liquids and prevent stains.
• Eliminates sweat and skin cell build-up that can lead to dust mite & allergen accumulation
• Accommodates mattress depths from 6” to 18” with a universal fit.
• Won't alter the feel of your mattress.
• Hypoallergenic protector maintains a healthy sleeping environment.

Need a Mattress Safeguard from Sweat? Choose Bed Tech!

The Bed Tech Sleep Experts highlight that each component of your sleep environment, including bedding accessories like a mattress protector, builds on a unique formula of products that can help you optimize your sleep health. Now, in today's world, there are plenty of options in the bedding and mattress protector categories. Acquiring and using premium sleep products made with top-tier materials that provide universal performance is the best recommendation.

Your unique formula to better your sleep quality includes a mattress protector to complete the whole kit and kaboodle of a sleep system. 

Bed Tech Luxury Sleep Systems are bedding bundles that include an adjustable bed and a premium mattress protector. Bed Tech's innovative products can help you manage your sleep quality by reducing potential sleep disruptions, like stress from incontinence or potty training, or discomfort from overheating or sweating during the night.