If you do the math, we spend approximately 1/3rd of our lives asleep. Or at least we should if we listen to the experts and get our 8 hours of sleep every night. But the truth is, once you tally up the extra time doing things like watching tv, late-night snacking, reading in bed, or scrolling on social media, it becomes quite apparent that a large percentage of our lives happen in bed.
This means your mattress is among the most-used items in your entire home. So, when shoppers ask us, “Do I need a mattress protector?”, our answer is always going to be a confident “yes”. But why? The answer may be obvious for those with kids or pampered pets, but what about everyone else? Why should everyone use a mattress protector?
Our answer here isn’t because we’re trying to sell you something – although we do sell mattress protectors, sheets, pillows and other sleep accessories. Rather, we believe you should have a mattress protector on every mattress in your home because there are significant benefits, regardless of whether you buy one from us or elsewhere.
Join us as we count down 5 key reasons why you need a mattress protector in your life. Some of them might surprise you. Let’s get to it!
#5) Mattress Protectors Shield Your Mattress from Spills, Stains & Odors
Let’s start by stating the most obvious benefit. This is the one that everyone thinks of when they hear “mattress protector”. Frankly, if you’ve got kids or pets, a water-resistant mattress protector is an absolute must. But it’s not just for those kinds of accidents.
Do you occasionally snack in bed? A mattress protector is for you too. Accidents happen. Whether it’s a midnight snack gone awry, or a spilled, early morning cup of coffee, a mattress protector acts as a barrier to keep liquids, oils or fine particles from seeping into the delicate layers of your mattress.
As an added bonus, a mattress protector also prevents stains and odors that result from both daily use and the aforementioned accidents. You don’t want a wine stain on your new mattress, nor do you want your new mattress to smell like the stale coffee you spilled a couple months ago. For that matter, we all sweat, and we all produce oils meant to keep our hair and skin healthy and hydrated. But do you really want greasy oil spots on your mattress? Or to sleep in a bed that smells like a musty locker room? Us neither.
#4) Mattress Protectors Make Clean-Ups Easier
That leads us to #4, easier clean-ups! If accidents are inevitable – and they are – don’t you want to have a plan in place to deal with them effectively? The simple fact of the matter is that spills and messes are a lot less stressful when you have a mattress protector in place.
Why is that? Because any quality mattress protector is going to be machine washable. Instead of worrying about removing stubborn stains and odors or wondering if your mattress is ruined forever, simply remove the mattress protector and toss it into the washing machine with your soiled sheets. It really is that easy.
Bonus Tip: For kids’ bedrooms or beds that pets sleep in often, we recommend having a second mattress protector so you can immediately swap out for a fresh one while the first one is in the wash.
#3) Mattress Protectors Prevent Build-Up of Allergens
If you occasionally wake up stuffy, sneezy, or with itchy, watery eyes, it’s quite possible that your mattress has accumulated a few allergens. Which really shouldn’t be any surprise if you know where many of them come from.
Did you know that the vast majority of dust in your house comes from your body’s own dead skin cells? Furthermore, did you know that your body’s “dust” will build up over time inside your mattress and attract dust mites? These microscopic scavengers are allergens themselves, and love to eat those dead skin cells, eventually producing even more allergic waste of their own. Gross.
By using a mattress protector as a barrier, you can keep all the tiny things that can make you ill out of the crevices of your mattress. This applies equally whether we’re talking about dust, dust mites, pet hair or dander, mold, bacteria, or pollen that blew in through an open window.
#2) Mattress Protectors Reduce Wear & Keep Mattresses in Fresh, Like-New Condition for Longer
There are a few things that cause the materials inside your mattresses to wear over time. First, there’s the accumulation of dead skin cells we already mentioned above. The second is the absorption of any kind of liquid as it causes growth of mold and bacteria that slowly break down the various foams and fabrics in your mattress. Since your body and hair produce natural oils and sweat, this will eventually absorb into the mattress too.
Unfortunately, this means that even if you manage to avoid serious spills or accidents, your mattress is still slowly absorbing liquids that will cause it to wear more quickly than it has to. By blocking sweat, body oils, dust, etc. mattress protectors reduce this sort of wear and keep your mattress looking, smelling and feeling like new for much longer.
#1) Mattress Protectors Preserve Your Warranty & Protect Your Investment
The final and perhaps least realized reason to use a mattress protector is because it also protects your investment. You spend between 1/4th to 1/3rd of your life in your mattress, and it is critically important to your ability to get quality sleep. A nice mattress can also represent a pretty sizable financial investment.
But more than that, many mattress manufacturers require the purchase or use of a mattress protector in order to qualify for their mattress trial periods, warranties, or return programs. Otherwise, you may be out of luck.
Here at Woodstock Furniture & Mattress Outlet, we offer our own Comfort Guarantee with every single mattress we sell except our clearance and closeout mattresses. However, in order to qualify for a comfort exchange, every brand except Tempur-Pedic requires the purchase of a mattress protector as well. If you decide for any reason during this trial period that your new mattress is not for you, buying a mattress protector provides extra peace of mind.
Our Verdict? Don’t Skip the Mattress Protector!
While a quality mattress protector is technically optional, these are the biggest reasons we always recommend them to consumers with every mattress purchase. We hope today’s list has shed some light on why a mattress protector is a wise investment for your new (or current) mattress. Think of it as an insurance policy for your mattress, ensuring it stays in great condition for years to come!
Remember, we’re here to support you in your quest for the best night’s sleep of your life! Have more questions about mattresses, mattress accessories, sleep tips, etc.? Be sure to explore our helpful articles and resources here. While you’re at it, don’t forget our easy and convenient web chat! Our sleep experts are standing by to help in any way they can. Hope to see you soon at our 6 metro Atlanta and North Georgia furniture and mattress locations!
