Key Takeaways:

• Waterproof mattress protectors and zippered encasements are essential for making sure your mattress is a healthy place to sleep.

• A waterproof protector is a simple, fitted sheet-style cover that shields the top of your mattress from bedwetting and allergens like dust mites and pet dander.

• A zippered encasement fully encloses the mattress, providing all-around protection against bedwetting, bed bugs, and damage during moving and storage.

• Assess your individual needs to decide which bedding solution is best for you and your family.

Waterproof Mattress Cover or Zippered Encasement?

Waterproof Mattress Cover Features & Benefits

Waterproof mattress covers are your first line of defense against frequent bedwetting. They’re easy to use because they go over the mattress like a fitted sheet and they’re easy to strip off again.

Here are the top features and benefits:

• 100% waterproof.

• Covers 5 sides of the mattress.

• Constructed from a soft fabric top layer, and a waterproof lower layer.

• Keeps your mattress clean and dry, by preventing any liquids from seeping through.

• Easy to remove and replace for frequent cleaning after wetting accidents.

• Machine washable and dryable.

• Durable over many wash cycles.

• DON’T protect against bed bugs or other infestations.

• DON’T protect against dirt or flooding during transport or storage.

Mattress Encasement Features & Benefits

A zippered mattress encasement is like a heavy-duty, protective cocoon for your mattress.

Here are the top features and benefits:

• 100% waterproof.

• Most are constructed from thick plastic, but new versions have a soft top layer like a mattress cover.

• Covers 6 sides of the mattress.

• Keeps your mattress clean, dry, and protected from harsh outside elements.

• Stops bed bug infestations by killing old bugs already inside the mattress and keeping new bugs from entering the encasement.

• DON’T provide easy removal for cleaning.

• DON’T provide a cool, quiet sleep because they can be hot and make a crinkly noise when you move.

Assess Your Individual Needs

There are a variety of situations that can impact your mattress, and you may need different solutions for different situations.

Bedwetting Kids, Pets, Incontinent Adults

For families with young children, the journey through the bedwetting phase can be an adventure. Puppies, kittens and older pets can have accidents on the bed as well. Adults dealing with incontinence require solutions that offer both dignity and protection. And adults who love to enjoy a mug of coffee or a glass of wine in bed know that mishaps can happen.

Mattress Protection During Moving & Storage

The process of moving a mattress or putting it in a storage unit can expose it to dirt, rain, snow, heat, cold, humidity, and flooding. Your mattress could become a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and bacteria. And it could develop odors that you’ll never get out.

Allergens & Bed Bugs Disrupting Your Sleep

Allergens can trigger allergic reactions or a dangerous, full-blown asthma attack. Insects like bed bugs and dust mites can bite you and your children while you’re asleep and infest your mattress with feces and microscopic infectious debris.

Choosing the Right Mattress Protection

Mattress protector covers and mattress encasements both have their pros and cons. The best protection for you will depend on your individual situation.

When a Zippered Encasement Is Best

Choose a zippered waterproof mattress encasement when you need to protect your mattress from insect invasions or harsh elements during moving and storage.

You might also choose to enclose the mattress with an encasement. And place a mattress protector on top for easy cleaning when accidents happen.

When a Waterproof Mattress Cover Is Best

Choose a waterproof mattress protection pad that covers your mattress like a fitted sheet when you’re dealing with chronic bedwetting or incontinence. These situations require frequent cleaning. A fitted style is easy to remove and machine washable with your regular load. Many people keep a second mattress protector handy, so they can strip the wet one off and put a dry one on quickly.

Organic Waterproof Mattress Protectors

Check out the newest types of mattress covers like organic cotton with hypoallergenic features. And cooling, breathable features for hot sleepers who sweat heavily during the night.

One of our favorites is MY GREEN MATTRESS. They just won the Good Housekeeping Top Choice 2024 Award for Best Organic Waterproof Mattress Protector for Bedwetting. It’s completely waterproof with a breathable, cooling moisture barrier that’s non-toxic. The temperature regulating feature keeps you comfortable all night long. The construction includes 2 layers of soft GOTS certified organic fiber, which is naturally hypoallergenic and repels dust mites along with other allergens.

MY GREEN MATTRESS has an incredible 4.9 rating out of a potential 5 stars from more than 600 verified customers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is an encasement or a waterproof mattress protector better for heavy, frequent bedwetting children?
A waterproof mattress protector pad or cover that goes on the mattress like a fitted sheet may be more convenient for frequent bed wetting, because it’s easy to take off and put back on during cleaning. An encasement on the other hand is generally better for moving and storage, or situations where you want to protect the mattress from bed bugs or other insects.

2. Will a waterproof mattress cover protect against bed bugs?
No, a waterproof mattress cover typically does not protect against bed bugs because it does not enclose the entire mattress. For bed bug protection, a zippered mattress encasement is necessary.

3. How hard is it to remove and replace a zippered encasement on the bed?
It can be more challenging to remove and replace a zippered encasement compared to a fitted mattress cover, especially for larger beds. This is one reason to choose a mattress cover for frequent bedwetting, where the mattress protector needs to be washed more often.