Mattress Covers Washington DC

Mattress covers are similar to mattress pads; indeed, the terms are often used interchangeably. The difference is often just a matter of the intended use. A mattress pad is considered something that makes a bed softer. A mattress cover is for protection. Typically, a mattress pad covers only the top and perhaps the sides of a mattress, while most mattress covers completely enclose the mattress.

The simplest mattress covers are just zippered bags that enclose a mattress. They are supposed to keep dust from infiltrating the mattress. These mattress covers provide no protection against allergens that form inside of the mattress, and they do not protect the mattress against bedwetting accidents.

Absorbent or waterproof mattress covers are designed to keep mattresses from getting wet. This type of mattress cover consists of three main layers. The top layer wicks moisture away from the sleeper into the inner layer. The inner layer -- actually, from one to as many as four layers -- is a highly absorbent fiber material that absorbs up to two liters of water. This inner layer may be cotton fiber or polyester. Hemp fiber (which does not contain any active ingredients of marijuana) is a popular filler; it's softer than cotton and can absorb twice as much water. The bottom layer is polyester, vinyl, or some other waterproof material that acts as a barrier between wetness and the mattress.

Some mattress covers are made from wool shorn from sheepskin and sewn to a polyester or cotton backing. Sheepskin mattress covers allow air to circulate under a sleeper, keeping one cool in warm weather and warm in winter. Sheepskin wool's ability to wick moisture away from the skin also plays a role in this type of mattress cover's popularity.

Dust mite mattress covers are designed for people with allergies. Dust mites are tiny bugs that breed in mattresses and other dark places. They live on bits of skin that people shed while they sleep. Dust mite droppings and the particles of their dead bodies are significant trig...