Accidents can happen at any time and if you’ve invested a substantial amount of money in a good mattress pad then you’ll want to protect in the best way possible.

Memory foam mattress pads are made for comfort and it is this same quality that makes them particularly susceptible to damage from spilled coffee for example. This could potentially ruin your mattress so it’s best to be prepared right from the start. Mattress pad covers are also ideal for protecting you while you sleep from dust mites. I highly recommend getting a cover at the time of purchase. This way you’ll get exactly the right fit you need and have the protection from the outset.

Check before buying that the cover has good zip closures that will ensure a good fir and also make removal hassle free. Also make sure they are machine washable at up to 140 degrees so that you will be able to clean them properly.

There are a number of different covers available depending on your specific requirements. If you are looking for dust mite protection then you need to check out the Pore size of the cotton or similar material. Pore size is measured in Microns. A good size to go for is anywhere under 5.5 microns. Make sure this isn’t just the same companies measure but that it has been rated by an independent institution. One of the most commonly used is Porous Materials Inc.

If you are looking for a cover for a small child who is still wetting the bed then it pays to look into waterproof mattress covers. These are typically vinyl or polyurethane backed. This acts as a perfect barrier to liquids allowing none to reach and damage the mattress pad. The polyurethane backed covers are my choice for one good reason. They maintain that breathable quality that allows an exchange of heat and keeps you from having a sticky, sweaty nights sleep. Instead you will remain cool at any time of the year. This type of mattress cover is available from $40 up to about $80.

When winter sets in there is nothing better than having a heated mattress cover. No more need to get into a cold bed ever again. Simply turn it on 20 mins before you go to bed and it’ll be toasty warm. Good quality models these days are equipped with sensors that detect the ambient temperature of the room and adjust their output accordingly.

Other good features to look out for with these mattress covers are: A preheat cycle, Up to 10 control settings and two controls. These are especially useful because they can allow the temperature to be set independently on either side of the bed.

Please be advised though that these heated mattress covers are not to be used by children or anyone else who is not capable of operating the controls properly. They should never be used on waterbeds or pull out sofa beds. Pets should be kept away and other electric bed heaters must never be used in conjunction with them.