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View Full Version : Mattress pads- to use or not to use that is the question



Sad Eyed Lady
6-17-13, 3:41pm
My title about says it all. I have used a mattress pad over my mattresses for YEARS. I usually hate them - mine slip and have to be pulled down again on the corners etc. This morning while changing the sheets, I thought "why am I struggling with this? What real purpose does it serve?". We are two adults, no children who even visit, we are not messy nor take anything to bed to eat/drink. My mattress is pillow top so is comfy - what purpose was the pad serving I want to know. How about you? Do you use a mattress pad or no? Interested in your replies and your reasons. This seems to simplify my bed making!

treehugger
6-17-13, 3:53pm
I used to use one because my mattress wasn't as soft as I would like (but was in too good a shape to be replaced). But ever since we got a 3" memory foam topper for our firm mattress, I no longer need a separate mattress pad. However, because we have dogs who are allowed on the bed (during the day), I do keep an extra fitted sheet over the mattress topper to help protect it from claws. So, I don't have any fewer layers, but that fitted sheet (as mattress cover, I guess) doesn't slip around or cause any trouble.

I doubt that really answers your question (sorry!), but that's what we do.

Kara

JaneV2.0
6-17-13, 4:03pm
My bed has more layers than the Pea Princess. I like a wool plush topper over thick memory foam in the winter.

razz
6-17-13, 5:38pm
I like the mattress pad so that I can wash it regularly about 3 times a year and it will soak up any cream that I put on the feet at night and protect the mattress from looking yucky.
Sometimes when I have a mosquito bite and scratch at night, I cause bleeding and the pad protects the mattress. Sometimes, nausea can catch you at night as well.

Looking at my answers, I use a mattress pad to protect the mattress not for extra softness and yes, I will keep using one.

catherine
6-17-13, 5:43pm
I use a mattress pad to protect the mattress from some stains. I don't usually have a hard time keeping it on, though.

I've used plastic covers in the past as well, especially when the kids were little.

jennipurrr
6-17-13, 5:50pm
I have a mattress pad over my dust mite cover. I am highly allergic to dust mites and I bought a cover that is less plasticy feeling than some of them, but still it has to be sort of plastic to serve its purpose. With the mattress pad on I can't feel it at all.

DH also sweats grossly. He is just a greasy person, LOL. I like being able to wash that out instead of having it in the mattress since when we flip it eventually I get to sleep in that spot.

redfox
6-17-13, 6:38pm
We use all cotton mattress pads to absorb the sweat we all exude at night. I wash ours weekly with the linens. It saves mattress life, IMO.

rosarugosa
6-17-13, 7:39pm
Also use to protect mattress, which cannot be washed as easily as the mattress pad :)

Jilly
6-17-13, 9:09pm
Mattress pad user here. I have an elderly cat that randomly vomits. Good reason, huh?

Tussiemussies
6-17-13, 10:32pm
We use a mattress pad just to keep the mattress clean. Ours doesn't slip around though. Maybe you need a different version. I have seen some where the sides have elastic through them and go all the way down to the bottom of the mattress...

ToomuchStuff
6-19-13, 12:14am
Don't they sell/make those elastic straps for mattress pads anymore? I remember them from the mattresses my grandmother had, that were used still by some of us grandkids after she passed. Those mattresses, were around 40 years old when they were disposed of. I think part of the reason was they still had actual box springs, not just boxes, and we weren't allowed to jump on them as kids. (she lived through the depression)

I did a quick search and found them on Amazon. One of the names was bed sheet garters.

Sad Eyed Lady
6-19-13, 10:12am
The majority response seems to be in favor of mattress pads. I have slept a few nights now without the pad and am perfectly happy without one. I think I will just have to vacuum the mattress more often. As for stains (sweat etc) I never noticed that on the mattress pad either so I don't think that will be a problem. I like eliminating something if I don't have a specific need for it and right now I don't see one for the mattress pad. Thanks for all your responses.