Mattress Pads

Cotton represents a popular natural fiber for manufacturers due to its easy care regimen, fluffy material, and hypoallergenic properties. Cotton works well with several fill materials, such as polyester, down, cotton, down alternatives, wool, and microfiber, for a plush, soft feel and a quilted design. Cotton sateen adds higher thread counts and a luxurious feel of silk to the top of a mattress pad if you want to have a silk-like texture without paying higher prices for genuine silk. Cotton sateen contains a shine or glimmer on its surface that brightens the pad when light reflects off it.

Microfiber comes from very finely woven threads that are thinner than silk, yet they are strong and resilient. Microfiber gives your mattress pad a somewhat shiny appearance and a smooth texture. Mattress pads may contain microfiber fill to create a soft layer in the pad. Microfiber usually contains synthetic materials to create its strong weave. Polyester, like microfiber, comes from synthetic materials. Manufacturers weave fine plastic fibers into strong threads that work well for the outer covering of a mattress pad and the inner fill material.

Wool creates a warm layer of natural fill inside a mattress pad. Consider wool for winter time when you want a thick layer and to add warmth. Tencel is another natural fiber that comes from wood pulp. Thin tendrils of Tencel are cotton-like but are manufactured in a way that makes the material more breathable compared to cotton. Tencel is light and airy while maintaining strong threads like cotton. Rayon from bamboo represents a third natural fiber that goes into mattress pads. Rayon from bamboo undergoes high-tech alterations before it turns into fabric with a high thread count similar to Egyptian cotton.

Mattress pads come in all sizes for beds, from full-size to California king. Larger sizes have higher prices when all other aspects of two mattress pads are the same. Mattress pads also vary in thickness. Some pads are thin and provide a basic layer between your linens and your mattress. Other mattress pads have fill in them to make them softer. Overfilled mattress pads feature puffy layers created by filling materials inside before stitching them shut to prevent the filling from shifting within the pad. Pillowtop mattress pads trend towards thicker construction, because they feel as if you added another pillow to your bedding. Thicknesses range from 1 inch up to 3 inches.

Look for mattress pads that cater to your comfort level. Plush kinds are softer and thicker while feeling closer to a pillowtop. Some materials, such as wool and Egyptian cotton, are ideal for warmth and better for winter months. Microfiber, tencel, and cotton come into play for all-season or summer months when you want to feel cooler. Discover mattress pads with a layer of gel foam inside that shunts your body heat away from you to help keep you cooler at night for a more restful sleep. Down or down alternative fill creates thick, soft pockets for added comfort and warmth.

Manufacturers embed materials in mattress pads to create certain benefits. Hypoallergenic pads reduce your risks of allergies due to common allergens collecting within the material. Find mattress pads that resist bed bugs and dust mites if you are sensitive to allergens. Look for stain protection features if you want to keep your mattress pads cleaner between washings. Eco-friendly options include wool, tencel, organic cotton, and rayon from bamboo when you want to make a socially conscious and environmentally friendly purchase.