Mattress covers

First decide what you need protection from

If the main job is protecting the mattress from dust and ordinary household soiling, a protector whose specifications suit that scenario is enough.

If protection from spilt liquid or other moisture matters, check the product page of the particular item for a moisture-proof membrane. Not all VENETO protectors share the same construction or the same composition.

Some of the products use membrane fabrics. For those, the specifications state protection of the mattress from moisture explicitly.

A protector with a side panel

Protectors can differ in the way they fasten. One practical version is a construction with a side panel that wraps the mattress around its perimeter.

Here it is important to check not only the length and the width of the sleeping area but the height of the mattress. Some VENETO protectors come in versions with different side panel heights.

If the mattress is close to 400 mm high or taller, check the height of the side panel in the specifications particularly carefully. The right length and width still do not guarantee a fit if the side panel does not match the thickness of the mattress.

How to choose the size

The size of the protector has to match the size of the mattress. In the VENETO catalogue product sizes are given in millimetres, so before ordering it is best to measure the mattress and compare the actual figures with the options available.

For a construction with a side panel, check three parameters:

• the width of the mattress;
• the length of the mattress;
• its actual height.

Do not go by the words "single" or "double" alone: exact dimensions are more reliable than the name of a format.

A membrane protector

A membrane is used where protection from moisture is what the protector is for. Part of the VENETO range uses moisture-proof fabrics with a membrane.

At the same time, the presence of a membrane should not be carried over to the whole category automatically. Check the composition of the particular product and the note about moisture protection in its specifications.

For regular use the washing recommendations matter too: the wrong temperature or way of drying can affect the properties of the material.

A protector and an under-mattress pad are not the same thing

If you need to protect the surface you sleep on, choose a protector. If you need a layer between the mattress and the base, check the specifications of the under-mattress pad.

A protector or a topper

These products do different jobs.

• A protector — is there above all to protect the mattress. It is thinner and not meant to change the firmness noticeably or to even out the sleeping surface.
• A topper — is a separate product laid on top of a mattress or another suitable base, to change the feel of the sleeping surface or adjust its properties.

So a topper should not be bought instead of a protector if the main aim is protection from moisture and soiling. And the other way round, a thin protective cover will not replace a topper if the comfort of the surface has to change.

Materials

The materials of VENETO protectors differ with the construction. The category has products with cotton and polyester components, and versions with moisture-proof membrane fabrics.

The same breathability, moisture protection or other properties should not be attributed to every protector simply because it belongs to the category. Check the composition and the functional specifications of the particular product.

That matters especially for membrane products: if protection from moisture is a key requirement, it has to be stated explicitly in the specifications.

Care

A protector takes on part of the everyday load, so being able to clean it regularly is one of its practical advantages.

Before washing, check the instructions for the particular product:

• the permitted water temperature;
• whether machine washing is allowed;
• the permitted way of drying;
• the limits for membrane fabric;
• the recommendations on detergents.

Do not use the same care routine for every protector: the composition of the fabric and the construction can differ.

Questions and answers

Do all mattress protectors keep moisture out?

No. Only models with a moisture-proof membrane protect against liquid — this is stated directly in their specification. A textile protector without a membrane takes on dust and everyday soiling, but lets liquid through.

Which protector suits a high mattress?

For high mattresses there are separate versions with a deeper side panel. Before ordering, measure the actual height of the mattress — together with the topper, if there is one — and check it against the height of the side panel on the protector’s product page.

How does a mattress protector differ from a topper?

A protector keeps the mattress clean and does not affect firmness. A topper, on the contrary, is there to change how the surface feels. One does not replace the other; where needed, they are used together.