(Part 2) Best mattress protectors according to redditors

A tricky situation as far as the review goes--I'd maybe go with 4 stars and be informative, but kind in the wording.

 

On a related note, you've inspired me to buy a waterproof mattress protector. Any recommendations? Was looking at this one.

Seconding /u/Mindaroth’s suggestions. If you absolutely cannot afford a new bed (or if talking to the landlord about it is paralyzing), you can find waterproof and bed bug proof mattress encasements that cover the entire mattress and then zip up all the way around, so if there are any bugs left in the mattress, they won’t be able to get out (and will hopefully die off). There are cheaper and more expensive options, and you could encase both your mattress and box spring.

Congrats on the INCREDIBLE progress you’ve made! I was flipping through the pictures of the bed thinking, wow - that actually looks really clean!

You could also (before encasing the mattress) use diatomaceous earth similarly to how you’ve used the baking soda. It’s a powder that has (very, very, very, very tiny, very sharp edges, so when insects walk over the powder, they get cuts and dehydrate and then dry. It’s used in foods and beauty products, and is generally harmless to humans unless you breathe it in, when it becomes an irritant (so wear a mask when applying/vacuuming up, like you would working with the baking soda or any other powder). It’s a non-toxic but fairly effective insect-killer, and we’ve used it before in our house (around people and pets) with no issues.

Again - I’m just in awe of you letting go of 90% of the stuff. Go you!!! You’re on your way to sleeping in a clean, comfortable bed sometime soon!! Cleaning around the bed will REALLY help keep the insect activity down, so (after taking a good break today), whenever you can capture that momentum again and keep it going, that’ll be a great next step!

I second the waterproof sheet, fitted sheet, waterproof sheet, & fitted sheet.

My son was dry for so long and recently had a cold. He woke up in the middle of the night coughing and also peed himself. If he has to pee in the middle of the night he will wake me up and I help him go.

So this took me by surprise—but I was so glad I had the extra sheets under.

It will also come in handy if he wakes up puking in the middle of the night.

These are the only waterproof sheets that don’t make my sweaty:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00MRH9NCK?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_pd_title

I understand your frustration. One of the main reasons I haven't gone from two to three ferrets is because I'm already at (possibly beyond) my tolerance for cleaning up poop. It's a lot, and if you're the only person taking care of them, it can be overwhelming.

You should definitely look into switching litters so it won't track outside the box. I have heard this stuff is the best. http://bluebuffalo.com/healthy-home/blue-naturally-fresh-cat-litter

For keeping the food mess under control, try putting their kibble bowl inside a "cave" for them to eat in when they're not in the cage. Similar to a case of beer cardboard box, but I'm sure you can find something that looks nicer. They'll like the dark space, and you'll like that the crumbs are minimized.

For your mattress. Oye. I wish I had found this sooner. http://www.amazon.com/Adorable-Cotton-Zippered-Mattress-Cover/dp/B0091PZ3NY/
The back of my mattress is all torn up, I couldn't figure out a way to stop them until I found this, it's a hypoallergenic cover that zips all the way around your mattress.


GOOD LUCK. I know it's frustrating. You're not a terrible person.

Here's a chart. Buy your twin mattress from Amazon! The boys fucking love those mattresses. It keeps them from sweating at night and even us adults feel comfy on it. I've napped on them many a time 😂 Also, Here is the mattress protector that I got... It's amazing and I can't believe it's so inexpensive.

Edit : woo! 7 years of glory!

This is the one that I got. They're very reasonably priced for the quality that you get. The top feels like a stiff terry cloth, but it's waterproof. They reviews are somewhat mixed about washing them, but generally, people who've washed them on gentle with cold water and air dried had good results.

I still recommend using towels whenever possible (or one of these(NSFW) or these (disposable, but can be slightly uncomfortable and squick people who are turned off by medical supplies)). There is a little bit of stiffness to the mattress protector, but that's easily remedied by a mattress pad if it bothers you.

~~~The more you know~~~

My understanding is that it works in two ways: First, it cuts the crap out of bugs as they walk through it. Second, it dehydrates them. Neither is an instant kill, which is why it takes time, but it's much more effective because they can't just develop immunities to being cut up and dried out.

OP, if you can afford it, look into mattress covers on top of using DT. My girlfriend and I discovered bed bugs when she moved from her old apartment into mine and our strategy was to use both DT and mattress/box spring covers. This is the brand we bought and we haven't had any further issues. DT works great for getting anything outside of your bed, but unfortunately if they're dug into your mattress it's not gonna do much. They're going to have a space to retreat to and lay their eggs. A mattress cover will suffocate them over enough time and prevent new ones from infesting it.

Sorry to hear about the situation, hopefully this helps.

I have the same problem. I use baby changing blankets and these waterproof mattress covers from Amazon.

WEEKENDER Fitted Jersey Mattress... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AYG9CF8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I actually have two on for the rare occasion when I squirt so much that the top one can’t handle it.

I got 300W of solar power for $1400 from Wholesale Solar in Mount Shasta, CA., but that's over half your budget. You may not actually need solar if you are going to drive the van every day. You could install an automatic battery isolator switch and charge your AGM batteries off your alternator. If you can get shore power somehow (park at a friend's house and run an extension cord, then pay him the extra for the increased power bill) you might get by with no house battery electrics at all.

Back in the 1970's I lived in vans in my early twenties, too. We had no way to get electric power in our van back then. (Lived at the beach in Texas and surfed.) We used kerosene lanterns for light and cooked outside the van on an old Coleman gasoline two-burner camp stove. I don't recommend cooking on a gasoline stove inside the van--it's far too hazardous. Use a propane stove.

Home Depot sells cheap foam mattresses where I live--buy two and stack 'em. Zip 'em up inside a mattress cover. Don't buy the "shower cap" mattress cover, they suck. Buy one that zips completely up. Home Depot sells a self-inflating Queen-sized camping mattress--$150. I bought a custom-sized 4" thick furniture-grade foam "mattress" from the Foam Store in Houston, TX--$160. "Short" Queen size (59x74 to fit a Ford Econoline.) Very comfortable.

http://thefoamstore.com/

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Kamp-Rite-Queen-Self-Inflating-Mattress-SIP491/301234210

https://www.amazon.com/Adorable-Cotton-Zippered-Mattress-Cover/dp/B0091PZ3NY

https://www.amazon.com/Queen-SafeRest-Premium-Mattress-Encasement/dp/B004BAEF7E

it's a good idea to invest in a bed bug cover for your mattress regardless. i've been using this one for about two years now and never had problems. i'd recommend one for your mom as well, bed bugs ain't fun.

You probably need a running fan and a cooling mattress top. Lighter/sweat wicking bedsheets might help too. Alternatively, sleep on a hammock together.

I use fitted waterproof mattress protectors. I have two layered on top of each other with a regular fitted sheet on top. It's comfortable to sleep on, but I prefer to use and launder it when we play, so it holds up longer. Pull off the regular sheet, play, it gets dirty, pull off, throw in washing machine. Next fitted waterproof sheet is waiting for more play, sleep, or cover it with regular fitted sheet.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AYG9CF8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Well, the drying/bagging (make sure they're sealed, completely airtight!) is kind of a low-cost basic step, while starting to buy stuff like mattress covers and anti-BB traps gets more expensive. If you truly think the bug's appearance was an isolated event then maybe you'll want to take a wait-and-see approach before investing much more?

FWIW this is the mattress cover I got. Worked well enough. Looks like it's on sale atm.

The other major bed accessory, assuming your bed's on four legs and can be otherwise isolated, is interceptor traps. If you've got bedbugs these are important because they let you see if you still have bugs; at night you act as bait (they attracted to CO2), and the traps catch them as they try to crawl up bed legs.

Ok so as far as the bed cover goes I would use this cover, if you have a box spring I would use this. If you need to store your books I would buy construction grade garbage bags from home depot they are strong and won't break easily just don't over stuff it with books. As far as killing bugs if they are infested in your books they need to be heated to 118° F for 90 minutes in order to kill all stages of bed bugs including eggs. I personally have never used this product but this seems like it would help eliminate all bugs out of your personal belongings that cant be put in a dryer. Doing it this way will get you your stuff back a lot faster than leaving it in a garbage bag, bed bugs can live without feeding for up to a year, eggs take 6-10 days to hatch so if you want to take the route of letting them die out double/tripple bag all of your belongings and wait a minimum of one year and they will die out.

There are 3 general types. 1 is a pure cover. Like this VODOF Soft & Warm Full Size Waterproof Mattress Pad Protector Cover, Breathable, Fitted Sheet Mattress Cover, Stretch Up to 17" Deep Pocket. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M7V63P4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_uCz3Cb35CGA7X (just using links for examples not recommendations). This won't change the bed at all. There are zip up versions too. Then you've got a lightly quilted cover. LEISURE TOWN Queen Mattress Pad Cover Cooling Mattress Topper Cotton Top Pillow Top with Snow Down Alternative Fill (8-21" Fitted Deep Pocket) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073TZF8BL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_uEz3CbA39GE7P there's light quilting with filling in it. It can help make the bed cooler. I can't see it changing the way the memory foam works. The only one that might have a slight difference is a feather bed or faux bed. That's because that's what they are. puredown Premium Natural White Goose Down Feather Overfilled Bed Topper 100% Cotton Fabric Mattress Pad King Down https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075FJGDT6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_6Iz3CbY8YPFPN in general this would be adding a "feather bed" on top of your mattress. They run 2-4 inches and it would give you that extremely soft fluffy feel. The bed would still do what it's supposed to but that feel of a feather bed would alter the feel a little. Feathers are warm. Probably a ton more than memory foam. Some love feather or faux feather. But it like anything else is a preference and would slightly alter the feel but it's supposed to. All links are because I'm too lazy to save photos in imgur. Another password i can't remember. They are not recommendations.

I used this mattress cover

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MRH4AMI?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

I totally get that. For most of us it's a pretty serious priority not to inconvenience others. I'm wet about 60%+ of nights, and I HATE for it to be bad enough to wake up my wife. I do wear diapers to bed, but I also use a waterproof mattress protector. She's probably not wet frequently enough to use disposable diapers, but she could use cloth all in one overnight pants. They aren't sexy, but they sold hold an accident, have an integrated waterproof barrier, and you wash them as needed.

I would recommend getting a waterproof mattress protector regardless. I think everyone should have one, bedwetting or not, to protect your mattress. Sell them in every major store now. Don't get a vinyl one, they suck. Vinyl is super cheap, but it's noisy, sweaty to sleep in, breaks down and tears quickly, and has a plasticy odor when new. Look for one with a "non-woven" barrier, or a PUL (polyurethane laminate) lining. They are quiet, and generally indistinguishable from a regular skirted mattress pad, and not much more expensive. This is the one I currently use:

https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Mattress-Protector-Queen-Size/dp/B07SMG5GGB

The surface is terry cloth, so it's very comfortable, and you just put the fitted sheet over it. The only warning is not to wash or dry on high heat, as it can melt the membrane. Warm wash and dry settings are fine.

To be totally frank, I've also accidentally peed on the couch, and an upholstered rocking chair, so I can't give you the best possible advice there. I can tell you that I spent a good deal of time scrubbing and washing to be sure I got them clean afterward. I mean, if you live with someone with some degree of incontinence there are going to accidents from time to time ...

However, I'm with you that she should be both more proactive about keeping the bed and other furniture dry, and if she's not, she did be more responsible about cleaning everything up when they're is an incident. It really isn't your responsibility to deal with her bedwetting, because she's not your child. That's the real issue I see you dealing with here. I think that's what deserves a conversation. I would be very honest about it, and tell her what you said here. Your concerned about the furniture being ruined. You could volunteer to help protect the mattresses, but all that she also consider wearing some protection to help keep it from happening as well, as eventually there mattress covers will fail (like everything, they eventually wear out). If she's not, she should also be making sure that she's the one taking care of all the cleanup when accidents do happen, and she should be vigilant not to fall asleep in places that are unprotected, OR she needs to change into personal protection in the evening if there is a risk she might fall asleep before getting ready for bed. It's just a reality of this condition.

I hope this is helpful, and don't worry about the other responses I got. I responded for you, and I'm used to getting crap from other people, but they aren't why I do this.

My preferred squirting protection method is the Peapod Mat - it's comfortable like a soft terrycloth towel, comes in dark colors, doesn't slide around and has never failed to absorb any amount of liquid.

No, I dont have a mattress pad. Mattress pads are thick on top. Mine is the same thickness all the way through and packaging is clearly marked a mattress protector. But, it is much thicker than what you are showing and soft. It is like terry clothe.

This is similar to the one I have except mine is clothe all the way around:

https://www.amazon.com/viewstar-Waterproof-Protection-Breathable-Hypoallergenic/dp/B07TQ64ZT3/ref=sr_1_15?keywords=mattress+protector&qid=1574609588&sr=8-15

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/review/B00MW4ZK8O/RJX3KDBZTIB09/ref=cm_cr_dp_mb_rvw_1?ie=UTF8&cursor=1

Direct comment link... Priceless!!!

https://www.amazon.ca/Premium-Hypoallergenic-Waterproof-Mattress-Protector/dp/B00MRH9NCK/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=waterproof%2Bmattress%2Bprotector&qid=1566416368&s=gateway&sprefix=waterproof%2Bmatteess&sr=8-4&th=1&psc=1

Looks too big to be a bedbug... but it's hard to judge scale in that pic. Best bet (cheapest thing to do) would be to tear the bedframe apart yourself or just check in the screw holes that hold it together and around the mattress and box-spring trim as they like to huddle together in tight places and don't usually travel far for a feed.

edit: checked out your other pics on imgur, it kind of looks about the right size/shape for a bedbug. Sometimes you just find one and its a freak thing, but you may still want to check in the cracks of the bed - extermination is not usually cheap either but is easier/faster taken care of when you call early on.

Company I worked for used Bedlam along with a few other things to get rid of bedbugs Tempo 1% dust,Bifenthrin (I think) - they also sold Climb up interceptors to check for possible activity. If the search shows nothing, getting some of these may be an option if your paranoid. Bed Bug covers couldn't hurt either. Make sure to get them for both your box spring and mattress if you do.

I know some futon retailers (like in portland, oregon) make their mattresses by hand from layered cotton/wool padding though these days most contain a synthetic core. It is also possible to get a hypoallergenic covering for another mattress to reduce contact with the materials.

I have similar issues with allergens, asthma, and autoimmune problems. My experience says to cover pillows and mattress with something [like this] (http://www.amazon.com/Cool-Shield-Waterproof-Mattress-Protector/dp/B00D04MTA2/ref=sr_1_13?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1374866971&sr=1-13&keywords=mattress+cover+hypoallergenic)

but you may have to get more specific with what you are sensitive to. if it is polyesters you may have trouble because finding a completely chemical free bedding is neigh impossible. This article (about crib beds primarily) was interesting.

I paid about $100 like 7 years ago for a mattress protector that I still have that doesn’t crinkle and keeps out dust, dirt, bugs, and moisture. I’m betting it would also keep them in long enough (the end of time) for them to die out. And protect you from them.

seems to be cheaper now 😑

That's why before you sleep on it, you put it in an impenetrable fortress of plastic/space-age polymers/etc.

When we bought a new mattress last year, we did this anyway for allergy reasons. Got one of these: http://amzn.com/B004NIVX24 (not an affiliate link, I swear). Waterproof, bug proof, might even be nuclear bomb proof for all I know. It went on easily, and lived right up to the waterproof claim at least.. One of my kids spilled like 3/4 of a 1L bottle of water on it a few months ago. Sheets, etc. soaked, but mattress was bone dry.

Again, thank you for your help. I tossed my mattress, box spring and bed frame (it was time for a new one anyways. I had a professional come and treat my entire place.

​

I haven't seen or felt any bed bugs since when they treated on 9/17. I also live in a condo, so I've called my HOA to notify my neighbors. For my new mattress and bed frame, I've purchased interceptors and protectors for both the [mattress](r/https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004BAEF7E/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and [pillows](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003PWNHSC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1). Any more precautions I should take? I'm trying not to be too paranoid.

I've been using a mattress protector and pillow protectors from Sleep Tite for about 18 months and I think they're great. They're completely waterproof, yet still have a degree of breathability so heat retention isn't too bad. Best of all, they don't make the crinkly plastic sounds you get with cheaper protectors.

I run them through the wash every time I clean my sheets and they've held up really well, even though I don't dry them on low heat like you're supposed to. If you take good care of them, you can expect them to last for years (they even come with a 15-year warranty!).

I got this mattress and this frame along with this mattress protector. I've been happy so far and I am sleeping better than before. I have lower back issues and need good support. This is a firm mattress and it takes a couple minutes for you to sink in, especially the first month. After the first month or so it does not take as long for the foam to shape to you.

I could use a new mattress cover (which is on my "Household" wishlist), but it can wait for a couple of months. My current one has worn thin in a few spots!

Good luck in your training!

I just bought these, and they're very much like fabric, so I don't know how effective they'll be long term (as I just put them on brand-new pillows):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071J45BWR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_UehJ1k5fuFeHP

I've had these in the past and they work well, but they do make me a little hot at night. They don't seem to be as bad as what you've described:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002AQLPQA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_QKBZzbJSKQQJP