Podcast manchesterstyle
Interview with Anthea Valavanis about Mattress Protectors

In episode 3 of our interview series on textiles in the home, we spoke to Anthea Valavanis, the product content coordinator at Manchester Warehouse Mattress Protectors.

For more information on Mattress Protectors visit: manchesterwarehouse.com.au/bed.../bed/protectors

First, how do mattress protectors work?

A mattress protector is generally elasticised like a fitted sheet, so it has a top and a skirt around the sole of the mattress but in that would be elastic at the bottom holding it on. You do have your entry price point and your commercial priced product that only have elastic on the corner and this can be useful for deep mattresses. Base mattress protectors are there to protect your mattress from perspiration, your body oils, spills, stains, etc. A mattress is such an important purchase, usually you’ll have it for 10 years, so you’re going to be protecting them. There’s different application of mattress protectors including special ones that kill dust mites but the basic premise is to protect your mattress from damage.

How do you go about choosing which one mattress protector is right for you?

It depends on what you are using it for. As a rule I just recommend a cotton mattress protector because all I want them to do is put it on my mattress, put my fitted sheet on top of it and it is now protecting my mattress from my perspiration, and my oils, my skin, or maybe if I get a cut or something I can avoid blood on the mattress. If I am talking about for children or for incontinent or you’re getting older, you’re looking at something that’s waterproof. This are a couple of types but generally a cotton top with a PVC back. Other than that, you also look at a dust mite protector for someone who have allergies so these protectors are a bit different. They actually encase the mattress, so you have to take up the mattress and put it in to this protector to keep it completely encased and dust mite free.

For more on what to look for in a child safe mattress protector visit: healthychild.com/waterproof-ma...ress-protectors

Mattress protectors come in different fabrics now I imagine that relates to whether they’re going to be waterproof or a just a normal mattress protector. Is that all right?

For everyday use I go for cotton, but they are at a higher price point. Entry level products include polyester cotton, but they’re not breathable fabric, they can create heat in summer. That’s why I recommend cotton as the bases. If you are, cotton bed also bamboo has also become a thing. Bamboos is sustainable, has breathability, hypoallergenic. If you’re needing waterproof, there’s two options, the bamboo waterproof and the cotton waterproof. The cotton, we should mention the deluxe, that has a terry top. As supposed to the bamboo, which has got the bamboo cotton top.