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I just ordered a latex mattress, and I'm trying to figure out what kind of cover to get in order to protect it from sweat (and the unlikely but possible spill). From this forum and from other sites, I've seen four different types of recommendations:
However, I've heard contradictory things about what the best option is. Some say wool is the best protection from moisture. Others say wool wicks away moisture but isn't really sufficient for someone who sweats a lot, and that one should use a cotton pad instead. Some cotton products are described as "waterproof" and/or are woven tightly enough to prevent dust mites and other particles from getting in. On the other hand, some say cotton is not as breathable as wool. I want something that's breathable, healthy, and that will protect the mattress, but I'm having trouble evaluating this information. For example, does option #4 make sense and would it be breathable? Option #3 is less expensive than buying two separate products, but is that (for example, the St. Dormeir protector) really water-resistant and does it provide any advantage over wool on its own?
Any recommendations on what option to use?
Thanks! P.S. Thanks for all the great information on this forum--it was immensely helpful as I went through the shopping and decision-making process. |
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dzoll7 wrote:
Wow, thanks for the detailed response! The mattress I ordered won't come with a wool cover, just a cotton zipper cover (I assume a thin one). So just to clarify--if we're talking about a wool pad and then a cotton/polyfill pad--isn't that a lot of padding? I can find examples of wool pads online, but it seems like they're relatively thick and are meant to be used on their own (as opposed to a thin mattress cover). Also, can I ask why you suggest polyfill instead of cotton filling?
If the mattress cover is simple, then put the wool in a good pad. The wool will help ventilate your body heat. And skip the cotton/poly pad, if it is too much. Polyfill is a cheap wool. It ventilates and cushions, but wool works better. An all cotton pad would just fill up with your body moisture and remain damp and clamy... not wet, just would hold a higher moisture content and then feel and behave like it was humid. The material application here is similar to how you would select gear/fabric layers for outdoor clothing: Layer 0 (El Zero): Cotton, sucks up water and cools you as it dries. Good on a hot day. Otherwise, good for hypothermia. Layer 1: Fine quality synthetic evaporation layer next to the skin for wicking away moisture to keep you dry and not cool as it dries. Layer 2: Vapor Barrier Layer... a waterproof layer used in severe conditions to block all evaporative cooling in very cold conditions and to keep layer 3 dry and functioning (seals in Layer 2). Layer 3: Insulating layer... down, wool, polyfill... anything that lofts and can be kept dry in given conditions... your activity level and the weather. Layer 4: Breathable waterproof shell to shed wind and precipitation and to protect the function of the other layers. Getting back to your mattress, you want L0 cotton or better next to your skin for comfort... a silk or fine synthetic could work but availability and cost would be a factor. Next you want L1 for wicking and ventilation... getting the moisture away to dry... a polyfill or wool will do this. L2 is usually only used with small kids. L3 is usually built into the mattress cover; if not, then put this function at L1. L4 would be the bed canopy! GK This message was modified Sep 15, 2012 by GKDesigns
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