You should put the mattress pad underneath your mattress protector. That’s because the mattress pad is an extra cushioning layer to make your bed comfy. It adds to your mattress’s thickness and gives you extra support. They’re made of different cushioning materials.
On the other hand, a mattress protector manages stains and hygiene to protect your mattress. It protects the layer underneath as these protectors are usually waterproof and provide a strong barrier against dust, bugs, and allergens.
So, if you can fit your mattress pad underneath the mattress protector, both your mattress and mattress pad will be protected. This is very important when you have kids or children whose paws or hands are always knocking liquid-filled cups over. Keep on reading to learn how to best assemble your mattress accessories.
What Are Mattress Pads?
A mattress pad is an additional layer of cushioning, padding, support, and ultimate comfort to your mattress. It adds another layer of thickness and increases the height of the bed by sitting on top of the mattress.
The padding material used inside varies a lot, and so does the thickness. It’s because not everyone has the same preferences when it comes to sleeping. The thickness of your mattress pad has an effect on your sleeping posture. So, it’s something you need to consider carefully.
However, despite the differences in cushioning material, the mattress pad generally comes with fabric lining.
When it comes to the benefits of using a mattress pad, that depends on the padding material, for example, some mattress pads are flame retardant. We’ve shared a table below to give you an understanding of different mattress padding materials and their benefits.
| Material | Characteristics/Benefits | Cons |
| Cotton | Completely natural | Wears & tears faster |
| Well-ventilated | ||
| Hypoallergenic | ||
| Gives a soft and | ||
| squishy feel | ||
| Machine-washable | ||
| Wool | Natural | Expensive |
| Softer & thinner than cotton | ||
| Contains antimicrobial features | ||
| Good at regulating body temperature | ||
| Down(feathers from geese or ducks) | Keeps warm | Stain-absorbent & pricey |
| Cozy and luxurious | ||
| Polyester/Rayon | Durable | Some of these pads aren’t machine washable |
| Stain-resistant | ||
| Resists pressure from body-weight | ||
| Allergens-resistant | ||
| Memory foam | Offers the highest level of physical support | They’re quite heavy, making them hard to move around |
| Reduces pain by molding to the shape of your body | ||
| Latex | Rigid | They give off a rubbery smell & may retain too much heat |
| Has antimicrobial properties | ||
| Good support & shape |
Mattress Protectors – What Are They & Why Should You Use Them?
A mattress protector covers your mattress pad to protect it from stains, bacteria, dirt, dust mites, sweat, allergens, mold, fungi, etc. Most mattress protectors are made of waterproof material to give your mattress protection against fluid spillage.
It also protects your mattress from early wear and tear. That’s why it’s a sound investment, as mattress toppers and mattresses are quite expensive.
These protectors also come in different fits. You can get an encasement kind with a zipper that completely encloses your mattress and mattress topper inside. You can also get fitted protectors that cover most of the mattress pad except the bottom.
The least protective kind is an anchored fit that only covers the top layer with elastic bands at the corners. As with mattress pads, protectors also come with different materials that offer a range of benefits. Let’s have a look.
| Material | Benefits | Cons |
| Polyurethane | Breathable & porous | Possesses poor thermal capability and it’s flammable. |
| Waterproof | ||
| Bugproof | ||
| Polyester | Waterproof | Non-biodegradable |
| Cotton | Comfortable | Wears down faster and offers the least protection. |
| AffordableVinylKeeps dust mites, bed bugs, and other critters away. | Prone to cracks. | |
| Spandex | Stretchable material offers the best fit | Least breathability. |
| Molds to your Mattress shape |
Most mattress protectors come with a blend of several materials, which offers the most comfort and performance. Every material in the table above has some benefits exclusive to it. To make sure you get the best features, most manufacturers blend these materials.
Differences Between Mattress Pads And Mattress Protectors
If you’re still confused between what a mattress pad does and what mattress protectors do, we’re here to compare the two.
They are both mattress accessories that can be combined for ultimate comfort. The mattress pad will provide cushioning and comfort, while the mattress protector will protect your expensive mattress and mattress pad.
A brief summary of the differences between the two is given below:
| Characteristics | Mattress Pad | Mattress Protector |
| Thickness | It’s thicker than mattress protectors in general. | Mattress protectors are thinner. |
| Physical Support | Offers additional physical support. | Doesn’t offer any additional physical support. |
| Protection | Doesn’t offer much additional protection to the mattress in terms of liquid spills, sweat, bacteria, etc. | It protects mattresses and mattress pads from stains, bacteria, dirt, dust mites, sweat, allergens, mold, fungi, etc. |
| Height | It increases the height of your bed. | It makes no noticeable change to your bed’s height. |
| Mattress Firmness | Mattress pads offer protection from the sagging of your mattress. It helps keep the mattress firm. | Doesn’t have an effect on mattress firmness. However, it increases overall durability. |
Do You Put A Mattress Pad Over A Mattress Protector? – The Best Way To Make Your Bed
No, you shouldn’t place your mattress pad over a mattress protector. Instead, do the opposite and place the mattress protector on top of the pad.
That’s simply because your mattress protector’s job is to protect everything underneath. So, it has to be the top layer when not counting the sheets.
Let’s just summarize all the layers that go on your bed:
- First, there’s the mattress.
- Then, you place the mattress pad to give it an additional layer of comfort.
- Then, the mattress protector goes on top. This protects your mattress and mattress pad from stains and keeps it hygienic.
- Next goes your bedding. You can arrange your sheets, pillows, and comforter.
Here’s a video on how to properly position your mattress protector.
Final Words
To summarize, do you put a mattress pad over a mattress protector? No, you do the opposite. The mattress protector stays on top of your mattress pad, followed by the bedding.
If you put the mattress pad on top, there’s nothing to protect the pad from spillage and staining. Thus, your mattress pad may get ruined. Since they’re expensive, that’s not recommended.
When you have kids, pets, or allergies, a mattress protector is a must. Placing it underneath your bedding is the best way to protect your mattress from damage and keep things hygienic. Hopefully, you now understand what these mattress accessories are for. Sleep tight!
