Choosing the Right Mattress Protector: A Comprehensive Guide

How to Choose a Mattress Protector

Choose natural fibres for a more comfortable night's sleep

A mattress protector is an important layer between you and your mattress. It helps keep your mattress fresh and protected, but it can also affect how comfortable you feel throughout the night.

We believe the best mattress protectors are made from natural, breathable fibres. Choosing organic cotton rather than polyester or microfibre creates a softer, more breathable layer beneath your sheets, while avoiding unnecessary synthetic fibres close to where you sleep.

Start with the right fit

A mattress protector should fit your mattress properly. Choose the correct size for your bed - whether Single, Long Single, King Single, Double, Queen, King or Super King.

A fitted mattress protector with a cotton skirt secured with elastic, similar to a fitted sheet, helps hold the protector comfortably in place and reduces bunching or movement during the night.

Organic Cotton - Naturally Better

When choosing a mattress protector, look beyond the outer fabric and check what is inside as well.

Our preference is cotton inside and out. Cotton is naturally soft, absorbent and breathable, allowing air to circulate more freely than many synthetic fibres. This helps create a comfortable sleeping environment throughout the seasons.

For an even more natural choice, look for organic cotton in both the cover and filling.

Ecodownunder Organic Cotton Mattress Protectors are made with:

• Certified Organic cotton cover
• Certified organic cotton filling
• No polyester padding or microfibre filling
• Naturally breathable and absorbent cotton
• A fitted organic cotton skirt, secured with elastic
• Machine-washable construction
• Sizes to suit Australian beds

Always check the composition label when comparing mattress protectors. Terms such as microfibre often refer to synthetic fibres, commonly made from polyester. A product described as having a "cotton cover" may still contain polyester filling, so it is worth checking the complete fibre composition.

Why choose a natural fibre mattress protector?

Your mattress protector sits directly beneath your fitted sheet, so the fibres used can make a difference to how your bed feels.

Natural cotton allows air and moisture to move through the fabric, helping create a more breathable sleep surface. By comparison, polyester fillings and other synthetic materials can reduce breathability and may feel warmer to sleep on.

If your priority is a natural sleep environment, choose a protector made predominantly from natural fibres and check the label for hidden synthetic fillings or waterproof layers.

Easy to Wash and Care For

One of the main purposes of a mattress protector is to help keep your mattress cleaner for longer. Unlike your mattress, a protector can be removed and washed regularly.

Our Organic Cotton Mattress Protectors are designed to be machine washed, making it easy to keep the layer beneath your sheets fresh and clean.

For best results:

• Cold gentle machine wash
• Use a mild laundry detergent
• Gentle spin
• Line dry in the shade and dry thoroughly
• Do not tumble dry
• Do not iron
• Avoid bleach and bleaching agents

As cotton is a natural fibre, excessive heat can cause shrinkage and may also affect the elastic and fit of the protector. We recommend line drying whenever possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you wash a mattress protector?

Yes -  provided the care instructions allow it.

Ecodownunder Organic Cotton Mattress Protectors have an organic cotton cover and filling and are designed to be machine washed. Regular washing helps keep your protector fresh while protecting the mattress underneath.

How often should you wash a mattress protector?

This varies depending on the individual, climate and how frequently the bed is used.

Body oils, perspiration and everyday moisture can gradually pass through your sheets to the mattress protector. We recommend checking your protector whenever you change your sheets and washing it when needed. As a general guide, washing it around once a month will help keep it fresh.

Can you put an organic cotton mattress protector in the dryer?

We recommend line drying in the shade rather than tumble drying.

Natural cotton can shrink when exposed to excessive heat, while heat may also affect the elastic and overall fit of the protector. Line drying is gentler on the natural fibres and uses no additional electricity.

Do I need a mattress protector if I use a mattress topper?

It depends on your topper.

If your topper is made from breathable natural fibres such as cotton or wool and can be washed or easily cared for, you may decide that an additional mattress protector isn't necessary.

If your topper contains memory foam, polyester, synthetic cooling gels or other man-made materials, adding a breathable cotton mattress protector on top can provide a more natural layer directly beneath your fitted sheet.

Is a mattress protector necessary?

We think so. A good mattress protector provides a washable layer between you and your mattress, helping protect your investment and keep your sleeping environment fresher.

Most importantly, choose one that complements the rest of your bedding. If you've invested in natural cotton sheets, it makes sense to consider what you're sleeping on underneath them too.

Organic Cotton Mattress Protectors

Ecodownunder Organic Cotton Mattress Protectors are designed for customers looking for a simple, natural alternative to polyester-filled protectors.

Made with an organic cotton cover and filling, they're naturally breathable, comfortable and easy to care for.

Available in:

Single | Long Single | King Single | Double | Queen | King | Super King

What About Mattress Toppers?

Mattress toppers add an extra layer of cushioning, comfort and insulation to your bed. Just as with mattress protectors, we recommend looking closely at the fibres used.

Cotton and wool are naturally breathable, making them excellent choices for bedding. They help manage warmth and moisture without relying on synthetic fillings or "cooling" technologies.

For an extra layer of comfort, Ecodownunder also offers natural fibre options designed to suit different sleep preferences and seasons.

Our Australian Made Wool Mattress Topper is filled with natural wool and designed to add softness, cushioning and breathable warmth to your mattress. Better still, it’s machine washable, making it a practical choice for everyday comfort and easy care.

For those wanting a cosier layer, our Our Australian Made Double-Fleeced Wool Underblanket provides generous natural insulation. With plush wool fleece on one side and cotton on the other, it creates a soft, comfortable layer between you and your mattress.

Both are excellent alternatives for customers looking to add natural fibre comfort and temperature regulation to their bed without relying on synthetic-filled toppers.

A more natural bed starts with every layer

From your mattress protector and topper to your sheets, quilt and blankets, choosing natural fibres such as organic cotton, cotton, linen and wool helps create a breathable, comfortable bed.

It's not simply about what you sleep under. What you sleep on matters too.