trying to be proactive I've done everything that has been suggested on the site except the mattress protection. What is the best a waterproof mattress pad or waterproof mattress cover?
ro for me mattress pad is going to make the bedding more comfy while protecting but usually isnt all that good as waterproofing. a mattress cover that is vinyl with a zipper would be ideal to put under a mattress pad so nothing gets into the mattress. i guess if you wanted the full gambit you can do both. or just a pad. a pad will stop some urine but usually not a full load. but its usually cottony and comfortable material and washes easily. they may have a solid waterproof newer version out there now since i used them that is more a bit of both? maybe others have input. so if i had to do over i'd use a vinyl fully waterproof to encase the whole mattress and then a more lofty comfy pad that can be washed as needed as a topper. it gives some comfort but ensures a clean dry mattress for after.!
Unfortunately, I was using the disposable mattress pads and diapers, but found that the capacity to urinate exceeded the ability of the two pads to absorb everything. I found that it would leak and wick into shirts, pillows, and of course the mattress. After ruining a mattress, I bought a protect a bed waterproof mattress protector, which is washable, and offers the ultimate protection. My dw did not like the sound and the feel of the vinyl pad, and we had removed it to make her more comfortable. Unfortunately, new mattresses are no longer able to be turned over, and I was never able to completely remove the smell and stains from the mattress. I tried an upholstery steamer, stain remover, smell remover, baking soda, Fabreze, downy sheets, enzymes, blowtorches, jackhammers, Odoreaters, ionic breeze neutralizers, and utrasonic cleaners, but nothing ever removed the stench from the mattress. My oversight was horrible, and I immediately bought the premium mattress protector, and also the pillow protectors. It was much easier to throw everthing in the wash (except the disposable pads and the diapers), and remake a fresh bed. I actually became quite proficient at it, and could do everything while she stayed in bed....I suggest you invest in the protectors.....cheaper than new mattresses, especially the pillowtops..
My son adopted a baby who is somewhat disabled. He received diapers and cloth waterproof mattress pads for free - crib size. He gave them all to me and I use 2 of those under our sheets on our queen-size bed and they work great. The most I ever have to do is strip the bed and launder. Phranque, I have a double pillow top mattress and have had to scrub it a couple times (whatever good that does). Love being able to flip it.
We went from a king bed to two twin exlong beds. I purchased the Sealy Posterpedic mattresses and had to purchase two mattress covers to get the warranty on the bed. I then purchased two mattress pads that did not work. I then enclosed the mattresses with a visqueen covering that I taped in the back. It was a thick material and the only thing is it made noise when my dh layed on it. Since then I purchased a zippered mattress cover and it works great. I would go for the entire cover of the mattress. As phranque did I also got covers for the pillows and keep a few extra on hand. Good luck finding what you need. There are alot of products on the market,,,, it is just finding one that suits your needs.
We have a Sleep # bed and the air comes into the mattress via baffles. I purchased a full zipper version cover and the baffles were too much of an obstacle. I now have a waterproof mattress cover that has a comfy terry top with the waterproof vinyl underneath. It doesn't make any noise and isn't hot. I also purchased a couple waterproof pads to lay on the top. So far, dh hasn't had any accidents in bed and his incontinence disappeared along with the Aricept I threw away - hope that last a very long time, I really didn't like those days at all (yech!).
I used the vinyl mattress cover that divi recommended. On top of that, I used a mattress pad. On Gord's side I put another washable, vinyl backed full length pad under the fitted sheet. On top of the fitted sheet, I used 2 of the smaller vinyl backed soft topped pads. When I was lucky, everything was dry. Mostly, I would have to change one of the smaller pads in the night. When I was really unlucky, I had to wash everything. That was what worked best for me.
I used the same as Jang but the vinyl cover had a terry cloth type cover on the it. It worked 99% of the time and only once did I had to strip the entire bed (we had a king) including the terry cloth covered vinyl pad. His pillow had a vinyl cover, then a quilted pillow cover of which I had several of.