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Waterproof Mattress Protector – What’s Safe and What to Avoid

Waterproof Mattress Protector

Learn the Safest Way to Protect Your Mattress from Spills and Accidents

A waterproof mattress protector is essential to protect your mattress from urine, spit-up, sweat and other bodily fluids that are part of life.  Wet or damp mattresses provide a perfect environment for bacteria, mold, mildew and fungi, which can lead to a toxic sleep environment.

Plus, wetness can ruin your mattress!

Currently, the only way to get complete waterproof protection for a mattress is with a plastic lining or membrane in a cover or protector pad. But it’s important that you choose the right plastic, as not all plastics are the same. In fact, most can be quite toxic.

Most waterproof mattress protectors you find will be made of one of these plastics:

  • vinyl/PVC
  • PEVA/EVA
  • polyurethane

Vinyl/PVC –Avoid it Completely

Vinyl is dangerous on two levels. First PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is a known human carcinogen. Second, the plasticizers that are used to soften the hard PVC plastic and make it flexible enough to use as mattress protectors or pads are phthalates. Every day we learn more about how toxic phthalates (and  phthalate variants) are, especially to babies’ and children’s small, developing bodies.

Phthalates make up 30%-40% of the weight of the vinyl surface, and have been linked to:

  • reproductive harm
  • asthma
  • early onset of puberty
  • cancer
  • kidney and liver damage

Even more alarming, they are weakly bound to the vinyl and leach or off-gas into the surrounding air, to be breathed in.

What about “non-toxic” or “phthalate-free” vinyl?

Due to the clear science that indicates phthalates are a health risk, several types of phthalates have been banned in the US. But manufacturers are always coming up with new variants, some only slightly different, that are legal and not tested for safety.

Until all of these variants are tested (if that ever happens), it’s better to avoid “non-toxic” and “phthalate-free” vinyl or PVC.  No one really knows what level and type of plasticizers or additives in vinyl is safe, especially for children.

PEVA/EVA – Caution Needed

You may see products made with PEVA (Polyethylene vinyl acetate) or EVA (Ethylene vinyl acetate) touted as less-toxic than PVC. Although these types of vinyl are free of chlorine, they still may contain chemicals that are better avoided.

Polyurethane – Can be Safe but Do Your Research

Polyurethane on its own can be relatively safe, depending on how it’s formulated. It can be formulated with added chemicals or solvents. Polyurethane foam, for example is highly toxic due to additives to make it into a foam. You definitely want to avoid mattresses made with polyurethane foam, but the plastic is a different story. If you see a waterproof mattress protector made with polyurethane plastic, you’ll need to dig deeper to determine its safety. It’s difficult to know if a plastic is off-gassing, but sometimes the toxic smell will give it away.

Some Other Materials and Factors to Consider

Polyethylene – Safe but unsuitable for mattress pads

Polyethylene is a safe plastic. If you want to buy a MATTRESS that is already waterproof, then get a mattress that has a built-in covering made with polyethylene. Naturepedic makes a waterproof kids mattress and organic crib mattresses that are waterproofed with plant-based polyethylene made from non-GMO sugar cane.

Unfortunately, polyethylene is not ideal for mattress pads that need to be washed frequently, since it does not hold up wash after wash. It’s rare to find a polyethylene waterproof mattress protector on the market and if you do, don’t expect it to last long.

Coating – not worth the risk

Some mattress pads are marketed as anti-microbial, antibacterial and/or anti-mildew. Usually this means the pad has an extra coating of something that’s potentially toxic. If you wash the pad when needed, coating is unnecessary. Better to avoid inviting other chemicals into your bed.

Wool Mattress Pads – a natural, safe option but not entirely waterproof

Since wool is moisture-resistant and dries quickly, wool mattress or “puddle” pads are sometimes used with mattresses that are not waterproof. Many wool puddle or piddle pads actually have synthetics in them, such as polyester, so look for 100% certified organic wool from a company you can trust. Keep in mind that wool can also be allergenic.

You can’t count on wool alone to waterproof a mattress. If there is a lot of wetness from a baby or child, it can go through to damage the mattress and create mold and mildew problems. I recommend layering one or two organic wool puddle pads that are specifically designed to block wetness with an organic cotton mattress protector to serve as extra layers of protection. Cotton absorbs moisture and wool repels and wicks moisture away. When used in concert, the wool and cotton pads together can block the wetness, but don’t count on it being completely waterproof.

What do I recommend for a guaranteed non-toxic, 100% waterproof mattress protector?

I searched everything on the market, and I recommend either the Sleep and Beyond Organic Cotton Waterproof Mattress Protector or the Naturepedic Organic Waterproof Protector Pad since neither have toxic chemical additives. They do not leach chemicals or off-gas into your sleeping environment. They are both confirmed non-toxic, and hypo-allergenic. Both are made with an ultra-thin film of polyurethane plastic completely surrounded by two layers of organic cotton, and both can withstand even the worst nighttime accidents while still allowing the material to breathe. There’s no plastic chemical odor and the organic cotton provides a non-sweaty sleep surface.

What’s the difference between them? The main difference is the Sleep and Beyond protector is waterproof on the skirt/sides as well as top so the sides of the bed are protected too. They also have a zippered organic cotton waterproof mattress encasement that completely covers the entire mattress that also protects against allergens, dust mites, bed bugs, pet hair and dander. The Sleep and Beyond TPU is non-GMO, bio-based, and derived from corn starch and it has a 10 year warranty. The Naturepedic protector is only waterproof on the top and the fitted sides are not. In my opinion, the Sleep and Beyond feels softer and more comfortable. The Sleep and Beyond has a slightly higher price because of all of this.

Sleep and Beyond Organic Cotton Waterproof Mattress Protector

  • Complete, Effective Waterproofing – No Worries about Accidents!
  • Waterproof on the skirts/sides as well as the top.
  • Protects Mattress from Stains, Wetness, Odors, Mildew and Fungus
  • Prevents allergens, pet dander, and dust mites from accumulating in the mattress
  • Soft, Breathable and Non-Sweaty
  • No harmful chemicals – Confirmed
  • GOTS Certified
  • Fair Trade & Oeko-Tex certified
  • GREENGUARD Gold Certified
  • Non-Allergenic
  • Two layers of soft 100% certified organic cotton jersey
  • Inner overlock stitching around the inner perimeter
  • Ultra-Thin Waterproof Membrane is non-GMO, bio-based, derived from corn starch
  • No Vinyl/PCV, Phthalates
  • No Chemical Odor
  • No PBDEs, Flame Retardants, Dyes, Biocides
  • Lightweight and Easy to Change
  • Machine Washable
  • 10-year warranty

Sleep and Beyond Organic Cotton Waterproof Mattress Protector

Buy Now

Sleep and Beyond Organic Cotton Waterproof Mattress Encasement

Completely encased zippered organic cotton solution that provides breathable waterproof protection against liquids, spills, and stains, leaks, allergens, dust mites, bed bugs, pet hair and dander.

  • Complete, effective waterproofing that encases the entire mattress
  • Protects against spills, stains, leaks, allergens, dust mites, bed bugs, pet dander
  • YKK zipper and easy organic cotton cord pull for ease and comfort.
  • Non-toxic, safe, and breathable barrier 
  • Free of vinyl/PVC, phthalates, and other harmful chemicals
  • Fully reversible, six-sided design offers 360 degrees of protection.
  • Two layers of soft 100% Organic Cotton Stretchable Jersey Fabric
  • Waterproofing TPU film is non-GMO, bio-based, and derived from corn starch
  • GOTS Certified
  • Fair Trade & Oeko-Tex certified
  • GREENGUARD Gold Certified
  • Silent mattress protection (crinkle-free)
  • Lightweight and easy to remove for washing.
  • 10-Year Warranty

Sleep and Beyond Organic Cotton Zippered Waterproof Mattress Encasement

Buy Now

Naturepedic Organic Cotton Waterproof Mattress Pad

  • Complete, Effective Waterproofing – No Worries about Accidents!
  • Protects Mattress from Stains, Wetness, Odors, Mildew and Fungus
  • Soft, Breathable and Non-Sweaty
  • No harmful chemicals – Confirmed
  • GOTS Certified
  • GREENGUARD Gold Certified
  • Non-Allergenic
  • Top and Bottom Layers are 100% Certified Organic Cotton Fabric
  • Fabric is soft organic cotton flannel on top and organic cotton muslin on bottom
  • Ultra-Thin Waterproof Membrane In Center
  • No Vinyl/PCV, Phthalates
  • No Chemical Odor
  • No PBDEs, Flame Retardants, Dyes, Biocides
  • Lightweight and Easy to Change
  • Machine Washable
  • 1 year warranty

Naturepedic Organic Cotton Waterproof Mattress Pad

Buy Now

51 Comments

  1. I bought a latex mattress and I have been sick ever since and Please is there anything you have to cover a double latex mattress so the fumes will stop coming to me as i can’t afford a new mattress PLEASE HELP.
    Blessings Melissa.

  2. I bought a new mattress this week, just a sprung mattress than you turn regularly, I by a new cheap one every 2 yrs, because in the past I bought an expensive memory foam Matress & after a while it burnt my skin wherever I lay on it..with my new mattress I bought a mattress topper, I had it on for 2 nights, the second night in the middle of winter my skin where I laid on it burnt like hell, the whole room & me stunk of rubber.
    There’s polypropylene in the mattress topper, could this be causing the burning?
    Thanks.
    Joan Hemington

    1. Joan, I’m sorry to hear about your skin burning, that must be terrible. Polypropylene is one of the “better” plastics, so I don’t know if that’s the issue. It might be that your topper is coated with some sort of antimicrobial or other chemical. Difficult to know when ingredients are not specified. You may want to go with an organic wool, cotton or latex topper without any plastic or coatings.

  3. I too bought a tempurpedic memory foam mattress about 10 years ago. At first I could not be in the same space with it but I did not identify the mattress as the problem until some time later due to drift of the toxins to non-bedroom areas. These products are grossly unsafe. Initially, on coming into my home, my eyes and throat would become red and inflamed, then my breathing was affected. At night, after falling asleep, I would wake up exactly 30 minutes later with a racing heart and ‘anxiety’ type awakeness. The odor eventually dissipated but now I am finding that the toxins have changed my life and health. I have odd auto-immune symptoms, have developed an autoimmune response to my own hair (head and eyebrows etc itch all the time) and I am allergic to many things. I cannot be in the aisle of low price shoe stores because the shoes are ALL made of polyurethane and the smell puts me away and triggers symptoms. I continued to have some episodes of heart arythmia. After a few years the foam, just when it seems to have stabilized, begins to break down. Then the whole nightmare starts over again. GET RID OF THE MATTRESS. Your long term health is at risk. Note that I bought my mattress at Relax the Back, a high end store in Washington state that purports to give you a better sleeping experience. Ha! It has ruined my life and there is no real treatment because environmental toxins are not yet a full area of medical research. DO NOT PUT YOUR KIDS ON THESE MATTRESSES and I recommend you get polyurethane out of your lives. Better to live with less furniture than to die slowly. In the last 3 years i have been diagnosed with what appears to be a slow growing lymphoma and autoimmune issues are constant.

    1. So sorry to hear about your experience. Unfortunately it’s quite common with memory foam mattresses. They have ruined the health of many people. I would recommend finding a functional medicine doctor who can help with autoimmune issues and perhaps also the lymphoma. Typical medical doctors don’t have answers but there are some doctors who can truly help. It will take a lot of detoxing to get your health back, but I believe you can get it back! As for the polyurethane, it’s the foam, not necessarily the plastic, they are 2 completely different chemical compositions. But I totally agree that you need to stay away from the plastic as well, since now you are ultra sensitive. So sorry, I really feel compassion for you and what you are going through.

  4. This article is confusing. In one paragraph you mention that polyurethane is safe but “unsuitable for mattress pads” due to the fact that they quickly degrade after washing. Then you recommend the Naturepedic Organic Cotton Waterproof Mattress Pad which uses polyurethane. I really am looking for the best product for my family and this is not helpful. Any chance you could clarify why you reccommend the Naturepedic?
    Thanks!

    1. Hi Emily, it’s polyethylene that is not suitable for mattress pads. Not polyurethane. Here’s the paragraph again:

      If you want to be sure that you are buying a safe, non-toxic waterproof mattress, polyethylene is the way to go. Unfortunately, it’s not ideal for mattress pads that need to be washed frequently. Precisely because it is a benign plastic, it does not hold up wash after wash. It’s rare to find a polyethylene waterproof mattress protector on the market and if you do, don’t expect it to last long.

      The polyurethane plastic used in the Naturepedic mattress pads are confirmed safe.

      Hope this clears the confusion. – Jane

  5. hello Jane
    This is what you quoted to to a friend requeating to clarify, but it sounds like a double standard. You first said
    ” polyethylene that is not suitable for mattress pads. Not polyurethane. Here’s the paragraph again:

    If you want to be sure that you are buying a safe, non-toxic waterproof mattress, polyethylene is the way to go. ”

    So what is safer? Polythylene or polyurethane?

    1. I think the confusion is in this statement:

      “If you want to be sure that you are buying a safe, non-toxic waterproof mattress, polyethylene is the way to go.”

      I think I see where the confusion is, and I apologize that paragraph is not clear. I will change that paragraph to give it more clarity. What I am saying is that if you want a MATTRESS that is already waterproof, then get a mattress that has a covering made with polyethylene. Naturepedic makes waterproof kids MATTRESSES that are waterproofed with polyethylene. You just wipe the mattress off, you don’t put it in the wash so polyethylene works for that.

      Polyethylene is the safest plastic and generally safer than polyurethane. But since PADS and COVERS need to be washed frequently and polyethylene does not hold up well in the wash with hot water, mattress pads are made with polyurethane plastic and not polyethylene. And the safety of polyurethane depends on the formulation. Naturepedic makes a safe polyurethane mattress pad – tested and confirmed.

      Does that answer your question? Let me know if you need more clarification. 🙂

    1. I don’t recommend vinyl mattress protectors due to toxicity of vinyl. They are not safe, especially with a heated pad.

  6. is there a safe wool crib pad you can recommend? many that I’ve come across are treated with the chemical “ultra-fresh” , which I would like to avoic.

    1. Healthy Child had safe untreated wool mattress pads, but the manufacturer discontinued them recently. We do have these washable wool mattress pads for a crib, but these are not the type that are specifically designed to block wetness (puddle pads).
      https://healthychild.com/product/washable-wool-mattress-pad/
      I continue to look for untreated, safe wood puddle pads and will post here when I find them.

  7. What would you say about organic eucalyptus fabric, TPU waterproofing & polyester mesh for a safe waterproof mattress pad? I’m looking for my daughters bed. Also, do u know of any zip up safe mattress covers? I’ve got an old mattress & can’t afford a new one do would like to cover the safest way possible. Thanks.

    1. It would really depend upon how the eucalyptus fabric was manufactured. I don’t know enough about it to say for sure since I haven’t checked into it. Same with TPU, it depends on how it’s manufactured. The only mattress cover that I know of that might block chemical off-gassing on an adult mattress is the No-Chem mattress wraps. These wraps are noisy and you will feel that you are sleeping on plastic. But this type of plastic is the only way to block the off-gassing.

    1. I’ve never heard of a silver finish on a mattress cover. I suggest asking the manufacturer specifically for more information, if you can possibly get that. Something needs to make it waterproof and I don’t know how silver can do that so it’s likely there’s some sort of plastic in there.

    1. I don’t recommend this type of “breathable” crib mattresses since they are not waterproof and the baby breathes through the surface and into the interior of the mattress. What else is going through the non-waterproof surface and into the interior? Urine, diarrhea, spit-up, vomit, milk. I would not want my baby breathing into that contaminated space. Also for babies we only recommend GOTS certified organic crib mattresses because of their stringent standards. Naturepedic makes a GOTS certified breathable crib mattress.
      https://healthychild.com/product-category/organic-crib-mattress/

  8. Hi Jane,
    May I ask your thoughts on this baby mattress?
    https://www.westcoastkids.ca/beauty-sleep-organic-crib-mattress-1
    It says it has “organic cotton layers” which seems great, but also says it has a “verti-fiber layer” (whatever that is), but it does say “no VOC’s and off-gassing”, so I’m assuming it’s safe.
    I would then find a mattress protector, perhaps just a 100% cotton one with no waterproofing (bub doesn’t have spills often and if so they would be caught by a cotton protector I believe).
    Thanks,
    Genevieve

    1. Hi Genevieve, they don’t provide enough information and simply saying “no VOC’s and off-gassing” doesn’t mean that it is. Cotton by itself cannot be waterproof or stain resistant so they have added something to make it so. They don’t say what the filling is, so assuming polyurethane foam. And probably fire retardants. GreenGuard certification does allow off-gassing – many companies pass these standards with questionable materials. See this article for more info: https://healthychild.com/best-organic-crib-mattress/

  9. Hello. Can you please tell me what I can do to make sleeping on a vinyl waterbed safer? Would a mattress pad even help? I’m concerned about chemicals leaching into my body. Thank you

  10. Have any health concerns been identified with Bamboo Mattress covers? We purchased them along with 2 new mattresses, and have found black spots on our skin after using these, and I have had other more concerning health issues as well. Any information on this topic would be helpful.

  11. what about the old fashioned cotton flocked “rubber” pads they used to use on babies cribs under the sheet?

    1. That’s a good question and I’m not sure about those rubber pads. If they are all natural latex rubber, then I assume they would be fine, but there might be additional waterproofing chemicals added. Latex is not normally a waterproof material.

  12. What about organic wool comforters? I would like to purchase one for my son, but he will soon be potty training. How would I clean it after accidents? Or is there another comforter that would be better to use during this season of life?

  13. Hi Jane,

    My husband and I bought a conventional mattress 4 months ago and it is past the point of returning. Flame retardant information is not notated on the mattress or tags. It is comprised of polyurethane foam, rayon, polyester, and polypropylene on the inside and polyester on the top/sides. Shortly after we bought it, I found out I was pregnant. Today is the first day I’ve learned about mattresses and toxins (which I’m dying a little about). I also have a 2.5 year old who recently started sleeping in our bed a couple hours each morning. We cannot afford to buy a new mattress at this point, and wrapping in plastic sounds noisy for someone constantly moving and getting up out of bed (me). We use a Dyson air purifier in whatever room of the house we are in and sleep with the window open. Will one of the recommended organic mattress pads help us? I asked my husband if we could sell this mattress and buy a new one and he said absolutely no and that I’m being ridiculous. 🙁

    1. Hi Kristin,

      The organic cotton waterproof mattress covers may help. Off-gassing is blocked by a certain thickness of plastic. The safe plastic membrane in these covers is very thin, but it may help some and it’s better than nothing. Plus you’ll get waterproofing. If you want to be more certain, you could get a 1 or 2″ topper and also the waterproof pad so you have more space between you and the mattress. The gasses hover right above the mattress so putting a little space in between might be a good idea.

    1. Wow, thank you for your quick reply! I didn’t realize it was made by the same company. Is the price difference mainly in comfort?

      1. That’s a good question, I’ll have to ask Naturepedic, I’m just finding out about Happsy myself! I’ll see if I can get a sample and compare.

        1. Did you find anything out about Happsy? We are researching their twin mattress versus the 2 in 1 organic kids naturepedic.

  14. Hello, I’m looking for a non-toxic mattress encasement. I travel a lot, so I want an layer of protection from bed bugs. Any suggestions?

  15. You are a god sent person! My son and I have had long term exposure to mold and as result are extremely sensitive to many odors and chemicals. I just bought the Avocado mattress thinking that it would help my poor son sleep better. However, immediately after opening it up both of us started to have sinuse swelling. I am now assuming that we are allergic to latex. Though it could possibly be the way that the mattress is compressed to fit into the box. I believe it’s a polyurethane plastic that is used, but a am curious about how they compress it? Is there another chemical used? Anyway, I have been looking for an alternative. And your website is the FIRST place that I found any mention of Naturepedic being latex free. THANK YOU! I am planning to confirm that that is the case and hopefully visit a store. I hope that the stores have them in stock and “aired out” in the event that they ship their mattresses in a similar way as Avocado. Assuming of course that there is anything “chemical” in the shipping. Thank so much! I am now hoping to explore your site more. As we are in desperate need of advice/direction of how to cure ourselves and protect ourselves.

    1. I’m sorry to hear of your struggles with mold and chemical sensitivity. I will find out about what’s used to compress and roll-pack the Avocado mattresses. Naturepedic crib mattresses are latex-free, but some of their other mattresses do contain organic latex. The Verse and Chorus are latex-free. The Naturepedic product pages tell you what materials are used.

      1. Wow! Thank you for replying. I didn’t expect a reply especially so quickly.
        I just bought a mattress protector to go over my foam bed and unfortunately it has not past the nose test. All 3 of us woke up with some blood in our noses. I bought it on Amazon, bamboo cover with polyurethane backing. Uh, the exhausting trial of finding things that are “clean”. I’m in Gilbert (near Phoenix) would you know of any Functional Medicine doctors or similar you would recommend? I went to one an what he prescribed for my son had a very negative effect on my son, turns out my son’s histamine levels are probably very high and sensitive to what he prescribed. Or a website to find a good doctor?

        1. I know how frustrating and exhausting this is when you’re sensitive to so many things. You’re on the right track in finding a practitioner who can do some testing and help you resolve the underlying imbalances. Here is the IFM site – they have a directory of doctors:
          https://www.ifm.org/find-a-practitioner/

          You might want to try finding a practitioner at the American Academy of Environmental Medicine
          https://www.aaemonline.org

          1. Hi again,
            So we all went to Naturepedic. Wow! Amazing mattresses, we were especially surprised that you can open it up to customize your side. The quality of the mattresses was exactly what we are hoping will help us. We bought mattresses for our kiddos. Oh how I hope that they smell as clean delivered as they smelled there. We’ll find out in about two weeks!
            Thank you for those links. I’ll look at them. I just found out that 1) there are infectious disease doctors and 2) they might be able to help. Once again thank you.
            Also, is there a way to give your company the commission that you might have received if I had purchased the mattresses through your website?

          2. That’s wonderful Claudia, I’m happy you found what you needed! No need to give commission; I’m just happy to help.

  16. Just an update. The twin beds arrived and unfortunately we needed to leave them in the box for about 2 weeks. We opened the boxes outside so that an fumes would be released outside rather than inside the house.
    The odor was EXTREMELY less than Avocado’s bed, even after being in the box that much longer.
    I have let the mattresses air out for about 2 days and my kids seem to be sleeping ok on them. They’ve only been on it for 2 nights so I guess only time will tell.
    But so far from what I’ve seen, Naturepedic definitely has a high standard.
    Through this whole process I’ve come to find out a lot of things that are made overseas are drenched in pesticides and other chemicals to keep them from getting damaged along the long boat ride or other transportation method from their country to ours. Either the item, the cardboard box, and/or conex box are sprayed.
    I’ve gone to “high end” stores to buy sheets that had tons of certification, only to open them up and find that they smelled horribly. I washed them but the chemicals are drenched in there.
    Needless to say, I’ve discovered that maybe buying made in the USA might be the cleanest option for us. Not because we think that other countries produce poor quality items. On the contrary, however, because of the chemicals that a lot of items go through when shipping (furniture, rugs, textiles, etc). All of these items are things that we have recently bought new bc we moved from our previous place were we had mold exposure.
    I’ll update later on how we are doing.
    Thank you again for letting me know about Naturopatic.

    1. Happy to hear that. Yes, buying made in the USA is important for the reasons you mentioned, plus there are other reasons. All of the products we link to here from Healthy Child are made and shipped in the USA. Thanks for the update!

  17. Hi there,
    I co-sleep with my baby on a King Size bed and need a mattress protector that offers very good waterproof protection but also has the least amount of chemical off-gassing. What you recommend for this? I found one that has both polurethane and polyester, but would this be harmful? Would a thin polyurethane film alone be enough protection for toilet accidents/vomit etc? Thank you so much for your help.

  18. Hi there!

    I’m wondering if you might have any advice for me. I am in the process of buying a “big girl” bed for my almost 2 yr old. Unfortunately her room is on the smaller side, and we are needing to get a narrow twin/cot size bed. I’m having a heck of a time finding a safe mattress protecter in this size, that will do a decent job protecting against accidents while we potty train. Do you know of any products that you can recommend? I’m totally at a loss…

    1. You might want to check with either Sleep and Beyond or Naturepedic to see if they will make a custom size for you. Those are the safest protectors on the market. The links are in the above article.

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