If you are a vacation rental owner, you are no stranger to spills, stains, and tears on your bedding and furniture. To ensure the longevity of your mattress (which can be quite a costly investment), you need a mattress protector.
We want to save you time on research, so we’ve investigated all of the top-rated mattress protectors. Based on our findings, the best mattress protector for Airbnb is the SafeRest Mattress Protector. Read on to find out what you need to look for in a mattress protector, and why we recommend this one.
Why Do You Need a Mattress Protector?
Mattress protectors are a cost-effective solution to keeping your mattress safe from spills, stains, bacteria, bed bugs, and allergens (you won’t have to worry about your guests’ allergies acting up).
Mattress protectors go over the mattress (or a mattress topper if you have it) and are made of water-resistant materials. Despite being water-resistant, mattress toppers still allow airflow and breathability, so they won’t affect your guests’ quality of sleep.
Mattress toppers are easy to clean (compared to cleaning the mattress or mattress topper), which can save you a lot of time and money on dry cleaning.
What Should You Look for in a Mattress Protector?
There’s a huge difference between buying a mattress protector for your home and for your Airbnb; those additional requirements for a mattress protector for your short-term rental will save you trouble in the long run. When choosing the best mattress protector for vacation property, you should take into account these factors:
Full Coverage vs Fitted-Sheet Style – Full coverage mattress protectors cover the entire mattress and have a zip-up closure. Because they fully enclose the mattress, they are also called encasements. These protectors are somewhat more difficult to put on, which can be an issue when you need to change the protector often.
The other option is the fitted-sheet style. These go on just like a fitted sheet (hence the name) and tuck in securely under the mattress.
Waterproof – If you’re buying a mattress protector for an Airbnb, you want it to be waterproof. Spills, sweat, and even children wetting the bed are common accidents that cause permanent damage to your mattress, so you need a waterproof protector to save the day.
Ease of Cleaning – The best mattress protectors for Airbnb are the ones that you can wash in a machine.
Warranty – Look for a mattress protector with a warranty so you don’t need to worry about what you’ll do if it fails the test.
Durability – You want a mattress protector that can endure the frequent changes of guests and washing. A good warranty usually signals a more resistant mattress protector (if the company believes in its products, so can we).
How Often Do You Need to Clean a Mattress Protector?
A good rule of thumb is that a mattress protector should be washed every two months. However, this rule changes for a vacation rental.
You should clean the mattress protector after each guest. This shouldn’t be much of a hassle if you get a machine-washable one.
Some mattress protectors can only be hung dried or dried in the dryer on a low heat setting. Pay attention to the instructions so you don’t ruin the protector in the dryer.
The Best Mattress Protector for Airbnb and Vacation Rentals
We approached this search with the above key factors in mind and concluded that the SafeRest Mattress Protector is the best bet for Airbnb. It ticks all the boxes and has glowing reviews to back it up.
The price is great for a mattress protector of that quality. You may find cheaper ones, but they likely won’t stand the test of time and wear and tear as well as higher-quality ones.
Here’s what won us over about the SafeRest Mattress Protector:
Noiseless Cotton Terry Surface – The premium cotton terry surface is soft, noiseless, smooth to the touch, and breathable. The material allows air and heat to pass through, so the bed will stay dry and cool.
Water-Resistant – No leaks or spills will pass through this mattress protector. The waterproof membrane is also free of vinyl, PVC, phthalates, and fire-retardant treatments, which is great for people with allergies or asthma.
Fitted-Sheet Style – Changing the protector will be as easy as changing the sheet, and it won’t affect the feel of the mattress or mattress topper.
Machine-Washable – This mattress protector shouldn’t be dry cleaned. To remove the stains, just wash it in the machine using normal household detergents (but no bleach).
10-Year Warranty – The generous warranty will have you covered for a decade if this mattress protector disappoints.
Other Airbnb Mattress Protector Alternatives
We have for you a couple of comparable alternatives, in case you want to check out SafeRest Mattress Protector’s competitors and what they have to offer. If you’d prefer a full coverage mattress protector, here are some encasement options you can look into:
Utopia Bedding Premium Zippered Mattress Encasement – Utopia’s mattress protector is very affordable, so if you want a cheaper option that can conform to the needs of an Airbnb, this is it. The lower price shouldn’t worry you because the reviews are great. It’s made out of polyester and has a smooth knitted fabric that doesn’t trap heat and ensures both comfort and breathability.
Linenspa Waterproof Proof Mattress Encasement – Here’s another full coverage mattress protector, but this one is made out of vinyl. It is waterproof, noiseless, machine-washable, and dryer-safe (unlike the Utopia mattress protector). A big bonus for this mattress protector is its 10-year warranty.
Final Thoughts
While the encasement-style mattress protectors from Utopia and Linenspa have their benefits, we still believe that the SafeRest Mattress Protector is the best for Airbnb and vacation rentals. While all of them are waterproof and noiseless, SafeRest’s soft cotton terry surface and fitted-sheet style won’t compromise the guests’ comfort. Add this to a high-density mattress topper and you won’t have to change the protector as you would with the encasements.
