Seeking a Simple Mattress Protection

Updated on September 11, 2010
A.M. asks from Vancouver, WA
22 answers

Hello. Seeking a simple way the mattress from my daughter(6) to protect against urine

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K.

answers from Portland on

I have bought many and Target are the best and most affordable. Buy a couple (with sheets) and you can layer them so that you just rip off the wet layer in the middle of the night and have dry fresh sheets without much fuss. Dry them in low heat to protect the waterproof backing.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

I got online from Amazon, waterproof bed pads.
Just put in the search word "waterproof bed pads" or "waterproof crib pads" and many will come up. They have many... I got 4 of them. I like the "quilted" types... because it absorbs nicely. It is fabric... not plastic or vinyl.

I put the pads, DIRECTLY under my kids. (Not under the fitted sheet) DIRECTLY under my kids. If there is a pee accident, its real easy. I just remove it, put it in the laundry basket, put another one under them and that's it. And it can be put in the washer like anything else and put in the dryer.
The bedding/sheets do not get soiled. Lot less headache and hassle.

My kids are 7 and 3.5 and I use it daily. It really protects the bed.

All the best,
Susan

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M.P.

answers from Portland on

I suggest not using rubber or plastic mattress covers because they make noise when the child moves around and are hot to lay on. Kelly may be describing a fabric with vinyl on one side. If it's soft and so doesn't crackle. That would be fine.

I buy what are called "draw sheets" at thrift stores. I first saw them used at nursing homes. They are 3 layers. The two outside layers are fabric. Sometimes one side is turquoise and the other white or sometimes one side is a blue plaid. I don't know what the middle layer is but it may be a soft vinyl. they're less than $5/each at thrift stores while they cost $35 or more at health equipment supply stores. The thrift store ones look faded but are not stained or ugly. I put them on top of the sheet just as they do in hospitals and nursing homes.

I have a water proofed terry mattress cover on my bed which I purchased with the mattress at a mattress store. It was $60 for a double bed size but I think it's worth it because my mattress has no stains or marks on it at all after a year of use. If you can find that kind of fabric at a fabric store I recommend it. It's a lightweight knit terry with a soft slick back. It looks like the back was coated with a vinyl substance. The fabric still stretches in the same way as knit terry stretches.

1 mom found this helpful

R.D.

answers from San Francisco on

You can go to a Medical Shop where they sell medical supplies like canes, chairs, grab bars etc. They have a blue piece of cloth that is material on one side and plastic on the other side. They work great because they can be washed. I use them for my father in law just in case as he is elderly and like I said they don't make any noise. They use them in hospitals, nursing homes etc. Depending on how big your daughter is, put it under the fitted sheet to the spot where you would think that she would lie while sleeping, or you can get 2 to fit the whole bed. They fit a single bed just right. Hope this helps, along with alot of the other posts you received. Good luck!

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S.B.

answers from Minneapolis on

I just use the cheap plastic fitted covers from WalMart or Target. They are about $5 and do the job. Plus, if they get wrecked, I don't mind buying a new one.

Good luck!

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H.D.

answers from Portland on

You can use a protective 'rubber' sheet under the fitted sheet. Or you could also place a medical chux pad under the fitted sheet, then dispose of it. (Chux are the blue plastic sheets often used during birth to absorb bodily fluids. They come in several different sizes and can be placed strategically under the fitted sheet.

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N.M.

answers from New York on

I found one in Overstock.com, it's great, it does not make any noise (like most plastic, vinyl ones do) and repels all liquid from the mattress. If you go to overstock.com, it has a description and you should find the one (sorry can't remember the exact name brand of it) that is quiet and repels all liquid. Good luck.

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K.V.

answers from Phoenix on

I bought fitted ones at target, just look for water proof on the lable. It works very well.

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L.L.

answers from Seattle on

A vinyl matress protector is like a waterproof pillow case for your matress. We have been using them on all our mattresses long before having kids because we have pets. The hold up well (although I did have one rip the last time we moved) and they are less than $10 each at any store such as walmart or target.

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A.T.

answers from Portland on

i got a great natural one at thecozybunnybaby.com

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D.L.

answers from Seattle on

There are lots of waterproof mattress pads on the market. We have a nice cloth waterproof pad for our bed, and have a zippered vinyl cover for our daughter's and guest bed. The vinyl covers are the best for kids' beds because they always stay on - making it easy to clean up during an accident. You still want to put a cheap mattress pad over it so your kiddo isn't sleeping against a thin sheet over plastic. We got all of these items at Bed, Bath & Beyond and used the 20% off or $5 off coupons you get all the time on them. They'll even take expired ones.

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K.T.

answers from Appleton on

Rubber sheeting from JoAnne's Fabrics or another fabric store. Make sure to ask someone older who works there (they will better know what you're talking about). You can get it by the yard for as much of the bed as you want to cover. It's a little more expensive but it's washable, so you don't need to be filling a landfill. It's helpful, too, for allergies.

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T.H.

answers from Kansas City on

I use the vinyl covers on my kids' beds and then put a regular mattress pad over them, this way it doesn't crackle. It also supplies just a titch more comfort! I have two mattress pads for each bed so that if one gets wet I put the other one and new sheets. It's a tiny bit costly at the beginning, but personally I couldn't live without extra mattress pads and sheet sets...I just can't always get mulitple loads of specific laundry done in one day!

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D.L.

answers from Portland on

I got some really nice affordable waterproof mattress pads from kohls and they are on sale right now for $12 instead of $36

http://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/bedandbath/hypoallergenic...

They are very soft and not plasticy feeling or smelling. They have never failed me and my son has accidents a lot. You have to be careful to wash in cool or warm water and dry them on low in the dryer (I think that's true for all of them) or you can ruin the waterproof layer. Good luck! D.

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R.S.

answers from Seattle on

Try a crib sized waterproof mattress pad and put it under her sheet where she sleeps. We've done that with my son and any accidents have never made it through to the mattress. www.companykids.com also sells a very durable waterproof matress enclosure.

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N.I.

answers from Portland on

I think you can get plastic casings for your mattress.

Also, if your daughter is really 6 and she is wetting the bed you might try keeping her off milk. My daughter had the same problem and it corrected itself by keeping her off milk and milk products. Bed wetting is usually a milk allergy.

N.
Health and Wellness Coach

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S.S.

answers from Seattle on

Mattress protector - $4.99 at Fred Meyer. It's just a plastic undersheet that you put on the mattress under the bottom sheet and we've used it for my son's night-time training. He's peed a few times and it has worked no problem.

C.S.

answers from Medford on

Just get a plastic sheet (at walmart) then cover that with a mattress protector sheet, so its not load (that crinkling sound). Thats what we use and it works great. :)

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A.S.

answers from Pocatello on

FYI. Most plastic bed protective covers are made of PVC which off-gases toxic chemicals (can't find the exact compound names), leaches pthalates (an endocrine disruptor) and dioxin (when it is burned). A healthier alternative is a wool puddle pad. It is not completely waterproof, but they work VERY well, especially if you keep it lanolized (you can find info about applying lanolin at any cloth diapering website).
AMS from Idaho

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L.L.

answers from Portland on

I tried other mattress protectors and found that either they shrunk in the dryer and no longer completely covered the bed, fell apart in the washer and dryer, or you had to air dry them and there for buy two. But finally I found the best one ever at Target for under $20 I think for a twin bed. I don't have the name other than it is manufactured from mount glory Int. or something but I found it right there in the pillow/comforator section at Target. It was one of the cheaper brands. Just make sure it say you can put it in the dryer. I have washed and dried mine so many times and it looks brand new.

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J.F.

answers from Medford on

We use the simple waterproof mattress covers sold in the bedding section at Walmart. I think they're about $6 and they're made from vinyl, but they work great for protecting the mattress from the occasional bed wetting or tummy ache. My 4 yr. old's did have to be replaced after about a year, but otherwise I think they're great for the money!

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M.L.

answers from Seattle on

We got a simple mattress cover at Bed Bath and Beyond. It's worth it to pay more for the one that feels like cloth on the outside and it dries pretty quick if you do have to wipe it down. Just take a coupon with you. :)

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