The Complete Handbook of Mattress Encasements

Chapter 1: Understanding Mattress Encasements

A mattress encasement is a full-coverage, zippered fabric bag designed to completely enclose a mattress. That sentence sounds simple, but the distinction between an encasement and other bedding products is where most people make their first, and most expensive, mistake. A mattress protector is typically a fitted sheet with a water-resistant backing or a padded topper. It covers the top and sides of the mattress, leaving the bottom exposed. An encasement wraps the entire mattress, top, bottom, and all four sides, and closes with a zipper that runs the full circumference of the bed. This is not a minor design choice. The whole point of an encasement is to create a physical barrier that nothing can penetrate or escape from, and that requires six-sided, sealed coverage.

Why does six-sided coverage matter? Consider the two most common reasons people buy an encasement. The first is protection against bed bugs. A bed bug can live in the seams, folds, and tufts of a mattress for months without feeding. It can also hide in the box spring, frame, or headboard. An encasement traps any bed bugs already inside the mattress, preventing them from biting the sleeper and preventing them from crawling out to spread to the rest of the room. It also prevents new bed bugs from crawling into the mattress and establishing a harbor. Critically, the zipper must be fully closed and the cover must be free of any holes. If there is a pinhole tear the