A mattress protector is the least glamorous thing on your bed and quietly one of the most important. It is the only layer standing between your mattress and everything you would rather keep out of it.
Quick answer: Yes, you need a mattress protector. Your body releases up to 700ml of moisture a night, and without a barrier it all goes into the mattress, feeding the dust mites that build up in unprotected beds. Choose a waterproof protector with a breathable fabric surface: cotton for everyday comfort, bamboo for natural breathability and allergies, or Tencel if you sleep hot.
What a mattress protector actually does
Overnight, your body can produce between 500ml and 700ml of sweat. Across a year, an unprotected mattress absorbs roughly 200 litres of it, along with the skin cells you shed every night.
That combination is exactly what dust mites live on. Research from Ohio State University estimates a used mattress can host anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million of them, and Allergy UK estimates around 12 million UK adults have a dust mite allergy. A washable protector is the barrier that keeps the moisture, skin cells and allergens on a surface you can launder, rather than inside a mattress you cannot.
There is a financial reason too. A protector keeps the mattress itself clean, which protects its lifespan, and staining can void a sleep trial or guarantee. Fitting one from day one is the cheapest insurance a new mattress can have.
Does waterproof mean hot and crinkly?
Not any more, and this is the fear that puts most people off. Older waterproof protectors were effectively plastic sheets: sweaty, noisy and horrible to sleep on.
Modern protectors put a thin waterproof membrane underneath a proper fabric sleep surface. All three REM-Fit protectors use this construction, pairing a silent Miracle Membrane barrier with a breathable fabric on top, so the protection is invisible: no rustle, no clammy feel, and the fabric layer decides how it sleeps.
Tencel vs cotton vs bamboo: which fabric?
Since the waterproofing works the same way in all three, the fabric on top is the real choice. It comes down to how warm you sleep and whether allergies are part of the picture.
| Protector | Surface fabric | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton Protector | Soft jersey knit cotton, naturally breathable | Everyday protection and a natural feel |
| Bamboo Protector | Jersey knit bamboo, more breathable than cotton and naturally hypoallergenic | Allergy-conscious and slightly warm sleepers |
| Tencel Cool Protector | Silent Tencel fibres that actively wick moisture | Hot sleepers and warm bedrooms (GH Winner 2026) |
For hot sleepers: the Tencel Cool Protector
Tencel fibres do not just breathe, they actively move moisture away from your body, which is why this protector won Good Housekeeping's Best Cooling Protector award in 2026. It stays silent during movement and stretches to fit mattresses up to 35cm deep.
REM-Fit Tencel Cool Mattress Protector
Good Housekeeping Winner 2026: moisture-wicking Tencel over a silent waterproof membrane, for sleepers who run hot.
Shop the Tencel Cool ProtectorFor everyday comfort: the Cotton Protector
If you do not need active cooling, breathable jersey knit cotton over the same waterproof membrane is the straightforward choice. It is machine washable, stretches to the same 35cm depth, and carries a 5-year guarantee.
REM-Fit Cotton Mattress Protector
Soft, breathable cotton over the same silent waterproof barrier: reliable everyday protection with a natural feel.
Shop the Cotton ProtectorThe middle ground: the Bamboo Protector
Bamboo fibres are naturally more breathable than cotton and naturally hypoallergenic, which makes the Bamboo Protector the step-up option for allergy-prone sleepers or anyone who runs a little warm without needing full cooling technology.
✓ Waterproof Miracle Membrane ✓ Machine washable ✓ Fits mattresses up to 35cm deep ✓ Free UK delivery
Looking after a mattress protector
Wash the protector every couple of weeks to monthly with your bedding, more often in summer or if you sleep warm. That laundering cycle is the whole point: the sweat and skin cells end up in your washing machine instead of your mattress.
Pair it with the wider routine and your bed stays genuinely hygienic: our guides to dealing with dust mites and washing pillows properly cover the rest of the bed.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need a mattress protector?
Yes. It is the only thing stopping nightly sweat, skin cells and allergens from soaking into a mattress you cannot wash. It also keeps the mattress clean enough to protect its lifespan, and staining can void a sleep trial or guarantee.
Do waterproof mattress protectors make you sweat?
Old plastic-style ones did. Modern designs put the waterproof membrane under a breathable fabric surface, so the sleep feel comes from the fabric, not the barrier. If you sleep hot, choose a wicking surface like Tencel rather than avoiding waterproofing altogether.
Does a mattress protector stop dust mites?
A good one helps significantly. The barrier blocks the moisture and skin cells mites feed on from reaching the mattress core, and regular hot washing of the protector removes the allergens from the sleep surface. For allergy sufferers it is one of the highest-impact changes you can make.
How often should you wash a mattress protector?
Every two to four weeks with your normal bedding, and immediately after any spill or illness. Check the label for temperature, and wash at 60 degrees where permitted if dust mite allergy is a concern.
Will a protector change how my mattress feels?
A thin, stretchy protector fitted snugly has minimal effect on feel. The jersey knit fabrics on all three REM-Fit protectors stretch with the mattress surface rather than sitting on it like a board, so the comfort layers underneath still do their job.
