Bed bugs… the mere mention of them ranks right up there with head lice – absolutely horrifying. Nobody wants to sleep on a bed where there are bed bugs. A bed bug infestation can happen to anybody, and when it happens to you, a pest control company must be called in to treat the entire home for the little critters.

Unfortunately, it can take up to eight weeks to kill every single one of these bugs. You need to protect yourself and your family from being bitten. Don’t toss out that mattress (unless you already had planned to before the infestation). Instead, consider a less expensive option for your mattress – a bed bug mattress cover.  

What is a bed bug mattress cover? It covers your bed and seals the bugs inside and ensure they can’t escape from the pest control’s pesticides placed on the beds – both the box springs and mattress – which can lead to their total demise. 

Like all things in life, bed bug mattress covers are not equal across the board. In most cases, you want a bed bug mattress cover that encases your mattress on every side. An encasement has a zipper that zips entirely around the mattress (and may or may not have a Velcro flap). Unfortunately, bed bugs are smart and can get out of a mattress cover through the zipper teeth, which is why you want ones that are as small as possible and ensure the zipper is covered too.

Do you have bed bugs and are trying to rid your home of these critters? Do you want to protect your mattress from being infested with these nasty vermin? No matter your reason for purchasing a bed bug mattress cover, you want the best bed bug mattress cover that’s available on the market.  What are some things for you to look for in your search? 

To make your search a little easier, you may also want to consider the following bed bug mattress covers for your home. 


The research done on this website is made possible by commissions earned through sales from affiliate links shared within the content. Learn more here.


The Best Bed Bug Mattress Covers

Picture

Product

Key Features

Price

AmazonBasics Fully-Encased Waterproof Mattress Cover

AmazonBasics Fully-Encased Waterproof Mattress Cover

- Offers total mattress encasement feature
- Uses durable heavyweight polyester-knitted fabric
- Can fit over mattresses of a 9-inch and 12-inch depth

Four Seasons Essentials Bedbug Zippered Encasement

Four Seasons Essentials Bedbug Zippered Encasement

- Velcro zipper seal and tie-down loop
- 100% waterproof and hypoallergenic
- Comprises of high-quality polyester and polyurethane

Hospitology Products Zippered Mattress Encasement

Hospitology Products Zippered Mattress Encasement

- Waterproof on every side​
- 100% bed bug proof in lab tests
- Uses Sleep Defense System

LINENSPA Bed Bug Proof Mattress Protector

LINENSPA Bed Bug Proof Mattress Protector

- Six-sided 100% waterproof encasement
- Free of vinyl; safe for children and pets
- Lightweight, breathable fabric

LUCID Waterproof Mattress Protector

LUCID Waterproof Mattress Protector

- Tight zipper cover and bug flap
- Reasonably priced
- Hypoallergenic and completely waterproof

Red Nomad Waterproof Mattress Encasement

Red Nomad Waterproof Mattress Encasement

- Fully encases mattress
- Soft to the touch fabric
- Velcro straps ensure zipper remains in place

SureGuard Bed Bug Proof Mattress Encasement

SureGuard Bed Bug Proof Mattress Encasement

- Six-sided mattress protector
- 10-year quality guarantee
- 100% waterproof

Utopia Bedding Zippered Mattress Encasement

Utopia Bedding Zippered Mattress Encasement

- Added security with Velco zip guard
- Stretchable fabric with enhanced comfort
- Oeko-Tex Certified


AmazonBasics Fully-Encased Waterproof Mattress Cover Review

AmazonBasics Cover Review

- Offers total mattress encasement feature
- Uses durable heavyweight polyester-knitted fabric
- Can fit over mattresses of a 9-inch and 12-inch depth

Price: 

The AmazonBasics Fully-Encased Waterproof Mattress Cover isn’t like your typical mattress pad, which just covers the sides and the top of your mattress. Instead, it completely encloses it on all six sides to ensure the best protection from bed bugs. Additionally, it offers a great deal of protection from spills, ensuring that your investment lasts for a long time.

The AmazonBasics is heavier than other options on the market thanks to the ultimate heavyweight polyester knitted fabric that provides strength, softness, and a copious amount of airflow. The encasement is breathable and hypoallergenic, so you can use it without suffering from allergies. The manufacturer offers a waterproof barrier, free of vinyl, to ensure the mattress is protected from liquids and other accidents. This extra layer of protection means your bed stays clean and won’t become stained.

With the strong zipper closure on every side of the mattress cover, you get the best protection and complete coverage. Just slip it right over your mattress and zip it up to ensure the bed bugs can’t get out. You can easily remove the cover when necessary.

The majority of mattress protectors made of plastic will crinkle and crunch while you sleep, which can affect your sleep quality. However, the AmazonBasics Fully-Encased Waterproof Mattress Cover is quiet and provides the best protection with no noise. It comes with a one-year warranty to ensure a safe option against bed bugs.


Four Seasons Essentials Bedbug Zippered Encasement Review

Four Seasons Encasement Review

- Velcro zipper seal and tie-down loop
- 100% waterproof and hypoallergenic
- Comprises of high-quality polyester and polyurethane

Price: 

If you have a college-bound child living in a dorm, you may want to invest in a mattress protector. The Four Seasons Essentials Bedbug Zippered Encasement gives you some peace of mind that your child isn’t dealing with bed bugs as they try to navigate college life. It also offers protection from dust mites, mold, mildew, spills, etc.

Thanks to its hypoallergenic construction and cover, your child will stay healthy and allergy-free. They also protect against irritating allergen contaminants that can get into a mattress’s inner layers. The encasement is easy to install – just put the mattress in the sealed end and zip all the way around it for a perfect fit. The fabric is designed to stretch and breathe while also ensuring your comfort. It’s free of noise and is soft to the touch. The cover has a full zipper that goes along all three sides of the mattress.

The surface of the Four Seasons Essentials Bedbug Zippered Encasement is made of high-quality polyester with the inside comprised of polyurethane to keep moisture and liquids from seeping into the mattress. It offers a three-inch secondary polyester lining that wraps around the zipper seam to boost its durability. The cover is made to fit any XL mattress size with a 9-inch to 16-inch depth. Best of all, it can be washed and dried in a machine for easy cleaning and lasting use.


Hospitology Products Zippered Mattress Encasement Review

Hospitology Encasement Review

- Waterproof on every side​
- 100% bed bug proof in lab tests
- Uses Sleep Defense System

Price: 

Don’t allow your mattress to become a place for bed bugs to call home. With the Hospitology Products Zippered Mattress Encasement, nothing will get in or out of the cover. It features a tough-seam construction design to ensure nothing escapes. However, it’s still quite comfortable to sleep on due to the high thread count polyester knit fabric.

Another great feature of this encasement is that it’s entirely waterproof. If you spill something on your bed, you don’t have to take the encasement off, which could leave your home susceptible to the bugs. Instead, just take a rag and soak it up. Any drawbacks? It can only handle a small amount of water that needs to be addressed immediately.

This encasement not only keeps bed bugs out but also blocks allergens such as bacteria, dust mites, etc. – as each of them can lead to respiratory problems. Thanks to the Sleep Defense System, the allergens won’t be able to escape through the zipper either. The Hospitology Products Zippered Mattress Encasement zips up entirely on three sides and comes with both the Zipper Lock and Bug Flap to make sure it remains bug proof.

Other great features of this product? It is also fully breathable, so no body heat is trapped inside of it. It’s also completely washable and can be tumbled dry low. And finally, it comes with a 5-year limited manufacturer warranty.


LINENSPA Bed Bug Proof Mattress Protector Review

LINENSPA Protector Review

- Six-sided 100% waterproof encasement
- Free of vinyl; safe for children and pets
- Lightweight, breathable fabric

Price: 

If you’re trying to protect your child’s bed from dust mites, bed bugs, scabies mites, bacteria, and other allergens, the LINENSPA Bed Bug Proof Mattress Protector will be your go-to cover. Its zippered encasement is superb in protecting the bed from a bed bug infestation and keeping your child healthy. The cover contains no vinyl, is thin, quiet, and breathable.

Thanks to its waterproof barrier on all six sides, the chances of leaks from accidents and spills are low. While waterproof doesn’t mean lack of noise, this mattress cover won’t make that crinkly sound when you move around. The fabric this is made from is soft and breathable to ensure cool sleeping all night long while keeping your child healthy, safe, and well-rested.

The LINENSPA Bed Bug Proof Mattress Protector can fit mattresses up to 12 inches deep. For your further convenience, you can wash this encasement in the washer. It also comes with a 10-year warranty in case you ever need it.


LUCID Waterproof Mattress Protector Review

LUCID Protector Review

- Tight zipper cover and bug flap
- Reasonably priced
- Hypoallergenic and completely waterproof

Price: 

Once bed bugs have invaded your home, it’s nearly impossible to eliminate them without some type of treatment. The only surefire way to keep them off of your bed is to use an encasement like the LUCID Waterproof Mattress Protector, which can encase mattresses of up to 18-inches deep. It comes with an elastic bottom seal and fits snugly on the mattress.

The mattress cover is made with a waterproof fabric that fits around the entire mattress to ensure it won’t become ruined due to liquids and stains. While it is 100% waterproof, it’s important to soak up the accident as soon as possible. When you take your cover off, it gives the living bed bugs a chance to escape and find another place to hide.

Another great aspect is that the waterproof surface is hypoallergenic, which means you may notice some dramatic improvement in your respiratory health. Thanks to the hypoallergenic fabric (that’s quiet, soft, and breathable), dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens can’t seep into the mattress and affect your health.

Once the LUCID Waterproof Mattress Protector has been zipped up, you can feel even more secure with its bug flap that flips over the zipper to lock in the bugs. If this isn’t properly sealed, the bed bugs could escape and find another place to hide and proliferate. The manufacturer offers a 15-year warranty against any manufacturer defects.


Red Nomad Waterproof Mattress Encasement Review

Red Nomad Encasement Review

- Fully encases mattress
- Soft to the touch fabric
- Velcro straps ensure zipper remains in place

Price: 

The Red Nomad Waterproof Mattress Encasement comes with amazing breathability and medical-grade allergy protection in a completely waterproof membrane. It’s made of soft polyester fabric with a soundless design that ensures you stay asleep all night long.

Thanks to its six-sided fully-zippered construction, you won’t have to worry about bed bugs escaping as well as stains, spills, allergens and dust mites. It uses Velcro enclosement to ensure the encasement stays shut after being zippered up. The Red Nomad Waterproof Mattress Encasement is a vinyl-free protector, which makes it safe to use around pets and children. Red Nomad offers a five-year manufacturer replacement warranty if needed and is machine washable for your convenience.


SureGuard Bed Bug Proof Mattress Encasement Review

SureGuard Encasement Review

- Six-sided mattress protector
- 10-year quality guarantee
- 100% waterproof

Price: 

Pillow top mattresses are usually very thick, which means you may have trouble getting a standard cover over them. If your mattress has huge depth, you need a product such as the SureGuard Bed Bug Proof Mattress Encasement, which can handle up to 20 inches deep mattresses.

The SureGuard is completely waterproof, which means protection for all six sides of your mattress from bedwetting, perspiration, liquids, etc. It’s a totally made of terry cotton, which ensures a soft and silent experience when sleeping on it. It’s got no PVCs, fire retardants, vinyl, and other toxic chemicals that are considered dangerous to your health. It’s been independently lab-tested and has been given the GreenGuard Gold Certification.

The SureSeal technology includes a super-fine zipper to ensure the bed bugs cannot get out. It also keeps common allergens such as pollen, dust mites, and more from making their way into the mattress. Some other noteworthy aspects? The SureGuard Bed Bug Proof Mattress Encasement has a 30-day money-back guarantee, a 10-year quality guarantee, and is machine washable and dryable for easy cleaning.


Utopia Bedding Zippered Mattress Encasement Review

Utopia Bedding Encasement Review

- Added security with Velco zip guard
- Stretchable fabric with enhanced comfort
- Oeko-Tex Certified

Price: 

There is much the Utopia Bedding Zippered Mattress Encasement has to offer. It’s completely water and bed bug resistant. It has PVC waterproof TPU backing on each side to ensure no spill will reach your bed. The Velcro zip guard ensures durable construction with double-hemmed stitching to give it more protection from bed bugs and scabies bugs. And finally, it’s made with 90 GSM stretchable material made from polyester fabric with a 15 GSM backing to keep the bugs at bay.

The zipper goes along three sides, so it’s easy to install and remove. The Utopia Bedding can fit mattresses up to 15-inches deep and has a Velcro zip guard on the zipper for total bug protection. Thanks to this zipper guard, dust mites and other allergens are repelled. The bug flap helps to lock the bugs in so none can escape.

The encasement’s hypoallergenic material will also ensure no allergens can get into the mattress. If you have asthma or other respiratory issues, you can rest assured that your bed is protected at all times. Other great aspects of the Utopia Bedding Zippered Mattress Encasement? It’s machine washable (tumble dry only) – to ensure easy maintenance and cleaning. Utopia Bedding offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re not happy, no questions asked.


Are Bed Bug Mattress Covers Really Worth The Money?

Mattress covers were created to protect mattresses from wear and tear as well as stains that could shorten its lifespan. However, mattress covers that completely encase the mattress also work to keep bed bugs, bacteria, dust mites and other allergens inside so that you and your family are unaffected by them. 

A bed bug mattress cover is one of the best options available because they don’t have any dangerous chemicals. Yes, some covers do have a minute amount of pesticide on them to kill bed bugs, which is why you need to pay attention to each cover product to find ones that do not have these chemicals. 

Now, encasements for both the box springs and mattress have a pivotal role in the three Bed Bug Treatment stages:

  • Detection – Encasement’s smooth, white surface lets you see the bed bugs due to the lack of hiding places.
  • Protection – Encasement wraps entirely around both box springs and mattress to ensure they can’t hide, feed and proliferate.
  • Treatment – Most bed bugs survive within the box springs and mattress, but the encasement of both means cutting off their food source that eventually leads to their demise. 

Are there any limitations to use bed bug mattress covers? Unfortunately, yes. Even though a bed bug mattress cover is designed to protect you from the bed bugs and can kill most of them, not all of them will die. The bugs die because they have no adequate source of food, water and air, but some just still make it through. 

The only way to ensure they are killed off entirely is to use a fully-encasable mattress cover with a zipper closer to ensure the bugs can’t get out. This means every section of the mattress needs to be covered; zipper too. A regular cover does not encase the mattress’ bottom, so the bugs can get out, feed and multiply. 

When it comes to finding the best bed bug mattress covers, they’ll have tiny zipper teeth that keep the younglings from getting out. They will be designed with a Velcro strap that covers the zipper, so there are no openings. Some covers have a zipper-lock for additional protection from the bed bugs. 


Why Should You Consider A Bed Bug Mattress Encasement?

It’s easier to use an encasement over other bed bug treatments because of the hidden folds and corners bed bugs can hide in. Encasement takes minutes to put on, whereas treatments take time to work.  

Since killing all the bed bugs is difficult to do and only a handful of treatments are effective (steam included), a mattress encasement that encloses both your box springs and mattress is the best option. With an encasement, you eliminate the chances for your bed to become a nesting ground for them to thrive and proliferate. 

Yes, an encasement allows for the bugs to live inside the mattress and box springs but keeps them from getting to you. This is great because most bed bugs live inside the torn sections of your mattress and box springs.  

An encasement can be designed to detect bed bugs since they are created in a way that allows you to spot them easier. On top of that, encasements help ensure longer longevity for your mattress and box springs. 


When Bed Bug Encasements Are Just Not Enough

If your bed bug infestation is serious, a mattress encasement may not be enough protection. Thus, you’ll need something more powerful and toxic to address the problem before you use a cover. 

There are some mattresses and box springs designs that don’t allow for bed bug mattress encasements — for instance, UK styles with built-in wheels.  

These encasements don’t keep the bed bugs from biting you, as they can still get on the bed and bite you.

A poorly-designed box spring or mattress encasement doesn’t give you the actual protection you want. Make sure that any encasement you get is lab tested and recommended. 

Tears or cuts in the mattress encasements can occur via children or pets (and you may not even know it). A minute compromise means the bugs are no longer contained, and you’ll need to buy another way to ensure they are. Be sure you constantly check your encasement to ensure there are no problems with it. 

Like anything on the market, bed bug mattress covers have their pros and cons. It’s up to you to decide if the pros outweigh the cons and vice versa. Still, they are the best option on the market to address a bed bug problem and protect your mattress from being infected.  You can address the cons by buying only proven products and inspecting them often. 


Should You Use Chemicals On Your Mattress Before Using An Encasement

You can use any commercial chemicals on the market before you cover your mattress, but make sure it’s completely dry before you encase the mattress. Due to the widespread epidemic of bed bugs, it’s believed that one in 20 homes are infested with them. Once they get inside a mattress, it’s difficult to get rid of them. 

A home that’s already infested must first have the mattress addressed. If you have a brand new mattress with no rips in it, you can use a specialty mattress cover to protect it. However, for older mattresses, you have the option to use a mattress cover encasement or purchase a new mattress altogether and using a protective cover for it. 

The Environmental Protection Agency said it could take up to a year for all the bed bugs to die off with a bed bug encasement. Thus, you should leave the mattress cover on the bed for at least 12 months to ensure the bed bug eggs or nymphs have died from no nutritional source (you). 


Can You Use A Regular Mattress Cover To Protect You From Bed Bugs?

A bed bug mattress encasement is going to run you $100 or more, especially if your bed is king size. $100 is nothing to sneeze at, which is why you may be considering buying a regular mattress cover to protect yourself from bed bugs. 

However, a regular mattress cover does not protect from bed bug infestations. A protector is not the same as an encasement, and they still let bed bugs move around. An encasement is as the name suggests – it encases the entire mattress. They’re like a large Ziploc bag for your mattress. Bed bugs can’t get out or in because of their size.

Mattress protectors cover just the sides and top of the mattress (similar to a bedsheet), protecting the mattress from stains and dirt. Since they don’t wrap entirely around the mattress, the bugs can freely crawl around your mattress and you. Place a small hole in the protector and mattress makes it easy for a bed bug to get into. 


What Are Some Of The Features To Look For In A Bed Bug Mattress Cover?

Bite-Proof 

This means the encasement/cover will keep the bed bugs from crawling onto your skin and biting you. When you choose a cover, make sure it’s one that uses bite-proof material. You want only products that have been tested and proven to be the best bed bug mattress covers on the market. Keep in mind that manufacturers that produce bed bug mattress covers ensure their product is bite-proof. You can’t get that with a regular mattress cover. 

Chemically-Treated

Bed bug mattress covers are treated with insecticides, which can kill parasites and repel them altogether. Still, the Alaska DEC states that the covers will not effectively kill them, which means they should not be used to treat an infestation of bed bugs. Your health is put into danger when using bedding treated with chemicals. 

Durable 

Bed bugs can in all kinds of shapes and sizes (although they are rather tiny bugs), which means they can get through many types of mattress covers. When looking at the best bed bug mattress covers on the market, you want one that’s extremely durable and offers the best protection from the little critters. You want to make sure the cover can’t become easily torn. Spending more money upfront will cost you less in the long run. 

You also want a bed bug mattress cover that is equipped with reinforced seams and a zipper. If not reinforced seams, the bed bugs can get through a minute crevice and to you. While these covers are not the end-all, be-all way to kill off bed bugs, they do help in protecting you and the bed. 

Escape Proof 

The key reason for a bed bug mattress encasement is to keep the bugs inside the mattress so they can’t get to you. If the mattress cover doesn’t use the right fabric, the bed bugs will be able to move freely around. Make sure the encasement you buy is designed solely for the purpose of bed bugs. 

Heat

When it comes to choosing a bed bug mattress cover, you may want to consider how much heat will remain in the cover. If you use a plastic cover, it can lead to a rise in your body temperature, and it can crinkle too. A plastic barrier does, on the other hand, offer amazing protection. An encasement with no plastic is made of micro-weave polyester, offers you good protection and tends to be much cooler.

Hypoallergenic 

Manufacturers are the ones that dictate what is and is not hypoallergenic, as there is no federal or state regulation for them to abide by. However, any fabric that won’t lead to allergies is considered hypoallergenic.  Manufacturers can use various types of materials and fabrics, with the most common being a synthetic or plastic material.

The more tightly-woven fabrics (cotton) can keep dust mites from getting through the weave, making them hypoallergenic products. Dust mites are even tinier than bed bugs, which means any hypoallergenic mattress cover can keep the bed bugs from getting through the material. 

Installation

When it comes to installing a mattress cover, it means you’re putting the whole mattress inside of it and zipping it shut. It’s why mattress covers are often known as mattress encasements. Since King, Queen and California King mattresses are considered quite heavy, you’re going to need to assistance of at least one other person – although it’s better if three people are working together to encase the mattress. 

Machine Washable 

You want a bed bug mattress encasement that you can wash regularly.  Since some mattress covers contain plastic in them, they can’t be machine-washed (rather, dry cleaned). Some manufacturers do use plastic that can be washed in a machine, but only dried out in the sun or on the low heat setting. 

It’s important to look at the recommended manufacturer’s cleaning instructions to get the most from your mattress cover. 

Material

Bed liners do not have the best reputation, as they tend to be loud and uncomfortable. Old liners that comprise of vinyl or plastic will crinkle as you move around in your sleep. Plus, they will trap the heat your body generates. 

Look for covers that use newer materials such as polyester and polyurethane. These materials have tiny holes that enable air to flow freely through between you and the cover but ensure the bed bugs and other allergens stay inside. They are also quieter – in some cases, completely quiet – so you can stay comfortable all night long. 

Some manufacturers include a cotton top layer that feels similar to a regular mattress, which means the liner grips the sheets similar to a bare mattress. No shifting will you’re shifting. You don’t have to worry about adjusting the mattress cover each morning.

Many manufacturers are using eco-friendly materials over traditional plastic. Most don’t use PVCs or other toxic chemicals, as seen with traditional plastics. If you have allergies, skin issues or respiratory issues, the off-gassing of some products can be concerning. However, researching the different products out there, you can find ones that don’t have this problem.

Mattress Depth 

When you’re trying to find a mattress cover, you want to choose the right size. There are all kinds of sizes on the market, including Twin and Full XL. It’s easy to choose between the different mattress sizes, but what about the depth?

Be sure the cover you purchase is suitable for the mattress depth, which is the height of your mattress, not including the box springs. Too small or big of a cover means you don’t get the protection you desire. You want a cover that fits tightly over the mattress so the bed bugs can’t get out. If you’re unsure of the depth, use a tape measure to learn what it is. The majority of mattresses have a 9-inch to 13-inch depth. 

Noiseless  

Plastic covers will make noise when you lay down or toss about at night. Since mattress covers are created for a host of reasons (bed bugs included), most will comprise of plastic or use a plastic undercoating. Those that don’t use plastic will have a fine weave to keep the bed bugs inside the mattress. 

Padded

Some manufacturers add another layer of plush padding to the mattress, which is ideal if you have a hard time sleeping because of back pain or loose springs. 

Price 

You’re going to pay a fair amount of money for the best bed bug mattress covers. While cheaper mattress covers will cost you between $15 and $30, they don’t give you the kind of protection you need, plus they may be noisy and lock in heat. 

If you purchase covers that range between $30 and $45, you’ll find that the covers comprise of woven polyester that makes it cooler to sleep on. 

If you go with the more expensive encasements on the market, you’ll find that they don’t use vinyl, the thread count is high and is soft all while giving you additional protection from bed bugs.

6-Sided Protection

A true mattress encasement is one that envelopes the whole mattress – from top to bottom to the four sides. With bed bugs, you must have a mattress cover that offers six-sided protection in lieu of those that are designed for dust mites or spills.

Stretchable 

You want fabrics that stretch to give a tight fit that won’t move as you sleep. If plastic is used in the construction, these covers are unlikely to stretch. However, manufacturers that use a stretchable design will make the notation on their packages of this feature.

Warranty

Some manufacturers only offer a one-year warranty, which isn’t enough time to feel comfortable that the product is working. The more reputable companies will offer a five-to-10 year warranty. When looking at the market for the best bed bug mattress covers, you want to consider the warranty being offered. 

Waterproof

Not everybody is concerned about a mattress encasement being waterproof, but it’s something you may want to consider. If you’re going to buy a bed bug mattress cover, why not find one that also protects from spills and leaks? This will help extend your mattress’ lifespan and add an additional layer to the bed so moisture can’t seep into the mattress and ruin in. 

Zipper Design

It’s crucial that the zipper of a bed bug mattress cover is so tiny that bed bugs cannot pass through them. These teeth need to mesh tightly to ensure the opening is sealed. 

A poorly-designed encasement is when the zipper stops after it’s been closed. Unfortunately, in some designs, the zipper doesn’t close entirely.  In some, the encasement is closed, but when moved, the zipper begins to open up. To ensure this keeps from happening, some manufacturers offer zipper lock. 


How Can A Mattress Protector Be Installed

Now that you have a bed bug mattress cover, it’s time to install it, so the bed bugs stay inside the cover. While they can be easily installed, two people should help with the installation process. 

  • You need to take the mattress off your box springs and frame. Put the mattress up against a wall.
  • Unzip the cover on the three sides. 
  • Wrap the shorter, unzipped side over the top of the mattress.
  • Gently pull it down over the mattress to ensure both sides are covered
  • Start to zipper up the encasement. 
  • Place the mattress back on the bed frame and box spring.
  • Finish wrapping the cover over the mattress and zip it up. Use the Velcro to secure the zipper in place.

Make sure you are gentle when pulling on the encasement. Roughhousing can damage the cover or zipper, rendering it useless. 

For easy removal to wash the cover, ensure the non-zippered side is at the top of the mattress. 


How To Properly Care For Your Bed Bug Mattress Cover

Many people, when buying a bed bug mattress cover, wonder if they can buy one that allows them to wash it in a machine. It’s important that you take great care of your mattress cover, but you probably have a busy lifestyle that includes work, kids and household duties. Thankfully, many manufacturers have created covers that can be washed in a machine and tumble dry low heat or no heat in the dryer. 

Anything more than this, the cover could become damaged.  

Be sure that your cover is washed on a delicate cycle to prevent possible damage to it and the zipper.  The best thing you can do is wash it by hand, but the reality is that most folks don’t have time for this. Err on the side of caution and wash it on the delicate cycle and dry it on low or no heat. 

As always, be sure that you review the manufacturer’s instructions on how to properly care for the bed bug mattress cover. 

Special Note – NEVER remove the encasement for a year after its installation, as early removal for any reason could allow the bed bugs to get out and find another place in which to hide.

If you’re concerned about spills and messes, consider the purchase of two covers and put another cover on top of the mattress encasement. For your second protector, just use a top cover that fits over the mattress, as you see with a fitted sheet. By doing this, you can wash the cover when you need without the concern of bed bugs getting out. 


Four Tips To Ensure Your Bed Bug Mattress Cover Is Successful

  • Constantly review your encasement for any tears and holes. If you find any, replace it right away.
  • Use a thick mattress pad if you have kids or pets that could tear a hole in the cover. It’s best that your pets stay off the bed altogether. 
  • Have a foam padding for the mattress’ corners, especially with the box springs to ensure tearing is less likely to happen.
  • Do not move the box spring or mattress that has been encased. 

Six Commonly Asked Questions People Have About Bed Bug Mattress Covers

Can A Fitted Cover Be Used or Must You Have A Six-Sided Encasement?

If you’re going to protect your bed from a bed bug infestation, you must have a six-sided mattress cover.  It’s also a good idea to get an encasement for your box springs and pillows. Keep in mind that bed bugs are bigger than dust mites, which means they can reach your skin through certain barriers. 

Bed bug covers that use micro-weaves and non-woven barriers can protect you from dust mites. Not all hypoallergenic covers can protect you from dust mites and bed bugs. And, you should never just use a hypoallergenic cover to do this job. Use a bed bug zippered encasement to address the problem.

Where Do You Need To Place The Encased Zipper On The Bed

The cover zipper should be at the foot of the mattress. You can give yourself some additional protection by using tape to cover the whole zipper and zipper head. Be sure to use zipper adhesive tape or blue painter’s tape to keep the teeth covered. This will help keep the bed bugs in the mattress.

Can A Mattress Encasement Stop A Bed Bug Infestation?

The majority of people use a mattress encasement on a new mattress to protect it from bed bugs. This is why encasements came about. They can keep bed bugs from reaching the mattress and making a nest out of it.  They can’t get to the folds of the mattress and hide in them. The encasement can also protect a mattress from bloodstains, urine or fecal stains. 

An encasement is designed to keep bed bugs out, but that doesn’t mean they can’t live on the top of the encasement itself.  The benefit of a mattress encasement is the fact that they have no crevices for the bed bugs to hide, which means you can easily spot them when they’re on top. You can kill them when you see them so they can’t proliferate. 

If you want to get rid of bed bugs before they get to your bed, you need to use bed bug interceptor traps along with a mattress encasement. 

Are Bed Bugs Able To Penetrate A Plastic Mattress Cover?

Plastic mattress covers were created to protect the mattress for spills and leaks. While bed bugs are not able to chew through plastic, there’s no reason to do so. Since a waterproof mattress cover doesn’t’ completely cover a mattress, they can just make their way to the underside of the mattress and breed. 

If you want total protection from bed bugs, you need to use a bed bug mattress encasement. There is no such thing as an anti-bed bug mattress protector, which is why you need to use an encasement. 
Can Your Encasement Go In A Dryer?

While you can throw a mattress encasement in a dryer, only on tumble dry or low heat. No matter what setting you use, the tumble dry action will be heard on the mattress cover. To extend the lifespan of the mattress encasement, line dry it. 

Do Bed Bugs Carry Any Diseases?

Bed bugs are not known to carry any diseases. They are more of a nuisance and cause for concern because of the bumps they leave behind on you. Their bites are also painless, but you will start to itch from them when you wake up. 


What To Keep In Mind

The kind of mattress encasement you get plays a pivotal role in your sleep quality and mattress protection. If you want to keep bed bugs from making a home out of your mattress, you need the best bed bug mattress cover on the market that you can find. While these minute creatures are not dangerous to your health, their bites can be annoying because of the itchiness they can cause. 

With the right mattress encasement, you can reduce your chances of dealing with bed bugs. 

There is much to consider in a bed bug mattress cover, but the most important point is to find one that fits your mattress size and depth to ensure total protection of your mattress. Any one of the above mattress covers are options that you can consider, but the right one is really dependent on what you’re looking for. 


Categories: BeddingBlog

>