Bambi’s Guide to Mattress and Pillow Protection
Why do I need a Mattress Protector?
As a general rule, if you have a mattress, you need a mattress protector. This is not only to protect it from stains, but also from dust mites, allergens, bacteria and mold. Also, regardless of the material, your mattress is made from, the most important factor is that your mattress should never come into contact with moisture. When moisture enters a mattress, mold and mildew can form, leading to the growth of nasty, and often harmful, bacteria. Unfortunately, many people are not aware that moisture is not only caused by spills and upsets but also occurs naturally in the body every night. In fact, on average, a person will lose almost ½ litre of fluid a night which soaks straight into the mattress. Naturally, when two people are sleeping, this goes up to nearly a litre – meaning your mattress is soaking up in excess of 350 litres of perspiration every year. In addition to this, a mattress protector will also guard against dust mites that flourish in mattresses. They thrive on shredded/dead skin – and considering we lose almost 600,000 particles of skin an hour, that’s a lot to flourish on.
What is the best way to protect my mattress?
For the reasons stated above, a good quality waterproof mattress protector is the ideal way to protect your mattress and in turn, your family. Our Bambi waterproof protectors utilise the highest quality materials available, making them whisper quiet, safe and comfortable.
How do Bambi Mattress Protectors stay on?
Many inferior mattress protectors are simply attached to the mattress with elasticated bands. This means the protector will slip around or even come adrift completely whenever there is movement on the mattress. However, you can rest assured this won’t happen with a Bambi Mattress Protector since our products feature a tightly fitted skirt which keeps the protector securely in place all night long.
What are the benefits of Quilted Mattress Protectors?
Quilted mattress protectors help to hold the interior fibre in place and prevent the occurrence of uneven padding. They also add extra cushioning and support to the sleeper while allowing natural breathability.
What about warranties?
All of our mattress protectors have product warranties which guarantee the quality and durability of the product. In addition, our Protectiva Luxury Tencel protector, our Protectiva fully encased protector and our Tencel Health Assurance packs all come with a 10 year mattress replacement warranty, meaning that if you buy your mattress protector at the same time as the mattress, we cover your mattress surface against stains for 10 years. Our Cotton Health Assurance Pack has the same warranty but for a period of 5 years.
Which Bambi Waterproof Protector is best for me?
There’s a waterproof mattress protector option for everyone, including:
Protectiva Bamboo/Cotton Towelling & Protectiva Bamboo/Cotton Stretch Knit mattress protectors.
The Protectiva Towelling product is the best option for bed-wetters, children, active people and the elderly. The towelling provides a soft, absorbent surface, while the polyurethane membrane provides a waterproof barrier. These protectors are easy to wash and quick to dry.
The Protective Stretch Knit protector is ideal for people who want waterproof protection, but don’t want to alter the feel of their mattress.
Both protectors are made from cotton/bamboo and are waterproof, allergy and allergen proof, dustmite and stain-proof and come with a 5 year Product Warranty. They are available in single, long-single, king single, double, queen, king and super king.
Protectiva Cotton/Bamboo Encasement Protector.
An Encasement Protector is a must for anyone who has concerns about bed-bugs or suffers from serious allergies, this fully-encased protector wraps around the entire mattress and then is closed with a zip. Made from a Cotton/Bamboo blend, the protector has a waterproof membrane on all surfaces and sides and is machine washable. Bambi offers our 10 year mattress stain warranty program with this product.
Protectiva Luxury Tencel Waterproof Mattress Protector
These luxury waterproof mattress protectors are ideal for people who are looking for an eco-friendly protector, made from a 100% renewable resource. Tencel is made from plantation timber and is a natural, breathable, soft material which wicks away 50% more moisture than cotton. Made with a waterproof polyurethane membrane, the protector has a deep fitted skirt, is ideal for allergy and allergen sufferers, is machine washable and comes with a 10 year mattress warranty.
Cotton Health Assurance Pack & Tencel Health Assurance Pack
The ultimate in protection for you and your mattress, Bambi’s Health Assurance Packs come with not one, but two layers of protection. The first layer is a fitted, waterproof mattress shield, which protects your mattress from any spills or upsets. Many of our customers ‘fit and forget’ this bottom layer. The second layer is a fitted, quilted protector which provides a breathable comfort layer between you and your mattress protector. Super comfortable and super soft, these packs are a must to ensure the health of you and your mattress. As with all our protectors, these packs are ideal for allergy and allergen sufferers, are machine washable and can be tumble-dried on a low heat. Our Cotton Health Assurance Pack features a 5 year mattress warranty and the Tencel features a 10 year mattress warranty.
Are there non-waterproof Mattress Protection options?
There certainly are. Bambi has a range of non-waterproof protectors including:
COTTINA – All cotton, quilted, pre-shrunk protectors with a deep fitted skirt.
BASICS – All cotton, quilted protector with Cotton cover and deep fitted skirt.
SENSITIVA – An embossed microfibre protector.
ECORENEW – A Tencel plant-fibre protector with a pre-shrunk Cotton Sateen Cover. Features a deep fitted skirt.
I am a hot sleeper. Is there a Protector with a Cool sleeping surface?
Yes, we can help with that too. Bambi, the innovators in bedding, have the perfect solution for hot sleepers: The Cooltouch Active Mattress protector. Unlike gel-infused products, Bambi’s Cooltouch technology features PCM (Phase Changing Material) which is actually woven into the fabric, meaning that the CoolTouch material is always cool to the touch – no matter how many times you wash it. (If you’ve never felt CoolTouch, we invite you to visit your local Bambi retailer – we’re sure you’ll be surprised at just how amazingly cool this fabric feels).
Do I need a Pillow Protector too?
Absolutely. A protector is as vital for a pillow as it is for a mattress, as the same amount of perspiration and other fluids are being absorbed into your pillow as your mattress. If you are interested in a waterproof pillow protector, consider the Protectiva Bamboo/Cotton Towelling or Stretch-Knit protectors, or the 100% Bamboo pillow protector. Non-waterproof pillow protectors are also available.
How do I care for my Mattress Protector?
To ensure your mattress stays clean and fresh for many years, simply follow these two simple care instructions:
Always ensure you don’t sleep directly on the protector; instead cover with sheets so that you add an extra layer of protection from tears, burns and severe spills. The less the protector is exposed to external elements, the longer it will last.
If a spill or upset does occur, the protector should be cleaned straight away to prevent staining.
If you have any further queries about mattress protectors or pillow protectors, please call our friendly staff who will be happy to assist.
Winter Warmers
We love this time of year here at Bambi, not only is the Central Coast a gorgeous place to be in the winter months but it is also our busiest time of year with production of winter quilts, electric blankets and all things snugly. After months of the warm weather it is always exciting to be dusting off the leather boots and be out showing customers our winter products.
TENCEL® – From Wood to Fiber
Tips for Hot Sleepers: 2
Hot Sleeper? Consider this: Layer your Bedding.
Every night our bodies lose moisture . The cause of this could be medical, environmental, temperature or the use of certain materials on the bed.
Tip 1 covered mattress protectors. Tip 2 looks at sheets, Pillowcases and Quilt covers.
Sheets – When it comes to thread counts ‘more’ is not necessarily better for you. There are many technical arguments for and against high thread counts which can be researched elsewhere. As a general rule, the higher the thread count the lower the breathability of the sheet. Less breathability can exacerbate excessive heat in the bed, . Thread counts of good quality sheets of around 350 – 400 should be considered.
Sheets are available in the market in a wide variety of fabrics from Microfibre (polyester) Poly/Cotton (a blend of polyester and cotton) Cotton, Tencel. Man made polyester fibres when used in sheeting, are affordable and durable but as with most polyester based products they do not breath very effectively. Tencel sheets provide excellent moisture dispersion and the fibre has natural anti allergy properties. They are the only sheets to be accepted into the Asthma councils Sensitive Choice programme.
Pillowcases – If you purchase design Quilt cover sets which include Pillowcases, be aware of the material. Many of these items are made from Polyester or a blend of Polyester and cotton (even the expensive ones). If you are using the design Pillow case as your main pillow consider that your head and face may be in contact with polyester throughout the night. Not ideal if you are a hot sleeper.
Check out our further tips for improved sleeping comfort: Underlays, Sheets, Quilts, Pillows, Quilt Covers
Tips for Hot Sleepers: 1
Hot Sleeper? Consider this: Layer your Bedding.
Every night our bodies lose moisture . The cause of this could be medical, environmental, temperature or the use of certain materials on the bed.
Actual Moisture loss quantities vary and are debated. Some suggestions are up to 1 litre a night but we suggest you conduct your own research if you need to quantify this.
The causes and implications of moisture loss are connected to the different conditions which exist in our bodies or our bedroom. Much of the moisture will find its way into your bedding and ultimately your mattress itself. Check your pillow, sheets and mattress for yellowing. if they are then that’s usually caused by moisture .
Moisture in bedding can contribute to the growth of bacteria which in turn could exasperate allergies in some people. In addition moisture can also be one of the factors exacerbating ‘Hot Sleeping’ experiences.
We recommend the selection of material in your bedding which will disperse moisture away from your body. Consider your current bedding and work from the mattress up.
Select a waterproof protector with a natural fibre upper layer (the waterproof layer should be in contact with your mattress). The waterproof layer is almost always a Polyester based product, currently the best material to create a moisture barrier. Where possible add an additional quilted protector layer. These are also Mattress Protectors but do not have a waterproof component. This item is normally filled and covered with Cotton or Tencel for improved breathability and will act as a barrier between your body and the waterproof component.
Where possible try to minimize the use of Polyester based or filled products. These are man made fibres and whilst low cost, they do not disperse moisture as well as natural fibres do.
Check out our further tips for improved sleeping comfort: Underlays, Sheets, Quilts, Pillows, Quilt Covers
Random facts
There is an old wives tale that children should not have cheese before bedtime to prevent bad dreams and nightmares.
And in a ‘Christmas Carol’, Ebenezer Scrooge blamed cheese for causing his ghostly nightmares. He only ate “a crumb” but the idea that cheese gives you nightmares still persists.
But researchers have disproved this old wife’s tale and found that cheese could actually aid sleep.
In 2005 the British Cheese Board carried out a major study to investigate whether eating cheese before bedtime gives you nightmares.
More than 75% of the 200 volunteers who took part who ate 20g of cheese before bed-time, claimed they had an undisturbed sleep.
They didn’t have nightmares though most of them could recall their normal dreams.
Surprisingly it seemed that selecting the type of cheese eaten before bedtime may have helped determine the very nature of their colourful and vivid dreams.
It seemed that Stilton caused the most bizarre dream involving such things as talking soft toys vegetarian crocodile and dinner party guests being traded for camels.
Almost two-thirds of volunteers eating Cheddar reported dreaming about celebrities,
More than six out of 10 volunteers eating red Leicester had nostalgic dreams about their past, including school days and childhood friends.
However those volunteers eating Cheshire cheese had a perfect night’s sleep which was completely dreamless.
But there is a substance contained in cheese which might be pertinent here – tryptophan. It is an amino acid found in various foods and the body uses it to produce serotonin, a chemical messenger associated with stable mood and sound sleep.
The overall conclusion of the study was that cheese is a perfectly safe late night snack.*
Probably a FACT!
*[Cheese, especially aged cheese, contains substantial amountS of tyramine. For this reason, persons taking antidepressants drugs are cautioned to avoid foods that are rich in tyramine so that any side effects can be avoided]
