Mattress Protectors

Your mattress is one of the most expensive things you own — and the hardest to clean. A good mattress protector is the cheapest insurance you can buy for it: a soft, washable layer that keeps sweat, spills, dust and everyday life away from the mattress itself. Choose from our quilted protectors for everyday freshness with a touch of comfort, or our waterproof mattress protectors for full liquid-proof peace of mind — all in UK sizes from single to super king.

Why Every Bed Needs a Mattress Protector

Here's the uncomfortable truth about mattresses: we lose around half a pint of moisture every night, and all of it heads downwards. Without a protector, that moisture — along with skin cells, dust and the occasional cup of tea — ends up in a mattress you can't put in the washing machine. A protector catches all of it in a layer you can wash, which is why hotels never run a bed without one. It keeps the mattress hygienic, protects its warranty (many manufacturers can refuse stain-related claims), and genuinely extends its life by years.

Choosing the Right Type

Quilted mattress protectors are the everyday choice — a soft, breathable quilted layer that adds a whisper of extra comfort while guarding against dust, sweat and general wear. If your household is mostly grown-ups and mostly careful, this is all you need.

Waterproof mattress protectors add a hidden liquid-proof membrane beneath the soft top layer. Young children, pets on the bed, breakfast tea, or anyone in potty-training years — if liquid is a when rather than an if in your house, go straight to our waterproof range.

Whichever you choose, ours fit like a fitted sheet with deep elasticated skirts, so they stay put through fidgety nights and come off easily on wash day.

Protector, Topper or Pad — Which Do You Need?

These three get muddled constantly, so here's the plain-English version. A protector is thin and protective — it changes how clean your mattress stays, not how it feels. A mattress topper is thick and comfortable — 5 or 10cm of quilted filling that changes how the bed feels entirely. A mattress pad sits between the two, adding light padding with light protection. Plenty of our customers run the full stack: topper on the mattress for comfort, protector over the topper to keep everything clean, fitted sheet on top. (Yes, protector over topper — the protector should always be the washable outermost layer beneath your sheet.)

Getting the Right Size

Match the protector to your mattress size — single (90×190cm), double (135×190cm), king (150×200cm) or super king (180×200cm) — and check depth if your mattress is extra deep or wearing a topper: our elasticated skirts are cut generously to wrap standard and deep mattresses securely. A well-fitted protector should be invisible in use: no wrinkles under the sheet, no corners pinging off at 2am.

If you're unsure which type, size or fitted depth to choose, read our mattress protector buying guide.

Care That Takes Care of Itself

Every Stoftly protector is machine washable at 40°C and tumble-dryer friendly — wash it monthly (or immediately after any incident), and it goes back on the bed the same day. No dry cleaning, no fuss, no reason to put it off.

FAQ

What does a mattress protector actually do?
It creates a washable barrier between you and your mattress, blocking sweat, skin cells, dust, spills and stains from soaking into the mattress itself. The result: a fresher, more hygienic bed, a protected mattress warranty, and a mattress that lasts years longer.
What's the difference between a mattress protector and a mattress topper?
A protector is a thin protective layer that keeps your mattress clean; a topper is a thick comfort layer (5–10cm) that changes how the bed feels. They do different jobs and work brilliantly together — topper for comfort, protector over it for hygiene.
Do you put a sheet over a mattress protector?
Yes — the protector goes directly on the mattress (or over your topper), with your fitted sheet on top. The protector handles hygiene invisibly; the sheet gives you the sleeping surface you actually feel.
Should I wash a new mattress protector before using it?
It's good practice — one 40°C wash softens the fabric, removes any packaging residue and activates the fit. After that, wash it monthly, or straight away after any spill.
How often should I wash a mattress protector?
Once a month in normal use, more often for allergy sufferers, kids' beds or pet-shared beds. It's the layer doing the dirty work for your mattress — regular washing is the whole point of owning one.
What should I look for when buying a mattress protector?
Four things: the right size for your mattress (including depth), a secure elasticated fitted-sheet style skirt, machine washability at 40°C, and the right type for your household — quilted for everyday freshness, waterproof if spills or accidents are a real possibility.
Does a mattress protector change how the bed feels?
A quilted protector adds a barely-there layer of softness; a good one is otherwise unnoticeable — no rustling, no heat build-up, no shifting. If you want to genuinely change the feel of your bed, that's a topper's job.