Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you buy through retailer links. It never changes our picks. Comfort and fit guidance, not medical advice.
Quick answer
A protector is a washable layer that keeps spills, sweat and everyday wear off your mattress or pillow. Choose by:
- Protection: waterproof or not
- Size: your bed or pillow
- Depth: your mattress plus any topper
Mattress protector
Mattress topper
Pillow protector
👉 Take the 2-minute quiz to find your pillow, then protect it.
Waterproof vs breathable: what's the trade-off?
| Waterproof | Breathable (non-waterproof) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Stops liquid from soaking into the mattress or pillow | Shields against everyday wear and light marks |
| How it's made | A fabric top bonded to a thin membrane, often polyurethane (PU) | Cotton, quilted fibre or a cotton blend, with no membrane |
| Feel | Modern PU membranes are quiet and soft; older vinyl types can crinkle | Soft and fabric-like; quilted versions add a little cushioning |
| Best for | Kids, pets, breakfast in bed, anyone who wants to stop spills | Adults who mainly want to keep the mattress clean and fresh-looking |
| Watch out for | Membrane feel differs from plain fabric; check the label for a quiet membrane | A big spill can soak through |
More detail: full table
| Waterproof | Breathable (non-waterproof) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Stops liquid from soaking into the mattress or pillow | Shields against everyday wear and light marks |
| How it's made | A fabric top bonded to a thin membrane, often polyurethane (PU) | Cotton, quilted fibre or a cotton blend, with no membrane |
| Feel | Modern PU membranes are quiet and soft; older vinyl types can crinkle | Soft and fabric-like; quilted versions add a little cushioning |
| Best for | Kids, pets, breakfast in bed, anyone who wants to stop spills | Adults who mainly want to keep the mattress clean and fresh-looking |
| Watch out for | Membrane feel differs from plain fabric; check the label for a quiet membrane | A big spill can soak through |
Tip: if you're not sure, a waterproof protector with a quilted or terry-towelling top gives you spill protection with a soft, fabric feel.
Your mattress or pillow warranty may require a protector, or may not cover stains. Check the brand's warranty terms.
Getting the size right
Mattress protectors
Australian bed sizes (approximate; always measure your own mattress):
| Bed size | Typical mattress size |
|---|---|
| Single | 92 × 188 cm |
| King single | 107 × 203 cm |
| Double | 138 × 188 cm |
| Queen | 153 × 203 cm |
| King | 183 × 203 cm |
More detail: full table
| Bed size | Typical mattress size |
|---|---|
| Single | 92 × 188 cm |
| King single | 107 × 203 cm |
| Double | 138 × 188 cm |
| Queen | 153 × 203 cm |
| King | 183 × 203 cm |
Depth matters as much as width. Fitted protectors have an elastic skirt that tucks under the mattress. Measure your mattress depth, including any topper, and check the protector's stated depth:
- Standard skirts suit mattresses about 30 to 35 cm deep.
- Deep or "extra-deep" skirts suit thicker pillow-top mattresses and mattresses with toppers, often up to 40 to 50 cm.
- If the skirt is too shallow, it will pop off the corners. Too deep is usually fine.
More detail: Mattress protectors: more tips
- Standard skirts suit mattresses about 30 to 35 cm deep.
- Deep or "extra-deep" skirts suit thicker pillow-top mattresses and mattresses with toppers, often up to 40 to 50 cm.
- If the skirt is too shallow, it will pop off the corners. Too deep is usually fine.
Fully encased protectors zip around all sides: full cover, but harder to take off for washing.
Pillow protectors
| Pillow size | Typical pillow size |
|---|---|
| Standard | about 46 × 71 cm (sizes vary by brand) |
| Queen | varies by brand; check the label |
| King | about 50 × 90 cm |
More detail: full table
| Pillow size | Typical pillow size |
|---|---|
| Standard | about 46 × 71 cm (sizes vary by brand) |
| Queen | varies by brand; check the label |
| King | about 50 × 90 cm |
- Most pillow protectors zip closed.
- Contoured and odd-sized pillows (such as memory foam contours) often won't fit a standard one.
- Check for a brand-made protector, or measure the pillow and compare.
More detail: Pillow protectors: more tips
- Most pillow protectors zip closed.
- Contoured and odd-sized pillows (such as memory foam contours) often won't fit a standard one.
- Check for a brand-made protector, or measure the pillow and compare.
Care: keep it working
- Wash it before first use and every few weeks, or straight after a spill.
- Follow the label. Most handle a warm gentle machine wash. Skip bleach and fabric softener on waterproof types, because they can wear the membrane.
- Dry it gently. Line dry, or tumble dry on low if the label allows. High heat can damage PU membranes.
- Keep a spare so the bed is never unprotected while one is in the wash.
- Replace it when the membrane cracks, the elastic loosens or liquid starts to get through.
More detail: Care: keep it working
- Wash it before first use and every few weeks, or straight after a spill.
- Follow the label. Most handle a warm gentle machine wash. Skip bleach and fabric softener on waterproof types, because they can wear the membrane.
- Dry it gently. Line dry, or tumble dry on low if the label allows. High heat can damage PU membranes.
- Keep a spare so the bed is never unprotected while one is in the wash.
- Replace it when the membrane cracks, the elastic loosens or liquid starts to get through.
Quick checklist before you buy
- Waterproof or breathable, based on what you're protecting against
- Correct bed size, and a skirt depth that matches your mattress plus any topper
- Pillow protector size that matches the pillow, especially for contours
- Machine washable, with care instructions you'll actually follow
- The brand's returns policy (many bedding items can't be returned once opened)
More detail: Quick checklist before you buy
- Waterproof or breathable, based on what you're protecting against
- Correct bed size, and a skirt depth that matches your mattress plus any topper
- Pillow protector size that matches the pillow, especially for contours
- Machine washable, with care instructions you'll actually follow
- The brand's returns policy (many bedding items can't be returned once opened)
The bottom line
A protector is cheap insurance for the expensive parts of your bed. Match the size and depth, decide whether you need waterproofing, and keep two so you can rotate them.
Comfort and fit guidance, not medical advice.
Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you buy through retailer links. It never changes our picks. Comfort and fit guidance, not medical advice.