The Best Mattress Pads For Short Term Rentals
What do you do when a guest complains about a mattress not being up to par? Perhaps you were on a budget and couldn’t afford the extra nice one so you had to make do with what you had. Perhaps you picked something from your own preference and the guest doesn’t see eye to eye with you on that one. Perhaps you didn’t buy a new mattress at all and are just using an extra one lying around that has grown pretty old now. Whatever the reason, you should consider a mattress topper or pad as an inexpensive quick-fix solution for this problem. They come with a few other advantages too. We will discuss them here.
Why get a mattress pad?
You can’t please everyone all the time with your choice of amenities. If you get a difficult guest who genuinely finds it hard to sleep on your mattress then you can pick up a mattress topper to help them sleep better. Whatever the reason for the underlying mattress being not comfortable enough, the pad can fix the underlying mattress’s flaws to some extent. You can find one that is thin like a protective cover all the way to a thick one that is almost like another small mattress. They can provide extra cushion for a firm mattress or add some firmness to an extra soft mattress. There is also the case for them being able to guard against dirt, sweat, stains, and dust mites.
What to look for in a mattress pad?
Look at the mattress you have and decide whether you want to make it softer or more firm. You should get something that is of opposite firmness to the firmness of the mattress. The best combination that we’ve found is to get a medium firmness mattress and then getting a soft mattress topper to go along with it. We’ve found that people who like firm beds usually can make do with a medium mattress. People who want a softer experience can add a mattress topper. This way you are only paying for one mattress and one topper while keeping almost all the guests happy.
Look at the thread count of the mattress topper. A higher thread count means tighter weaves which means higher quality, durability, and protection from debris. They also get more expensive as the thread count increases.
Make sure the mattress pads are machine washable.
Preferably get a mattress pad that is hypoallergenic. This is especially necessary if your mattress is not equipped for allergy protection.
People tend to confuse between mattress pads, mattress toppers and mattress protectors. Make sure you are buying the one that matches your purpose. A mattress topper provides additional support or cushion. A mattress pad and protector are essentially the same. They merely add another layer between the mattress and the sheets. Mattress protectors are usually zippered and surround the entire mattress.
Though it may seem trivial, please make sure to get the correct size that matches your bed.
Many mattress pads have to be opened from their packaging and left to expand so they get restored to their original target size. Plan for this if you get a new pad just before the guests arrive.
Choose the right material. You can either go for cotton, polyester or memory foam.
- Cotton is easy to maintain and has a soft feel to it. It is very durable and it won’t lose its strength and softness even after many washes.
- A polyester blend is also very durable. It is naturally hypoallergenic since it is synthetic. This one is the most affordable of the three.
- Memory foam gives the best cushion. It molds to the shape of the body. However, it retains heat so it tends to get very hot. It won’t be a good match for warmer climates but will be perfect for colder ones. They come in a cool gel variant that solves this issue to some extent.
- Feather stuffed mattress pads are extremely soft and provide a very comfortable cool sleep. If you are buying one, it should have a thread count of over 200.
- Latex is an option if you are looking for something that will last for a long time. They are dust mite and mold resistant and more durable than cotton.
Recommendations from Amazon:
Leisure Town Mattress Pad: This has a cotton shell and snow down alternative fill. The cotton cover has 300 thread count and is made of 100% cotton. So it is easy to clean as it is machine washable. It has an HNN cooling system that keeps it cool in hot weather. The pad fits mattresses up to 21 inches thick.
Utopia Bedding Quilted Fitted Mattress Pad: The quilted mattress pad cover is durable and long-lasting. The super-soft quilt with fiberfill with additional loft makes for a comfortable sleeping experience. It is a soft breathable and high-quality mattress pad. The skirt can stretch to fit up to 16 inch deep mattresses.
Linenspa 2 inch gel-infused memory foam mattress topper: This one is made out of 100% Polyurethane Memory Foam Gel Beads. It conforms to the guest’s curves for a comfortable sleep. It has temperature dissipating gel beads to prevent overheating. The memory foam distributes weight evenly to align the spine and alleviate pressure points. It can be had in thicknesses of 2 or 3 inches.
Hospitology Products Microfiber Quilted Mattress Pad: This one has a soft brushed microfiber polyester shell with 24oz hypoallergenic goose down alternative filling. It has been box stitched to ensure the filling does not shift or clump. It has an extra deep pad with a 2-way stretch fabric to accommodate mattress height up to 18 inches.
Zamat Premium 100% Waterproof Mattress Protector: You won’t have to worry about spills when you get this one. The mattress pad is vinyl free and hypoallergenic. This one is also machine washable. The mattress encasement features an 80/20 cotton/polyester blend to extend its life. The mattress cover features a waterproof, breathable fabric that wicks away moisture.
Love,
Scooch and Steve
