Top 2 Ways To Make A Mattress Protector At Home

sewing mattress protector

Step closer DIY masters. We have all the information you need to either sew or fold your own mattress protector at home. 

A mattress protector can be made at home by either sewing the sheet according to a pattern or folding a sheet with hospital corners.

Add years to your mattress and make your bed plusher by crafting your very own mattress protector at home. 

The 2 Top Methods For Making A DIY Mattress Protector At Home

The benefits of a mattress protector cannot be denied. It safeguards your mattress for a long time and keeps the mattress clean. A protector also makes a bed look more complete and fancy. But when regularly washed, a mattress protector also reduces allergens and odours from your sleeping spot.

You don’t need to rush out and buy one. If you like doing your own thing, you can craft your own protector in the following two ways.

  1. Cut and sew according to a pattern.
  2. Quickly fold a sheet with hospital corners.

We reviewed the best Nectar Sleep mattresses. They are perfect for anyone who is looking for a year-long sleeping trial and a lifetime guarantee on their new mattress! If Nectar is not your brand but you still love both benefits, then you are in luck. They are also offered with the best Ergoflex mattresses.

Cut And Sew According To A Pattern

cut fabric sew pattern

Thanks to the Internet and sewing forums, there are nearly endless options when it comes to picking a pattern for a mattress protector. We will give one that you can use right here but do not hesitate to look for others!

What Fabric Must I Choose For My Mattress Protector?

The best fabric for a mattress protector is anything made from breathable material. Things like cotton, linen, rayon, and wool (merino). 

Do you adore all things woolly? Here are the best wool mattresses that are available today. 

What Will I Need For This Project?

  • Scissors.
  • A sewing needle.
  • A sewing machine.
  • Fabric that is between 138 and 153 cm wide.
  • Thread that matches the colour of your fabric.
  • 15 mm wide elastic band.

What Are The Steps Of This Project?

Step 1: Measure the dimensions of your mattress. Write down the width, depth, and length.

Step 2: Keeping those measurements in mind, cut the fabric using the following formula – (1 times width + 2 times depth + 30 cm) x (1 times length + 2 times depth + 30 cm).

Step 3: Measure your elastic band 1.5 x (length + width) and the cording 4 x (length + width).

Step 4: Fold the fabric so that all the corners are stacked together. You are about to remove a square-shaped piece from all of them. 

Step 5: Using your mattress depth + 15 cm, cut the stacked corners all together. 

Step 6: Clean up the rough edges of the fabric. The best technique is the overlock stitch. (Learn more about sewing techniques with an overlock machine).

Step 7: Create the corners of the protector. 

Step 7.1: Fold the edges together (the edges you cut into the fabric). 

Step 7.2: Use the overlock stitch to sew them together and to form the corner of the protector.

Step 8: Turn the corners inside out. You should now have the basic shape of your protector.

Step 9: Create the elastic band’s casing. Fold the bottom edge up 2 cm and leave an opening in the seam (this is where the elastic will go in).

Step 10: Insert the elastic band and feed it through all the way. Once it comes out the other side pull the elastic tighter and knot the ends together. The mattress protector should resemble a fitted sheet. 

Cheap does not always mean that you have to be satisfied with a lower quality product. We did all the research to find you the best cheap mattresses that are high quality and have great trials or warranties. 

Fold A Sheet With Hospital Corners

hospital corners sheet

This method is perfect for those who do not have the time or skill to make a mattress protector. The idea of a protector is any covering that wraps around most of the mattress and protects it from chafing, dirt, and more. Therefore, a plain flat sheet can be used as a mattress protector. Here are more benefits:

  • You do not need to buy anything extra. All you need is a flat sheet.
  • Anyone can fold hospital corners. 
  • The project is quick and easy. 
  • The fit will be perfect (following in a protector pattern does not always turn out well).
  • The sheet will fit tightly and never wrinkle or move.
  • The sheet is easy to remove as well on laundry day. 
  • You’re using a technique that is favoured by the military and hospitals worldwide.

Here are the best orthopaedic mattresses. You can also look at the best mattresses for arthritis or the best mattresses for bad backs

How To Fold A Sheet With Hospital Corners

Step 1: Take a clean flat sheet and arrange it over the mattress. Make sure that the part on top of the mattress stays wrinkle-free during the entire process.

Step 2: Fold the sheet under the foot of the topper. Use your fingertips to push the sheet deeply inside. 

Step 3: Get rid of the wrinkles under the mattress as well, smooth them out with your hand. 

Step 4: Do the same with the sheet hanging over the head of the mattress. 

Step 5: Start with one corner. Pull the top up and out of the way. Take hold of the bottom side (the one you tucked in under the bed but it’s still sticking out some length sideways). 

Step 6: Tuck the bottom sheet under the bed. 

Step 7: Pull the top down and over the bottom sheet and tuck it under the mattress. 

Step 8: Repeat the process with all the corners. 

Step 9: Tuck the sides of the sheet under the mattress too, using your fingertips to get the sides in and under as deep as they can go.

When To Consider Outsourcing The Project

professional sewing

If you are committed to a hand-made mattress protector, there might be reasons why you cannot complete the project yourself. Maybe there is no time or you do not want to risk messing up the materials with limited skills. Maybe you do not have all the overlockers or sewing machines for the project. Whatever the reason, you can always hire an expert individual or sewing business to complete the mattress protector. 

Our free guide on how to clean a mattress is full of the best tips to keep your new mattress protector and the bed clean.

A Quick Summary On How To Make Your Own Mattress Protector

  • Mattress protectors can be made at home. 
  • The two main ways to make a mattress protector at home is to sew a protector with the help of a pattern or to fold a flat sheet with hospital corners. 
  • Sewing a mattress from a pattern is suitable for those with good sewing skills but not for beginners. 
  • Folding a sheet with hospital corners is perfect for anyone including beginners. 
  • You can also hire a professional seamstress or company to produce a custom-made mattress protector for you. 

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About the Author Tom

My journey into the world of sleep came about through living in several properties over my lifetime and always seeming to have the worst luck with neighbors. All but one have been extremely noisy and very inconsiderate. What this made me realize early on, was that the little sleep my neighbors allowed me to get needed to be of great quality. So I started to learn all about sleep, and what helps people get the best quality sleep possible.