Mattress and pillow protectors: which ones, and how often to wash them

A stained sheet costs you a few pounds. A stained mattress can cost you hundreds and take the bed out of action until it's replaced. Spills, nosebleeds, period leaks and the occasional child's accident are all a normal part of hosting, which is why every guest bed needs a protector.

What kind to buy

The right default for most hosts is a fitted, waterproof protector that goes on like a fitted sheet. Look for:

• A waterproof membrane, not just "water resistant". Water resistant buys you a few seconds.
• A quiet top layer, usually cotton or terry. Guests notice a protector that crinkles every time they turn over.
• Deep enough pockets for your mattress plus any topper. A protector that keeps popping off the corners isn't protecting anything.

Avoid the flat, elasticated-strap kind for guest beds. They shift, and the edges of the mattress end up exposed.

If you're worried about bed bugs, or you're in an area where they're common, add a zip-up encasement as a permanent layer under the fitted protector. You don't wash it every turnover; it stays on and seals the mattress.

How many you need

At least two per bed: one on, one spare. A spill during a stay means the protector needs washing, and if your cleaner is turning the bed around that afternoon, there's no time to wait for it to dry. Our post on how many sets of linens you need per bed uses the same logic, and the protector belongs in the same count.

Store spares with the linen sets so your cleaner doesn't have to hunt for them.

How often to wash them

There's no single rule, but a sensible approach for most small hosts:

• Check at every turnover. Pull the sheet off and look. Any mark or smell means it comes off and gets washed.
• Wash on a schedule even if it looks clean, every few weeks for a busy listing or monthly for a quieter one. Sweat soaks through sheets over several stays.
• Wash after any stay where a guest mentioned being ill, or left the bed in a state.

Add "check mattress protector" to your cleaning checklist as its own line. If it's folded into "change the bed", it gets skipped.

Wash them gently

Waterproof layers don't like high heat. Follow the label, but generally a warm wash and a low tumble dry or line dry. Avoid fabric softener, which can coat the top layer and reduce how well it absorbs. Bleach can damage the membrane too, so treat stains with something gentler first. Our guide to getting stains out of sheets and towels covers the usual culprits.

Replace any protector that's started to peel, crack or let moisture through. Run a quick test if you're not sure: pour a little water on it over a towel and see if the towel gets wet.

Don't forget pillows

Pillows go yellow fast, and guests notice. A zip-up pillow protector under each pillowcase keeps pillows clean for far longer and costs very little. Wash them on the same schedule as the mattress protectors. Even with protectors, plan to replace pillows every year or two on a busy listing.

Duvets and toppers too

If you use a mattress topper, the protector goes over the topper, not under it. Duvets are covered by the duvet cover, but they still need a proper wash a few times a year, or a professional clean if they're too big for your machine. Put the dates in your deep clean schedule so they don't drift.

When a mattress does get damaged

If a guest damages a mattress despite the protector, photograph it before you clean anything and report it through Airbnb promptly. Our post on what to do when a guest breaks something covers the steps. A protector won't stop everything, but it turns most accidents into a wash load rather than a claim.