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Waterproof mattresses
A waterproof mattress has a waterproof layer built into its cover, so spills and night-time accidents wipe off instead of soaking in. It's a practical choice for potty training, bedwetting, children's rooms and anyone who wants an easy-clean mattress.
Read our buying guideWhat is a waterproof mattress?
A waterproof mattress is a foam or sprung mattress with a waterproof layer built into its cover, so liquid stays on the surface and can be wiped away instead of soaking into the filling. Underneath, you choose it for size and support like any other mattress.
Modern waterproof covers are quieter and more breathable than the crackly plastic sheets many people remember, and under a fitted sheet a waterproof mattress looks like any other bed. They're useful for:
- Potty training: night-time accidents are a normal part of learning to stay dry.
- Bedwetting: common in children, and easier to deal with when the mattress stays dry.
- Adults: incontinence, illness, or a dog that likes the bed.
- Spare rooms and holiday lets: a mattress that's easy to keep clean between guests.
Waterproof mattress or waterproof protector: which is better?
A waterproof protector is cheaper and washable, while a waterproof mattress has its protection built in, so there's nothing to forget or put back on after a wash. If accidents are frequent, using both gives you the most protection.
| What to compare | Waterproof mattress | Waterproof protector |
|---|---|---|
| Where the waterproofing is | Built into the mattress cover | A separate layer under the sheet |
| After an accident | Wipe it down and let it dry | Wash it, and use a spare meanwhile |
| Easy to forget? | No, it's always there | Yes, after every wash |
| Best for | Children's beds, and anyone who wants nothing to remember | Adding waterproofing to a mattress you already have |
If you go for a protector, keep a spare so there's always a dry one ready. Our mattress protectors include waterproof ones.
Are waterproof mattresses good for bedwetting?
A waterproof mattress is a good choice for bedwetting, because a wet night means changing the sheets rather than cleaning or replacing the mattress. Bedwetting is nobody's fault, and a quick, calm change gets everyone back to sleep sooner.
- Make the bed twice: put a waterproof protector and fitted sheet on the mattress, then a second protector and sheet on top. After an accident, strip the top layer and the bed underneath is dry and ready.
- Keep a night kit by the bed: spare pyjamas, a towel and a clean sheet, so nobody has to hunt for them in the dark.
- Think about weight: a foam mattress is usually lighter than a sprung one, which helps when you're tucking in sheets in the middle of the night.
If your child's bedwetting is worrying you or them, or it starts again after a dry spell, talk to your GP. Adults living with incontinence get the same practical benefit: a mattress that wipes clean, with nothing on show under the sheet.
How do you clean a waterproof mattress?
To clean a waterproof mattress, strip the bedding, wipe the cover with a cloth wrung out in warm, mildly soapy water, then let it dry completely before you remake the bed. Check the care instructions too: some covers can also be removed and washed.
- Wipe up accidents and spills promptly rather than leaving them until morning.
- Avoid bleach and harsh cleaners, which can damage the waterproof layer.
- Never soak the mattress itself.
- Let it air dry fully, because damp trapped under bedding can lead to mould.
Which waterproof mattress is right for a child?
Choose a child's waterproof mattress the way you'd choose any children's mattress: supportive, usually medium to medium-firm, in the right size for the bed, with the waterproofing as a bonus rather than the deciding factor.
Firmness is shown on a 1 to 10 scale on every mattress page, so you can compare like with like. Most school-age children sleep on a single, 90 x 190 cm (3ft x 6ft3), and our kids single mattresses are a good place to start. On a top bunk or high sleeper, a waterproof mattress still has to sit at or below the maximum mattress line marked on the bed; our bunk bed mattresses page explains how to check.
For more choice, browse our kids mattresses. If you need a waterproof mattress in a size you can't see here, ask us and we'll check what's available.
Waterproof mattresses: your questions answered
Can't see your question? Ask us and we'll get back to you.
Are waterproof mattresses hot to sleep on?
Modern waterproof mattresses are more breathable than the old plastic sheets that gave waterproof beds a sweaty reputation. If you or your child run warm, use cotton sheets and a lighter duvet, and keep the bedroom at around 16 to 18°C, which is what The Sleep Charity suggests.
Do waterproof mattresses make a noise?
Waterproof mattresses today are quieter than the crackly plastic sheets of the past, with the waterproof layer built into the cover rather than laid loose on top of the mattress. A fitted sheet over the mattress softens any sound further.
Does a waterproof mattress need a protector as well?
A waterproof mattress doesn't need a protector to stay dry, but adding one makes night-time changes quicker: you strip and wash the protector and sheet, and the mattress stays clean underneath. For frequent accidents, a protector on top of a waterproof mattress gives you two layers of defence.
Can adults use a waterproof mattress?
Adults can use a waterproof mattress for incontinence, during illness, for a pet that shares the bed, or simply because spills wipe off. Under a sheet, a waterproof mattress looks like any other. If you'd rather keep your current mattress, a waterproof protector adds a waterproof layer to it instead.
Is a waterproof mattress good for potty training?
A waterproof mattress is a sensible choice for potty training, because night-time accidents are likely while a child learns to stay dry. Pair it with a waterproof protector so most accidents mean a quick sheet change. Choose a supportive mattress that fits the bed frame snugly, with no gaps at the sides.
Should a cot mattress be waterproof?
A cot mattress should be waterproof, according to the Lullaby Trust's safer sleep advice. For babies under 12 months, the advice is a firm, flat, waterproof mattress in good condition that fits the cot snugly, with your baby on their back to sleep and no pillows, duvets or bumpers in the cot.
How often should you replace a waterproof mattress?
Replace a waterproof mattress once it sags, turns lumpy or the springs can be felt, and sooner if the waterproof cover is torn or split, because liquid can then reach the filling. An adult mattress typically lasts around 7 to 10 years; on a child's bed, look over the cover whenever you change the sheets.
Can you put a waterproof mattress on a bunk bed?
A waterproof mattress suits a bunk bed well, because changing the sheets on a top bunk is awkward enough without a soaked mattress. On the top bunk it must still sit at or below the maximum mattress line marked on the bed, so check the depth of the mattress before you order.
Not sure which mattress?
Tell us about your bed and how you sleep, and we'll suggest a few that fit.