The Pillow Top Mattress Pad

Modern bedding technology certainly has come a long way since the days of rope frames and feather-filled mattresses. Today there is a wide range of mattresses, foundations, storage units, and other options allowing customers to create the perfect bedding experience for them. One of those options is a pillow top mattress pad. A pillow top mattress pad is not the same thing as a mattress topper, which we'll see in just a minute. It has a very specific purpose which you may or may not be aware of.

Although the terms "mattress pad" and "mattress topper" are often used interchangeably, they are two distinct items with very different purposes. A mattress topper is generally used to add comfort and support to an already existing mattress. Most often the topper is used to extend the life of an older mattress beginning to show symptoms of wear. A mattress pad on the other hand, is not specifically designed to make your sleep more comfortable. It is designed to protect a mattress from the natural wear and tear caused by contact with the human body.

Thickness and Density

The biggest noticeable difference between a pillow top mattress pad and a topper is the thickness and density of its filler. Since a mattress pad is not specifically made to add comfort and support, it's generally not very thick; perhaps 1/4" - 1" in most cases. The filler used in a mattress pad also will not be very dense. Often times these pads are made with a cheap foam rubber or several layers of wool or cotton fabric. They also tend to fit over the top of your mattress similar to a fitted sheet, rather than floating on top of the mattress.

A mattress topper on the other hand, is supposed to give you added support and comfort. Therefore you'll find a topper is filled with materials that are much thicker and much denser. A good pillow top topper will provide the extra comfort and support you need for restful sleep, even as your mattress ages. They also provide a measure of protection for the mattress itself even though that's not the original intention.

The Cover

The thing that distinguishes the pillow top mattress pad from a standard mattress pad is the pillow top covering. A pillow top covering is typically poly-cotton blend which provides a light and fluffy surface for you to lie on. Standard mattress pads will have no such cover. In some cases a standard mattress pad won't even have a cover at all. It may simply be a thin piece of foam rubber with elastic straps to go over the corners of the mattress.

The obvious reason for choosing a pillow top mattress pad over a standard one is the fact that the covering makes it a bit more comfortable to lay on. Even though your fitted sheet will be between you and the mattress pad, you will still feel the difference between a pillow top and a standard pad. And even though mattress pads are not designed to give you added comfort and support, you certainly don't want them to be uncomfortable to sleep on.

Mattress Pads for Babies

It is not uncommon for parents to use mattress pads in the crib. Because of the propensity of mattresses to be soaked in urine, using a mattress pad gives an added layer of protection to the crib mattress. However, parents need to be careful when choosing a pillow top mattress pad so they do not purchase something that could be dangerous. A mattress pad for a crib should not be extremely fluffy or lightweight, and should have the appropriate straps so that it can be firmly affixed to the mattress. If there's any freedom of movement in a mattress pad it could cause suffocation.

Some parents are also concerned about toxic chemicals in traditional bedding materials. For them, a pillow top mattress pad made of latex rubber and wool are the best option. Both of these natural substances contain no toxic chemicals and are hypo-allergenic. As an added bonus, they are considered to be "green" bedding so they are friendlier to the environment.

Pad and Topper Together

Some people choose to use both a mattress pad and topper together. They want the benefits of both protecting the mattress and added comfort and support. When you combine the two in this manner it's less important to have a pillow top pad because it will be covered by your topper anyway. You can probably get away with a slightly lower cost by using a standard mattress pad rather than a pillow top. Ultimately however, the decision is yours.