The Woolroom Deluxe Washable Mattress Protector is a must-have for anyone looking for a recommended cooling sleep solution. It's not cheap but trust me when I say that it is worth investing in to transform your night's sleep.
The best mattress protectors provide an extra layer on top of your mattress, safeguarding it from sweat and spills. But that's not just what they're useful for. If you buy a good quality wool one, it can come close to making any mattress feel like one of the best cooling mattresses on the market.
How I hear you ask? Surely wool only keeps you warm? Wrong, it is also the perfect material to help you stay cool. I was lucky enough to meet Chris Tattersall, the MD of Woolroom recommended that I use a wool mattress protector on my hybrid memory foam mattress to help stop me from overheating at night.
"Memory foam mattresses tend to trap heat, which is why a wool mattress protector can be an effective tool for managing temperature. It naturally wicks away moisture and allowing for better air circulation and a cooler and more comfortable sleeping environment." Having heard it first-hand from the expert himself I was super keen to give a wool mattress protector a try...
Specifications
Unboxing the Woolroom Deluxe Washable Mattress Protector
With the eco-conscious credentials of the product as you'd expect the packaging it arrives in is recyclable. The mattress protector arrives in a zip-up natural cotton bag that doubles as a handy storage bag while your mattress protector is in use. The bag even has a tag with a QR Code you can scan to discover more about the farmers who supply the wool – a thoughtful and well-considered touch to help buyers understand the product more.
There's no denying that you immediately notice the 'discoloured' appearance on first impressions. Of course, it's not discoloured but when it's next to crisp white bedding (as seen above) you can really tell that the cotton isn't bleached white. This thought soon passes as you realise that it'll be covered with sheets, so it doesn't really matter.
My quality white sheets cover the cream appearance with no problem, so it bears no judgement on the overall impression of how good this product is.
Who would the Woolroom Deluxe Washable Mattress Protector suit?
This washable mattress protector would suit those who like the assurance of being able to wash their bedding at home if need be. There's nothing quite as frustrating as dry clean-only bedding that warrants a trip to the local launderette.
Because of the cooling properties of wool, I would say this mattress protector is most suited to those prone to hot sleeping – who might also be those who would appreciate being able to wash it at home. As someone who had been suffering from frequent night sweats, I was more than happy to test this mattress protector after beginning to research if cooling mattresses work at tempering night sweats. It's safe to say I have not been disappointed, so much so that I believe it's the reason I have managed to keep my night sweats at bay.
What's the composition of the Woolroom Deluxe Washable Mattress Protector?
The composition of the Woolroom Deluxe Washable Mattress protector could fill a whole review in and of itself, but I'll try and condense down the main bits that you should know about.
First, the wool. In the padded mattress protector, the wool is 100% traceable from the Chatsworth Estate, meaning it's born-and-bred British. Not only is that good for the environment, but wool is one of the best fibres for keeping you cool. Actually, according to Woolroom, it's 67% better at moisture-wicking than down/feathers and 48% better than polyester. Those are stats I won't argue with.
The outer casing is 200 thread count, organic, unbleached, organic cotton, which is why it's not the pure bright white that most protectors are. Again, cotton is naturally breathable and this organic variety is free from nasty chemicals and dyes, making them even better for you, your skin, and the environment.
Both of those materials are certified as naturally hypoallergenic and OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, Class 1, which means that they're safe for sensitive skin.
How does the Woolroom Deluxe Washable Mattress Protector fit on the bed?
The mattress protector is generous enough in size that it fits over the mattress comfortably without having to stretch it and partake in a tug-of-war battle to place it from end to end. It glides over effortlessly but still holds tight when in place, thanks to the well-elasticated edges.
This mattress protector comes with a generous 35cm deep organic cotton skirt to fit under almost any mattress. Despite my Eve Hybrid Mattress measuring only 25cm in depth the premium elasticated band helps to hold it securely in place night after night.
I don't have a mattress topper but the forgiving elasticated sides easily fit over a comforting topper, we know this from when our Woolroom Deluxe Wool Mattress Topper review because we were able to cover the 5cm deep cushioned topper seamlessly with this mattress protector.
What does the Woolroom Deluxe Washable Mattress Protector feel like to sleep on?
The mattress protector is thicker than most other alternative protectors I've slept on, undoubtedly thanks to the pockets of wool that make it feel cushioned. It is by no means thick but it does feel heavier in weight than other mattress protectors without wool contents.
There's a significant difference between mattress toppers vs mattress protectors however, I would say this is why I don't feel the need for a topper (that and the fact my mattress is relatively new) but it feels like a subtle layer of cushioning to bolster your mattress.
Unlike trying to stop a mattress topper from sliding there's no need to seek such ideas for this mattress protector as the edges are deep and therefore hold it firmly in place while on the bed. The organic cotton and wool materials do not rustle or make any trace noise as you roll into your preferred sleep position.
How cooling is the Woolroom Deluxe Washable Mattress Protector really?
It's hard to measure, but what I can say with absolute confidence is I have not suffered a single night of overheating since I've been sleeping on the Woolroom Deluxe Washable Mattress Protector.
As someone prone to night sweats in recent years, I hugely sympathise with those who sleep hot and look for ways to keep cool even outside the highs of summer conditions. Chris explained to me first-hand how the properties of wool bedding keep you cool – assuring me that this protector would improve my hot sleep issues.
It's been over six months of sleeping on this wool mattress protector and I haven't had a hot night since - and the only thing I've changed is my bedding, not my lifestyle or diet. I'm impressed enough with this result to put it in writing that I firmly believe this Woolroom Deluxe Washable Mattress Protector offers exceptional cooling qualities.
Is the Woolroom Deluxe Washable Mattress Protector waterproof?
Technically, the Woolroom Deluxe Mattress Protector isn't waterproof, but that doesn't mean that we skipped our test for spills and stains. Regardless of whether you buy a waterpoof mattress, you might still spill a cup of water in bed, or, even worse, a cup of coffee.
I poured 500ml of water directly onto the protector (you would have a sheet over yours too) and left if for two minutes. After the two minutes was up, I soaked up the water that had been sitting on the protector and checked the undeside, you can see in the image below that some of the water seemed through the seams of the quilting. However, my towel and sheets underneath didn't get wet. The protector did it's job: it protected the mattress from my water. I don't recommend that you purposefully put yours to the test, but it's nice to know, in case of any accidents.
How do you clean the Woolroom Deluxe Washable Mattress Protector?
A major plus factor for this premium mattress protector is having the ability to pop it in your washing machine. To date, it's the first of its kind, a 'truly machine washable' wool bedding range.
Unlike the Woolroom Deluxe Mattress Topper ( which the brand recommends you dry clean using a non-toxic service – explicitly saying that it cannot be machine washed or tumble dried) the protector is easy when it comes to maintenance.
Firstly, it's important to say that it fits into a standard washing machine with ease. There's a worry that bulking bedding items might not be practical to machine wash at home, but as you can see from the photo above even the king-sized mattress protector is easy to wash.
The care label is clear in stating that the wool mattress protector should be washed on a 'wool cycle' and using a gentle 'wool detergent' both of which are to preserve the 100% wool content inside. It also clearly says no tumble-drying which means allowing enough time for it to completely dry out on a line or over a drying rack.
Similar to when you wash pillows, due to the wool content it's imperative that you let it dry thoroughly to help keep it in tip-top condition. I've found that it is dry to the touch after a few hours but I leave it for a full day to ensure it's sufficiently dry.
Should you buy the Woolroom Deluxe Washable Mattress Protector?
Yes, in essence, I say you should. It is on the expensive side of the mattress protector offering but having experienced first-hand just how credible the cooling elements are, I would happily advise anyone who struggles to control their body temperature to buy this Woolroom Deluxe Washable Mattress Protector without hesitation.
Made using only the finest materials this is a product that is built to last, which makes it better value. In my eyes, you can't really put a price on getting a better night's sleep – which this mattress protector has proved invaluble at doing for me.
