Waterproof Heated Electric Mattress Pad - Award Winner [Editor's Choice]
Over the years, many people have asked us where they can buy a waterproof heated mattress pad. The demand comes from incontinent people or more so, incontinent pets, as well as those prone to spilling drinks in their bed. Expensive mattresses need to be protected.
In the past some consumers have resorted to adding a waterproofing material UNDER their heated mattress pad to protect their mattress. But then, if something is spilled, the heater wires carrying 120V are lying in the wet. This could be quite dangerous if any part of the heater wire insulation has been nicked or scratched off. On the other hand, some consumers have put waterproofing material OVER their heated mattress pads but that prevents a good part of the heat from reaching the user and if the over-material is too impervious (e.g. plastic or rubber) the excess heat built up below could damage the pad or even the mattress.
There have been a few waterproof heated mattress covers in the past but none we could recommend for the same reasons. Now the makers of the SoftHeat Low Voltage lines of heated bedding have introduced their innovative version of a waterproof electric mattress pad. Their waterproof layer is the TOP fabric but it does not feel rubbery or have a plastic feel or noise. It still breathes so the heat can come through. And even if liquids should penetrate (perhaps through a tear in the top layer) the user will still be safe due to the SoftHeat 16V shockproof electricity in the heater wires.
As an additional bonus, this mattress pad appears to be almost stain proof as well. A video at the retailer Above & Beyond Bedding (www.abbedding.com) shows a glass of red wine being spilled onto this pad and then wiped up with just paper towels. We tried this experiment with red wine and soy sauce and sure enough, both came right up. See this waterproof mattress pad in action.