A mattress cover has many different functional uses, made out of varying fabrics and also used to aid young children, the elderly and also to prevent the underlying mattress from getting dirty, as it is much harder to wash an entire mattress than just a cover and the sheet on top of it. The origins of the word “mattress” are interestingly form Arabic and derive from the word, which means “mat” or “cushion”. It was in fact during the time of the Crusades that the European people adopted the method of sleeping on soft cushions on the floor, and that’s how we have our comfortable, plush mattresses today.
Today we mainly place our mattress on a bed or platform (although many people all over the world still place them directly on the floor) and then put a mattress cover on them and then a sheet and duvet. Most mattresses are made from latex, foam, polyurethane or viscoelastic materials with inner coils inside to give them a nice bounce and keep them firm to protect our backs. If you are planning on going on a camping trip, you can get specialized mattresses that you can blow up with air and fold neatly in your rucksack when you’re not using them. There are also types of mattresses that are filled with water for a luxurious sleep with a floating feel.
A mattress cover is a relatively new invention, but the actual mattress has been around since the Neolithic period and were made from leaves, straw and grass and covered with animal skins for warmth. In 3600 BCE, goatskins were sewn together and filled with water in Persia for a more comfortable nights’ rest, while the Egyptians slept on piles of palm fronds. Much later in 200 BCE, the Romans started filling bags made from fabric with reeds, hay and even wool, while the richer families stuffed their bags with feathers. In the 15 th century, mattress covers appeared in the form of covering the cloth bags with exquisite silks and velvets. And in 1857, the first steel coils were introduced into the mattresses for use over a longer period of time.
Heinrich Westphal, invented the innerspring mattress, but never had the opportunity to see his magnificent creation take off, as he died before the invention grew in popularity. In 1873, Neil Arnott created the first waterbed as a remedy for bedsores that many long-term patients get when bedridden for long periods of time in hospital. After that, all sorts of fantastic mattresses and beds were invented to ensure you get a good nights’ sleep. The mattress cover has also been a very useful invention for nursing homes, hospices, and hospitals and also for young kids who are still learning to not wet their beds at night.
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mattress cover is also an integral part in the role of hygiene, as it can easily be washed, whereas without it, you will be dirtying the actual mattress and won’t clean it as regularly, as it is rather a mission to do. Most good quality mattresses can last up to ten years and provide you with great support, but should often be turned over at least twice a year to prevent one side from sagging.