9 Best Organic Cotton Mattress Protectors (2024 Review)
The Good Trade editors endorse products we’ve personally researched, tested, and genuinely love. Learn more about our methodology and business model here.
We personally reviewed nearly a dozen organic mattress protectors putting their durability to the test with wear and wine spills — these are our top nine selections.
A mattress is no small investment, which is why we’re big believers in extending the life of yours with a nontoxic, protective layer between your mattress and your sheets.
Not only does a mattress protector shield your mattress from wear, tear, and stains, but it also helps prevent dust and allergen buildup. “And unlike your mattress, protectors can easily be thrown in the wash,” says Missy Tannen, founder and chief product officer of Boll & Branch, a sustainable bedding company. Mattress protectors help your mattress stay fresher and more clean, and they protect against accidental spills (ever had a period come sooner than expected? 🥴).
Why consider an organic mattress protector?
It turns out traditional protectors can be made with some not-so-lovable materials in order to make them waterproof, like PCV, a type of vinyl that off gasses phthalates, or PFCs. But some brands are taking an extra steps for your health and safety, constructing protectors of thin layers of waterproof polyurethane sandwiched between organic cotton. While polyurethane is a petroleum-based material, it’s regarded as safe and nontoxic, meaning it’s one of the cleanest ways to waterproof a mattress. And sometimes that practicality takes priority.
Organic cotton, grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizer, ensures that the rest of a protector’s makeup is minimally harmful to the environment and to workers. “Conventional cotton farming has been shown to cause devastating effects on the environment through water pollution, soil degradation, biodiversity loss, excessive water consumption, air pollution, and increased greenhouse gas emissions,” explains Tannen. Organic cotton also keeps your bedding more breathable to boot!
If you want to upgrade your entire bed setup check out our favorite organic sheets and discover our guide to the best organic mattresses.
What should you look for when shopping?
Tannen emphasizes the importance of certifications when shopping for organic cotton, noting that “certification bodies such as the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and Fair Trade provide specific guidelines and standards for organic cotton production and processing.” Another helpful certification is OEKO-TEX, which ensures no harmful materials are present in a final product.
Keep in mind your preferences in a mattress protector, too. Maybe you’d rather have a protector that’s made of 100% natural materials, in which case it won’t be fully waterproof. Or you might be more concerned about dust allergies, in which case a tightly woven cotton would do the trick. We tend to like the waterproof options because they strike a nice balance — they can be sustainably made of almost all natural materials, and they completely shield your bed — so those make up the majority of the below list.
Our methodology and criteria:
The Good Trade was sent these nine protectors for review and I personally tested them against the elements to determine the most protective protectors out there! 🤓
My testing method was simple: Pour half an ounce of red wine on the topper, let it sit for 60 seconds, then check to see if the wine bled through to a towel underneath. Afterwards, I treated the wine spot with a bit of stain remover, and ran everything through the washer and dryer, two at a time, to see which stains came out.
Our team also scoured thousands of online reviews and drew on a decade of experience researching, testing, and corresponding with organic bedding brands. The criteria for our selections fall into the below categories, and we regularly update this list with emerging favorites.
- ORGANIC/ CERTIFICATIONS | Protectors that fit the bill are made of minimally harmful materials like organic cotton and only small amounts of synthetics like polyurethane. We ensured each brand has certs like GOTS and Oeko-Tex, and prefer brands that are PFAS-free.
- FUNCTIONALITY | We ensured that each protector was both protective and luxe-feeling. All our selects are either water or allergen-proof, fit comfortably on the bed, and don’t make a loud crinkling noise.
- PRICE | We’ve selected options from a wide range of price points for all budgets.
- WASHABILITY | Machine-washable bedding is so important, especially for this layer, so we ensured that these options can easily and safely be thrown in the washer and dryer.
Best Overall | Most Affordable | Best Waterproof Protector
1. Plushbeds
Best For | Added layer of plushness
Waterproof | Yes
Stain-Resistant | Somewhat
Prices Starting At | $198
Plushbeds makes three mattress protectors — a waterproof polyester one, an organic cotton one, and a natural wool one. I tested out the latter, and loved how the quilted wool added an extra slight layer of plushness to the bed, like a mattress pad. The protector’s wool is finished with a waterproof microfiber lining and an organic cotton outer, so it’s soft, quiet, and breathable, but, according to my wine test, completely waterproof. Nothing bled through to the towel underneath, and the stain came out most of the way in the wash. The protector’s squishy wool filling makes this one of the more thermoregulating protectors, too, but it’s still fully machine washable. This protector lives up to the brand’s name. (Plus, Plushbeds never intentionally uses PFAS in production.)
Review | “The natural materials used in the cotton and wool mattress protector are a game-changer. I no longer have to deal with the annoying crinkly noises that some protectors make. Plus, it’s incredibly soft and comfortable, giving me a peaceful night’s sleep every time.” – D.K. (Read more reviews.)
2. Birch
Best For | Soft not stiff
Waterproof | Yes
Stain-Resistant | Somewhat
Prices Starting At | $112
Birch’s mattress protector, made of a breathable polyurethane-based waterproof film covered in organic cotton, came in best overall for me. It felt the least stiff (by just a hair!), the jersey-knit cotton made the protector soft to the touch — it was the softest one I tested — and I loved how you could tell the cotton was undyed. The protector has tags inside indicating the factory it was made in, and it even has those convenient tags that indicate which side of the fitted protector is the head. While the red wine stain was significantly loosened in the wash, it didn’t completely go away. Hey, who else is gonna see it anyway!
Customer Review | “Easy to put on the mattress, breathable for memory foam, and no plastic components that are noisy or flake away when washed (like my previous protector from another brand). Machine washable and dryer safe. Obviously high quality fabric. Love!” – S.S. (Read more reviews.)
Birch’s red wine stain was significantly loosened in the wash but it didn’t completely go away. It is still the softest of the bunch and my overall favorite.
3. Avocado
Best For | Luxe yet eco-friendly
Waterproof | Yes
Stain-Resistant | Somewhat
Prices Starting At | $149
One of the leading sustainable bedding companies, Avocado, has some impressive certifications: they’re a B-Corp, they’re Climate Neutral certified, the list goes on. They sell a waterproof protector made of organic cotton with a thin layer of polyurethane, along with an organic cotton protector that’s 100% cotton and absorbs spills (but it’s not waterproof). I tested the former, and it certainly is waterproof. No wine soaked through for me, and the stain came out almost completely in the wash. Pick your protector — either way you’re getting one of the best out there!
Customer Review | “Definitely not what I was expecting in a waterproof mattress protector….. it was WAY BETTER!! Glad I bought this one for our spare bedroom first bc now I am thinking about getting another one for my bed. Quality made as always and not crinkly like you would think it would have been.” – A.S. (Read more reviews.)
No wine soaked through Avocado’s waterproof protector and the stain came out almost completely in the wash. I love that it is eco-friendly and luxe.
4. Naturepedic
Best For | Stain resistant
Waterproof | Yes
Stain-Resistant | Yes
Prices Starting At | $109
Naturepedic’s cotton protector is also made of two layers of organic cotton sandwiching a thin polyurethane layer. It’s almost as soft to the touch as Birch’s protector, it’s not crinkly or stiff, and it’s made to fit deep mattresses — up to 16 inches deep, to be precise. Not only was the topper fully waterproof according to my wine test, but the stain also came out completely in the wash! I couldn’t even find where I had stained it to begin with. This pick is the deepest and most stain protectant on our list! (It’s also worth noting, the brand is committed to never using PFAS in its products).
Customer Review | “We bought this to replace the ultra synthetic protector we were upsold at the brick. This one is way more comfortable to sleep on. The other one was so slippery that our fitted sheet would bunch in the night, very happy with this purchase.” – M. (Read more reviews.)
Naturepedic’s protector was super protective and almost completely stain-resistant. It’s soft and can fit a deep mattress too!
5. Happsy
Best For | Value
Waterproof | Yes
Stain-Resistant | Yes
Prices Starting At | $79
Another protector that passed the stain test with flying colors, Happsy’s organic mattress protector is waterproof and its stain came out completely in the wash. While its layers of organic cotton encasing the waterproof barrier weren’t quite as soft to the touch as some of the pricier options, the protector still performed impressively for the price. The brand’s ethics are impressive, too — not only do they support initiatives like 1% for the Planet, but they also partner with more grassroots organizations like the Organic Consumers Association and the Conservation Alliance. This protector is a workhouse and that makes us, well, happ(s)y.
Customer Review | “These mattress pads are great! They are soft under the sheets, no crinkle, easy to launder, and most importantly – they work! It’s held up to a few accidents by my child and we’ve never had any leakage through to the mattress.” – M.C. (Read more reviews.)
Happy’s protector was both waterproof and stain-proof, performing impressively for its price.
6. Saatva
Best For | All-white protector
Waterproof | Yes
Stain-Resistant | No
Prices Starting At | $125
Saatva’s protector, like most here, is a thin layer of polyurethane sandwiched between organic cotton. Their cotton is a bit more canvas-like — and it’s completely white, unlike most of the ivory options here, meaning it might work best for someone who prefers stark white sheets. The wine didn’t bleed through (!), but the stain only came out about halfway in the wash. Saatva is transparent about their green initiatives, like their energy efficient factories and their tree planting programs. She’s our pick for those of you who love hotel bedding.
Customer Review | “Our toddler son sleeps with us and sometimes has diaper leaks. This has saved our mattress so many times. Mattress has remained completely dry. The material is soft and comfortable, it’s hard to believe the material is as absorbent as it is. Deep fitted pockets with a gripping material to stay on. I bought two. Well worth the money.” – M.O. (Read more reviews.)
Saatva’s all-white protector prevented our wine spill from soaking through though the stain only came out halfway in the wash. It’s stark white for those who want to coordinate with their sheet set.
7. Nest
Best For | Durability
Waterproof | Yes
Stain-Resistant | No
Prices Starting At | $99
Designed to fit mattresses up to 15 inches deep, Nest’s protector is also made of a waterproof layer between two layers of organic cotton. Our pick for durability, it’s a bit thicker than the rest on the list — it took the longest to dry in the dryer — and it has a slight crinkle to it, though it’s still not noisy. It’s perfectly waterproof but the stain only came out about halfway in the wash. Nest offers a 30-night free trial, along with free shipping, so there’s no risk in giving it a try!
Customer Review | “We love our new mattress protector. It’s soft and it doesn’t make any noise.” – F.N. (Read more reviews.)
Nest’s protector is perfectly waterproof though the stain only came out halfway in the wash. Thicker than most, this is my pick for durability.
8. Silk & Snow
Best For | Affordability
Waterproof | Yes
Stain-Resistant | Somewhat
Prices Starting At | $70
Unlike most toppers on this list, Silk & Snow’s is made of a quilted, super-absorbent blend of polyester and nylon. While it’s not organic, it still deserves a place on the list for its affordability, absorbency — the wine soaked right in — and its cool-to-the-touch feel, which can help you sleep more comfortably. Since it’s not made of cotton, it’s a little less bulky and easy to wash than the other options, and the stain came out almost completely. The brand is still committed to more sustainable manufacturing practices, and they partner with companies like True North Aid, so you can sleep well at night knowing your supporting a good cause and getting a good deal.
Customer Review | “We’ve been using our Silk & Snow mattress protector for a few months now. I can say that it’s the best one I’ve ever bought and I’ve had to buy quite a few over the years. My husband runs very hot at night, so a protector is essential to keep our mattress looking and feeling fresh. It’s also easy to wash (needed an extra drain and spin to get more water out) and hasn’t shrunk like the other ones we used to have.” – T.G. (Read more reviews.)
Silk & Snow’s protector isn’t made of organic cotton — but it absorbed our wine spill completely and the stain came out in the wash. This is my pick for affordability.
9. Boll & Branch
Best For | Allergy prevention
Waterproof | No
Stain-Resistant | No
Prices Starting At | $129
While the protector from Boll & Branch isn’t waterproof, it offers something no other protectors on this list do — both its shell and fill are made from nothing but 100% organic cotton. Its fill gives it a touch of padding, too, for extra comfort. While this protector did at least provide some moisture protection, the wine bled through to the towel underneath. The protector is also hypoallergenic as it’s been Hohenstein Medically Tested and approved for skin toxicity and sensitivity. This is our favorite for those keeping allergens and other buildup away from their mattress.
Customer Review | “This is without a doubt the nicest mattress cover I have ever purchased. It is large enough to go over the edge of the mattress, has an ample side fabric to go way under the mattress and the padding is beautiful. Great purchase.” – T.B. (Read more reviews.)
Boll & Branch’s protector isn’t waterproof (nor does it claim to be) but it is 100% organic cotton and my pick for preventing allergens.
Natalie Gale is a Boston-based freelance journalist. When she’s not writing about art, food, or sustainability, you can find her biking to the farmers’ market, baking, sewing, or planning her next Halloween costume. Say hi on Instagram!
