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The Bear Mattress Encasement is a zippered cover that wraps around all six sides of a mattress. Unlike a fitted mattress protector, it covers the top, bottom, and four sides. Its main job is to create a washable barrier between the mattress and spills, stains, dust, and everyday wear.
Bear currently describes the encasement as waterproof, machine washable, and made with a soft polyester knit fabric. It is designed for mattresses between 10 and 15 inches deep. Check the current product listing before ordering because available sizes, materials, and care directions can change.
How the Bear Mattress Encasement Works
The encasement opens with a zipper. You slide the mattress inside, pull the cover over the corners, and close the zipper.
Once installed, it protects areas that a standard fitted protector leaves uncovered. This includes:
- The bottom of the mattress
- The side panels
- The seams around the mattress
- The area near the zipper
The waterproof layer is meant to stop liquid from reaching the mattress. The outer knit fabric helps the cover feel less like stiff plastic under the sheets.
An encasement does not add much padding or change the firmness of the bed. It is a protective layer, not a mattress topper.
Bear Encasement vs. Bear Mattress Protector
Bear sells both encasements and fitted-style mattress protectors. They serve different needs.
| Feature | Bear Encasement | Fitted Mattress Protector |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | All six sides | Mainly the top and sides |
| Closure | Zipper | Elastic fitted skirt |
| Installation | Mattress slides inside | Goes on like a fitted sheet |
| Removal | Takes more time | Quick to remove |
| Best for | Full mattress coverage | Everyday spill protection |
| Laundry | Bulkier to wash | Usually easier to wash often |
Choose the encasement when you want the mattress completely covered. Choose a fitted protector when you want something simple for regular washing.
Some households use both. The encasement stays around the mattress, while a fitted protector sits on top and handles most spills. This setup can make laundry easier because you do not need to remove the full encasement after every small accident.
Who May Find It Useful?
Kids’ Beds
A six-sided cover can be useful on a child’s mattress when spills and accidents are common. However, removing a full encasement takes more work than changing a fitted protector.
For easier cleanup, place a washable fitted protector over the encasement. The top protector can go into the wash more often, while the encasement remains in place.
Bear also lists a separate kids’ encasement designed for thinner children’s mattresses. Check the mattress depth carefully before choosing between the standard and kids’ versions.
Guest Rooms
Guest-room mattresses may sit unused for weeks at a time. An encasement can help keep dust and surface dirt away from the mattress while the room is not being used.
Add a fitted protector on top when guests arrive. This gives you a layer that is faster to remove and wash between stays.
Pet-Friendly Bedrooms
An encasement can help protect the sides of a mattress from pet hair, drool, and dirty paws. It will not keep hair from collecting on sheets and blankets, so regular vacuuming and washing are still needed.
Check the cover for claw damage. A waterproof layer may stop working correctly if it becomes torn or punctured.
Dorm Rooms and Rentals
An encasement can create a washable layer around a mattress that has been used before. Before buying one for a dorm, rental, or furnished room, measure the mattress yourself.
Dorm beds are often Twin XL, but the depth can vary. Rental rules may also limit what you can remove or add to the bed.
Long-Term Mattress Protection
A full cover may be useful when the mattress is hard to clean, expensive to move, or expected to stay in use for many years. Bear recommends using a protector or encasement as part of routine mattress care.
What to Measure Before Ordering
Do not choose an encasement using only the mattress size printed on the label. You also need the mattress depth.
Measure:
- Width: From one side of the mattress to the other.
- Length: From the head to the foot.
- Depth: From the bottom edge to the highest point on top.
The current Bear product information says the standard encasement is intended for mattresses from 10 to 15 inches deep. A cover that is too shallow may not zip closed. A cover that is too deep may bunch under the fitted sheet.
Include any permanent padded top in your depth measurement. Do not include a removable mattress topper unless you plan to place the topper inside the encasement.
In most cases, it is easier to place a topper above the encasement. You can then protect both with a fitted mattress protector.
How to Put the Encasement On
Installing a full encasement is easier with two people, especially on a Queen, King, or heavy foam mattress.
Step 1: Remove the Bedding
Take off the sheets, blankets, mattress pad, and removable topper.
The Bear Mattress Encasement is a zippered cover that wraps around all six sides of a mattress; a [mattress encasement](/best-mattress-encasements/) covers the entire mattress, including the top, bottom, and all four sides.
Step 2: Check the Mattress
Make sure the mattress is clean and fully dry. Vacuum loose dust or pet hair with an upholstery attachment if needed.
Do not seal a damp mattress inside the cover.
Step 3: Open the Zipper Fully
Unzip the encasement and spread it across the bed frame or foundation. Avoid pulling hard on the zipper.
Step 4: Lift One End of the Mattress
Slide the open end of the encasement over the mattress. Work slowly from one end to the other.
Do not drag the cover across sharp frame parts or exposed metal.
Step 5: Smooth the Corners
Check that each corner sits correctly. Remove large folds before closing the zipper.
Step 6: Close the Zipper
Hold the fabric near the zipper as you pull. This helps keep loose material from getting caught in the zipper teeth.
Step 7: Add the Bedding
Place your fitted sheet over the encasement. For easier cleanup, add a fitted waterproof protector before the sheet.
Does It Change How the Mattress Feels?
A thin encasement should not add noticeable softness or support. Still, any waterproof cover can affect airflow slightly.
The Bear version uses polyester knit fabric and is marketed as breathable and smooth. Hot sleepers may still prefer a lightweight fitted sheet and breathable blanket over the bed.
A loose encasement may wrinkle or bunch. A tight one may pull against the mattress corners. Correct depth is important for comfort as well as protection.
People who are sensitive to fabric noise should test the bed after installation. Put on the fitted sheet, lie down, and move from side to side. Small noises may become less noticeable once the full bedding setup is in place.
Washing and Care
Always check the care label attached to your encasement before washing, drying, bleaching, ironing, or using heat.
Bear’s current instructions for the encasement say to:
- Machine wash in cold water
- Use a gentle cycle
- Tumble dry on low heat
- Wash and dry it with other linens
The company lists the fabric as 100% polyester knit.
Do not use high heat unless the care label allows it. High temperatures can damage some waterproof layers and cause the cover to shrink.
Make sure the encasement is fully dry before placing it back on the mattress. Trapped moisture can lead to odors and a damp sleeping surface.
Because a large encasement can become heavy when wet, check that your washer and dryer are large enough. A King-size cover may need a large-capacity machine or laundromat washer.
Common Problems to Avoid
Ordering the Wrong Depth
A standard Queen mattress can be thin, deep, or extra deep. Mattress size alone does not tell you whether the encasement will fit.
Catching Fabric in the Zipper
Do not force a stuck zipper. Pull it back gently, free the fabric, and try again.
Removing It Too Often
A full encasement can be awkward to remove. Use a fitted protector above it if you expect frequent spills, pet messes, or kids’ accidents.
Using Too Much Heat
High dryer heat may harm the waterproof layer. Follow the attached care label, even when online instructions say something different.
Installing It Over a Damp Mattress
Let any cleaned area dry completely before enclosing the mattress.
Treating It as Complete Pest Control
Bear markets the encasement as a barrier against bed bugs and other unwanted pests. However, an encasement should not be treated as a complete solution for a suspected infestation. Check the cover for tears, close the zipper correctly, and follow qualified local pest-control guidance when needed.
Is the Bear Mattress Encasement Worth Choosing?
The Bear Mattress Encasement makes sense for shoppers who want full six-sided mattress coverage. It is a practical choice for guest rooms, kids’ rooms, furnished rentals, pet-friendly homes, and mattresses that are difficult to clean.
Its main tradeoff is convenience. It takes more effort to install and wash than a fitted protector. It may also be too loose or too tight if the mattress depth is not measured correctly.
For simple spill protection, a fitted protector is usually easier. For complete coverage, the encasement is the better match. Many households may find that using an encasement with a washable fitted protector on top gives the easiest balance of protection and laundry care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bear Mattress Encasement waterproof?
Bear describes the encasement as waterproof and designed to protect the mattress from spills and stains. The cover must be free from holes, worn areas, and open zipper sections to provide proper coverage.
Does the Bear encasement cover the bottom of the mattress?
Yes. It is a six-sided cover, so it surrounds the top, sides, and bottom of the mattress.
What mattress depth does it fit?
Bear currently lists the standard encasement for mattresses between 10 and 15 inches deep. Measure your mattress and check the latest product listing before ordering.
Can the Bear Mattress Encasement be washed?
The current care instructions allow machine washing in cold water on a gentle cycle and tumble drying on low heat. Always follow the care label attached to your cover.
Can I use a mattress topper with the encasement?
Yes. You can place a removable topper above the encasement, then cover both with a fitted protector and fitted sheet. This makes the topper easier to remove and clean.
Is an encasement the same as a mattress protector?
No. An encasement zips around all six sides of the mattress. A standard protector usually covers the top and sides like a fitted sheet.
Should I put a fitted protector over the encasement?
It is not required, but it can make regular laundry easier. The fitted protector catches most spills and can be removed without lifting the mattress out of the encasement.
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