Can I use a mattress topper on a hospital bed?

No matter how much durable a mattress is, at some point, after several usages, it loses its appeal. At a time like this, ordinarily, the mattress owner will just buy another one that will be more comfortable and appear more appealing. But this option is usually very expensive, especially for hospitals that may have to buy more than one bed.

Normally a homeowner will buy a mattress to improve the level of comfort provided by their bed, but when it comes to the hospital bed, one may want to be extra careful, which is why people always ask questions like, can I use a mattress topper on a hospital bed? This helpful article helps to look into the likelihood of using toppers on hospital mattresses.

What does a topper do for a mattress? 

  • It extends the lifespan of a mattress

Putting a topper on a mattress will prolong its life. As you use your bed, they begin to sag and lose their firmness with time. This means one thing; your mattress is nearing its end, and one of the best ways for you to restore its firmness is by placing a topper on them. 

  • It reduces motion transfer 

This is one of the reasons why couples should consider adding a topper to their mattress, especially when either of them is the type that twists and turn a lot throughout the night. Toppers help to absorb body weight, and therefore, it doesn’t get down into the mattress. Since that’s the case, there will not be an issue of motion or weight being transferred to your partner, so both of you get to sleep comfortably without either of you disturbing the other. 

  • Keeps the mattress surface clean 

Mattresses are exposed to all kinds of stains, whether it be sweat (which is most common), dust mites, drink spills, pet hairs, and others. Putting toppers as an extra layer on your mattress will help prevent them from getting stained, which will result in a prolonged lifespan. 

Can mattress topper be used on a hospital bed?

Yes, you can use a topper on a hospital bed. Toppers are used to improve the comfort of mattresses in general. Therefore, since a hospital bed is also about providing comfort, adding an extra layer of topper will only increase the level of comfort patients are exposed to daily.

Although when selecting a topper for a hospital bed, you should make sure that they have medium firmness and many pressure relief zones to protect against pressure ulcers. 

What is the best mattress topper for a hospital bed? 

The best mattress toppers are the ones with those qualities mentioned earlier. But if you want a particular brand, you can try out plush bed memory foam, sweet night cooling mattress topper, and hosted memory foam. 

Note that there are other quality mattress toppers for hospital beds, these are just brands that popped up in my searches, so promotion is not intended. 

How do you secure a mattress topper for hospital beds? 

Some mattress toppers come with features to secure them in place, so if your toppers have these features, use them as recommended. But if there are none, then you can keep them in place with any of the suggestions below. 

Tightly fitted sheets 

To prevent toppers from sliding off the mattress, you can cover the topper with sheets that will fit it snugly. You can place the fitted sheet over the mattress to increase the friction between the bed and the topper. You can also lay a sheet over the topper and tuck it tightly underneath the mattress. 

Make use of the velcro system 

You can also prevent the shifting of the topper by sticking velcro tape around the mattress edges, or you can simply stitch velcro strips around the edges to fasten the toppers and the mattress together. 

Safety pins 

This is the simplest and most convenient way to secure your mattress’s topper. For effective results, pin the mattress and topper together with at least 5 safety pins on each bedside. 

Make use of sheet straps or holders 

Sheet straps: these are stretchable bands that can be easily ticked underneath a mattress to ensure that the sheet is not bunching up. This works similarly with the tightly fitted sheet as they also snugly secure the mattress to the topper, preventing the topper from moving. 

Carpet tape 

You can also secure the topper to your mattress by using carpet tape with two sides. This dual-sided tape was originally designed to be used to hold carpets in place so that they don’t slide on the floor, but it can also be used to secure toppers in place.

To use this tape, just put it around the edges of the sides of the topper and mattress to keep them together. 

Do mattress toppers make the hospital bed more comfortable? 

Yes, mattress toppers make the hospital bed more comfortable. One of the major reasons people use toppers is to adjust the firmness of their beds. If you have a mattress that seems too firm, you can adjust the firmness with toppers, and if the bed is also saggy, toppers can also help restore the bed’s firmness. As a result of this, people get more comfortable when they make use of toppers. 

How long do mattress toppers last?

Toppers can prevent wear and tear on mattresses, but with time, they also start to wear, and when this occurs, they need to be replaced. Nonetheless, before a topper can be due for replacement, it must have been used for at least 3 to 4 years. 

Is it better to sleep without the mattress topper? 

No, it is not better. If you have a good quality bed, you may not need to buy a topper for extra support or cushioning because you will be comfortable. With that said, using a topper with your bed can improve the comfort level, but you also need to realize that this extra comfort comes with a price tag. So, if you know you cannot afford it, you can also sleep comfortably on your mattress without needing the topper.