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How Durable are Protect-a-Bed Encasements?
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bitebedbugsback
newbite
Joined: Oct '09
Posts: 32
Posted 2 weeks ago
Mon Nov 2 2009 22:22:05
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I bought Protect-a-Bed encasements (terrycloth) for my mattress, box spring and futon, but I'm a little concerned about how durable they are. First, I don't think I'll have someone else to help me put them on, and I know it's suggested that it be done with two people; and second, I toss and turn a lot in my sleep, so I'm hoping this won't cause the encasement to pull and tear. How has your experience been?
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wchicago
newbite
Joined: Oct '09
Posts: 27
Posted 2 weeks ago
Tue Nov 3 2009 2:24:45
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hi there
well, i had one for a little over a month and it got small tears in two of the corners and some of the seams on the side -a bunch of very small tears, but certainly big enough to see and thus presumably big enough for a bb to get in or out. i was VERY disappointed given how expensive it was ($120ish!).
so i duct taped the tears (but the tape doesn't stay on well) and then i bought a $20 target encasement (which also says bb proof, but who knows) to go on top of my protect-a-bed terrycloth topped encasement. so now i have two encasements. i fully expect the $20 target one to tear after a month or so as well - but given my $120 also tore in less than 2 months, which would you rather replace/layer? thought so.
ok i sound pessimistic -but what i would do if i were you is obviously use the good one (protect-a-bed) BUT monitor it for small tears on the seams around the corners AT LEAST weekly, and keep a cheaper one as backup to layer on top of your allerzip when it tears. and i assume it will at some point, because like i said -mine did in less than 2 months. i am a 115 lb woman, so i'm pretty sure i didn't over stress it just by sleeping on it -and i do have a small dog but she is never ever in the bedroom (the bedroom half of the apartment is dog-gated off limits). so i think the protectabeds must just be kinda fragile. they say there is ten year warranty - but when i looked it up it is only for manufacturing defects -meaning if it is torn when you buy it and first put it on (do check that, i didn't -maybe mine was torn from the very beginning? who knows but i doubt it -the small tears on seams look more like wear/stress tears). i do have a metal bed frame which could be an issue (but don't most folks?) and i bought the proper size/thickness, so was basically just disappointed. just my experience-i know a lot of other folks have used them and been pleased -so perhaps the fragility of mine was an anomaly. but it sure was expensive to get less than 2 months use out of it. not to mention stressful when i saw all the little rips and tears on the seams and corners and realized - oh, i'm not so encased really.
*sigh* this whole bedbug experience has been both insanely expensive and insanely frustrating - i guess why would my mattress encasement be any different? :) -
NewBlood
newbite
Joined: Sep '09
Posts: 47
Posted 2 weeks ago
Tue Nov 3 2009 6:39:52
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My boxspring one tore after a week of use - odds are by rubbing up against the frame. It was extremely disappointing as it was rather costly ($58.00 or so) and a replacement was then needed for my treatment day the next day, further I detected the two holes I had in it days after they had likely occurred.
So - my answer is they are not very durable at all. Be very careful if you do purchase them - check them for tears and holes every so often.
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It's a good idea to reinforce any areas that will touch the frame -- perhaps with duct tape -- to avoid wear.
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I'm wary of any mattress encasements, honestly, considering how much I toss and turn. Then you wonder if it can handle any other activities people carry out in bed. My boyfriend and I bought Allerzips for our new bed, but if I go again, I think I'll buy the Sofcovers our local Orkin offers. I talked to a head tech guy there, and we discussed how comparable they were. When I started my bed bug fight, it's Sofcovers my former roommate and I used, duct-taping the zipper itself. But looking at them both, I'd say they looked quite a bit alike, and Sofcovers are infinitely cheaper to replace should they rip. ($50 for a mattress, maybe $20 for box spring? And that's Canadian dollars, whereas Allerzips ran us $150 each)
I will say we had all these flatish foam sheets my boyfriend bought for various uses, and put them ALL along the sharp edges and corners. Maybe we should have put them along the long bar, too, I don't know. It's been a few months and no tears that I notice yet. We're loathe to take the box spring off and re-tape everything again. ;)
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