PU vs Vinyl Mattress Covers

How polyurethane (PU) and vinyl (PVC) mattress covers differ in breathability, cleaning, comfort and fire safety – and which one suits your hospital or care home.

Short answer

Which mattress cover should you choose?

PU mattress covers have a polyurethane coating or membrane that is waterproof yet breathable, so moisture vapour can escape and the patient stays cooler; many can be washed and disinfected intensively. Vinyl (PVC) covers form a simple, wipe-clean waterproof barrier but do not breathe. For patients who spend long periods in bed, a breathable PU cover is usually the more comfortable choice; where a basic wipe-clean barrier is the priority, vinyl remains practical.

Comparison

PU and vinyl mattress covers side by side

Criterion	PU covers	Vinyl (PVC) covers
Material	Polyurethane coating or membrane on a knitted or woven textile	PVC (vinyl) coating on a textile base
Breathability	Breathable – lets moisture vapour escape	Not breathable – forms a closed barrier
Liquid barrier	Waterproof; Fortitude is also fluid- and virus-proof (ASTM F1671)	Waterproof barrier
Cleaning	Wipe clean; Fortitude resists 50,000 ppm chlorine; EasyWipe can be autoclaved at 135°C	Wipe-clean surface
Washing	Caress and EasyWipe washable at 90°C; Fortitude at 71–95°C	Designed to be wiped clean between uses
Comfort	Soft and flexible; EasyWipe stretches in four directions	Firmer, closed surface
Fire safety	EasyWipe and Fortitude pass BS 7175 Crib 5	Wipedown Vinyl is flame retardant to BS 7175
Best suited to	Long periods in bed, pressure-care mattresses, settings where comfort matters	Institutional use where a simple wipe-clean barrier is enough

How to decide

Four questions to ask before you choose

🛏️

How long do patients lie in bed?

The longer the time in bed, the more a breathable PU surface helps keep patients cool and dry.

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What is your cleaning regime?

For frequent chlorine disinfection choose Fortitude; for wiping and autoclaving choose EasyWipe.

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Which fire standard applies?

Check the requirement: EasyWipe and Fortitude pass BS 7175 Crib 5, Wipedown Vinyl meets BS 7175.

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What type of mattress?

On foam and pressure-care mattresses a stretch cover such as EasyWipe follows the mattress and the patient’s movement.

Caretex range

Our PU and vinyl mattress covers

Caretex makes both types in Türkiye. Caress and Flancy protectors combine a soft textile with a breathable PU membrane and are washable at 90°C. EasyWipe is a 4-way stretch PU cover that wipes clean, can be autoclaved at 135°C and passes BS 7175 Crib 5. Fortitude is a welded PU-coated nylon cover that resists 50,000 ppm chlorine and is fluid- and virus-proof. Wipedown Vinyl is a wipe-clean vinyl cover, flame retardant to BS 7175, for institutional use.

See all medical mattress protectors »

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is PU or vinyl better for hospital mattresses?

It depends on the use. PU covers are breathable and more comfortable for patients who lie in bed for long periods, while vinyl covers offer a simple wipe-clean barrier. Caretex supplies both.

Are PU mattress covers waterproof?

Yes. The PU coating or membrane is waterproof while letting moisture vapour escape. Fortitude is also tested as virus-proof to ASTM F1671.

Can PU mattress covers be disinfected?

Yes. Fortitude withstands chlorine disinfectants up to 50,000 ppm, and EasyWipe wipes clean and can be autoclaved at 135°C.

Are your mattress covers flame retardant?

EasyWipe and Fortitude pass BS 7175 Crib 5, and Wipedown Vinyl is flame retardant to BS 7175.

Ordering

Orders & Samples

Minimum order

Minimum order quantities depend on the product and the degree of customisation. We confirm them together with your quote.

Samples

Samples are available on request. Tell us which product and specification you would like to test.

Lead time

Lead times depend on order size and specification and are confirmed in our offer.

Customisation

Ask us about custom sizes, colours, packaging or private label – we will check what is possible for your product.

Let’s work together

Tell us about your project and our team will offer the right technical textile solution.