In this beginner-friendly sewing tutorial, you’ll learn how to fix loose elastic on a waterproof mattress protector instead of replacing it. This quick repair keeps the corners tight, stops sheets from slipping, and extends the life of your waterproof mattress protector with minimal materials.
I have a waterproof mattress protector on my mattress! This does sound like an admission and it sort of is, considering that the waterproof mattresses are made of plastic parts. But so are the mattresses if the natural ones are out of your pocket range (they certainly are for me). The idea of sleeping on yet more plastic makes me cringe but the thought of going back a few centuries to make a straw bed does not appeal to me just yet. Who knows, that might change.
So, I cover my bed with a waterproof mattress as I share my bed with my babies. And this has saved my mattress when the waters broke at 38 weeks flooding the whole bed but saving the expense of buying a new mattress. (The word mattress has been mentioned so many times already that we may need to start a drinking game before the end of the post)
One of the waterproof mattress protector’s elastic has gone and has ended in mattress protector slipping off corners. It has been bothering me a lot, what with all the bedsheets sliding about as I twist and turn and need to redo the sheets every day. My frugal side has not let me just chuck it and replaced with a new one, especially because it still serves its purpose of protecting the mattress underneath. So, I fixed it. And I will share my process with you today.
Why Waterproof Mattress Protector Elastic Fails
Despite your best efforts, the elastics are going to fail. The speed of it depends on the wash routine, the temperature at which you wash it, the drying methods and the detergent you use. High temperatures that are required to properly clean and sanitise the bedding are not friends with rubber elastics. Additionally, not all beddings are made with high quality elastics to withstand the regular stretching during the wash and dry cycle and can get overstretched over time.
Can You Fix Elastic on a Waterproof Mattress Protector?
Yes. The elastics are one of the easiest things to fix and you only need tofix loose elastic on waterproof mattress protector corners.
Materials and Tools Needed
To repair mattress protector elastic you will need these materials and tools:
- Waterproof mattress protector (fitted style)
- 1m long elastic (10 – 12 mm wide recommended)
- Matching thread
- Tape measure
- Fabric marking pen or tailor’s chalk
- Scissors
- Sewing machine with zig zag stitch
How to Measure Elastic for Waterproof Mattress Protector Corners
You do not need to insert elastic all around the waterproof mattress protector. Securing just the corners achieves the same results and saves you time and materials (plus it reduces waste).
Lay one corner of the waterproof mattress protector on the table, with wrong side up.
Measure around 30 cm from the corner on either side of the waterproof mattress protector skirt and make a mark with a fabric marker. 30 cm will give enough area for the new elastic to pull and keep the corners tight without sliding off of the bed.
You may find that folding the skirt fabric at the corner and marking 30 cm gap from the fold line is easier and keeps both sides even.
Repeat this step with all the other three corners. Let’s move onto how to sew elastic on mattress protector.
How to Sew Elastic onto a Mattress Protector (Step-by-Step)
Place the end of a long elastic on the left mark (you need to sew between the marks on each corners).
Stitch a few stitches with a wide zig zag stitch without pulling the elastic and backstitch to secure the end in place.
Sew a little further until you can grab the sewn end of the elastic to keep the project in place on the sewing machine. Then sew by pulling the elastic as far as it will go and relax it a tiny bit (you want the elastic to be stretch to almost its maximum). This technique uses the same elastic-stretch method I show in my beginner DIY hair scrunchie tutorial.
Sew all the way to the next mark. Backstitch to secure the stitching and cut the thread and the elastic. Repeat this step on all the other corners.
That’s it! You have fixed the elastic and can have a relaxed sleep once more!
FAQs – Fixing Elastic on a Mattress Protector
Final Thoughts: When to Repair vs Replace a Mattress Protector
There is no need to replace your waterproof mattress protector while the waterproof layer has not failed. If you notice that the liquid is seeping through the waterproof mattress protector, then it is the time to replace it. Once the polyurethane laminate (PUL) that is used in waterproof mattress protectors fails, there is no stopping or reversing the damage.
Fixing loose elastic on a waterproof mattress protector is a simple repair that saves money and reduces waste. With just elastic and a zigzag stitch, you can stop slipping corners and extend the life of your bedding.
Save this post on Pinterest for future reference and save the planet from unnecessary waste! 🙂
Happy Sewing!
