Category Product Information

Out of all the various products we sell to resorts and hotels, one of the products that stirs up the most questions is whether or not a property should invest in some type of mattress protection and if so, what product will best suit their needs? With a mattress set being one of the most expensive products you would put in to a guest room it would make sense to protect that investment.

By using protective bedding, you can extend the life of the mattress. Whether you are saving it from bedwetting accidents or protecting your mattress from bedbugs and dust mites, protective bedding helps preserve your mattress in its original condition.

Since there are so many products on the market that serve different purposes, here is some helpful information to decide what is best for your needs:

Bed Bug Encasements – There’s a common misconception that a bed bug encasement is somehow supposed to prevent bed bugs from reaching you in your bed, or that it somehow kills bed bugs that get onto the bed. What a bed bug encasement does is eliminate a ton of potential hiding places for bed bugs. Encasements cover all of those hiding places and replace them with a single, smooth surface that bed bugs can’t penetrate. This will make it a lot harder for bed bugs to hide in your bed, and a lot easier for you to spot any signs of bed bugs thanks to that solid white surface. Many bed bug encasements also offer a waterproof barrier so that they also protect the mattress from bed wedding or other fluids that can ruin the mattress.

Waterproof Mattress Pads – As the name implies, these products are designed to protect your mattress from liquids that could get on to a bed and ruin a mattress. In the past a lot of properties would shy away from this type of product because it had a vinyl barrier in it which would make noise and make for an uncomfortable sleep as vinyl reflects body heat back to the body. With advanced technology now, you can buy waterproof mattress pads that have a urethane barrier rather than vinyl making for a more comfortable and quieter sleep experience.

Vinyl Encasements – These are vinyl zippered styles and offer bed bug, allergy and waterproof protection. Although this is one of the most economical ways to go, it generally does not lend itself to an enjoyable sleep experience as vinyl makes noise when moves around on and does not breath the same way a urethane barriered product would. Because a person sleeping does not come in contact with the box spring as they would the mattress, many will use vinyl for the box spring protection and something with a urethane barrier for the mattress protection. Whether you are looking for certified bed bug protection or a breathable waterproof mattress pad, we have a solution for you.

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In my 15 years of housewares sales I’ve learned that manufacturers create and discontinued products and product lines all the time. It’s just part of life and in sales you learn to accept this fact and move on – there is always something new to sell. Just recently, I learned that World Kitchen is going to discontinue their Magnalite line. I was stunned, shocked and deeply saddened. Matter of fact, I’m heartbroken.

You see, I have known this brand my whole life – over 48 years. In September 1968, this was the cooking set my parents received as a wedding present. My dad would warm up baby bottles in the small sauce pans. Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas hams and turkeys were always prepared in the heavy roasting pan, the large Dutch oven that was used for chili, an assortment of soups and stews, and held the water to cook the pasta for spaghetti dinners while the meat sauce was always prepared in the large skillet. Mom used to make her “famous” chocolate sauce used for ice cream sundaes. (Later we found out it was just the recipe on the side of the Hershey cocoa powder box). I can still remember how heavy those pots were, especially as a small child and having to lug them out of the lower cabinet in the kitchen when making hot cocoa or French toast on the stove. I also remember having to scrub out one of the sauce pans for what seemed like hours after scorching and burning grape jelly that I thought would make a great syrup for pancakes.

My mom passed away a few years ago, however, my dad still uses the Magnalite today; maybe not as often or as frequent as when we were young, but the Dutch oven and the large skillet are still used for spaghetti dinners. They may not be as shiny anymore and a couple of the handles may be looser than when they received brand new, but they are in great shape despite the age. Dad has already been asking who wants dibs on certain pieces when he passes on. Hard to believe that this cookware will live on past both my parents. I’ve got dibs on the Dutch oven and one of the sauce pans. I can’t wait to teach my children how to make mom’s chili. My hope is that the Magnalite will last long past I’m gone, and they can teach their children the same family recipes and use the same pots and pans once belonging to their grandparents.

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