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To avoid laundry problems, line dry your matress pad. Not only do you avoid melting it in the dryer, but a good day in the sun is also the best way to freshen the pad.

Line dry? I guess that means you have a yard. Lucky you.

Line drying is the way to go, IMO. If you don't have a yard, you can drape it over several chairs, or a shower curtain rod, etc.. You won't get the benefit of the sun, of course, but you won't have to take any chances with the dryer.

I've never understood the concept of mattress pads--heck, I'd never heard of them until I came to the US. It just seems like one more thing to buy that has no real function. Then again, that just might be because I like sleeping on firm surfaces.

I live in a windy, dusty part of the country so any kind of outdoor drying is usually counterproductive. Hanging up small items to dry inside is fine, but in a small apartment, that's about it.

I really hate to use the extra energy and the extra $1 for a single item in the dryer, but I always use it for my meltable mattress pad, all by itself, on the 'air' or 'fluff' cycle, with absolutely no heat, and it always come out dry and intact.

Lands End offer excellent/well-made Mattress Pads that come with an unconditional guarantee...

http://www.landsend.com/customerservice/guarantee.html

...and best of all, most of them are made in the USA.

I bought one with Dupont Teflon in it when I bought my new mattress. I don't plan on chewing on the mattress pad, so that should limit the harm of the Teflon. Anyhow, not a cheap mattress pad, BUT...10 year warranty. Dryer eats it, send it back, they send you a new one. It's supposed to keep things from penetrating to my expensive mattress where they might stain and void the warranty on that.

Mattress pads help cushion mattress that are too old or too firm.

Also to keep stains off of the mattress. More important if you have kids on your bed. Much cheaper to wash and dry a mattress pad or throw it away than to clean the actual mattress.

so They have their place, but are not a necessity

no teflon--bad for you, regardless...

bought a mattress protector and pad, wincing at the lifetime cost but knowing it was important. that very week i got the norovirus and thanked God all week i had those things on my bed. and, comfortuhbuhls, as they say over at cuteoverload dot com

I like the idea of a mattress pad, but find mine way too hot, especially in the summer. That's why my mattress looks like crap.

we've used the same wool mattress pad for a decade -- it gets regular washes -- and we love it. Well, it's a bit compressed compared to what it once was, but still comfy...

http://www.myhomedecorsource.com/

I love my wool pad, too. Synthetic ones roast me alive.