I have older cats that sometimes soil the bed.  This is a new occurrence in my household and I got sick and tired of having to launder layers of bedding and then try to clean the pillow top.  My solution was to install a barrier to protect the most important part of the bed, the mattress.  

The material is light weight, not at all like the old conventional mattress covers, it is like a smooth silky sheet with fitted corners.  If you have anyone or anything with urinary problems, I TOTALLY recommend this mattress protector, you won't be sorry.