The Role of Medical Fabrics in Pressure Care Mattresses

Published 24th February 2026

While the type and structure of the foam filling are crucial to your choice of pressure care mattresses, it’s important not to overlook the fabric cover's role in protecting vulnerable patients.

The Reliance fabric used in Redwood’s Verituss range of pressure care mattresses helps to care for your patients in a number of ways, including:

1. Reducing friction and shear

2. Managing the microclimate and moisture

3. Cleaning and controlling infection

4. Reducing fire risks

In this article, we’ll look at each of these benefits in detail to show you why Reliance, Advance and Xtreme fabrics from Redwood are the best choice for your pressure care mattresses.

1. Reducing friction and shear forces

As leading technical fabric suppliers, Redwood understands the demands placed on pressure care mattress covers as patients move about. If the fabric resists this movement, it can lead to friction and shear force,s which can compromise already vulnerable skin. 

Reliance, Advance and Xtreme fabrics from Redwood are all designed to stretch so they move with the patient, creating a low friction coefficient that significantly reduces these shear and friction risks.

2. Managing the microclimate and moisture

Fluids, including sweat and urine, pose a significant risk to the skin of vulnerable patients, as well as an infection risk if these fluids are allowed to penetrate the foam of pressure care mattresses. Skin exposed to moisture is prone to softening, or maceration, making it even more at risk of damage and pressure sores.

Reliance, Advance and Xtreme fabrics from Redwood are waterproof and breathable, managing the microclimate to protect both the patient and the pressure care mattress core. 

3. Cleaning and controlling infection 

Healthcare acquired infections are a major issue right across the sector, from acute hospital wards to nursing and care homes. As providers face an increasing number of antibiotic-resistant bugs, the importance of strict infection control is growing.

Reliance, Advance and Xtreme fabrics from Redwood help fight infection in a number of ways:

• Anti-microbial fabric coating

• Bleach resistance up to 1000ppm of chlorine

• Abrasion resistance during scrubbing and cleaning

• Machine washable for thorough cleaning

• Advance and Xtreme are suitable for HF/ultrasonic welding to seal seams

4. Reducing fire risks

Medical fabrics used in UK healthcare settings must be flame-retardant, under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, with bedding conforming to BS7175 Crib 5 to resist ignition and prevent the rapid spread of fire. 

Reliance, Advance and Xtreme fabrics from Redwood all come fully tested and certified to the UKCA Class 1 standard and conform to BS7175 Crib 5.

One cover, multiple pressure care mattresses

As leading technical fabric suppliers, Redwood can offer the Reliance, Advance and Xtreme fabrics across a choice of pressure care mattresses catering for different levels of risk. The Verituss range includes:

• VMS 100 – our low-risk pressure care mattress range covered with our 4-way stretch Reliance fabric. Includes VMS110 with a slab core construction, VMS120 with a castellated core and VMS130 with a 4-way turn castellated core.

• VMS 200 – our medium-risk pressure care mattress range covered with Advance fabric. Includes the VMS210 with a castellated top foam layer, the VMS220 with a viscoelastic memory foam top layer, and the VMS210-SH with a sloping heel to distribute weight and help prevent pressure sores.

• VMS 300 – our high-risk pressure care mattress range covered in Xtreme fabric for maximum protection. Includes VMS310 with a castellated core construction, VMS320 with a viscoelastic memory foam core and VMS310-SH with a castellated core and sloping heel.

We’ve got pressure car mattresses covered

To find out more about how Redwood’s industry leading pressure care mattress fabrics enhance care and protection for your patients, get in touch with our team today, or download our Verituss pressure care mattress brochure now.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pressure Care Mattresses