How To Clean a Mattress Topper

KEY TAKEAWAY

  • Your mattress topper is prone to dirt, unpleasant smells from sweat, dust, stains, and discolouration
  • Not all mattress toppers are compatible with a washing machine clean. Ensure you consult a professional or check for instructions from the manufacturers
  • Air-drying is the best way to dry your mattress topper, as direct sunlight can damage the material of the mattress.

Mattress toppers give more comfort and extend the life of the mattress, which means it requires adequate care to ensure its purpose is fulfilled. 

Because the mattress topper stays on top of the bed, it is exposed to sweat, spills, stubborn stains, leaks, body oils, and other contaminants that make it greasy and dirty. 

Cleaning a stained mattress topper can be quite straining, especially when the stain has been there for an extended period. Therefore, your topper requires regular cleaning to keep looking its best. In cases where there are spills and deep stains, you will need a deep clean. 

The article is a step-by-step guide on how to clean your mattress topper without causing any damage to the topper or internal foams. 

how to clean mattress topper mattress

Can You Wash A Mattress Topper? 

Yes, you can wash a mattress topper. However, you must put in place essential steps to ensure they are washed safely and correctly. For example, memory foam is sensitive to liquids, including water. 

Mattress toppers will inevitably become soiled because they protect the mattress from such exposures. The next step is washing off the dirt when they become soiled. 

Toppers are available in different materials, such as memory foam, cotton, latex, wool, blends of polyester, and feathers. The materials determine the best approach towards its washing. 

Signs You Need To Clean Mattress Topper 

A mattress topper can last for a long time. It is also very comfy, but the mattress protector becomes dirty and needs cleaning over time. Your mattress starts showing signs when it needs  

1. Odour

If the smell from your mattress topper becomes uncomfortable, it's time to clean it. Sweat can cause an unpleasant smell to emanate from your topper, especially when it has stained the topper for a long time. 

An odour-ridden topper can cause discomfort like cough, headaches, joint pain, weariness, and other problems. 

2. Spills And Accidents 

When food and liquids like coffee, tea, and other coloured liquids spill on your mattress topper, it is an opportunity to clean your topper. Letting stains from spills stay for a long time will cause not only unpleasant smells but also cause ugly stain marks and attract insects to your mattress topper. 

3. Discolouration 

Sweat, body oils, or even a spill are the most common stain associated with mattress toppers. On closer look, your mattress topper may have large patches of discolouration. 

The discolouration is a more challenging spot to clean and can make the topper look old and unattractive.

Note: Do not wait until these signs appear before cleaning your mattress topper. It is advisable to clean your mattress topper about 3 to 4 times annually.

How To Clean Mattress Topper Step By Step Process 

You can either have a basic routine cleaning or a deep one. However, you still need to follow some essential cleaning steps.  

1. Prepare The Topper 

Remove your mattress topper from your bed and set it on the floor before vacuuming. You can reach all corners more quickly if you place the topper on a flat, hard surface like the floor. 

Use a soft brush attachment when vacuuming because a rougher brush could harm the topper's fabric cover.

2. Vacuum Clean 

Vacuuming is the most secure method of removing dirt, debris, dust, and other allergies. But getting the correct vacuum is crucial to prevent harm to your topper. There are two types of vacuum cleaners for this purpose: the water-based vacuum cleaner and the portable handheld vacuum cleaner

To remove all the dirt and crumbs, vacuum in small circles and pay special attention to the crevices. After finishing one side, turn it over and vacuum it once more. 

If you use a water-based cleaner, ensure your topper is dry before placing it back on the bed. Depending on its thickness, the topping may take 10 to 24 hours to dry.

It's advisable to vacuum your memory foam mattress topper once a week or each time you wash your sheets as part of routine maintenance. 

3. Clean Stains And Odors 

Even while spills and stains are unavoidable, cleaning them up right once is crucial to prevent permanent damage. Depending on the stain and whether or not it has been set, there are a few different techniques to get rid of it. 

Please read the instruction manual with your mattress topper to know if it can be helpful to you. You can use the following to achieve spot cleaning:

Laundry Detergent 

A mild liquid detergent should clean the memory foam mattress topper. However, avoid powder and low-quality detergents as they can decolourise the fabric's texture. 

  • In a bowl, combine equal parts of detergent and water
  • Rub the stain after dipping a soft cloth in the solution in a circular motion 
  • Give it 30 minutes to relax. Next, use a different moist cloth to remove the solution
  • Repeatedly rubbing the damp cloth over the stain in a gentle, circular motion. 

For the water-based vacuum cleaner, be careful not to get any water on the foam while spraying. Using too much water can harm the structure of the memory foam mattress topper, which will also slow the drying process. 

Before setting the bed topper on your mattress, allow it to dry completely.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a vital ingredient in neutralising odour and serves as good stain removal. 

  • Mix one part of baking soda with two parts of cold water. 
  • Apply this milky mixture to the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes.
  • Use a dry towel on the area after cleaning.

You can also apply the baking soda directly to the stain and vacuum it the next day or after eight hours. 

You can also sprinkle baking soda to freshen it, then leave it for eight hours or overnight. After that, vacuum the area to remove any residual baking soda granules from the top.

Distilled White Vinegar

  • Combine equal amounts of distilled white vinegar in a bowl. 
  • Using a piece of cloti\hing, dunk it into the mixture and then work on the stain in a circular motion. 
  • When the stains are removed, use a cloth dipped in clean water to remove the vinegar solution. 
  • Use a fresh or paper towel to pat the area dry gently.

Boric Acid

  • Clean the areas with clean water and sprinkle boric acid. 
  • In a circular motion, dab and blot the stain using a soft cloth until you can no longer see it. Take note to avoid scrubbing. 
  • Wipe the area with a fresh dry towel, and vacuum to remove any remaining boric acid when dried. 

4. Air-dry 

Proper drying of the mattress topper is vital to the maintenance process. Mould and mildew growth are bound to happen when you leave moisture on the mattress topper while using it. 

To hasten the curing process, you can place the mattress topper in a well-ventilated room with the fans switched on. You can also take the mattress topper to direct sunlight every morning for about thirty to forty minutes. 

Things To Avoid When Cleaning Your Mattress Topper

While maintaining and caring for your mattress topper, there is also a need to have a list of things to avoid during the process. 

  1. Using the mattress topper when it's half-dry: You must ensure that the mattress topper is completely dried before using it. Not allowing the mattress to completely dry before using it causes mould and mildew to grow over time.
  2. Air-dry your topper under direct sunlight: Some mattress toppers are heat sensitive and can melt under high pressure. For your best interests, please keep it in a well-ventilated space or outside in a dry area away from the sun. 
  3. Using washing machines to clean your topper: Some machine toppers are washable at the washing machine, while some are not. An example is this: cotton toppers are machine washable, while memory foam mattress toppers in the machine can harm the structure of the foam.
  4. Using hydrogen peroxide: Although some tough stains can be removed with hydrogen peroxide, it is not advised to use them in any foam form. 

This is because hydrogen peroxide can damage a mattress topper's surface and ruin the colour and feel of the foam you are sleeping on.

You don't have to wash your mattress toppers like your bedsheets and pillowcases every week. Ideally, you can wash them once in three months, depending on how dirty they get.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I Put A Mattress Topper In The Washing Machine? 

Not all mattress toppers can be put in a washing machine. Always check the instruction to know if yours is machine compatible. 

2. How Do You Clean A Mattress Topper Without Removing It? 

Use a handheld vacuum attachment to vacuum the topper. Sprinkle a little baking soda and allow it to sit for at least 8 hours. Then, thoroughly vacuum to remove the baking soda.

3. Can I Put A Mattress Topper In The Dryer? 

The best way to dry a mattress topper is to leave it in sunlight. You can use a low-heat dryer, but apply caution, as the dryer can harm the mattress pads. 

4. How Do You Get Yellow Stains Out Of A Mattress Pad? 

A mixture of vinegar and baking soda can get the yellow stains out of the topper. 

5. How Do You Remove The Sweat Smell Out Of A Mattress Topper?

Using a mixture of white vinegar and water solution.

6. How Long Does A Mattress Topper Last? 

The lifespan of a mattress topper is three to five years. 

7. When Should You Replace Mattress Topper? 

It is ideal for replacing your mattress topper every three to five years to get the most out of it.

Give Your Mattress Topper The Best Treatment

However, if you are in Brisbane or Melbourne, you should contact Top cleaning services to help wash your mattress topper properly. Our mattress cleaning services offer various benefits, which include ensuring that your topper is clean, smooth, and comfortable. 

Contact us now to learn more about our services. It doesn’t matter the material of the topper or if it is in a home, hospital, or hotel, we got you covered.


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