We know how life works, so stains spread over time with normal use can make most things, including your mattress topper, a little dirty. So just like other bedding, mattress toppers are essential to be cleaned regularly. A topper provides extra support to a mattress. It can cushion for comfort and act as an extra layer to protect your mattress from dust and dirt.
Since the topper is usually made of sheet exposed material, it is not recommended to clean it using a standard washing machine setup. Can you wash mattress toppers? We will discuss the general rules on how to properly clean a mattress topper.
Mattress toppers are much more fragile than bedding and use them in the washing machine to wear them out quickly. Since most toppers are not machine washable, general rules apply to caring for your mattress toppers, keeping them clean and fresh.
However, even though it’s hard to figure out how to clean mattress toppers, throwing them in the washing machine can actually ruin them. So in this guide, I’ve outlined the steps to take to safely wash your topper at home.
Can you wash mattress topper?
Mattress toppers are bound to get dirty with your daily use, so you can wash your mattress topper. How you clean your topper will depend on the material of your topper. Mattress toppers are available in a variety of materials such as memory foam, cotton, latex, polyester blend, wool, and feathers.
Although some toppers are machine washable, most mattress toppers recommend not washing. Memory foam mattress toppers in particular can damage the foam structure if machine washed, while most cotton toppers are machine washable.
The best way to determine if you can wash your mattress is to clean the topper by following the instructions and considering these 4 things before cleaning.
1. Wash the cover around your mattress topper
Most mattress toppers are enclosed with a removable cover, if your topper has a removable cover, cleaning your mattress topper will be quite simple. Simply remove the cover from the topper then depending on the topper, it can either be machine washed or hand washed. Our recommendation is that if your machine cleans the topper, make sure to use the cold setting, especially with our bamboo mattress toppers. Bamboo fibers will shrink when exposed to heat.
2. Wash the filling in your mattress topper
This is a case-by-case basis and your product manufacturer should provide very clear instructions on this. We recommend for mattress toppers that you do not soak your memory foam filling. The removable cover is designed to protect the memory foam core so you can focus on washing it.
You can machine wash or dry clean other toppers with polyester filling. But you need to make sure it dries completely naturally to avoid mold and check the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid discarding the mattress topper.
3. Can your mattress topper be machine washed?
Not all mattress toppers are machine washable. There are some mattresses that you can machine clean. This bamboo topper has a removable cover so you can wash it in the machine. Again, do not soak the memory foam in water or clean it in the machine because of this, the structure of the foam will be damaged. Drying your memory foam completely will destroy its structure and washing machines can tear the foam if not careful.
4. Choice of chemicals when cleaning stains from toppers
Here we recommend using non-abrasive detergents and using natural methods such as baking soda.
Natural spray solution
Fill a spray bottle with water and vinegar. Then spray lightly with a paper towel and blot the stain. You can also use a toothbrush to gently scrub, but be careful not to damage the fibers by using an abrasive method.
Baking soda
Spray the surface of the mattress topper lightly with water on the stained area, then layer on a thin coating of baking soda and gently massage it into the surface. Let the baking soda sit on the stained area for half an hour. Then clean using a vacuum cleaner to remove the mixture. After baking soda removes most stains, you can use a deodorizing solution to remove its odor.
Can I machine wash a memory foam topper?
No! Memory foam toppers should not be machine washed. Eti will be damaged by washing in the washing machine and the two memory foam cores should never be fully submerged in a washing machine. Fitting in a washing machine will likely damage the structure.
How often should I clean my mattress topper?
Clean your topper two to three times in the year. You can vacuum the mattress topper while washing your bed sheets. But proper cleaning depends on the topper. If you have a removable cover, you can clean it every month or so. If you have an all-in-one unit we recommend giving it a good cleaning each season. You refer to our guide to the best bed frame for heavy person.
How long does a topper last?
How long a topper lasts varies from one year to 5 years depending on its type and quality. Typically a memory foam mattress topper lasts 3 to 5 years, but cheaper polyester toppers can only last a year.