Considering the time we spend on our beds, It’s understandable how much dead skin cells, sweat, and other bodily fluids can get stuck on them. Therefore, you need to keep your bedding as clean as you can. Also, if you use a mattress topper, then tossing it in the washing machine is a piece of cake. Yes, if you’re wondering can you wash a memory foam mattress topper, then the answer is yes, you can.
Mattress toppers are an ideal solution for adding an extra layer of protection between your skin and the mattress underneath.
To prevent allergic reactions, it’s advisable to clean a new mattress topper regularly. This post goes over standard cleaning guidelines and ways to prolong the life of your topper.
Can You Wash A Memory Foam Mattress Topper?
Mattress toppers are washable, yes. To keep your topper clean and free of dust mites and other allergens, it’s actually an excellent idea to wash it frequently. But not every mattress topper can be washed in the washing machine.
Compared to other kinds of bedding, they are far more delicate, and frequent washings will swiftly erode them. Consequently, rather than just washing a mattress topper, cleaning a mattress topper involves a lot of upkeep and care.
Different Ways To Clean A Mattress Topper
You cannot launder a complete mattress topper in the same manner that you can wash your bedsheets and pillowcases. Memory foam in the washing machine can tear or get damaged.
Though not all toppers contain cloth toppers, at best, you can throw in the mattress topper cover to clean it. For instance, a mattress topper made of egg crates is typically offered without one.
According to what you require from your mattress topper, there are many methods for cleaning them. Depending on the circumstances, use any or all of the following actions.
Spot Cleaning:
Sometimes, stains may be seen on your memory foam mattress toppers. These may be brought on by spills that happen by mistake, sweat, and body oils. To prevent set stains, you must clean the spots as soon as you become aware of them.
When removing stains, use a clean, light-colored cloth because the cleaning solution may cause deeper colors to bleed. While there are broad guidelines for stain removal, we advise consulting the care label directions before using any cleaning products on your mattress topper.
It’s best to avoid soaking and spraying a foam topper with liquid cleaners. Instead, use a clean cloth or small towel to wipe and dab the stain. On the other hand, you might need to soak a tiny bit of cleanser for a time if the stains are more deeply embedded.
If you do this, wait until the topper is completely dry before making the bed once more. To absorb any remaining moisture, you could also cover the area with a large amount of baking soda.
Dish Soap:
Use dish soap for more than just your dishes and cutlery. If you don’t have any liquid detergent for laundry on hand, you might be able to make something comparable using dish soap.
Combine one cup of water with one teaspoon of dish soap. Avoid oversaturating the mattress by lightly misting it with this combination. After a few minutes, use a moist cloth to wipe the mixture clear of the solution.
Laundry Detergent
To clean your mattress topper, dilute a moderate liquid laundry detergent with water. Steer clear of cheap or powdered detergents since they could damage or alter the cloth cover’s texture.
In a bowl, combine equal parts water and detergent. Circularly rub the stain with a soft cloth dipped in the solution. Give it a half-hour to relax.
Next, use a fresh, moist cloth to remove the solution. Making sure there are no detergent traces left on the mattress topper, gradually massage the moist cloth over the stain a few times. Spot-treat the area with a fresh, dry towel.
After vacuuming, you can use laundry detergent to clean and deodorize your mattress, even if there are no stains on the mattress topper. In a spray bottle, combine one part of the detergent and two parts of warm water.
Spray the topping gently, being careful not to get too much water on the foam. Continue to move the bottle in order to spray the entire mattress topper. Overdamping the memory foam might cause structural damage and prolong the drying time. Prior to putting the topper on your bed, let it totally dry.
Vacuum:
Take your mattress topper off of your bed and lay it on the floor before giving it a vacuum. It is simpler to reach every angle of the topper if you place it on a hard, level surface like the floor. A mattress topper should be vacuumed using a gentle brush connection because a harsher brush may tear the topper’s fabric cover.
To carefully remove all the dirt and dust that has gathered on the topping, use circular motions. The best vacuums for cleaning mattress toppers are those that are robust, portable, or water-based. Make careful to turn it over and vacuum the opposite side when you’ve finished the first.
If you use a water-based vacuum cleaner, make sure your mattress topper is totally dry before placing it back on the bed. Depending on its thickness, the topping may take anywhere from 10 to 24 hours to dry. Mattress toppers come in thicknesses ranging from 2 to 4 inches.
Vacuuming your mattress topper every week or each time you wash your sheets is the best way to maintain it. Regular vacuuming keeps dust and debris from building up.
Baking Soda:
Baking soda works well to eliminate odors and remove stains. Combine one part baking soda with two parts cold water to get rid of stains. After rubbing this milky solution of baking soda on the stain, let it sit for 30 minutes.
Afterward, wipe out any remaining baking soda solution residue with a dry towel dipped in clean water. After cleaning, use paper towels or a fresh, dry towel to blot the area. Alternatively, immediately add baking soda to the stain and vacuum it up the next day or the next eight.
Your mattress topper will smell better once you sprinkle baking soda all over it and leave it for eight hours or overnight. After that, vacuum the surface to make sure the mattress topper is free of any lingering baking soda particles. Since baking soda is a powder that absorbs excess moisture, it’s a great item to use after the liquid cleaners we recommend.
Enzyme Cleaner:
You might wish to use a specialized enzyme-based cleaning if the stain was caused by sweat, blood, or urine. It’s among our best suggestions for any stain resulting from a physical mishap, be it your own, a child’s, or a pet’s.
Enzyme cleaners are usually found next to the different detergents in the laundry department of a grocery store.
Before blotting the spot, mist a cloth with the enzyme cleanser. This usually achieves a deeper cleaning effect with minimal scrubbing.
Boric Acid:
After dampening the discolored region with fresh water, apply boric acid—which should not be mistaken for borax—to the area. Using a sponge or soft cloth, dab and wipe the stain in circular motions until it disappears. Scrubbing could exacerbate the discoloration, so try to avoid doing so.
Use a fresh, dry towel to wipe the area. After drying, vacuum the mattress topper to make sure it is free of any remaining boric acid residue.
White Vinegar (Distilled)
In a bowl, combine equal parts distilled white vinegar and water. Dip a gentle piece of fabric into the mixture. Apply the solution to the stain gently, rubbing inward in circular motions. This reduces the possibility of the stain spreading. Continue doing this until the stains are gone.
Use a cloth soaked in clean water to remove the vinegar solution once the stains have been removed. Using paper towels or a fresh towel, pat dry the affected area.
Hydrogen Peroxide:
Try hydrogen peroxide if you want to get rid of a blood stain or any other tough stain from your mattress topper. Usually, you combine one part of water with one component of hydrogen peroxide. Apply this mixture to the stain and blot carefully.
It is important to remember that hydrogen peroxide may harm foam toppers, including memory foam. It is only advised as a last option in cases where other cleaning methods cannot achieve stain removal.
Air Dry:
A vital component of mattress topper care and upkeep is thorough drying. When you eventually put the mattress topper back on the bed, you should gradually see the growth of mold and mildew if there are any remnants of moisture in it. This ruins your mattress topper and jeopardizes the security of your sleep.
It takes some time for the memory foam to dry. To hasten the drying process, keep it in an area with plenty of ventilation and running fans. Try to direct this fan toward your topper if you use a fan to help you sleep. Leave the ceiling fan running if that’s what it is.
In the morning, you can leave your mattress topper out in the open for 30 to 40 minutes. As time goes on, you can flip the mattress topper over or raise it using bed risers to let the air and sunshine completely dry it out. Without your intervention, the heat removes odors and absorbs excess moisture.
Stay out of the sun in the midday or afternoon as the intense heat can harm the memory foam’s structure. The amount of time it takes for the topping to completely dry will depend on its thickness, size, and local environment.
How To Clean A Mattress Topper?
After learning more about the fundamentals of mattress topper maintenance, let’s have a look at a few easy cleaning techniques.
A Complete Guide to Cleaning Your Mattress Topper
- Remove all of the bedding, including the topper’s cover and your mattress protector. Wash the protection or cover independently.
- Lay the mattress topper flat after carefully removing it from the mattress.
- To get rid of any dust and allergies, vacuum the mattress topper. If you’d like, you may also sprinkle baking soda on it and let it sit for a few hours until vacuuming it off.
- Spot-clean the mattress topper with any of the following solutions if necessary. Take caution not to let the foam soak because it’s extremely.
- Give the mattress topper several hours to dry. Here, direct sunshine can be valuable!
- Do the same on the other side.
How Do You Prolong Your Mattress Topper’s Life?
While cleaning a memory foam mattress topper can be helpful, stain prevention is the best strategy for keeping your mattress topper clean.
Put in a Mattress Protector
To help get rid of stains and smells, you can cover your mattress topper with mattress protectors. It’s simple to maintain a clean and dry mattress topper when you can toss it in the laundry with the rest of your linens.
Properly store your mattress topper.
You should be aware of how to keep a memory foam mattress topper when it’s not in use, as well as how to clean one. To prevent any dust or debris from gathering, we advise keeping your mattress topper in a vacuum-sealed bag.
Note: Make sure your mattress topper is dry and clean before storing it. You can store your mattress topper after using the cleaning advice we previously provided.
Change the Mattress Topper
As we previously said, the typical lifespan of mattress toppers is three to four years, depending on quality and maintenance. It’s crucial to replace it as soon as it has to be replaced. If you observe that the mattress topper is excessively unclean, consider changing it sooner if it’s difficult to clean or doesn’t support you as well as you would want.
Signs That Your Memory Foam Mattress Topper Needs Cleaning
Did you know that dust mites reside in at least one bed in four out of every five US homes? That’s right, we’re not kidding! A customarily used mattress or topper may contain up to 10 million dust mites, according to a study. This is due to the fact that beds serve as ideal habitats for these microscopic organisms, which favor warm, humid conditions.
Your mattress topper may eventually turn into a haven for mold, mildew, dead skin cells, dust mites, and other microorganisms! Even while it might not seem like a big concern, all of that accumulation can have a detrimental effect on your health and quality of sleep.
Here are a few of the most noticeable indicators that it’s time to clean your mattress topper:
- If there’s a revolting scent:
Mattress toppers may begin to smell, exceptionally if they aren’t cleaned on a regular basis. It’s time to get out of the vacuum if you discover a musty odor when you lie down.
- If spills and stains are visible:
While spills may happen, it’s crucial to clean them up as soon as possible on your mattress topper. If not, they could result in long-lasting stains and even smells.
- If the material has become discolored,
Dust and grime accumulation is most likely the cause if you see that your mattress topper is becoming yellow or brownish.
- It can be unhealthy,
In addition to being ugly, because the mites and other allergens can cause respiratory issues. Its natural hue can be restored with a thorough cleaning.
You might be allergic to pollen, dust mites, or different allergens that have built up in your topper if you start to sneeze and cough as soon as you lie down.
Wrapping It Up!
Can you wash a memory foam mattress topper with the different steps we’ve mentioned above? Absolutely! Keeping your bedding clean is crucial for your health as well as a good night’s sleep.
Therefore, try out the steps in this blog and make your mattress topper look as good as new! You can also get it done by a professional, but that would cost a lot of dollars; we know you don’t want to pay.
FAQs:
Can You Wash A Memory Foam Mattress Topper In Washer?
No, a memory foam topper’s structure is ruined by machine washing. The mattress topper can become unusable due to the intense agitation ripping the foam. Larger toppers also just won’t fit in a residential washing machine.
If there is a stain on your mattress topper, address it with spot-cleaning techniques. A little baking soda will also help your topper smell better and look fresher. Keep memory foam out of the dryer as well.
Which is better: a memory foam or gel mattress topper?
It is up to personal preference. Choose gel mattress toppers if you want your bed to feel calm. They are a decent choice for those who sleep hot. Make sure the mattress topper you select has the firmness level that you want, whether that means gel or memory foam.
Why do foam mattress toppers turn yellow?
The cover fabric of your mattress topper may get yellow stains from a buildup of sweat and body oil.
Use vinegar or baking soda on these stains to get rid of them. Rather than letting the stains set in, it is preferable to take care of them right away as you detect them.
We suggest reading our guide on whitening sheets to discover how to prevent yellowing stains and how to treat them with common household materials.
