Can you wash a mattress cover? Experts say yes, and here's how to do it

When we think of a clean bed, we usually think about washing our bedding. But what about one of the key layers beneath, such the mattress cover? The good news is experts say yes, you can wash this.

To maintain good sleep hygiene, it is vital to clean a mattress to minimize allergens, get rid of dust mites, and prolong the lifespan of your product and using a mattress cover helps guard the mattress beneath against stains, sweat and any spills.

Here, professional cleaners explain how to check if you can wash your mattress cover, how to deal with tricky-to-remove ones, and share their top cleaning tips.

How to wash a mattress cover

Eliana Coca, professional house cleaner and owner of E.C. House Cleaning explains, ‘The type of mattress cover determines how it should be washed.

‘For most standard cotton or polyester covers, machine washing is fine. For more delicate materials like wool or down, check the label and laundry symbols as hand washing or dry cleaning may be required.’

Step 1: Vacuum debris

Before removing the mattress cover, it is useful to start by vacuuming it with an upholstery attachment. This helps to remove dust, dirt, and hair that will otherwise be flicked around your bedroom, or end up trapped on the cover when the cover is squashed into your washing machine.

However, it is important to check care labels and any additional manufacturer instructions before you vacuum, especially if you have a traditional sprung mattress.

‘We always recommend that mattresses which use natural fibers should be brushed rather than vacuumed as this can damage fillings and affect the sleep surface,’ explains Ross Thurston, operations manager at Millbrook Beds.

You can also use a sticky lint rollers (such as the Extra Stricky PetLovers Pack of five from Amazon) to grab hairs and other minor debris quickly by hand.

Step 2: Spot treat stains

The top golden rule for stain removal is to treat stains before you put the item in the washing machine.

To avoid oversaturating or damaging your best mattress, start by removing the cover. Vicky Whiter, managing director of Peters’ Cleaners says, ‘If there is a small stain that needs treatment, you can try using a fine mist of water, followed by fabric stain remover, on the area before allowing it to sit for at least 30 minutes. Clean off the stain remover with the water mist and a clean cloth before drying or washing as normal.'

Step 3. Wash according to instructions

With stains taken care of, you can wash the cover. As with washing bed sheets, most mattress covers can be washed in the washing machine, but you should always check the care label for more detailed instructions.

For machine-washable mattress toppers, set the cycle as hot as possible (according to the manufacturer’s recommendations) to kill germs. Around 104º Fahrenheit at 1200 RPM is standard for a cotton or polyester mattress cover.

Step 4: Dry thoroughly

Air drying laundry is best for the environment and your wallet. Dry your mattress cover in direct sunlight if possible. It’s important to get your mattress cover bone dry before you put it back on the bed to avoid the risk of mild, mildew, or musty smells.

As with drying a duvet and drying a comforter, you can also use the tumble dryer to dry your mattress cover more quickly while simultaneously fluffing it up. Always check the care label and tumble dryer temperature guide before you tumble dry any mattress cover as even a little shrinkage can make them much harder to get back on.

Step 5: Freshen up with baking soda

You can maintain the cleanliness of your mattress cover in between washes by airing out bedding or cleaning with baking soda continues Annie McWilliam, co-founder of natural cleaning brand Colt & Willow.

‘If your mattress cover is starting to smell a little stale baking soda is an easy way to give it a quick refresh that will soon have it smelling box-fresh.

‘Strip off your bed linen and sprinkle the cover very liberally with baking soda, covering the whole surface area,’ she says. ‘You can add a few drops of lavender essential oil which is a soothing restful scent. Let this soak in for as long as possible, 24 hours if you are not using the bed, or do it first thing in the morning. Finally vacuum or brush off all residue of baking soda to enjoy a beautifully clean and fresh-smelling bed.’

FAQs

How often should youwash a mattress cover?

Like cleaning a mattress topper, ‘how often you wash them can depend on what type of sleeper you are,’ adds Carolina Kazimierski, Co-Owner and President of Sophia’s Cleaning Service. ‘The general advice is every couple of months, but I recommend more frequent washing if you sweat heavily at night or tend to eat in bed.

‘Mattress covers are important, as they act as a barrier for your mattress that can catch all kinds of debris, oils, sweat, and other liquids – but, that means they can also become pretty dirty and need regular cleaning.'

Maintaining your best mattress protectors and covers is one of the best ways to prolong the lifespan of your mattress.