How often should you wash a mattress protector?

Mattress protector on bed — (Image credit: Sijo Home)

Mattress protectors are designed to make cleaning our mattresses and maintaining good sleep hygiene easier. But that only works if you actually remember to clean the cover at least every once in a while.

Washing a mattress protector semi-regularly not only helps to keep your sleep space clean, preventing illness and skin irritation but extends the lifespan of your best mattress, too.

So, how often should you wash a mattress protector? Laundry and sleep experts reveal the optimal washing routine that will protect your sleep hygiene and ensure a good night’s rest.

How often should you wash a mattress protector?

Even the best mattress protectors need regular washing to maintain their effectiveness – and forgetting to do so is a common bedding laundry mistake. According to Tom Ceconi, president of Heritage Park Laundry Essentials, this means washing your mattress protector every one to two months under normal usage. However, he adds that ‘this can vary based on individual sleep habits and environmental factors. For instance, if you have allergies, share your bed with pets, or experience night sweats, you might need to wash your mattress protector more frequently – about every two to three weeks.

‘Regular washing is essential to maintain a clean and healthy sleep environment.’

Saatva Waterproof Mattress Protector on a bed against a white wall.

This will also mean that mattress protectors that are not used as frequently, such as in guest bedrooms, can be washed less. Washing two or three times a year is often sufficient if you are not having guests every weekend.

Conversely, if your mattress protector gets stained, or has something spilled on it, you will need to do laundry sooner. If you don’t have a waterproof protector, you might even need to clean a mattress in the case of spilled liquids to prevent long-lasting damage.

Tide Free & Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent

When washing mattress protectors, use a gentle detergent and no fabric softener to keep the protector soft and comfortable.

Even if you cover your mattress protector with the best bed sheets and the best mattress topper, washing the protector regularly is still important. Dr. Sham Singh, a sleep expert at WINIT Clinic, explains, ‘It is important to clean your mattress protector on a fairly regular basis for a number of reasons. It helps in cleaning out allergens, bacteria, and dust mites which may otherwise build up over time and increase one's vulnerability to allergic reactions or asthma. Good maintenance also prevents the mattresses from building up sweat, body oils, and dead skin, causing odors and irritations.’

Of course, washing your mattress topper regularly will only have an effect if you remember to wash bed sheets every one to two weeks, and wash them correctly to kill bacteria. Changing your pajamas regularly will also help, especially with skin conditions and allergies.

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Chiana is Homes & Gardens’ kitchen appliances editor. With a lifelong passion for cooking and baking, she grew up experimenting in the kitchen every weekend with her baking-extraordinaire Mom, and has developed a great understanding of how tools and appliances can make or break your ideal relaxing kitchen routine.