As it works so hard to protect against stains, knowing how to clean and care for your mattress protector is vital.
After all, it's your first line of defense against allergies caused by dead skin cells, pet dander, dust mites, and other irritants that will otherwise reach your mattress. Keeping your mattress protector clean will also prolong its lifespan, which is an added bonus.
Here, professionals in bedding and laundry share their cleaning tips on keeping yours properly sanitized with ease.
How clean your mattress protector without damaging it
If you've been wondering if you can wash a mattress protector? The good news is, yes, you can, and more importantly, you should, say our pros.
Ross Thurston, operations manager at Millbrook Beds explains, ‘Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to cleaning a mattress and we recommend a good mattress protector to keep the sleep surface clean and sanitary.
‘Not only does a protector minimize the risk of stains, but it can be easily washed in the washing machine, unlike a mattress.’
Importantly, though, Eliana Coca, professional house cleaner and owner of E.C. House Cleaning highlights that the type of mattress protector or cover you have will determine how it should be washed.
‘For most standard cotton or polyester covers, machine washing is fine,' she says. 'For more delicate materials like wool or down, check the label and laundry symbols as hand washing or dry cleaning may be required.’
If yours is suitable for the machine, here's how to do it:
Step 1: Vacuum debris
Mattress protectors are breeding grounds for dust mites, as they live off dead skin cells and thrive in humid environments. Therefore, vacuuming (using your best handheld vacuum with an upholstery attachment) or steam-cleaning your mattress protector will help to remove dust, dirt, and hair, and remove or kill the majority of mites and their allergens.
However, it is important to check care labels and any additional manufacturer instructions before you vacuum.
‘We always recommend that mattress protectors that use natural fibers should be brushed rather than vacuumed as this can damage fillings and affect the sleep surface,’ advises Ross.
You can also use a sticky lint roller, such as the PetLovers Extra Sticky Lint Roller available at Amazon, to grab hairs and other minor debris quickly by hand.
Step 2: Spot treat stains
Ideally, you want to tackle stains on your mattress protector as soon as they happen, but sometimes life gets in the way, and spills go unseen or untreated.
In this case, once vacuumed, you're ready to spot treat stains, as the top golden rule for stain removal is to treat stains before you put the item in the washing machine.
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.'
We recommend using the bestselling OxiClean Laundry Stain Remover Spray available at Walmart for this as it's chlorine-free and color-safe.
'Then, clean off the stain remover with the water mist and a clean cloth before drying or washing as normal,' adds Vicky.
Step 3: Wash according to instructions
With stains taken care of, you can wash the mattress protector. As with washing bed sheets, pillows or down comforters, most mattress covers can be washed in the washing machine, but you should always check the care label for more detailed instructions.
Set the cycle as hot as the fabric will tolerate to help kill germs and effectively tackle bacteria – around 104º Fahrenheit at 1200 RPM is standard for a cotton or polyester mattress cover.
A non-biological laundry detergent, such as the all free clear Liquid Laundry Detergent available at Amazon, is best for sensitive skin.
Step 4: Dry thoroughly
There are many benefits of air drying laundry, including that it is easier on the environment and your wallet. Therefore, dry your mattress cover in direct sunlight if possible as it's a natural way to make stains disappear. It’s important to make sure your mattress protector is bone dry before you put it back on your bed to avoid the risk of mold, mildew, or musty smells.
During winter, or if you have limited outdoor space, you may be wondering if you can put a mattress protector in the dryer. Unfortunately, there's no one-size-fits-all answer.
According to Byron Golub, vice president of product and merchandising at Saatva, a luxury mattress and bedding company, whether or not you can put this item in the tumble dryer ‘truly depends on the material composition of the protector, and you should always consult the care instructions.’
Karl Shevick, the founder and CEO of Earthfoam, agrees, but adds, ‘Most mattress protectors are designed to be machine-washed and dried on a low heat/tumble setting. It's always best to refer to the cleaning instructions that come with the product, as some protectors may contain materials that are not suited for machine drying.'
This might include foam or any mattress protectors labeled 'natural' or 'eco-friendly,' as these tend to be made from materials less heat-resistant than those in typical protectors.
And, even in those instances where a protector can go in the tumble dryer, Karl admits that he prefers line-drying, as this helps keep the mattress cover in better condition for longer.
When line drying, Stephen Light CEO and co-owner at Nolah Mattresses, recommends spreading out the mattress protector well, ‘for maximum airflow and drying speed.’
A heavy-duty clothes line is best for this, such as the Minky Homecare Outdoor Retractable Dual Clothesline available at Amazon.
In wet weather, however, if you have spread out your mattress protector well indoors and it’s still taking ages to dry, you may need to be a bit more ingenious about the process.
Golub recommends adding a fan to help speed up the drying process – just direct your best fan toward the mattress protector and put it on the oscillating setting to dry it more quickly after washing.
Other than that, make sure you line-dry your mattress protector in a room with good air circulation, open windows, and position it on a drying rack in the middle of the room. Avoid drying your protector on a radiator, as this isn’t good for either the protector or the radiator.
Step 5: Remove odors
You can maintain the cleanliness of your mattress cover in between washes by airing out bedding or cleaning with baking soda, recommends 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,' she says. ‘Strip off your bed linen and sprinkle the cover very liberally with baking soda, covering the whole surface area.
'You can add a few drops of lavender essential oil [such as the Handcraft Blends Lavender Essential Oil available at Amazon], 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.’
How often should you wash a mattress protector?
Frequency will depend on how often you use your bed
These protectors were designed to make cleaning mattresses and maintaining good sleep hygiene easier, so it's important to sanitize them semi-regularly to ensure a good night's rest.
Much like cleaning and caring for a mattress topper, ‘how often you wash a protector can depend on what type of sleeper you are,’ advises 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.'
The frequency should also increase, adds Tom Ceconi, president of Heritage Park Laundry Essentials, if you have allergies, share your bed with pets, or experience night sweats, in which case aim for roughly every two to three weeks.
‘Regular washing is essential to maintain a clean and healthy sleep environment,' he says.
This will also mean that mattress protectors that are not used as frequently, such as those 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.
How to fold and store your mattress protector
Save space in your storage by folding your mattress protector correctly
A fitted mattress protector wraps itself snugly around your mattress, forming a barrier between your bed sheets and mattress. The elasticated edges stop the protector from sliding around at night, but, as we all know, make it a real challenge to fold neatly, much like when folding a fitted sheet.
However, knowing how to fold a fitted mattress protector properly will make yours much easier to store away, saving valuable closet space for that beautiful new bedding set.
If you usually bundle it up and hope for the best, Parima Ijaz, the founder of luxury bedding retailer Pure Parima, has the simplest method we've seen:
- Lay the protector face down longways with the elasticized pocket facing upwards.
- Smooth out the pocket and straighten all sides so it lies flat facing the center.
- Fold the protector inwards by doing a quarter fold on both sides, and then another half inward fold to seal it up longways.
- Finally, fold the protector in half by pulling the fold up to get a neat rectangle shape, easy for storing in your laundry closet ideas.
What to shop
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
This waterproof mattress protector is both affordable, effective, and handily suitable for machine washing and tumble drying.
This portable vacuum makes banishing dust and debris from your mattress protector easy, and includes tools for both pet hair and tight spaces.
Use this small spray bottle, which has a fully adjustable spray nozzle, for spritzing your mattress topper when removing stains.
This soothing and steam-distilled lavender essential oil is ideal for making your bedroom smell good for sleep.
This stain remover for laundry is effective even in cold water and removes stains on the first try. Laundering on a lower heat setting slashes energy bills..
This small fan can be felt from 27 feet away, so it is ideal for speeding up drying your mattress protector, and cooling a room with fans in summer.
FAQs
Can you iron a mattress protector?
Our experts are unanimous in advising against ironing your mattress protector, especially if it’s waterproof. Golub points out that ‘ironing is not recommended because the high heat will destroy the PU (waterproofing) barrier.’
Thankfully, most mattress protectors are made from materials that are naturally wrinkle-resistant. Those vinyl/PU linings usually dry completely wrinkle-free, so you don’t need to worry.
If you decide to iron your cotton mattress protector, as these do get wrinkly, be careful not to iron the elastic edges.
Should you wash a mattress protector before use?
In most cases, yes, you should wash your mattress protector before using it. This will ensure they are soft and any chemicals are removed.
However, be aware that not all mattress protectors are machine washable, so always check the care label before doing so.
Can you wash a mattress protector with sheets?
Yes, you can wash a mattress protector with sheets. Most mattress protectors make cleaning them as easy and simple as laundering the rest of your sheets, which means you can throw them into your washer and dryer with minimal fuss or worry.
How do you put a fitted mattress protector on your mattress?
'To properly put on the protector, lay it out on the bed and match up each corner,' advises Parima. 'Hold down the top of the corner and pull the elastic down underneath the mattress. Repeat on all sides.'
Importantly, fitted protectors always go on the mattress before the fitted sheet and anything else you dress your bed with.
Meet our experts
Karl is the founder and CEO of Earthfoam, a sustainable mattress and sleep company. Earthfoam's goal is to offer an honest product that brings sustainability to the forefront without sacrificing function or form.
An expert in his field, Byron 'lives and breathes' mattresses. He is always searching for the best ways to transform your sleep, and keep your mattress in the best condition possible.
Sophia's Cleaning Service was founded in 1984, and has become a trusted, local, and family-owned cleaning company located in La Grange, Illinois for cleaning all around the house.
Parima Ijaz is the founder of Pure Parima. Its ethos is to ensure customers can receive accessible luxury, authenticity, and softness. She honors her Middle Eastern heritage through her color choices and collection names and honors her father, whose 30 years of experience in this industry have guided and inspired her, leaving a legacy they both can feel proud of.
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