How To Clean a Mattress Topper
Mattress toppers are some of the best products to ensure your mattress gives you the most comfort possible. That added layer of comfort makes sure that you are getting the comfortable and restful sleep you deserve.
However, when you strip your bed of your comforter and your sheets to throw them in the wash, you may look at that mattress topper sitting on top of your bed and feel unsure of how to wash it.
It’s a reasonable question — and one we can answer! Read on to learn about all the different ways you can clean your mattress topper.
Material Matters
You may be wondering how to clean a mattress topper when it is made out of memory foam. On the other hand, maybe your mattress topper is made out of latex or wool. With several materials used to make mattress toppers, people get confused about how to wash their toppers.
These mattress topper materials tend to be naturally absorbent and can suck up cleaning products pretty easily. As a result, you’ll need to use a particular type of care when cleaning them.
Before spraying a cleaning solution on your mattress topper, consider the materials used to make it. You could end up ruining a key part of your mattress if you aren’t careful, so doing your research is key.
Keep reading to make sure you are cleaning your mattress topper properly.
Cleaning a Mattress Topper: Standard Rules
As a general rule, you should avoid any harsh cleaning products coming into contact with your mattress topper since they could cause permanent damage. However, you can still get your topper clean without using harsh chemicals. Follow the steps listed below for a quick and simple clean:
Strip and Clean Any Other Bedding
Take off the sheets, comforter, pillows and pillowcases, and anything else remaining on your bed and throw it in the washing machine. If you clean your mattress topper, you might as well clean the rest of your bedding!
Remove the Topper
Once you have thrown the rest of your bedding in the washing machine, take your mattress topper and put it on the floor so that it is lying flat on the ground.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help — you might need it! Mattress toppers can be tricky to remove, and you should have someone help you since removing them yourself could lead to some unwanted damage.
Grab a Vacuum
After you have placed the mattress topper on the floor, go ahead and grab a vacuum.
If it has a handheld attachment, use it to clean off any excess dust and debris that may be lying on top of the mattress topper. This is a quick way of getting rid of any bigger patches of dirt off the topper.
Get Some Baking Soda
After you follow these steps, get your hands on some baking soda and sprinkle a thin layer over the top of the mattress topper. Once the top of it is fully covered, let it sit for at least eight hours. You could even let the baking soda sit a little longer than that if you have the time.
Vacuum Again
Once the mattress topper has taken some time to sit with the baking soda, grab your vacuum again and take any remaining baking soda off with the handheld attachment.
Once it is all removed from the topper, you have completed the process.
If you want to clean the side that has been sitting on the floor, you can repeat the same steps and process once you get someone to help you flip the mattress topper.
This is the simplest way to clean a mattress topper. The baking soda is the real star here; it has the ability to draw out any moisture and dirt that could have been sitting on and in the mattress topper.
If you are looking to keep your topper clean year-round, you can repeat this process two to three times annually. Sticking to this cleaning schedule should keep the topper as fresh as possible. You can even simply vacuum the mattress topper whenever you are washing the rest of your bedding if you don’t want to repeat this process in its entirety.
How To Give Your Mattress Topper a Deep Clean
While the process above may work for quick and easy cleanings of your mattress topper, you may need to give the topper a deeper clean if you run into any unexpected spills or stains.
Liquid can work its way into your mattress topper and leave behind an unpleasant smell and stain. Take a look at these steps to learn about how you could give your mattress topper a deeper clean.
Strip and Clean Other Bedding
This step is the same as the first step for the basic cleaning of your mattress topper. Remove any fitted sheets, top sheets, and comforters and throw them in the wash.
Get Rid of Excess Moisture
If the spill was fairly large, there may be some extra moisture just sitting on the mattress topper. Leaving the topper damp can pose a mold risk, so it’s essential to dry it off thoroughly.
Grab a paper towel or anything absorbent and blot up any remaining liquid. Don’t rub over any liquid. Rubbing could send it further into the mattress topper.
Remove the Topper
Like before, get some help and remove the mattress topper from the bed.
Again, possibly ask someone to help you out when removing the mattress topper since doing it yourself could cause some damage, especially if it is wet from a spill.
Check the Mattress
If the spill was fairly substantial, check the bed itself for any stains.
If there appears to be any damage to the actual mattress, take a paper towel and blot any other moisture out. Grab some baking soda and spread it over the affected area on the mattress. Then, let it sit for a couple of hours.
Create a Cleaning Solution
Make a simple cleaning solution by mixing equal amounts of cool water and white vinegar.
Grab an empty spray bottle and fill it with this mixture. After you’ve filled the bottle, spray it over the area you wish to clean deeply. Make sure you get any remaining moisture from the mixture with a towel (remember to blot and not rub).
Get Some Baking Soda
Get your baking soda and spread it out over the top of your mattress topper. Let it sit for at least eight hours to ensure the baking soda has time to work its magic.
Grab a Vacuum
After the baking soda has sat for at least eight hours, vacuum up any remaining with your vacuum’s hand-held attachment.
Check for Any Remaining Stains
Once you have vacuumed up any remaining baking soda, do a second visual sweep for any more stains that could be in the bed. Likewise, check for any odors that remain as well.
If you find that there are still stains and odors, you may need to repeat some of the previous steps until you are able to get the mattress topper fully clean.
Dry the Mattress Topper
If you have removed all stains and can’t smell anything coming from the mattress topper, allow it to dry fully.
If you had to repeat the process a few times, waiting for the mattress topper to dry fully could take quite some time.
You can quicken the process in a number of different ways: Have a fan angled towards the mattress topper while it’s drying, maybe open a window to get some airflow in the room, or you can even crank up the heat in your space to quicken the process.
Once the topper is fully dry, you should have a stain-free mattress topper looking fresh as ever and ready to return to the top of your bed.
These steps should guarantee that you kick out any remaining stains from your mattress topper. The simple cleaning solution you can make at home is excellent for kicking out any of those stains and getting rid of any unwanted odors that a spill may have left behind.
Wrapping Up
It is by no means the end of the world if you feel that your mattress topper needs cleaning. If your topper simply needs a basic cleaning, all you will need is a vacuum and baking soda. For tougher stains, you’ll need the same; just remember you’ll also need some white vinegar for your cleaning solution.
If you are ever looking for a refresher on how to clean your mattress topper, don’t hesitate to come back to this article! In addition, you can find the mattress topper of your dreams by visiting our shop.
Sources:
How to Clean a Mattress Topper | Sleep Foundation
Mold Course Chapter 2: | US EPA
Vinegar and Baking Soda Are a Better Stain Remover than Bleach | Southern Living