Mattress Pads Care Guide
The Complete Mattress Pad Care Guide: Tips to Wash, Dry, and Care For Your Mattress Protector or Topper
Mattress pad vs mattress topper | How often should I wash my mattress pad| How to wash a mattress pad| How to dry a mattress pad |How to wash a mattress topper | How long do mattress pads last | Mattress Pad Cleaning FAQs
What is the difference between a mattress pad and a mattress topper?
A mattress pad provides basic mattress protection with some added comfort, while a mattress topper drastically changes the feel of the mattress with plush support but no real protection.
Mattress pads are designed to provide additional softness while protecting a mattress from general wear and tear, light spills, sweat, dirt, and allergens. A mattress pad is a quilted layer of material that sits directly on top of a mattress and under a fitted sheet, secured by tabs or elastic edging. They prolong the life of the mattress and are easy to remove and clean.
Mattress toppers deliver ultimate comfort and support with 3-5 inches of extra cushioning. They sit directly on top of a mattress and under a fitted sheet. Mattress toppers are made from various materials, including feathers, down, down alternative, memory foam, foam, latex, and synthetic fibers. Washing a mattress topper is generally not recommended, as they can be easily damaged in the process. Depending on the size and materials, there are ways to protect, freshen, and spot clean a mattress topper.
How often should I wash my mattress pad?
Mattress pads should be laundered every three months to eliminate dust, dirt, allergens, and stains. However, if your bed experiences spills or stains, you should clean your mattress pad along with the rest of your bedding. People who allow pets in bed may also consider washing the mattress pad more frequently.
How to wash a mattress pad
Mattress pads should be washed in a machine without a central agitator to prevent damage. A central agitator is a large spinning rod in the center of a washer. While these devices can help loosen dirt and stains on some fabrics, an agitator will rip and shred the materials of a mattress pad.
If your washing machine has a central agitator, see if it’s removable. If not, you can take your mattress pad to a laundromat or professional cleaner. Always ask for your mattress pad to be laundered and never dry-cleaned. The chemicals in the dry-cleaning process will ruin the materials.
Pro Tip: Dry cleaners will charge anywhere from $15-40+ to clean an average mattress pad. If you’ve invested in a high-end mattress cover or protector, it may be worth a few washings. But it’s often cheaper to replace an average, budget-friendly mattress pad than to have it professionally cleaned.
To clean a mattress pad at home or a laundromat, follow these simple instructions:
Pretreatment: Inspect the mattress pad for stains and treat them before washing in a machine. If you have a question about a bedding stain, we likely have the answer. Check out our Bedding Stain Removal Guide to learn how to treat common bed stains from red wine to pet urine to blood.
Washing instructions
- Find an impeller washing machine, or one without a central agitator. (Many central agitators are removable).
- Add mattress pad to the washing machine.
- Add 1 tsp of gentle dish soap, such as Dawn. DO NOT USE laundry detergent.
- Select a gentle or delicate cycle.
- Wash with hot water.
- Run an additional spin cycle to remove as much moisture as possible.
- Promptly remove and start drying once clean.
How to dry a mattress pad
Drying is the most crucial step in cleaning a mattress pad. Being completely dry preserves its intended shape and feel and prevents a moldy smell that will linger if damp. So, how do you know when your mattress pad is bone dry? Our best tip is to have patience and accept that it may take several hours – especially if you have a waterproof mattress pad. When in doubt, give it another spin in the dryer before returning your mattress pad to the bedroom.
Drying instructions
- Remove the mattress pad from the washer and straighten. Shake out and flatten any twisting. Place in the dryer as open as possible.
- Select low heat.
- Choose a gentle or delicate cycle.
- Stop the dryer every 30 minutes to fluff the mattress pad.
- Run the dryer 2-3 times in a row, gently fluffing between cycles.
*Don’t rush this step. Trust us when we say the third time really is the charm. Even if your mattress pad feels dry on the outside, the inside may take several cycles, and it’s worth the wait.
How to wash a mattress topper
Generally, a mattress topper should not be laundered. Feather beds, fiber beds, memory foam toppers, and egg crates are easily damaged by water and cleaning solutions. Washing these thick toppers will ruin fibers and change their shape, sometimes making them ineffective. The best way to keep a mattress topper clean is to protect it with a waterproof mattress pad or protector.
How long do mattress pads last?
The average life of a mattress pad is three to five years. A quality mattress pad should last for five years with proper care. Mattress pads lose their shape, support, and protection over time. If you notice lumps, thinning, or stains that don’t come out in the wash, it may be time to replace your mattress pad. Investing in a new mattress pad roughly every five years is the best way to preserve the life of your mattress and get a better night’s sleep.
Mattress Pad Cleaning FAQs
Can you dry clean a mattress pad?
We recommend washing mattress pads at home or a laundromat and avoiding the dry cleaner since the harsh chemicals used could ruin the fill. If you use a professional cleaner, ask for the mattress pad to be washed instead of dry cleaned. Always check your mattress pad’s tag for specific instructions.
Can you bleach a white mattress pad?
Never use bleach on a down or down alternative mattress pad because it can ruin the fibers and reduce the loft and softness. Your mattress pad may never feel the same and will likely need to be replaced sooner. Check out our stain removal guide to safely pretreat your mattress pad and return it to its beautiful white state.
How do you get stains out of a mattress pad?
We’ve put together a stain removal guide to help you treat the most common bedding stains and restore your mattress pad. Our top tips are to pretreat the stain before washing, use a mild solution, and gently blot instead of scrub. Scrubbing forces the stain further into the fibers, making removing it more difficult.
Why does my mattress pad smell funny after washing?
If your mattress pad suddenly smells different after washing, it’s probably not completely dry. Return your mattress pad to the dryer as soon as you notice and run it for an additional cycle or two.
When is it time to replace my mattress pad?
Quality down mattress pads should last 10+ years, while down-alternative fills and other materials will lose their loft and fluffiness much sooner. Instead of looking at the calendar, pay attention to the look and feel of your mattress pad for clues. If you notice flat or clustered sections, especially after washing and fluffing, it may be time to replace your mattress pad.
Downlite provides quality mattress pads made of premium down and down alternative materials for every bed size and climate. Downlite’s feather beds rejuvenate any mattress, providing soft and plush comfort. If you want personalized assistance or professional advice, contact our customer service representatives, who will assist you in your decision-making.
