Waterproof mattress protectors are lifesavers! They prevent common accidents or spills from being absorbed into the mattress, which can be extremely hard to clean.
Mattress covers need regular cleaning even if they don’t get stained, as they collect dust, dirt, and sweat over time.
The covers have a backing vinyl layer to provide water resistance, and a soft clothing layer to provide comfort.
Most waterproof mattress covers are safe to be washed in a washing machine.
Yet, be careful not to put it in a hot washing cycle, as this can damage the sheet.
So, how to wash a waterproof mattress cover? How often does a mattress protector need to be washed? We’ll tell you everything you need to know in this post!
How to Wash Your Waterproof Mattress Cover
The following steps will guide you through washing your mattress cover without damaging it:
1. Remove the Cover
Make sure to remove the cover as soon as possible in case of spillage or leakage, as the liquid will keep spreading and staining a bigger area of the cover.
It’s best if you use a towel or napkins to dry the spillage first before removing the cover.
In case someone ill was sleeping on that mattress cover, be sure to wear gloves when removing it in order not to catch the illness.
2. Put It in the Washing Machine
Feel free to add other clothes to the same washing cycle along with the dirty covers.
It’s worth noting that towels usually have the same washing instructions as the mattress covers.
Yet, new clothes tend to diffuse some of their dye in the first couple of washing cycles.
So, make sure to wash them separately. Putting them in the same cycle with other clothes might lead the clothes to catch some of that dye.
3. Choose the Correct Cycle
Reading the manufacturer’s care label is crucial as some manufacturers provide very specific instructions on which cycle to pick.
The washing instructions label might provide you with a specific range of temperature for the washing cycle.
If it doesn’t, choosing a cold or a slightly warm washing cycle is the safest option.
Note that your mattress covers contain delicate fabrics and that a hot washing cycle can ruin them.
High temperature can destroy the vinyl waterproof layer of your mattress cover, so always make sure to wash it at a low temperature.
4. Use Mild Detergent
No matter how dirty your mattress covers are, your regular washing soap will do the job!
It’s best if you avoid using strong cleaners like chlorine or bleach on your mattress covers.
A mild detergent should be enough.
If your mattress cover was soaked in urine after a bedtime accident, a washing cycle with white vinegar or baking powder should be done first.
Then, a second cycle with your normal washing soap.
The washing cycle should take about an hour to clean your covers efficiently.
It’s recommended to run a wash cycle with water only to make sure you thoroughly washed out all the detergents.
They can be harsh on your skin!
5. Dry It
There are two ways to dry your mattress covers: air drying and tumble drying.
Air Drying
It’s the simplest way of drying any piece of cloth. It’s done by hanging the mattress cover on a drying line, with the cloth face of the mattress facing outwards, and the vinyl face inwards.
Tumble Drying
When using tumble drying to dry out your mattress covers, it’s crucial to keep it at a low to medium heat in order not to ruin the covers.
How Often Does a Mattress Protector Need to Be Washed?
Your mattress cover easily catches all sorts of dirt, dust, sweat, and dead skin.
After all, how many times have you come back exhausted from work and jumped into your bed with the clothes you’ve been wearing outside all day? Huh?
Even if your room is spotless, it’s inevitable! Dirt will find its way to your mattress covers somehow.
We spend around one-third of our day sleeping. Not to mention the time we spend in bed scrolling our phones or taking naps.
So, washing your mattress cover is necessary to get rid of all the harmful things that might be on them.
The general rule of thumb is to wash the covers at least once every couple of months.
Others recommend a monthly wash of the covers just to be safe.
Yet, over-washing your mattress can decrease its lifespan.
Immediate washing of the mattress covers should be done in case of any spillage or leakage of any sorts of drinks or urine.
The sooner you wash the covers, the easier it will be to get rid of the stains.
If someone with an infection or any sort of contagious illness was sleeping on the covers, it’s crucial to wash them after the illness has passed.
Remember to use gloves when washing the covers to avoid catching the disease.
In some rare cases, people can get reinfected after recovery.
To Sum Up
Your mattress cover contains a vinyl layer that can be ruined by heat, so avoid washing your covers in a high-temperature cycle.
Using harsh detergents like chlorine and bleach can ruin your mattress covers completely.
It’s recommended to use a mild detergent like a normal washing soap or white vinegar.
When drying your mattress covers using a tumbler, it’s crucial not to use high heat.
Additionally, when air-drying the covers, keep the vinyl layer facing inwards.
The general rule of thumb is to wash your mattress covers at least once every couple of months.
