What is a mattress topper? It's an additional layer that will absorb any dirt through the bed covers while providing extra comfort and making sure the mattress doesn't get dirty. A mattress topper, whether a memory foam mattress topper or a standard one, is a critical part of keeping your mattress in prime condition.
It's often overlooked yet simple to clean. We'll look below at the best options available for keeping your bed topper always clean and how to get stains out of the mattress topper.
How to clean a mattress topper?
It's best to gently clean your mattress topper, especially if it's a memory foam mattress. That's why you need to stick with more DIY hand-washing strategies when possible.
Tip 1 - Vacuuming
Before any liquids are involved, giving the mattress topper good vacuuming is good. This will remove those allergens and other particles that may end up on the mattress topper, both visible and smaller dust mites. It's also a safe way not to damage the bed topper in any way. It's not about using any vacuum cleaner, and it's best to use one with a soft brush as an attachment, as this has a way of gently scrubbing the bed topper and then vacuuming up the dirt.
You'll want to take the mattress topper off of the bed and place it on a flat surface, such as the floor. Make sure to vacuum slowly and don't simply go up and down, but in more circular motions to detach the debris that's sticking to the bed topper. Then you'll want to flip it and do the same vacuuming on the other side.
If you decide to vacuum with water or a water-based vacuum, which is an excellent idea, keep in mind that a mattress topper needs to air dry, and that can take a few hours before placing it back on the mattress itself.
Tip 2 - Spot Cleaning
After vacuuming, you may not have to soak or clean the mattress topper. Instead, you can do spot cleaning when something immediately spills, or you notice a stain. Remember, timing is key here to ensure there's no permanent damage. An excellent option here is to use a baking soda/water mixture to remove these stains. With a clean and dry cloth, you want to put that mixture into areas and let it soak in for around half an hour. Then, wiping it away should produce favorable results.
If baking soda doesn't seem to clean, you can make a simple stronger cleaner from white vinegar. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, and then spray on the tough spots you wish to clean. Keep in mind that vinegar solutions need to be made the same day, as this all-natural cleaner tends to lose its efficacy within a day or so.
Another type of gentle cleaner to use is dish soap mixed with water. The key here is to agitate the mixture enough to produce suds from the cleaning solution. You should only use that component (the suds) to clean the tough stain, as using too much dish soap could harm the bed topper.
A final option regarding the toughest stains is to use a hydrogen peroxide solution. This is for those difficult stains such as blood. Yet a memory foam mattress topper is not recommended as it can have the same effects as too much bleach and discolor the foam mattress topper. You should only use it if nothing else has worked on the stain, and you must eliminate that stain completely.
Tip 3 – Regular Maintenance and deodorizer
One thing to note is that a basic brushing and cleaning of your mattress will help keep it clean on a routine basis. Yet there's an effective way of cleaning the easiest way with minimal effort. All you need is baking soda and time. First, you want to place baking soda all over the mattress topper and use a lot of it. Then you have it sit on the mattress topper for about 8 hours in the open air. From there, you just need to vacuum off the excess baking soda, and you will quickly notice how much fresher your mattress topper is.
It's also an excellent way to deodorize your mattress topper from its daily use and have it smell fresh as well as look fresh. At the same time, keep in mind that if your mattress topper smells like mold or mildew and baking soda isn't working, then you're going to need to replace it, as it can be detrimental to your health.
Tip 4 – Proper drying of your Mattress Topper
Again, whether a regular mattress topper or a foam mattress topper, you want to dry it the same way. Avoid drying machines as that may damage the mattress topper completely, and even worse, could possibly shrink it down and not have it fit on your mattress any longer. That means you want to air dry your topper, and if possible, air dry your mattress topper in a ventilated roam. It's possible to air dry outside with the fresh air, but make sure to put it in the shade, as direct sunlight, especially foam mattress toppers, will definitely damage those toppers. Again, that's due to the fact they are heat sensitive.
How to extend the life of mattress toppers?
A well-maintained mattress topper will last up to five years. A lot of factors go into it, and one of them, first and foremost, is keeping it clean. That means both having the proper maintenance schedule of vacuuming and using baking soda, but also knowing when it needs that deep cleaning with a homemade cleaning solution.
A mattress topper is also affected by the mattress underneath. Sadly if there is a sagging happening with the mattress, then there's also the possibility that the mattress topper will also sag in those spots, stretching it out. This stretching out of the mattress will cause it to disproportionally start thinning and weakening the mattress topper until it tears and is no longer usable.
Another idea is to protect your mattress topper as much as possible. That means buying mattress toppers with a removable cover that will protect them from dirt or secure it in place with fitted sheets. These fitted sheets will hold the shape better and not have your mattress topper move too much while you move in your sleep, avoiding the potential for additional wear and tear.
Keep in mind there are some elements, such as the life of the mattress or the weight of the person using the mattress, that may end up reducing the lifespan of a mattress topper.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between a pad and a mattress topper?
A mattress pad is specifically designed to improve the comfort of the bed. It also provides some protection from any type of spill or dirt. On the other side, a mattress topper is much thicker and fundamentally changes how the mattress itself feels. As a result, it's effectively enhancing the comfort of the mattress and helps to extend the mattress's longevity.
2. Why do foam mattress toppers turn yellow?
When we sweat, or simply due to the oils on our body, that all end up collecting on the foam mattress toppers. Enough of this will cause the foam mattress toppers to turn yellow over time. In addition, the foam itself may oxidize over time, and that aging can also make the foam mattress toppers turn yellow.
3. Can you wash a mattress topper in the washing machine?
It depends on the material of the mattress topper. If the mattress topper is made from down or polyester, then yes, it can be machine-washed. But, of course, it needs to fit in the washing machine, and if it does, it's best to use the gentle setting. You also only want to use a mild cleaning detergent.
If you've got a memory foam mattress topper, then you will not be able to use a washing machine as it will end up being broken apart by the machine. Once that happens, it's not really possible to fix it, which means getting a replacement.
4. How long does a mattress topper last?
With the proper care and cleaning routine, a good quality mattress topper should easily last between three to five years, making it a sound investment option for those looking to enhance their sleep.
5. How to store mattress toppers?
If you cannot use your mattress topper, whether you're moving or need to put it in long-term storage, the best option is to secure it with a vacuum-sealed bag. First of all, if it's a memory foam mattress pad, then it will become a much smaller size meaning you can save a lot of space when you do that. You also end up protecting the mattress in a plastic bag.
Conclusion
Keeping your mattress topper is a simple process. Remember that you want to keep them clean for health reasons, as this is where your body is going to rest. It's simple to clean with ingredients that you have in your home, and with routine cleaning, you'll rarely have to do any type of deep cleaning.
As most bed toppers are foam mattress toppers, it's best to avoid washing machines and always do a spot check on them whenever you change your regular bed sheets. Remember that they can last up to half a decade and help to alleviate pressure on us when we sleep.
For those that are in the market for new mattress toppers, feel free to check out our high-quality options here.
