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How Often Should You Wash Your Mattress Protector

June 13, 2022

How Often Should You Wash Your Mattress Protector

Your mattress protector does exactly what it is designed to do—protect your mattress. It serves as your line of defense against dirt, spills, dust mites, and other things that can ruin the quality of your mattress. While serving as a catchall for all the dust, allergens, dead skin cells, and body fluids, your mattress protector needs some care too. But, how do you protect your mattress protector?

Do You Need to Wash a Mattress Protector?

Do You Need to Wash a Mattress Protector?

Good news, you can simply wash your dirty mattress protector to get rid of multiple layers of dirt. In fact, washing the mattress protector is pretty straightforward since many types are hand wash and machine safe. Understanding and following some guidelines can help you preserve the quality of your mattress protector while cleaning it.

How Often Should You Wash a Mattress Protector?

How Often Should You Wash a Mattress Protector?

Below are the general guidelines for the frequency of washing the mattress protector. Remember that these depend on various scenarios, frequency of usage, and severity of stains.

  1. Main Bedroom. The mattress protector in the main bedroom should be washed every two months at the best condition. However, if it is frequently exposed to sweat, dirt or stains, or if you allow your pets to sleep on your mattress, you will need to wash your mattress protector more often.

  1. Guest Bed. Your guestroom's bed is not as frequently used as your main bedroom, so it doesn't need as much cleanup as the one on your main bed. If you don't entertain guests often, you may wash a mattress protector every four months.

  1. Cleaning a Mattress Protector as an Allergy Sufferer. Hand or machine wash your mattress protector frequently if you are an allergy sufferer to prevent dust mites and other allergens from building up. Washing your mattress protector every two weeks can help you preserve its safety from particles that can trigger allergies during sleep.

  1. When Dealing with Spills. When spills occur, blot the excess liquid with paper towels and wash your mattress protector immediately.

Be careful not to rub the stains, or you'll end up spreading them more. Since spills penetrate through fabric, do the same thing for your bed sheet, fitted sheet, and other bedding accessories.

Note: The abovementioned are only general guidelines at optimum conditions. Two months washing intervals can be a long period when you use your mattress daily. To make sure you clean your mattress protector efficiently at the right time, evaluate your mattress and sleeping conditions as well as the environment.

Answer these questions to help you assess your mattress protector washing intervals:

  1. Do you live in a tropical area? If so, you are more prone to sweating often at night.

  1. Do you have pets? If you allow your lovely pets to sleep on your bed, your mattress can be a catchall for pet dander and fecal substances.

  1. Do you have allergies? Allergy sufferers need more mattress care.

  1. Who uses your mattress? Mattresses inside the children's bed are more likely to experience spills often than an adult's mattress.

How to Properly Wash Mattress Protectors

How to Properly Wash Mattress Protectors

1. Know the Type of Mattress Protector You Have

A. Zippered Mattress Protector

A zippered mattress encasement, as its name describes, encloses the mattress with a full, zippered cover. This type of mattress protector is efficient in preventing bed bugs and dust mites from infesting the mattress.

A zippered mattress protector is washable and does not require dry cleaning or professional cleaning.

B. Fitted Mattress Protector

Fitted mattress protectors do not provide full mattress coverage, unlike a zippered mattress protector. This case covers the top of the mattress fully while being tucked under the mattress like a fitted sheet.

A fitted mattress protector can also be washed at home. When cleaning this sheet, make sure not to stretch off the corners, especially if the mattress protector uses elastic bands to grip into the mattress.

2. Read the Care Label

Mattress protectors come with specific cleaning directions upon purchase. Refer to the instruction to understand the right steps in taking care of your mattress cover.

Aside from stating whether the mattress protector can be machine washed or not, the care instructions will also give you other details like the water temperature needed during wash, the type of detergent applicable, the wash cycle needed, and any other special washing instructions required.

3. Spot Clean Deep Stains

Spot clean your mattress protector for spills and deep stains. Again, refer to the care label to know if you can use bleach or other chemicals to treat the dirt.

4. Wash Your Mattress Protectors

A. Choose a Mild Detergent

When it's time to choose the detergent, choose a mild, non bleach detergent. A mild detergent can efficiently clean the mattress protector without stripping its fibres or fill.

B. Select the Applicable Wash Temperature and Cycle

Cold water is generally preferred when washing mattress protectors since it does the cleaning very well while preventing the fibres from shrinking. You may also opt for a warm water wash to tackle deep stains, but not hot water.

As for the wash cycle, choose the delicate option if you don't want your mattress protector to shrink. Make sure the mattress protector is thoroughly washed and rinsed because detergent residues may irritate the skin and can cause an unpleasant mattress smell. For bulkier beddings, add another rinse cycle to guarantee all residues are eliminated.

5. Air Dry Your Mattress Protector

Most mattress protectors can be run on washers, but others require air drying. The process of drying is important to make sure all moisture is expelled. If the mattress protector isn't completely dry, it can develop bacteria and mould. When drying your mattress protector using a dryer, choose a low heat setting to prevent your fabric from shrinking.

Note: It is very safe to air dry a mattress protector but never dry clean this delicate item.

When to Wash Other Bedding Accessories

When to Wash Other Bedding Accessories

Like your mattress protector, other bedding accessories need some TLC too. Here's how often you should wash your bed linens for the best results.

Once a Week

Bedding accessories you should wash once a week are your bed sheets, fitted sheet, bottom sheet, and pillowcases. These layers take more wear and tear since sleepers lay directly on them. In this case, they need frequent washing than other bedding items.

Once Every Two Weeks

Wash your duvet covers or mattress toppers twice a month to keep them clean while maintaining their shape. Choose cold or lukewarm water and a low tumble setting when machine washing and drying delicate sheets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Mattress Protector a Need?

Yes! This versatile mattress cover keeps you and your mattress safe. Like clean sheets, a clean mattress protector will help maintain your comfort while preventing allergic reactions and other health consequences of different particles seen on the bed.

Can I Wash a Mattress Protector with Other Sheets?

It depends on the capacity of your washing machine. If your major appliance permits, then you can wash your mattress protector with other soft clothing. Apply the general rule of segregating delicate fabric from coloured items to avoid colour bleeding. Use a gentle cycle and low heat water when you tumble dry your sheets.

Can I Machine Wash a Mattress Protector?

Machine washing your mattress protector is possible, however, it's still safer to check the wash instructions or ask the manufacturer to make sure you can properly take care of your encasement.

Are Mattress Protectors the Same as Mattress Pads?

The main purpose of mattress protectors is to protect your bed from bed bugs, dust mites and dirt. A waterproof mattress protector is also designed to protect your mattress from spills and liquid stain. On the other hand, a mattress pad works as an extra layer that enhances the comfort of your bed for the best sleep.

How Often Should I Replace My Mattress Protector?

In best conditions, a mattress protector lasts up to two years. However, to keep mattresses at their prime health, it's good to frequently evaluate your mattress protector's quality. Mattress protectors with visible signs of wear and tear, especially holes or avenue where sweat, spills and dirt can easily penetrate, shall be replaced immediately. This is because these faulty parts diminish the purpose of the cover as a last line for defense for the mattresses.

Summary

Summary

A mattress cover serves as our last line of defense against particles that can affect our sleep and overall health. Aside from buying the right mattress protector, it's also vital to keep it hygienic so you can rest easy on your bed without any worries.

In the best conditions, you can wash a mattress protector every two months. Considering other factors, you will need to clean it more often.

 


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