How to Wash a Mattress Protector in the Washing Machine

All orthopedic mattresses should be protected with a cover that prevents premature wear and rapid soiling. And although sheets go on top and get dirty first, every layer of the bed needs periodic cleaning. Read the instructions and choose the right way to machine-wash a mattress protector for its particular fabric, so it stays in good shape for years.

Start by checking for open seams. If you begin a wash and gaps open up along the seams, the machine may get clogged with feathers. If you spot a tear, mend it or take the protector to a tailor before washing it in the machine. Apply your usual detergent to any stains beforehand and let it soak in — 10-15 minutes is enough. This makes the dirt far easier to wash out.

Use a front-loading machine. That system is much better suited to washing a waterproof mattress protector. Check the care tag on the protector and enter the settings accordingly. Note that a central agitator can tear the fabric and let the filling escape into the mechanism.

We recommend not experimenting with cycles: pick the delicate setting so you will not have to buy mattress protectors all over again because the old one got ruined. Set the water temperature to cool and add a small amount of mild detergent. Then comes the rinse. Do it twice to remove every trace of detergent: simply put the protector back in the machine and run it without any product.

To dry the cover properly, stop the dryer every 20 minutes and fluff up its contents. Otherwise it will dry in clumps, losing its original smoothness.

Washing it a few times a year is enough. As mentioned above, the sheets over the protector need cleaning more often (they pick up most of the dead skin). It is important to buy a mattress and a cover for it so that your sleep is comfortable and healthy — after that, just follow the care label and its specific instructions.

The bottom line: the washing method depends on the type of fabric. The technique described above suits standard materials and is the general approach to cleaning. Cotton protectors, memory foam models, vinyl-backed ones, and many other products sold at the mattress store in Almaty have their own quirks when it comes to the right detergent.