How to Clean a Mattress Topper
You can clean mattress toppers, although how you do this varies from product to product.
Here are some of the different cleaning instructions found on mattress toppers:
- Can only be spot cleaned when accidents occur
- Can only machine wash the removable cover
- The entire topper can be machine washed
You should always check the care instructions before washing your mattress topper to ensure that you do not accidentally damage the topper.
We’ll go through the different ways you can clean your mattress topper below.
How to wash a mattress topper
Here are our instructions for cleaning a mattress topper:
1. Check the care instructions
If you still have the care instructions for your mattress topper, there should be information on how best to clean your specific topper.
If you do have this information to hand, then you should follow those specific care instructions instead of this guide.
2. Take the mattress topper off of your mattress
Cleaning your topper is much easier if it isn’t on your mattress, especially if you’re removing any stains from your topper by hand. This ensures that any water you use won’t soak into your mattress and potentially damage it.
3. Check if your mattress topper has a removable cover
If you cannot find your care instructions, then the next step is to see if your topper has a removable cover. They usually have a zip around the edge of the topper.
If your topper does have a removable cover, take it off and perform the following steps on the cover (rather than on the protective foam itself).
Most removable covers can be machine washed, but if you do not know for certain, we recommend following the rest of this guide. Some types of covers can be damaged in the washing process which can ruin your topper or invalidate your warranty or guarantee.
Don’t have a removable cover on your mattress topper? Simply ignore this step and move on to step 4.
4. Vacuum your mattress topper
Hair and dust can gather very easily on your mattress topper, so before you begin cleaning, it’s best to vacuum both sides of your mattress topper.
5. Tackle any stains
If you notice that your mattress topper has stains or marks, we recommend using a mix of lukewarm water and mild laundry detergent to lift them.
Gently dab the stain with a damp cloth or sponge until they start to lift.
To learn how to remove tougher stains from your mattress topper, read the section below.
6. Allow your mattress topper to air dry
Leave your topper to completely air after cleaning any stains.
7. Deodorise your mattress topper
If you want to leave your mattress topper smelling extra fresh, sprinkle a small amount of baking soda over the surface of the topper and leave it for a few hours. This will help to eliminate any odours that may linger on the topper.
After a few hours, vacuum your mattress topper again to remove the remaining baking soda.
8. Put the mattress topper back on your mattress
Now your mattress topper is all nice and clean, you can put it back on your mattress!
If you had to remove the cover from your topper to wash, you can now put the clean cover back on and place the whole thing on your mattress.
How to get stains out of a mattress topper without fully washing
Small accidents will happen, and sometimes it’s just easier to remedy them immediately. Below we share our top tips for getting stains out of a mattress topper - but make sure you first check and follow the manufacturer’s guidance.
How to remove light stains from your mattress topper
- Mix together lukewarm water and a mild laundry detergent
- Use this mixture to lightly dab at the stain with a cloth or sponge
- Keep dabbing at the stain until it lifts
- Leave the mattress topper to air dry before sleeping on it again
How to remove urine stains from your mattress topper
Here’s how to easily remove urine stains from your topper:
- Mix together lukewarm water and a mild laundry detergent
- Use this mixture to lightly dab at the stain with a paper towel
- Keep dabbing at the stain until it lifts
- Leave the mattress topper to air dry before sleeping on it again
These paper towels should be replaced every few minutes while soaking up the stain. This is more hygienic when dealing with a urine stain.
How to remove blood stains from your mattress topper
As above, follow the steps to remove light stains, but rather than using lukewarm water, you should use cold water instead.
Cold water breaks down the proteins in the blood more quickly than warm water.
How to remove tough stains from your mattress topper
Once you have followed the steps for the lighter stain removal, try sprinkling the stain with baking soda while it is still damp. When done, leave to sit for 30 minutes.
Repeat the process of ‘dabbing the stain with the cleaning mix, sprinkling baking soda and letting it sit’, until the stain lifts.
Can I wash a memory foam mattress topper?
Yes, you can clean a memory foam mattress topper. You can follow the same steps outlined in the ‘How to wash a mattress topper’ and ‘How to get stains out of a mattress topper’ sections above but with one slight difference.
You should use as little water as possible when cleaning a memory foam mattress topper. Water can damage the foam inside the topper which can affect the overall look and feel of the topper.
If it does damage the topper, it can also invalidate your guarantee or warranty.
This is why most memory foam mattresses come with a cover that can be zipped off and washed separately to the topper itself.
Can you wash a mattress topper in the washing machine?
Only some mattress toppers are completely machine washable or come with a cover that can be machine washed.
Please check the care instructions that came with your mattress topper before trying to machine wash your topper.
Machine washing a topper that is not designed for it can severely damage the topper and can even make it unusable - especially foam toppers. Most memory foam mattress toppers come with a removable cover because water can break apart the foam layers, leaving it never feeling quite the same again.
Can you tumble dry a mattress topper?
Not many mattress toppers can be tumble dried, so we recommend consulting your mattress topper’s care guide or contacting the manufacturer to find out.
Much like putting your topper in a washing machine, a tumble dryer can also damage your beyond use, which is why we recommend caution.
Now you know how to completely clean your mattress topper!
Looking for a new mattress topper? Check out our guides below!
We have more cleaning advice in the following guides:
