There's nothing that ruins the feeling of just-cleaned sheets like realizing that your protective mattress pad is looking a little... yellow. We all know you're supposed to wash your sheets every one or two weeks, but what about this pesky thing under your sheets? Our expert is here to share her wisdom.But first things first, when we say mattress pad, we mean a traditional protective covering like this. Pillowy toppers are a different story since they come in so many varieties (consult the care label for the best washing instructions), and the foam versions can't be washed at all. You'll want to replace your topper when they're not comfortable or supportive anymore.But here's the scoop on mattress pads:"It's only necessary to wash your mattress pad several times per year," says Carolyn Forte, director of the Cleaning Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. "Sheets generally take more wear and tear than a mattress pad which is why they are washed more often."This makes sense: You lay directly on top of the sheets, so they're the first line of defense against body oils and dust getting to your mattress.
Your mattress pad bears of that brunt, too, but not quite as much.Forte recommends following the care label for specific cleaning directions, but in general, most mattress pads can be machine-washed in warm water and tumbled on low to dry.If you have allergies, or let your dog or cat sleep in your bed, you might need to clean your pad more often. Gauge how much you should increase the frequency by considering the severity of your symptoms or how much your pet sheds. By trial and error, you might find that it's necessary to wash the pad as often as weekly. And if you spill food or drink, notice a stain, or find that it's stretched out, wash the pad immediately.It's not everyday you have a bare mattress, so Forte recommends using this time to vacuum up dust (sprinkle the mattress with a little baking soda first to absorb odors). You can also spot-treat any stains, or spray the mattress with Lysol to kill bacteria. Just allow it to dry fully before making the bed again.If you have had the luxury of buying a new mattress recently, it is likely that you have a foam mattress.
Foam mattresses once were something that most people could not afford, but as the market for them has increased, the prices have dropped considerably. Now the average person can afford to sleep on a comfortable and luxurious foam mattress instead of dealing with those pesky box springs. All these years you have had a regular mattress, so cleaning a foam mattress is probably something foreign to you. No need to fret, though. My tips that will come in handy now, as well as in the future, on how to clean your beloved foam mattress. Spills are inevitable if you eat or drink in your bed, so it is best to have a quick, efficient method for removing them. Do not use bleach or any product that contains bleach. For best results, allow the cover to air dry. If you do put it in the dryer, use a low, cool setting and check it frequently. There's no need to pre-treat the cover unless the spill is a result of red wine or another staining liquid. If liquid has been spilled on the foam mattress, you'll need to remove as much of it as possible as quickly as possible.
Do not put the mattress cover or the sheets back on the mattress until your foam mattress is completely dry. To remove urine stains or odor from a foam mattress, you'll need an enzymatic cleaner or distilled white vinegar and baking soda. Enzymatic commercial cleaners work well, but they are very expensive. Vinegar, on the other hand, is inexpensive and it is a natural deodorizer that absorbs odors by breaking down bacteria. Vinegar does not leave any kind of residue, and the smell goes away when it dries. Note that neither is guaranteed to completely remove stains and odors from a foam mattress, and that you should never saturate the area with any liquid, even water. It's important to be cautious when removing stains because you don't want to risk pushing the urine further inside the foam. The only cleaning that's necessary is a simple vacuuming once a month or so. While your foam mattress is less susceptible to dust mites (than a traditional mattress is) dust, hair and dead skin will still accumulate on the mattress.
An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure My cleaning tips will keep your foam mattress in the best shape so you won't need to worry about replacing it! Image courtesy of Michael Cory, CC BY.Tempur-Pedic® Tempur-Topper Supreme 3-Inch Mattress Topper in White Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Topper Supreme 3" Mattress Topper reduces pressure points for a more restful night's sleep Fast, simple, and affordable way to experience revolutionary Tempur material Twin/Twin XL mattress topper measures 38" W x 74" L Twin XL mattress topper measures 38" W x 80" L Full mattress topper measures 53" W x 74" L Queen mattress topper measures 60" W x 80" L King mattress topper measures 76" W x 80" L California King mattress topper measures 72" W x 84" L Cover is 98% polyester/2% elastane Filled with 100% TEMPUR® material Bottom skid is 71% polyester/29% cotton 25-year limited manufacturer's warranty Made in USA of U.S. and imported materials
Each Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Topper Supreme 3" Mattress Topper is sold separately Coordinate other accessories in the Build a Better Bed Collection for a complete look (sold separately)Many people are excited to receive their high quality memory foam mattress or toppers, but become concerned when they first get them because they often give off a distinct smell after manufacturing. This is perfectly natural and while some individuals have sensitive olfactory senses, the smell is not an indication that there are any kind of dangerous chemicals in your mattress. We’ll break it all down for you; why it smells, and how to properly clean your memory foam mattress or topper. Memory foam is made of polyurethane and this is why when it’s brand new it often has a distinct chemical-like odor. This smell has been described by some as being similar to fresh paint. Because it smells like this many individuals worry that they’re inhaling toxic fumes or chemicals, but this is not necessarily the case.
Yes, the smell is produced by the type of material creating the highly dense and elastic material, but the gas emissions from the types of products creating the material are so small that they’re harmless. Letting your new memory foam mattress or topper air out once you first get it will help considerably. While it airs out it will have a distinct odor that may fill a majority of the room at first, but be assured that this will start to go away, and eventually leave all together. There are far more positives to owning a memory foam mattress that outweigh the negatives to be concerned about the smell. So many health issues can be resolved including joint and muscles aches, problems with the spinal column, and because the foam doesn’t allow for dust mites or mildew it controls allergies and asthma incredibly well too. If you do find that you’re a little more sensitive to the smell than others there are ways to properly clean your mattress. It’s very important that you don’t clean your mattress like any other materials or fabrics you’re used to cleaning, which often include water-based cleaners.