| Mattress toppers gather dead skin cells, sweat and body oil. This attracts dust mites, bacteria, fungi and other allergens to the bed. Dust mites can trigger sneezing, coughing, runny nose, watery eyes, itchy throat, breathing difficulties and skin rashes. To protect your health, clean your mattress topper regularly to avoid allergic reactions. April Mayer, sleep expert from Amerisleep, explains how to clean your mattress topper and extend its life. How to Clean a Mattress Topper You cannot put a mattress topper in the washing machine, the cleaning process is different from washing bed sheets. This is how you clean a mattress topper: Vacuum clean. Take the mattress topper off your bed and put it on the floor to make it easier to reach all the corners. We advise using a vacuum with a soft brush attachment, as a harder brush can damage the fabric cover. Powerful handheld cleaners or water-based cleaners are effective.Go in gentle circular motions to clean dust and grime. When done, flip the mattress over and do the other side. If using a water-based vacuum cleaner, ensure the topper is completely dry before putting it back on your bed. This can take anywhere between 10-24 hours, depending on thickness. Best practice is to vacuum once a week, or every time you wash your bed sheets. Frequent vacuuming will prevent dust and debris from building up. Spot clean stains. Stains can be caused by sweat and body oils or accidental spills. Be sure to spot clean as soon as you notice the stain. Use a light-coloured, clean cloth to remove stains as darker colors may bleed when dipped in cleaning solutions. There are general rules to removing stains but we recommend reading the care label instructions before using anything on the topper. Here’s a few cleaning methods using items that you likely have around house: Laundry detergent: Use a mild liquid detergent diluted with water. Avoid low-quality or powder detergents as they can discolor or alter the texture of the fabric cover. Mix detergent and water in equal parts in a bowl. Dip your cloth in the solution and rub it into the stain in circular motions. Let the solution rest on the stain for 30 minutes. Take another damp cloth and wipe the solution off. Gradually rub the cloth over the stain a few times and ensure there’s no detergent left on the topper. Clean with a dry towel by blotting the area. Even without any stains, you can use laundry detergent to deodorize and clean the mattress after vacuuming. To do so, mix one part detergent and two parts warm water in a spray bottle. Gently spray over the topper, try to avoid getting it too wet, as this can damage the memory foam. Move the bottle as you spray to ensure an even spray. Wait for the topper to dry before putting it back on your bed. Baking soda: Baking soda is a good stain remover which also neutralizes odor. Mix one part baking soda and two parts cold water. Rub solution on the stain, and let it sit for 30 minutes. Dip a dry cloth in clean water and remove any residue. Blot dry with a clean towel or paper towel. Alternatively, sprinkle baking soda directly onto the stain and vacuum it up after 8 hours or overnight. You can also use baking soda to deodorize the mattress topper. Sprinkle all over the mattress and leave for 8 hours or overnight and vacuum any residue. Distilled white vinegar: Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a bowl. Take a soft cloth and dip it in the solution. Gently rub into the stain using circular motions, moving inwards, which minimizes the chance of spreading the stain. Repeat until the stain disappears. Once the stain is removed, wipe off the solution with a cloth dipped in clean water. Pat dry with a towel or paper towel. Boric acid: Moisten the stained area with clean water, then sprinkle boric acid onto it. Dab and blot the stain with a sponge or soft cloth in circular motions until the stain has gone. Avoid scrubbing as this could set the stain further. Wipe clean with a dry towel. Vacuum the topper once dry and ensure no residue is left. Air dry. Make sure you dry the topper completely as any leftover moisture can encourage mold and mildew to grow, damaging the topper. Memory foam takes a while to dry. Keep it in a well-ventilated room with fans on to speed the drying process. The topper can be exposed to direct sunlight for around 30 minutes in the morning which will help to absorb moisture and eliminate odors without having to do anything. If you air dry in sunlight at noon or afternoon it can damage the memory foam as it’s too hot. |