Mattress protectors are an essential part of your bedding materials. Since it is the main component that protects the mattress itself, you should give it as good of care as you give to the rest of your bedding materials. 

This means that you should be washing your mattress protector along with all the other fabrics that you normally wash from your bed. Read on to learn more about mattress protectors and how to wash them. 

Mattress Protector vs. Other Bedding Materials 

Before we get into how to wash your mattress protector and how often you should be washing it, let’s briefly go over what it is compared to the rest of your bedding since some people can get it confused with other bedding components. 

Mattress protectors are thin coverings that go over your mattress, much like a fitted sheet, and their main purpose is to protect your mattress. In terms of what it protects your mattress from, they are more often than not waterproof, they can ward off stains from accidental spills, and they also help to prevent bed bugs or dust mites. 

Mattress protectors can be made from a variety of different materials and the materials they are made from usually depend upon their ability to withstand stains and some of the other issues listed above. Most mattress protectors are made from things like cotton, polyester, vinyl, and more. The types of materials the mattress protector is made of may impact the way the protector should be washed. 

Mattress protectors can also provide a layer of comfort for your bed, some of them adding a small amount of padding to make your mattress feel a little more plush and comfortable.

Mattress protectors can also come in various forms as well. While they come in the form of fitted sheets, there are some that could zip around the entirety of the mattress and there are other options that just lay over the top of the bed as well. 

Mattress protectors can often be mistaken for mattress pads or mattress toppers, so make sure that you know exactly what you have covering and protecting your bed so you follow the correct washing instructions! 

How Often You Should Wash Your Mattress Protector? 

How often you should be washing your mattress protector depends upon a number of factors, all ranging from what type of room the bed is in to whether or not you suffer from allergies. 

Keep reading to learn about some of the distinctions that will determine how often you should be washing your mattress protector. 

Washing After an Illness 

Mattress protectors can gather germs and bacteria, just like any other component of your bed. After you’ve been sick, make sure you throw your mattress protector in with the rest of the materials you would wash from your bed. Make sure you are washing it once your cold has fully subsided so you are not spreading germs or the illness to anyone else! 

Guest Bedrooms 

If you have a mattress protector on top of any mattresses within a guest bedroom, you should be washing the protector after every guest leaves after staying at your place. If you have a guest on the way, make sure you are washing the protector as well even if you washed it after the previous guest stayed. Unseen bacteria can be on the protector so making sure that it stays clean for your guests is essential! 

Issues With Allergies

If you are someone that struggles with any sort of allergies, you should be washing your mattress protector at least every two weeks, and at the latest, every four weeks. This is because the dirtier the mattress protector gets, the more likely it is that the protector has collected things like dust mites (which could cause a slew of issues related to allergies). If you want to avoid runny noses, itchy eyes, and other issues that can come from allergies, make sure you are washing your protector at least once a month minimum. 

After a Spill 

If you dropped food or spilled a drink on the bed, make sure you wash the mattress protector right away. If you don’t, this could lead to some stains that will be difficult to clean the longer they sit on the mattress protector. Aside from liquids that won’t leave a colored stain, such as water, try and blotch the remainder of the stain off the protector before throwing it into the wash. 

Unique Stains 

There are some stains that could get on the mattress protector that could be more difficult to clean. For instance, if you are enjoying breakfast in bed, a coffee stain could be something that you’ll have more trouble cleaning out. If this happens, the best way to clean it out would be with an oxygen spray cleaner. 

Another tricky stain that you could run into could be blood stains. These can be particularly difficult to remove due to how they settle on the protector. If you are looking to remove this type of stain the best method would be to soak the protector in cold saltwater. Once this is finished, throw it in the washing machine and it should come out easier.

More complex stains such as urine require a little more work to remove. If you encounter this problem, soak the protector in a solution that is one part water, one tablespoon of dish soap, and ½ a tablespoon of ammonia. Soak the protector in this mixture for two separate 15-minute sessions and then throw it into the washing machine one more time. 

Conventional Washes of the Mattress Protector 

Now that all of the complexities are out of the way, let’s get into how you should be washing the mattress protector on a normal day without any intense or problematic stains. 

Look at the Bedding Label 

The label on your mattress protector will offer more clear and more concrete information on how to wash the mattress protector, information that includes the temperature at which it should be washed, and other options for detergent. Make sure you take a look at this before washing the protector.

Select Your Detergent 

This is a less complicated aspect of the process. Most standard laundry detergents should work well when trying to clean your mattress protector, so you have plenty of freedom when it comes to this part. If you find you need a more heavy-duty detergent to get out some more difficult-to-remove stains, don’t hesitate to switch out your detergent. 

Choosing a Washing Temperature 

The best temperature for the water when washing your mattress protector is cold water, but warm water should work as well if you choose that option. In terms of the cycle, the normal option should work as well or you can put your machine on the bulky setting if you find the protector is taking up a decent amount of space. 

Drying the Protector: Picking the Correct Method 

You have some options when it comes to drying your mattress protector. Most options are suitable, such as drying it on a drying rack, the normal cycle in your dryer, or on a clothesline. 

One distinction could impact the way you dry your mattress protector. If the mattress protector is waterproof, it is more likely than not to be made out of polyurethane, which needs to be dried at a very low heat to maintain its quality.

Always make sure that the mattress protector is fully dry once you have completed this process and wish to put it back over the top of your bed. If it is still wet and you leave it sitting on the mattress, mildew can grow and cause a slew of problems, so make sure it’s fully dry before setting it back up. 

Follow these tips, and you should have no problem making sure that your mattress protector properly gets clean and stays clean. 

Mattress Protector Options: What To Pick 

Now that you know exactly how to wash your mattress protector and what you need to do to keep it clean, let's get into some options for mattress protectors. 

If you are looking for a waterproof mattress protector, eLuxury has some great ones in a number of different sizes. 

There are also some types of mattress protectors that have a cooling effect. These are great if you struggle with night sweats or just live in a warmer climate. We offer a cooling mattress protector that should keep you at a comfortable temperature all night! 

Conclusion 

Remember to come back to this article if you are struggling with getting any tricky stains out of your mattress protector. Always make sure you are washing it at least once a month and you should get many nights of well-deserved rest out of the protector! 

Sources: 

How to Wash and Dry a Waterproof Mattress Cover | Home Guides

How to Wash and Care for a Mattress Protector | The Spruce

Do You Need a Mattress Cover? | Mattress Advisor