Everyone knows the need for comfort in life. This is one of the reasons why the mattress industry has kept introducing new products to the market. All of those products are either to increase the amount of comfort in our lives or to protect or preserve the products that bring more comfort to our lives. Some of those items are mattresses, mattress pads, and many more.
This topic concerns mattress pads, so we should keep aside the rest of the products and solely focus on mattress pads. There is common confusion about mattress pads “can you wash a mattress pad.” To be precise, yes, you can wash it, but it depends on the type of mattress (the material out of which it is made).
1.What is a mattress pad?
A mattress is generally a fabric case filled with either cotton, foam, rubber, or other materials. It is the thing upon which we sleep. It is usually put in our wooden bed frames to provide comfort. Sleeping is essential for any individual; it has also been proven that if someone does not get enough sleep, there will be a terrible impact on their mental health. This is why mattresses are treated as a necessity for any family.
Mattress pads are a soft layer usually made of cotton, memory foam, latex, etc. It is generally portable, commonly seen in dorms or hostels. Apart from being a replacement for the bed in terms of comfort, it can also be a safety cover for the mattress by saving it from being worn off.
The higher-end models of these mattress pads can control temperature by making it cooler or hotter with the help of airflow and heat conductive materials. Before buying these mattress pads, people have many questions like "can washing a mattress pad work?" or "how to clean a mattress pad?" If you plan to buy one of such products, then rest assured that all of your doubts will be put to rest in this article.
Types of Mattress Pads
There are many types of mattress pads. Some of the common types of mattress pads are mentioned below-
Pillow top mattress pads:
These mattresses pads are filled with fibers such as cotton, synthetic, and many more. The filling of these pads is segmented into different pockets for keeping it in place. These mattresses pads come with a minimum thickness of 4 inches or more, and it is generally seen in hotels. These pads are why the beds of hotels feel so comfy and plushy.
Memory foam mattress pads:
Memory foam mattress pads are also known as Visco elastic mattress pads. It is made of Visco elastic polyurethane, also called memory foam. The interesting part about this pad is that it shows the characteristics of both elasticity and viscosity at the time of deformation.
Viscous things are generally water-resistant and stain-proof. These mattress pads are customized to support proper spinal alignment with the bed, which would provide enough comfort for someone to fall asleep very easily.
Latex mattress pads:
Latex is a substance made from rubber tree sap, which makes this mattress pad springy and responsive.
2.How to clean a mattress pad?
(1)How to clean a mattress pad?
A cotton mattress pad falls under the pillow top mattress pads. We already know that pillow top mattress pads are made from natural fibers such as cotton, symmetric, etc. A cotton mattress pad is the most famous mattress pad other than a memory foam mattress pad. One of the reasons for it being so famous is that it is very affordable as well as it comes with enough comfort.
As it is made of cotton, it is evident that it will get dirty with time, and it should be cleaned and treated properly for it to last a long time. If you have a question in your mind which goes like this “can you wash a mattress pad" then the clear-cut answer is yes, and the following steps will clear out the thought from your mind regarding this question "how often to wash mattress pad” -
Step 1: Go through the care label of your mattress pad:Every mattress pad comes with a care label, which has certain things that you should do and some things that you should not do with that product as it can affect the health of that mattress pad and can even cause wear and tear. Mostly, one should use a washing machine to wash mattress pads, and checking the care label is essential because many of them have special needs.
Step 2: Put your mattress pad into your washing machine: As mentioned earlier, it is recommended to wash a mattress pad only in a washing machine. So, you have to put your mattress pad into your washing machine and add the amount of detergent powder required for a medium to high load. If you are not sure how much detergent to put, you can find this info on the detergent packet. After adding the detergent, use cool or hot water according to the instructions.
Step 3: Use the dryer to dry your mattress pad:After the mattress is washed and cleaned properly, it's time for you to dry the mattress. If you can clean your mattress pad in your dryer, then you should add some rubber or tennis balls to your dryer along with the mattress pad. This will help your mattress pad retain the fluffiness when the rubber balls bounce on them. You should remember to wash your mattress pad every 2 to 3 months.
(2)How to clean a foam mattress pad?
Memory foam mattress pads are made from Visco elastic polyurethane. These mattress pads are one of the costliest ones out in the market. But the high price of the mattress pad is justified due to the comfort that it provides and taking care of your spine and your body posture so that you don’t feel any discomfort while laying down on it.
As I mentioned earlier, these mattress pads come at a high price and must be taken care of, or else they will encounter wear and tear very soon. The process of washing or cleaning these types of pads is very lengthy. It must be done properly to retain its comfortability.
The steps that one should follow for cleaning a memory foam mattress are mentioned below-
Step 1: The mattress pad should be vacuumed:Before cleaning or washing mattress pad, it is very important to remove the trapped or accumulated dust particles. To remove the dust particles, you should use a vacuum. When you are using a specific device to vacuum the dust particle, you need to attach a soft brush-like structure to it, too. This will help in the process and prevent any dust particles from landing on your mattress once you have cleaned it up. It is recommended to put the pad on the floor while using a vacuum. Before keeping your mattress pad on the ground, place clean paper beneath the pad to prevent any dust particles present in the ground from sticking into it.
Step 2: Choosing the right cleaner:Memory foam mattress pads are not like any other pads, due to which you need to be very precise while selecting the right cleaner for it. You can go with this in two ways: one by using an enzymatic cleaner or a homemade cleaner. To make the homemade cleaner, you need to mix equal portions of water and distilled vinegar, and lemon juice together. Hydrogen peroxide can also be used in cleaning the mattress, but there is a big risk of discoloration.
Step 3: You need to start cleaning it from the outside of the stain:While cleaning a patch of stain in the mattress, you need to use a toothbrush and dip it into the cleaner and start rubbing it from the outside of the stain and further going into the centre of the stain. This will stop the cleaning solution from spreading to any other area of the mattress pad other than the stained area.
Step 4: Soak the cleaner for some time:Once you have cleaned every spot stain from the mattress pad, you have to soak the cleaner for at least 10 to 15 minutes. This will make it easier to wash off the stain.
Step 5: Blot the stain with a sponge:You need to dip a sponge into clear water. Then you should blot it into the stains that you have recently washed off. This will help remove the stains that were slightly left even after using the cleaner. One tip is to repeat this process a few times to make it work properly.
Step 6: Use a clean towel after blotting:Once you have completed blotting the stains with a sponge from the mattress, now it's time for you to blot it with a towel. This time you need to blot the wet areas with the towel so that every bit of moisture is absorbed from it.
Step 7: Use the vacuum on the mattress pad for one last time:Use the same brush structure on your vacuum device and use circular movements to remove all the remaining dust particles.
(3)How to clean a down mattress pad?
Down mattress pad is not for everyone. It is one of the softest and coziest types of mattress pads available on the market, but the main point is that the amount of softness that it provides will not be liked by everyone. This is because many people want their bed to be a bit firm for them to have a comfortable sleep.
Down mattress pad also has heat retention capabilities, so if you like getting enough warm when you lay down in your bed, this pad is suitable for you. It is the best thing you can get in the market. The price range is also flexible as it can be affordable and costly.
The ways through which one must clean his/her down mattress pads are mentioned below-
Step 1: Open seams must be checked:You need to check your mattress pad before washing it so that there are no open seams. If you try to wash your pad with open seams, you will be washing the feather off too. If, while checking, you found any open seam, then you need to stitch it before washing it.
Step 2: Treat your stains:Before putting the pad into the washing machine, take some washing powder that you will be using to wash the pad, and apply it to the stains. This will help remove the stains away quicker.
Step 3: Using a front-load machine:If you are allowed to wash your mattress pad, you need to put it in a front-load washing machine instead of a washing machine with a centre agitator because it can tear your mattress.
Step 4: Using delicate cycle:After putting your pad into the washing machine, you need to turn on the delicate cycle. You need to keep in mind that you should only use a gentle detergent and set the water temperature to cool.
Step 5: Rinse it twice:Due to the characteristics of the down material used in making these types of pads, you will have to rinse it twice.
Step 6: Drying the mattress pad:After the rinsing is done, you must dry it. While drying the mattress pad, you should stop the dryer every 15 minutes. This will help the mattress to retain its softness.
(4)How to Clean Down Alternative Mattress Pad?
As the name suggests, down alternative mattress pads are the alternative to down mattresses pads.
Because the down alternative mattress pad is not filled with down (the material found in ducks and geese), it is filled with other fibers like polyester. This is why alternative mattress pads are not as comfy or soft as the latter. Not only is the coziness, but the heat-trapping capacity of the alternate version is also less.
The steps to clean a down alternative mattress pad are mentioned below-
Step 1:Firstly, you need to place the pad on a large capacity and a front load washing machine. The delicate cycle should also be on.
Step 2:You should use a mild detergent to not harm your mattress pad. Don’t forget to rinse it twice, once with detergent and the next time without detergent.
Step 3:After the mattress is washed and cleaned properly; it's time for you to dry the mattress. If you can clean your mattress pad in your dryer, then you should add some rubber or tennis balls to your dryer along with the mattress. This will help your mattress retain the fluffiness when the rubber balls bounce on them.
How to Treat Stains and Odors
Stains are very easy to get but very difficult to remove. It is generally very easy for any mattress pads to develop stains over a long period, but it is rather time-consuming to remove them. Especially some stains like black tea, sauce, and ink, they are very difficult to get rid of
To remove stains from your mattress pad, you should follow the below-mentioned steps-
Step 1:Rub the stains with a detergent and let it soak for a minimum of 15 minutes. This will be very helpful in permanently getting rid of the stain.
Step 2:Put your pad into a front load washing machine and use a detergent that goes well according to the material of your pad.
Step 3:Let it rinse once and, if required, twice but without any added detergent. Different materials require a different level of rinsing to remove the stains completely.
Step 4:Now put the pad into your dryer, and your mattress pad is ready to use again.
Odor is one of the most painful that the owner of a mattress pad has to go through. Most of the odor which comes from sweat can be removed by washing or cleaning it with detergent, but for odors from the toilet or any other pungent smell, you need to rinse your pad with water and a 1 cup of distilled vinegar.
Conclusion
Cleaning a mattress pad is necessary to save your investment. Even though it is necessary, it does not mean it is easy. There is no correct answer to this question "how to wash a mattress pad” as every mattress type comes with its requirements, due to which you can't apply the same steps on every type of mattress pad. So, you must be aware of the material's requirements and the mattress types before cleaning it.
According to the manufacturer, if you were confused about "how often should you wash your mattress pad", the short answer to this would be 2 or 3 months.
