You bought your mattress topper to add comfort and maybe act as a “mattress protector” to extend the life of your mattress. But that does not mean you will not care for it so.
Your mattress topper will cop the brunt of spills, leaks, body oils, and stubborn stains as it lies atop your bed. Life happens, and it’s not uncommon for hot drinks, urine, or blood to come into contact with your mattress topper.
Cleaning mattress toppers can be tricky, especially when the stained areas have been sitting there for quite some time.
So, should you clean your mattress topper? That’s rhetorical. Your memory foam topper needs its regular cleaning schedule to keep it looking, feeling and smelling its best. Mattress toppers can last a long time with a little regular maintenance.
1. Instant Spot Cleaning
Do you want to avoid a build-up of debris? Then muster enough willpower to do it ASAP. Laziness is your number 1 enemy in these instances. Get up and clean instead of waiting for the stain to sit until it’s harder to remove.
Laundry Detergent
For instant stains and spills, spot cleaning your mattress topper and the foams inside is the ideal first step. Take a spray bottle with a gentle cleaning solution or a mild detergent, and blot the stain with a damp cloth or some paper towels dipped in warm water until lifted.
Remember to use a light-coloured cloth as darker colours may bleed when dipped in the cleaning solution. Dip the soft, clean cloth in the solution and rub it on the stain in circular motions. Let it rest for 30 minutes.
White Vinegar
White vinegar works if you want to avoid chemicals. Equal amounts of vinegar and water in a bowl can serve as a cleaning solution.
Dip a soft cloth into the vinegar solution and apply it to the stains on your mattress topper using circular motions. Get the stain damp, but not so much that it soaks through your mattress topper.
Try gently scrubbing stubborn stains with a toothbrush. Once you work the stain out, use a clean cloth dipped in water to rinse out the vinegar.
Boric Acid
Boric acid as a stain remover works in extreme stain cases. It is an alternative to leaving your memory foam topper sparkling.
Before sprinkling boric acid on the stain, you will need to blot the stained area with water till it’s moist enough. Blot in circular motions and avoid scrubbing. Let the boric acid sit for 15 minutes before blotting the stain again with your cloth. After finishing, clean the stained area with a dry towel till no boric acid remains.
Note: Avoid using hydrogen peroxide on stains since it could discolour or damage your mattress topper. Hydrogen peroxide works for very difficult stains such as blood. Remember that peroxide can bleach or damage memory foam, so use it sparingly in a diluted mixture with water (1:1).
2. Routine Vacuum Cleaning
Making the time to freshen up your mattress topper and bedsheets can prolong its life and protect them against mould, dust mites and other allergens. A simple clean with your vacuum cleaner across the flat surface of your mattress topper will help to remove nasties and keep your topper feeling fresh.
Doing so saves time for yourself and the mattress as it will make your mattress topper last longer. Your usual handheld vacuum cleaners or water-based vacuum cleaners are effective for mattress toppers.
- Step 1: Remove the topper from the mattress and place it on the floor or a flat surface to easily reach all the corners.
- Step 2: Vacuum the topper thoroughly with a soft brush attachment as a harder brush can damage the fabric cover of the topper.
- Step 3: Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the entire surface of the topper.
- Step 4: Allow the topper to sit, covered in the baking soda, for at least 8 hours.
- Step 5: Vacuum the topper thoroughly to remove the baking soda.
- Step 6: Flip the topper and repeat steps 2-5 on the opposite side.
If you use a water-based vacuum cleaner, hang the topper in a well-ventilated and sunny area for a few hours. Never put a mattress topper back on a bed until it is completely dry. Depending on its thickness, the topper may take 10 to 24 hours to dry.
It is possible to do this once a week or two on both sides of the topper. But make sure not to miss a month of your routine cleaning.
3. Direct Sunlight and Air-Dry
Another way to clean your mattress topper is to leave it in direct sunlight for at least 6 hours. Warm, dry days can utilise UV rays to disinfect your mattress topper and leave it feeling fresh and clean.
Drying your memory foam topper is essential maintenance. Whether you do instant spot cleaning or routine vacuum cleaning, it would be ideal to always add this as the last step. Remember, wet toppers lead to mildew and mould, damaging memory foam topper quality.
Try drying it out in the morning sunlight for over half an hour. Make sure to spread it out under the sun to allow equal parts of the topper to dry before taking it indoors. While inside, ensure that the memory foam topper is in a well-ventilated room for good airflow that speeds up the drying.
4. Getting Rid of Residual Odours
Baking soda absorbs bad odours, so the topper smells fresh. To minimise residual odours, sprinkle powdered baking soda over the affected area, leave for a few minutes, and remove with your vacuum cleaner.
It is also possible to leave the baking soda on your mattress topper for 8 hours, so it has a chance to remove really bad odours completely. Then, vacuum up the baking soda, so your mattress topper is clean again.
Note that baking soda can also help lift moisture leftover from cleaning solutions.
The Bonus that will Change your Life: Look for Mattress Toppers with Removable Covers
If you’re in the market for a new mattress topper, know that there are different types of mattress toppers. When shopping for one, look out for those with a removable, machine-washable cover.
This is the ultimate tip in a mattress topper buying guide. Trust us; this makes cleaning surface stains much easier.
It’s not advisable to just dunk it in the washing machine. The foam could tear apart when soaked, and the centrifugal force inside the washing machine could completely disorient the fabric’s structure. Ideally, you need to go about it in a step-by-step cleaning process.
You can zip off the cover and toss it in the washing machine with liquid laundry detergent. A gentle washing cycle is ideal, preferably in cold water with a mild detergent.