How to wash a waterproof mattress cover in the machine and by hand?
Expert advice will help you decide how to wash a waterproof mattress topper. Be sure to consider the type of material. Not all stains are machine washable with regular detergent. Some types of contamination require a special approach. Means to remove them can be purchased in the store, or you can make the composition yourself.
Properties and composition
For the manufacture of a mattress topper, such fabrics as cotton, microfiber and bamboo are used. All of these materials require special care. Membrane (waterproof) products prevent liquids from penetrating. At the same time, the material is highly breathable, providing total comfort. The mattress always stays fresh and clean. In the event of severe contamination, the pores of the membrane clog and the mattress topper loses its properties.
General rules for washing a mattress cover
The mattress topper can be washed by hand, in the washing machine or dry cleaned. If you follow the rules specified by the manufacturers, you will be able to maintain freshness and cleanliness for a long time:
- bedding should be removed and vacuumed regularly;
- wet cleaning is carried out every six months;
- before you start cleaning, you should familiarize yourself with the information given on the product label;
- if the washing conditions are not specified, you should use a gentle and delicate mode;
- Before using any product, you should apply a small amount to an inconspicuous area.
How to wash in a washing machine
Protective covers for the mattress can be made of various materials, each of which requires a particular approach to care. The main rules are:
- set a delicate washing programme;
- water temperature 30-40 degrees;
- use to wash liquid gel or laundry soap.
Cotton
The cotton product is breathable and hypoallergenic. This type of mattress topper is ideal for the summer.
There are some important things to keep in mind when washing cotton bedding:
- at high water temperatures, the product may deform and shrink in size;
- the optimum water temperature for washing cotton products is considered not to exceed 40 degrees;
- allowable dry under the sun;
- if there is no filling, then it is permissible to iron the mattress topper after washing it with an iron.
Bamboo
Requirements to be observed when washing the bamboo fiber mattress topper:
- it is allowed to wash at a temperature of 40 degrees;
- cannot be tumble dried;
- after washing, you cannot iron the product;
- no bleaching allowed.
Microfiber
When washing a microfiber mattress topper, select the normal mode at a water temperature of 60 degrees.
Wool
For the cold season, mattress toppers filled with wool are well suited. Most often, sheep or camel hair is present:
- When washing wool, select a delicate program or by hand. The temperature in these modes is set no higher than 30 degrees.
- It is better not to use ordinary powder. Means containing lanolin are suitable.
- You cannot wring out such a product. It is allowed to squeeze the mattress topper several times to remove excess water.
- Dry horizontally in a well-ventilated area, away from heating appliances.
- The product should not be ironed or dried in the sun.
feather and down
It is allowed to wash mattress toppers with feather or down padding in a machine designed for 7 kg of laundry or more. There must be plenty of free space in the drum after loading the mattress topper:
- Choose a delicate washing mode with a water heating temperature of no more than 30 degrees.
- The spin mode is only allowed at a maximum of 400 revolutions.
- It is recommended to additionally activate the rinsing mode.
- It is best to use liquid detergents when washing.
- Do not use conditioners or bleaches.
- Dry the product horizontally.
- After complete drying, the mattress topper should be shaken well.
Coconut shell, PU foam and latex
Washing the mattress topper with natural fillers is contraindicated. Wet or dry cleaning. If the contamination has not been removed, it is best to seek the services of a professional.
Holofiber
Holofiber filler tolerates washing in a washing machine well. He is not afraid of spinning, high temperatures and exposure to bleaching agents. The washing program is selected depending on the outer material.
Jacquard-satin
The material is capricious and requires special care:
- Automatic machine washing is allowed, but only when delicate wash mode is selected.
- Do not use bleach or conditioner.
- The water temperature should not exceed 30 degrees.
- It is better to turn off the spin.
- Once the product is dry, ironing is allowed on the wrong side.
Antibacterial
The antibacterial mattress topper is impregnated with a special agent that protects the material from the growth of pathogenic microorganisms.
The washing mode is selected according to the recommendations indicated on the label. The impregnation itself is able to withstand a large number of washes.
Ways to remove stubborn dirt at home
Some stains are not easy to remove. Special formulations come to the rescue, which are easy to make yourself from simple and affordable components.
Urine
A fresh urine stain is washed off with cold water. Old dirt requires thorough cleaning using special solutions:
- Plain liquid soap without dye helps. A small amount of soap is applied to the problem area. After a few minutes, the remains of the product are removed with a damp cloth.
- Dissolve the salt in the lemon juice. The finished mass is spread on the spot and left for 36 minutes. Then they wipe the place with a damp sponge and wash the product in the washing machine with washing powder.
- Vinegar is good for treating urine stains. A small amount of liquid is applied to the stain and after a few minutes the mattress topper is washed in cold water with laundry soap or baby powder.
Coffee and tea
Drinks can be removed well with vinegar. A few drops of vinegar are dissolved in water. A cotton swab is impregnated with the prepared solution and applied to the damaged area.After 16 minutes, the product should be washed off as usual.
Blood
It is best to wash off bloodstains immediately after they appear. The damaged area is washed in cold water with laundry soap. If the blood has already penetrated deep into the fibers and frozen, the following recipes will help:
- Cold water is poured into the container. Dissolve 30 g of laundry soap shavings in it. The mixture is applied to the dirty area and rubbed lightly with a soft brush. The mattress topper is left for 26 minutes, after which it is washed as usual with washing powder.
- Dissolve 86 g of salt or baking soda in 240 ml of lukewarm water. The resulting mixture is applied to the stain and left for 23 minutes. Then the composition is washed off with water and the product is washed in a washing machine.
- A cotton swab soaked in hydrogen peroxide is applied to the problem area for 16 minutes. After that, just wash the place with laundry soap and rinse the solution with plain water.
Beauty products
Cosmetic contamination can be easily wiped off with alcohol or acetone:
- a cotton swab is moistened in an alcohol solution;
- applied to the problem area;
- the cotton is changed until it stays clean;
- at the last stage, it remains to wash the bed linen in the usual way.
Fat
It's pretty easy to get rid of grease stains with the tools you're sure to find in every home:
- Greasy stains can be easily washed off with starch, salt or talc. A small amount of the selected product is poured on the problem area. After 26 minutes, simply wipe the area with a damp cloth.
- Helps fight against alcohol or acetone contamination.A cotton swab is impregnated with an alcohol solution and applied to the site. After 32 minutes, rinse the area with clear water.
- Liquid dishwashing detergent is ideal for removing grease stains. A few drops are applied directly to the area and after 22 minutes rinsed off with water.
Wax
To get rid of wax stains, you will need to perform a number of simple steps:
- first you need to scrape the dull side of the knife;
- then the place is ironed through a paper towel;
- the product is washed in the usual way.
Sticky dots
The cold helps get rid of sticky dirt. Ice is placed in a plastic bag and applied to the problem area for 7 minutes. Once the dirt is frozen, it can be easily scraped off with the dull side of a knife.
Washing by type
Another condition for high-quality and safe washing is knowing the degree of hardness of the mattress. This factor also affects the course of washing.
Soft, tender
Washing will depend on the load:
- If the mattress toppers are filled with holofiber, cotton or bamboo, the product can be washed in the washing machine. After washing, bed linen is allowed to slightly wring out excess water.
- If the bamboo fiber acts as a filler, then you can wash only at a temperature of 30-40 degrees, no more. It is desirable to completely exclude spinning. Do not use bleach or stain removers.
Medium hardness
Medium hard products should be dry cleaned only or hand washed.
It is undesirable to wash the mattress topper in a washing machine, as it is deformed.
Hard
Hard mattress toppers only support dry cleaning. They are difficult to wash and dry. Excessive humidity damages the base. In addition, the product should not be spilled or squeezed.It is best to clean with a vacuum cleaner and a soft brush.
What modes are not allowed
It is unacceptable to set modes involving heating water above 40 degrees, spinning and drying.
How to dry well
The spinless product is completely saturated with liquid. It must be dried so that the material does not begin to rot. If the discussion process begins, an unpleasant odor will appear and the product will deform.
Do not hang a wet product on a rope. A clean mattress topper is spread out on a flat surface, away from heaters and direct sunlight. Periodically, the product is shaken and inverted. It is important to ensure air circulation in the room. Open a window or turn on the air conditioner.
Features of washing products from some manufacturers
Each manufacturer has its own peculiarities that must be taken into account during the washing process.
"Ascona"
The outer layer of the "Ascona" mattress topper is made of cotton. Caring for such a fabric should be careful, otherwise the product will stretch and deform:
- Before washing, a mode is set in the machine that assumes a water heating temperature of 40 degrees.
- Use only mild detergents for washing.
- The spin program cannot be set.
- Dry on a flat surface by spreading an oilcloth under the wet product.
Ascona waterproof mattress toppers withstand washing at a temperature of 50 degrees. Shape and color are not lost even with multiple washes.
"Ormatek"
Jacquard-satin is often used to sew an Ormatek mattress topper. The material is strong and durable. With proper care, such material will retain its original appearance for a long time:
- Set delicate mode. The water temperature does not exceed 30 degrees.
- Spinning and drying the product in the machine is not allowed.
- Use only mild detergents for washing.
- Do not use stain removers, bleaches or conditioners.
- There should be plenty of free space in the drum while washing.
- Dry in a horizontal position.
- Ironing of bedding is only allowed on the wrong side.
"Ikea"
In the Ikea store there is a suitable mattress for each customer. The mattress cover protects the filling from dirt and extends the life of the mattress. Most items are cotton and polyester:
- The fabrics can be washed in a washing machine at a temperature of 60 degrees.
- Do not use bleaches, stain removers, conditioners.
- Do not iron after washing and drying.
Tips & Tricks
In order not to have to clean the mattress topper too often with water, you must take good care of the bedding:
- no need to sleep on the mattress topper itself, it is better to cover it with a sheet;
- it is not recommended to drink drinks and eat in bed;
- no need to allow children to draw and play in bed;
- before buying a waterproof mattress topper, you should pay attention to whether it can be washed in the washing machine.
When leaving, the following rules must be observed:
- it is recommended to choose a delicate washing cycle;
- the water temperature does not exceed 40 degrees;
- detergents must not contain chlorine or other aggressive components;
- it is not recommended to wash other things together with the mattress cover.
Preventing the case from getting stained and dry cleaning it regularly is easier than removing stubborn stains and dirt.