A foam, memory foam or gel mattress topper does not go in the washing machine: you clean it dry. Vacuum both sides, sprinkle it with baking soda, leave it for at least 8 hours, then vacuum again. For a stain, blot without rubbing with a damp cloth and a little soap, then let it dry completely. Only the removable cover, if there is one, goes in the machine, according to its label.
In short
- Every sheet change: a quick vacuum.
- Two to three times a year: baking soda, 8 hours, vacuum.
- Stains: blot, never rub or soak.
- The best cleaning: the one you avoid, thanks to a mattress protector.
Can you wash a mattress topper in the machine?
It depends on the filling. Thin quilted toppers filled with wadding or synthetic fibre sometimes go in the machine. Foam, memory foam, latex or gel toppers do not: water gets into the foam, it dries very slowly, and the spin can tear it. The Sleep Foundation describes dry cleaning for these toppers, with a vacuum and baking soda, not washing. Check the label: a crossed-out tub means no water at all. If the topper has a zipped cover, the cover is what you wash.
How to clean a mattress topper: routine care
- Strip the sheets and wash them.
- Vacuum the topper with the brush or upholstery attachment, both sides, paying attention to the seams.
- Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the whole surface.
- Leave it for at least 8 hours, with the window open if possible. Baking soda absorbs moisture and odours.
- Vacuum again, thoroughly.
- Repeat on the other side if you like.
The Sleep Foundation recommends this treatment two to three times a year, or as needed, and a vacuum every time you wash your sheets.
How to remove stains from a mattress topper
The golden rule: blot, never rub. Rubbing pushes the stain deeper into the foam.
- Spills: soak up straight away with a towel, pressing down. Spray a mix of equal parts cold water and white vinegar, blot again, cover with baking soda, wait 8 hours, vacuum.
- Old stains: a few drops of washing-up liquid in cold water, applied with a cloth, then a cloth dampened with clean water to rinse.
- Biological stains (sweat, blood, urine): an enzyme cleaner, sparingly. Always in cold water: hot water sets blood.
- Hydrogen peroxide: keep it for stubborn stains, with care. The Sleep Foundation warns it can bleach or damage memory foam.
Always test a product on a hidden corner before using it in the middle.
How to dry a mattress topper
A topper must be completely dry before you put the sheets back. Otherwise moisture stays in the foam and can encourage mould and odours. Open the window, use a fan, or warm the room a little. Lay it flat or on its side, never folded. Do not use a hot hairdryer or put it against a radiator: some foams and gels do not cope well with heat. After spot cleaning, allow about a day.
Mattress toppers and dust mites: what to do?
Dust mites like warmth and humidity, and bedding gives them plenty of both. Inserm, the French medical research institute, notes that for people allergic to mites, efforts should focus on the bedroom: daily airing to reduce humidity, and a temperature not above 20 °C. The French health insurance also advises vacuuming the mattress regularly, washing bedding often at 60 °C and using anti-mite covers. For a topper that cannot be washed, a cover washable at 60 °C and the vacuum are your best allies. If you are allergic, talk to your doctor, who may suggest other measures.
How to avoid having to clean it
- A mattress protector over the topper, machine washable. It takes the stains.
- Air the bed in the morning: fold the duvet back for a few minutes with the window open to let the night's moisture escape.
- Turn the topper head to foot now and then, if it has no set direction.
New mattress topper smells of foam: is that normal?
A foam topper delivered vacuum-rolled often gives off a new smell for the first few days. Unroll it as soon as it arrives, let it regain its shape in a well-aired room, without sheets, for at least a day, and open the window wide. The smell usually fades within a few days. If it persists for a long time or bothers you, contact the seller.
What if you think you have bed bugs?
Baking soda and vacuuming are not enough against bed bugs. If you see small black spots on the seams, bites in a line when you wake up, or brown insects the size of an apple pip, follow official health advice and call in a professional if needed. Do not leave your topper on the street unwrapped: you could spread the bugs.
When should you replace a mattress topper?
When it keeps the hollow of your body in the morning, crumbles, keeps a smell after cleaning, or no longer gives you the comfort you wanted.
To finish
A well-kept topper lasts longer. If yours is worn out, our H2/H3 gel mattress topper is cared for as described here. For the rest of the bed, see how to wash a duvet and how to fluff a feather pillow.
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