How Often Do You Need to Wash Your Mattress Pad?

Lauren Smith McDonough

Thu, August 13, 2015 at 7:31 PM UTC

2 min read

woman puts blanket or mattress topper on bed closeup — How Often Do You Need to Wash Your Mattress Pad?megaflopp - Getty Images

There's nothing that ruins the feeling of just-cleaned sheets like realizing that your protective mattress pad is looking a little... yellow. We all know you're supposed to wash your sheets every one or two weeks, but what about this pesky thing under your sheets? Our expert is here to share her wisdom.

But first things first, when we say mattress pad, we mean a traditional protective covering. Pillowy mattress toppers are a different story since they come in so many varieties (consult the care label for the best washing instructions), and the foam versions can't be washed at all. You'll want to replace your topper when they're not comfortable or supportive anymore.

You should wash your mattress pad every couple months.

"It's only necessary to wash your mattress pad several times per year," says Carolyn Forte, executive director of the Cleaning Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. "Sheets generally take more wear and tear than a mattress pad which is why they are washed more often."

This makes sense: You lay directly on top of the sheets, so they're the first line of defense against body oils and dust getting to your mattress. Your mattress pad bears of that brunt, too, but not quite as much.

Forte recommends following the care label for specific cleaning directions, but in general, most mattress pads can be machine-washed in warm water and tumbled on low to dry.

But there are some exceptions.

If you have allergies, or let your dog or cat sleep in your bed, you might need to clean your pad more often. Gauge how much you should increase the frequency by considering the severity of your symptoms or how much your pet sheds. By trial and error, you might find that it's necessary to wash the pad as often as weekly.

And if you spill food or drink, notice a stain, or find that it's stretched out, wash the pad immediately.

Earn bonus points if you clean your mattress while the protector is in the wash.

It's not everyday you have a bare mattress, so Forte recommends using this time to vacuum up dust (sprinkle the mattress with a little baking soda first to absorb odors). You can also spot-treat any stains, or spray the mattress with Lysol to kill bacteria. Just allow it to dry fully before making the bed again.