Washing a bulky mattress is a difficult task, and sometimes simply not realistic. Therefore, to protect the mattress from contamination, a mattress cover is used. But over time, the question arises: how to wash a mattress cover so as not to spoil it? How often should this be done and how to dry it properly? Can a mattress cover be professionally cleaned? Let's tell you in order.
Can a mattress cover be washed in a washing machine?
First, you should find out what fabric the mattress cover is made of. This will help you decide how to care for the product and whether the mattress cover can be washed in a washing machine. Carefully read the instructions, which can be found on the tag attached to the case.
If the tag is lost, care instructions can be found on the Internet if you know the name of the product manufacturer. You should focus on the fabric of the cover, for sewing which the following materials are usually used:
- 100% cotton. We recommend washing in water at a temperature not exceeding 40°C. New items tend to shrink, so do not wash the cotton cover in hot water. Hand and machine wash, bleaching and ironing are allowed.
- Mixed composition. These covers are made from cotton and synthetic fiber. These products require routine care.
- Polyester or other synthetic fiber. Frequent washing of the mattress cover is not recommended. Washing at temperatures above 60°C is not allowed. Iron at minimum temperature.
- Microfiber. The cover can be washed in an automatic machine at temperatures up to 40 degrees, without using a dryer.
- Fabric with a waterproof membrane. Wash by hand or on a delicate machine wash cycle without drying or spinning. Recommended water temperature is up to 40 degrees. Fabrics with a protective membrane coating should not be washed with powders, as they clog the pores of the material. For these purposes, use gels, capsules, and liquid products.
Removing stains
Before you put the mattress cover in the wash, you need to remove the stains. Depending on the nature of the stain, the necessary remedy is selected.
Urine
Fresh stains can be easily washed off under cool running water.
You will have to work on old, stubborn stains using special products:
Freshly squeezed juice of one lemon is mixed with a spoon of salt.
The resulting solution is carefully applied to the stain and the product is left alone for several hours. Afterwards, wipe the dirt with a damp sponge and put the mattress cover in the wash.- The stain is treated with liquid soap. After thirty minutes, the stain is washed off in warm water.
- Apply two tablespoons of table vinegar to the stain. After ten minutes, the product is washed in warm water with the addition of washing powder.
Coffee and tea
Yellowish-brown stains from coffee or tea can be removed very quickly by vinegar. It is enough to moisten a cotton sponge with vinegar, apply it to the stain and leave for fifteen to twenty minutes. The product is then washed as usual.
Blood
The main rule to remember is that blood stains from the mattress cover must be removed immediately after they appear.
It's very simple: the blood stain is generously moistened with hydrogen peroxide. After the reaction has occurred, the contamination is carefully removed with a cotton sponge or soft sponge. If necessary, the process is repeated several times.
Fat
Traces of grease from a mattress cover can be removed in the following way:
- Sprinkle starch, salt or talc (optional) onto the stain. The absorbent powder will very quickly absorb the grease particles and not a trace will remain of the stain.
- Treat the stain with a soft sponge soaked in liquid dishwashing detergent. If the stain does not come off the first time, repeat the procedure.
Traces of cosmetics
Alcohol or acetone will help quickly remove makeup stains on a mattress cover.
What to do:
- soak a cotton swab in alcohol and apply it to the stain;
- after five minutes, if the stain has not disappeared, change the cotton wool for a new one.
From wax
Candle marks can be removed by following a number of simple steps:
- scrape off wax particles from the mattress cover with the blunt side of a knife or scissors;
- cover the remaining greasy wax stain with a paper napkin and iron it with a hot iron;
- We wash the mattress covers in the usual way.
Ways to wash mattress covers
If you buy a mattress without a protective cover, sooner or later dirt will appear on it, and besides, caring for mattress covers is much easier. Wash them as they become dirty, after removing difficult stains. Next, we will look at the main methods of washing these products.
Wash by hand
If the product label indicates hand washing only, prepare a suitable container with water no higher than 40 degrees. Dissolve detergent in it. The fabric of the cover does not need to be rubbed too much. Twist the fabric without twisting, only squeezing lightly.
If there are stains, soak the cover in water with bleach added, if the type of fabric allows.
In the washing machine
Use the instructions on the label to determine at what temperature to wash the mattress cover. Next, set the mode taking into account the type of fabric. Be sure to remove stubborn stains before automatic washing. Most often, manufacturers recommend a delicate mode for removable covers and a spin at medium speed. In this case, it is advisable to set the maximum number of rinses.
Now let's talk about detergents. Regular powders, bleach, and conditioners cannot be used. Only gels or capsules. It is better to replace the rinse aid with 9% white vinegar, pouring 1/3 cup into the compartment where the conditioner is poured.
Dry cleaning
It is unlikely that large and voluminous covers can be washed in a machine with a load of less than 7 kg. Remains hand wash or dry clean. We tell you how to clean a mattress cover using soda or salt - the simplest and most affordable means.
To clean with soda or salt you need:
- Cover the stain completely with dry salt or baking soda. Leave for 30-40 minutes.
- Thoroughly clean the dirty area with a stiff brush, without pressing hard, so as not to tear or deform the fabric.
- Vacuum the product well.
This method can only remove fresh stains. Old stains require the use of professional products.
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Preparation
If the mattress cover has not been cleaned for a long time, it will not hurt to vacuum it before washing. It is convenient to do this without removing it from the mattress so that it keeps its shape and does not wrinkle under the brush. Placing the mattress on the floor will make vacuuming much easier. The vacuum cleaner removes cobwebs, dust and mites living in the fabric. This will allow the washing powder to concentrate its energy on the main soil during washing.
Preparing for washing
After vacuuming, the cover is carefully removed from the mattress. Before you start washing, be sure to read the manufacturer's label, which indicates the main operating modes. For some products, manual or automatic mode with all the necessary parameters is indicated.
Tip: If there is a sign on the mattress that says no to machine washing, the mattress should only be washed by hand, otherwise there is a chance that it could be irreparably damaged.
How to wash different types of mattress covers?
Before washing a removable cover at home, it doesn’t hurt to determine the degree of its hardness, which also affects the specifics of the process. The main function of a mattress cover is hygienic. But how often should you wash a mattress cover? Do you use a washing machine for this? Let's look at these questions in more detail.
Soft
Soft mattress covers filled with bamboo fiber, holofiber and cotton wool can be machine washed. The listed materials tolerate this manipulation quite well. Such covers can be slightly wrung out or unscrewed.
Bamboo mattress covers can withstand washing at temperatures up to 40 degrees with minimal spin. It is not recommended to use aggressive bleaches.
With a cotton mattress pad the situation is more complicated. After washing, the covers require careful drying, during which they must be periodically turned over and shaken. An under-dried cotton wool filler can become a fertile environment for the formation of mold and be a source of an unpleasant odor.
Hard
For hard cases - dry clean only. They are difficult to wash and dry too. And excess moisture will completely ruin the filler.
Rigid products with an orthopedic effect should be washed delicately without squeezing or twisting, so as not to damage the inner layers and prevent deformation of the product. To refresh the cover, dry clean it with a vacuum cleaner or a soft brush.
General rules
A waterproof mattress cover needs to be washed periodically to remove stains and all kinds of dirt, but the specific structure of the material requires knowledge of special rules:
- first of all, you need to remove the mattress cover; if it has an elastic band, then it will be very easy to do;
- washing is done infrequently, and to prevent the cover from shrinking, do it at a water temperature of 40 degrees, no higher;
- It can be washed either manually or in an automated machine on a delicate cycle;
- Do not use chlorine-containing products when washing;
- spin only with your hands - do not twist the mattress cover too much.
Pay special attention to removing stains before washing. Let us dwell in detail on the most common contaminants.
- To remove stains from urine, make a saline solution with the addition of lemon juice. 1 tbsp. Fill a spoon with lemon concentrate and rub the stains. Leave it for a while and then remove the residue with a damp cloth.
Laundry soap and baby powder work well to remove traces of urine.
- Blood stains are removed with hydrogen peroxide. Simply pour the mixture onto the contaminated area.
- Ammonia will help remove cosmetics (lipstick marks, etc.).
- You can get rid of greasy stains using starch, salt, talc or dish soap. The stain is treated and wiped with a damp cloth after half an hour.
- Chewing gum or other sticky dirt will be removed with ice. A bag with pieces of frozen liquid is applied to the desired area - after freezing it is easy to scrape off.
- If there are coffee or tea stains on the mattress cover, you can deal with them by using table vinegar.
After removing various stains and dirt, you can begin general washing. The mattress cover can be placed in a special laundry bag if you plan to spin it in the washing machine, although this is not a necessary condition.
It wouldn’t hurt to also read the information from the manufacturer regarding recommendations on how to wash a waterproof mattress cover.
Waterproof mattress covers - how to wash?
Waterproof covers are most often used to equip a sleeping place for a child or a bedridden patient. Such products get dirty much more often than regular bedding. The fabric has a specific structure. The bottom layer is made of membrane polyurethane fiber with moisture-resistant properties.
Washing waterproof covers is carried out in accordance with the following rules:
- Machine washable or hand washable;
- The permissible water temperature is not higher than 40 degrees;
- Bleach, rinse aids, and conditioners are prohibited. Gentle detergents are used for children's linen;
- In case of minor contamination, the products are cleaned superficially using a damp cloth soaked in a soap solution;
- Wash separately from other items;
- When machine washing, the mattress cover is washed on the “delicate” mode without using drying or spinning;
- Squeeze by hand, do not twist.
Pros of removable bedding
Today you can find a variety of mattresses on sale. Some manufacturers opt for non-removable covers. The reason is simple - they are quite simple to produce, and accordingly, they can be sold at a low price. The attractive price tag attracts many buyers. But here lies the catch: such a product is quite difficult to clean. Although its functional properties do not differ from its non-removable counterpart, for washing the material will have to be ripped out first, and after cleaning it will have to be sewn up again. Therefore, think twice before purchasing: is the savings worth the effort and nerves spent.
On the other hand, removable bedding has obvious advantages. When choosing a mattress, you will be able to evaluate how honest the manufacturers are when talking about the structure of the internal padding and the quality of the product - everything can be viewed without problems. The cover can also be easily removed for washing, and if it is heavily soiled or worn, you can purchase a new one. Such products can have one of several configurations. Most often there is a zipper on three sides (the design is made by analogy with an opening suitcase). But such a thing has several serious “cons”. It is difficult to remove and even more difficult to put back on; you may need an assistant. Also, bulky products are sometimes too large and do not fit into the drum of a household washing machine.
How to remove stains and heavy dirt?
To eliminate unpleasant odors and heavy dirt, the product can be soaked by adding soda and salt to cool water. It is convenient to use a bathtub for this purpose, filling it with water to completely submerge the mattress pad. Soda and salt are dissolved in advance in a small amount of water in a proportion of ½ or 1 tablespoon per 1 liter. It is prohibited to soak covers with membrane fabric in this way.
Don’t forget to periodically remove the mattress cover, take it out into the air for ventilation, and vacuum it. Hanging out in the cold will help get rid of pathogenic microorganisms and dust mites. It is recommended to have the product professionally cleaned or washed at least once every six months. To prevent deformation of the cover after washing, it is recommended to dry it flat on a horizontal surface.
Care instructions
As for the recommendations for caring for mattress covers, they are as follows:
- products must be periodically ventilated in the fresh air and vacuumed to remove small debris;
- once a year the cover is hung out in the cold so that all harmful bacteria are killed;
- to extend the life of the product, it is recommended to turn it over every two to three months;
- you cannot go to bed on a cover without a previously laid sheet;
- It is not recommended to eat in bed and drink various drinks;
- Membrane products cannot be ironed or dry cleaned.
In conclusion, a mattress protector is an important accessory that helps protect your mattress from wear, stains, and damage. The best choice for these purposes would be to use a waterproof mattress cover, which has a number of useful properties. A competent approach to caring for your mattress cover will extend its service life. With proper washing and drying, the product will not deform and will not lose its original appearance and technical characteristics for many years.
Source of the article: https://poztello.ru/namatrasniki/166-kak-stirat-nepromokaemyi-namatrasnik.html
Elimination of unpleasant odors
To rid the mattress of an unpleasant odor, sprinkle baking soda on its surface. Leave it on all day. In the evening, carefully eliminate the soda. If necessary, repeat the next day.
To combat the smell of sweat, prepare a dry cleaning product: mix 1 tbsp. baking soda and 5 drops of essential oil. Use a scent that you enjoy (eg lavender, chamomile, cedar are suitable for a restful night's sleep).
Soda
When a person sweats in bed, the sweat gets onto the mattress, which as a result acquires a specific smell.
To get rid of it, follow these steps:
- Sprinkle the surface of the mattress with baking soda.
- Clean brushes with soft, preferably natural bristles.
- Leave for 10 minutes.
Vinegar
Odor and sweat stains are the most common problems with mattresses. The cleaner can be made from vinegar and warm water. In addition to eliminating odors and dirt, this solution will revive colors.
