Washing a mattress cover: How to get it clean without shrinking
You probably change your bedding every week, but what about the layer underneath? The mattress cover (or ticking) is the first line of defence against sweat, skin flakes and dust mites. Over time it turns greyish, yellow rings can appear and dirt builds up.
Many people don't dare washing their mattress cover, for fear it will shrink and no longer fit the mattress. That fear isn't unfounded, because a cover has to fit precisely. In this article, we explain step by step how to safely wash your mattress ticking, at what temperature to do it and what to do if the cover can't be unzipped.
Why you should wash your mattress cover
While you sleep, you lose moisture and dead skin cells. These soak into the cover and form a buffet for dust mites. Washing your mattress cover is therefore essential for a hygienic sleeping environment and helps reduce allergy symptoms. It also extends the life of your mattress, because acids and salts from sweat can't affect the top layer of foam when the cover is clean.
Step-by-step plan: Washing a zip-off mattress cover
Do you have a mattress with a zip? Then in most cases you can wash the mattress covers in the washing machine. Follow this protocol to prevent shrinking.
Step 1: Check the care label (Crucial!)
This is the most important step. Not every cover is the same.
- Cotton or terry cloth: Can often be washed at 40 or 60 degrees.
- Wool or synthetic: Can often be washed at a maximum of 30 or 40 degrees.
- Dry clean only: Is there a cross through the washtub symbol? Then take the cover to the dry cleaner. If you wash it yourself anyway, your warranty often becomes void.
Step 2: Close the zips
Before you put the cover in the drum: close all zips! An open zip can damage the fabric during the spin cycle or even tear holes in the cover.
Step 3: The wash programme
Use a delicates programme or a programme for synthetic fabrics.
- Temperature: Wash at the temperature stated on the label. Want to kill dust mites? Then 60 degrees is needed. Can't your cover handle that? Then wash at the maximum permitted temperature and add a splash of white vinegar if you like.
- Detergent: Use a neutral liquid detergent without bleach. Powder can leave white streaks if it doesn't dissolve properly.
Step 4: Drying (Careful!)
Never put a mattress cover in the tumble dryer, unless the label explicitly says you can. The heat of the dryer is the number one cause of shrinking. Hang the cover over a washing line or (even better) over four chairs, so it keeps its shape. Gently pull it into shape while it's still damp.
What if the cover doesn't fit in the washing machine?
The cover of a double mattress is often too big and heavy for a household washing machine (max 7-8 kg). Stuffing it in is pointless; the cover won't get clean and your machine could break.
- The laundrette: They have washing machines with a load capacity of 15 kg or more.
- The bathtub: You can also wash the cover by hand in the bath. Gently tread the suds into it (like they used to do with grapes) and rinse very thoroughly.
Alternative: Cleaning the mattress without washing the cover
Sometimes washing the mattress cover is too risky or too much hassle. Or maybe you have a mattress without a zip. Luckily, there are alternatives to still get the cover hygienically clean.
1. Removing stains locally
Are there yellow stains or small blood stains on the cover? You don't have to wash the whole cover straight away. A spot cleaner (spray extraction), such as the Achaté Spot Cleaner, is ideal. You only treat the stain: the device sprays water into the fabric and immediately sucks it back up. This prevents the mattress underneath from getting wet and the cover dries quickly.
2. Disinfecting with steam
Want to freshen up the cover and kill bacteria without the washing machine? Then use the Achaté Steam Cleaner PRO. The hot steam (above 100 degrees) kills dust mites and bacteria on contact. Because the steam is fairly dry, you don't need to remove the cover from the mattress (as long as you don't linger too long in one spot).
How often should you wash a mattress cover?
Unlike your mattress protector (which you wash monthly), you don't need to wash the cover as often.
- Guideline: 1 to 2 times a year is enough.
- With allergies: Every quarter.
- With stains: Treat immediately.
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