Published: September 14, 2026 | Last updated: September 14, 2026 | 7 min read
TL;DR
- Yes, most mattress covers and protectors are machine washable, but the care label decides the exact settings.
- Wash in cold or warm water on a gentle cycle. Hot water and high heat can break down waterproof backing (Sleep Foundation, 2024).
- Skip fabric softener and bleach. Both damage the fabric or the waterproof membrane (Purple, 2022).
- Allergy groups recommend washing bedding weekly in water at least 130°F (54.4°C) to kill dust mites and clear allergens (Mayo Clinic, 2025).
- Air dry when you can. Tumble dry on low heat only if the label allows it.
Can You Wash a Mattress Cover? The Short Answer
Yes, you can wash a mattress cover. Most modern covers, whether they’re basic cotton protectors or waterproof ones, are designed to go through a home washing machine (Purple, 2022).
The exception is specialty covers made from delicate or heavily laminated material. Some of these list “hand wash only” on the care label, and putting one in a machine anyway can crack the waterproof layer or warp the fit (Texas Mattress Makers, 2024).
Before you wash anything, check the tag sewn into the cover. It tells you the water temperature limit, whether bleach or fabric softener is off-limits, and if machine drying is safe.
How to Wash a Mattress Cover Step by Step
Washing a mattress cover is a short process once you know the order of operations. Follow these steps for a standard machine-washable cover.
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1. Check the label | Confirm water temperature limit and whether hand washing is required |
| 2. Remove debris | Shake off or vacuum loose dust, hair, and skin flakes |
| 3. Spot-treat stains | Dab (don’t rub) with cold water and a small amount of mild detergent |
| 4. Load the machine | Wash the cover on its own to avoid snagging on zippers |
| 5. Select settings | Cold or warm water, gentle or delicate cycle, mild detergent only |
| 6. Dry correctly | Air dry, or tumble dry on low if the label allows it |
Spot-treating first matters most for protein-based stains like blood or sweat. Rinse the area in cold water, since hot water can set the stain into the fabric instead of lifting it (Maytag, 2025).
For stubborn odors, sprinkle baking soda over the cover, let it sit for about an hour, then vacuum it off before the wash (Tom’s Guide, n.d.).
Machine Wash or Hand Wash: How to Tell Which One You Need
Check the care label first. If it says “machine washable,” a gentle cycle in cold or warm water is safe. If it says “hand wash only,” skip the machine entirely.
Waterproof and quilted covers with a laminated backing are the ones most likely to need hand washing. Machine agitation can peel the waterproof layer away from the fabric over repeated washes (Hygge Sheets, 2024).
To hand wash, fill a tub with lukewarm water and a small amount of mild detergent. Submerge the cover, work the water through it gently, then rinse thoroughly until no soap residue remains (Tom’s Guide, n.d.).
How Often Should You Wash a Mattress Cover
Wash a mattress cover at least once every two weeks under normal use, and weekly if anyone in the household has allergies or asthma. This matches general advice for bedding overall.
The Mayo Clinic recommends washing bedding weekly in water of at least 130°F (54.4°C) to kill dust mites and remove the allergens they leave behind (Mayo Clinic, 2025). A mattress cover sits directly against a major dust mite habitat, so it collects the same allergen load as sheets.
If the cover’s care label caps the water temperature below 130°F, a hot dryer cycle is the workaround. Running it on high heat for at least 15 minutes kills dust mites even when the wash water stays cool (Mayo Clinic, 2025).
Wash the cover immediately, outside the normal schedule, after any spill, illness, or pet accident. Waiting lets stains and odors set into the fabric (Sleep Foundation, 2024).
Common Mistakes That Damage a Mattress Cover
- Using hot water on waterproof covers: Heat above the label’s limit can crack or peel the waterproof laminate, so the cover stops protecting the mattress underneath.
- Adding fabric softener: Softener coats fibers and clogs the pores that let breathable covers wick moisture, which defeats the point of a cooling or moisture-wicking design.
- Skipping the care label: Materials vary enough that a setting safe for one cover can ruin another. Always check the tag before the first wash.
- Overcrowding the washer: Zippers and buttons from other laundry can snag and tear a thin protector, so wash it alone or with a small, soft load.
- Drying on high heat: Excess heat is the most common cause of shrinkage and waterproof-layer failure in protectors (BedMart, 2025).
Frequently Asked Questions About Washing a Mattress Cover
Can you wash a mattress cover in a washing machine?
Yes. Most mattress covers, including waterproof ones, are machine washable on a gentle cycle with cold or warm water. Check the care label first, since some specialty materials require hand washing instead.
How often should you wash a mattress cover?
Wash it every two weeks under normal conditions, or weekly if someone in the home has dust mite allergies or asthma. Wash it right away after a spill, illness, or pet accident.
Can you put a mattress cover in the dryer?
Many covers can go in the dryer on low heat, but check the label first. High heat is the leading cause of shrinkage and waterproof-layer damage in protectors.
Does washing a mattress cover remove allergens?
Yes. Washing in water of at least 130°F (54.4°C), or drying on high heat for 15 minutes, kills dust mites and clears the allergens they leave in the fabric.
What’s the difference between a mattress cover and a mattress protector?
The terms are used interchangeably in most retail listings. Both refer to a fitted layer that sits over the mattress and can be waterproof, allergen-blocking, or both, depending on the product.
Key Takeaways
- Mattress covers are machine washable in the large majority of cases. Hand washing is only needed for certain waterproof or laminated designs.
- Cold or warm water on a gentle cycle protects the fabric and any waterproof backing.
- Weekly washing at 130°F (54.4°C) or higher clears dust mite allergens, per Mayo Clinic guidance.
- Skip bleach and fabric softener. Both shorten the life of the cover.
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