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How to Get Stains Out of Mattress Pads

Melissa King

Mattress pads, typically made of foam or filled with soft fiber, make your bed more comfortable and protect it from stains. Unlike thick, bulky mattresses, most mattress pads are lightweight and thin, and they wash clean in the washing machine.

Clean your mattress pad regularly to remove stains and odors.

If you, a child or a pet stains the pad, though, the washing machine alone may not remove the stain. Treating the mattress pad first often removes the stain and any associated odors.

Tip

Sprinkle baking soda on the mattress pad to keep it smelling fresh. Check your mattress pad's care tag for detailed cleaning instructions. If the tag specifies "dry-clean only," do not put the pad in the washing machine.

  1. Soak up spills as soon as they happen on the mattress pad using a thick towel or paper towels.

  2. Mist the stain with hydrogen peroxide. Wait for five to eight minutes. Use a towel to blot the stain. If the stain persists, sprinkle borax on the mattress pad and rub it into the stain. Spray more hydrogen peroxide on the stain and blot again.

  3. Spray the mattress pad with an upholstery cleaner. Allow several minutes for the cleaner to penetrate the stain. Blot the stained area with a towel. Upholstery cleaners work best for tough stains, such as urine and blood.

  4. Put the mattress pad in the washing machine after treating the stain. Use warm water and 1 cup of laundry detergent. Set the machine on the normal cycle. Dry the pad on low or medium heat. If the pad has waterproof backing, let it air dry instead.

The Drip Cap

  • Mattress pads, typically made of foam or filled with soft fiber, make your bed more comfortable and protect it from stains.
  • Wait for five to eight minutes.
  • Spray more hydrogen peroxide on the stain and blot again.
  • Upholstery cleaners work best for tough stains, such as urine and blood.