Sources
- Jacobson, B. H. et al. (2008). "Grouped comparisons of sleep quality for new and personal bedding systems." Applied Ergonomics, 39(2), 247-254. PubMed 17662962.
- Radwan, A. et al. (2015). "Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment." Sleep Health, 1(4), 257-267. PubMed 29073401.
- Kovacs, F. M. et al. (2003). "Effect of firmness of mattress on chronic non-specific low-back pain." The Lancet, 362(9396), 1599-1604. PubMed 14630439.
Quick Answer: Yes, you can wash mattress covers. Most are machine washable on a gentle cycle. The real question is whether you should wash your cover or replace it. If waterproofing has failed, elastic is worn out, or stains and odours persist after multiple washes, it is time for a replacement, not another wash cycle.
In This Guide
Reading Time: 5 minutes
Washing mattress covers is simple once you know your cover's material. The care label tells you almost everything you need. The problem is most people throw the label out or never learn to read the symbols. This guide gives you the quick reference you need so washing your cover does not turn into an expensive mistake.
Reading the Care Label
Mattress cover care labels use international textile care symbols. Here are the ones you will most commonly see:
| Symbol | Meaning | What It Means for Your Cover |
|---|---|---|
| Tub with hand | Hand wash only | No machine , agitation will damage the material |
| Tub with one dot | Cold water (30°C) | Machine wash cold, important for waterproof covers |
| Tub with two dots | Warm water (40°C) | Standard cotton and polyester covers |
| Circle in square, one dot | Tumble dry low | Safe for most covers, prevents shrinkage |
| Circle in square with X | Do not tumble dry | Air dry only, common for bamboo and specialty fabrics |
| Triangle with X | Do not bleach | No chlorine bleach, use oxygen-based alternatives |
8 min read
Quick Wash Guide by Cover Type
| Cover Material | Temperature | Cycle | Drying | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton fitted | Warm (40°C) | Gentle | Low heat | Wash with similar colours |
| Polyester | Warm (40°C) | Gentle | Low heat | Resistant to shrinkage |
| Bamboo | Cold (30°C) | Gentle | Air dry flat | Shrinks in heat |
| Tencel / Lyocell | Cold (30°C) | Delicate | Air dry | Loses shape in agitation |
| Quilted padded | Cold (30°C) | Gentle, extra rinse | Low, with dryer ball | Needs large machine |
| Waterproof | Cold (30°C) | Gentle, no spin | Air dry or low heat | No fabric softener |
| Organic cotton | Cold (30°C) | Gentle | Low heat | Pre-wash to prevent shrinkage |
Why Temperature Matters: Cotton fibres contract when exposed to heat during washing or drying. A cover that fits a standard queen mattress (60 x 80 inches) at 40 degrees Celsius may become too small to fit after repeated hot washes. Always err toward cold water if you are unsure about your cover's material composition.
Wash or Replace? How to Decide
Washing is not always the answer. Here are the signs your cover needs replacement rather than another cycle:
| Condition | Wash | Replace |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh spill or stain | Yes | No |
| General odour buildup | Yes | No |
| Waterproofing soaks through | No | Yes |
| Elastic stretched and loose | No | Yes |
| Persistent stain after 2+ washes | No | Yes |
| Fabric pilling, tears, or holes | No | Yes |
| Mould smell after proper drying | No | Yes |
| Discolouration across whole surface | Try | If no improvement |
Mattress Miracle Insight: A cover that no longer stays in place is not just annoying; it stops protecting your mattress. A loose cover bunches under your sheets and allows the mattress to be exposed to spills and sweat at its edges. If the elastic is gone, the cover has done its job and should be replaced.
Specialty Cover Materials
Newer cover materials require extra care:
Cooling covers (phase-change or ice-silk fabric): These use microencapsulated phase-change materials that regulate surface temperature. Wash in cold water only. Heat degrades the PCM capsules and eliminates the cooling function. Air dry whenever possible.
Organic and natural fibre covers (organic cotton, wool-blend): These are more sensitive to detergent residue. Use half the recommended amount of a fragrance-free, dye-free detergent. Always run a second rinse cycle to ensure all soap is removed.
Allergen-barrier covers (tightly woven encasements): These rely on pore size to block dust mites and allergens. Machine wash cold with no bleach, and air dry or tumble dry on very low heat. The tight weave remains intact through washing but can be compromised by shrinkage from high heat.
Most removable mattress covers can be machine washed, but it is critical to check the care label first, as covers with waterproof membranes require cold or warm water and low-heat drying while non-waterproof covers can tolerate standard washing temperatures. Mattress Miracle at 441½ West Street in Brantford sells mattress covers and protectors with clear care instructions. Dorothy recommends washing your mattress cover every 4 to 6 weeks to remove accumulated skin cells, sweat, and allergens, and notes that having a spare cover allows you to rotate while one is in the wash so your mattress is never left unprotected. Call (519) 770-0001.
Shop: Mattress Protectors at Mattress Miracle
Find Your Perfect Mattress at Mattress Miracle
We are a family-owned mattress store in Brantford, helping our community sleep better since 1997. Come try mattresses in person and get honest, no-pressure advice.
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario
Call 519-770-0001Frequently Asked Questions
Can you wash mattress covers in a washing machine?
Yes, most removable mattress covers are machine washable on a gentle cycle in cold or warm water. Check the care label, as specialty covers with waterproof layers or bamboo fabric need cold water and low heat.
How often should you wash mattress covers?
Every 1 to 2 months under regular use. Wash immediately after spills or illness. If you have allergies or pets, wash every 2 to 3 weeks.
When should you replace a mattress cover instead of washing it?
Replace your mattress cover if the waterproofing has failed, the elastic no longer holds the cover in place, the fabric is pilling or tearing, or persistent stains and odours remain after washing.
Can you wash a quilted mattress cover?
Yes. Wash quilted covers in a large-capacity front-loading machine on a gentle cycle with cold water. Add an extra rinse cycle and tumble dry on low with a dryer ball to prevent fill from clumping.
Sources
- ISO 3758:2012, "Textiles: Care Labelling Code Using Symbols," International Organization for Standardization
- Asthma Canada, "Managing Dust Mites in the Bedroom," 2024
- Sleep Foundation, "Mattress Cover Buying Guide," 2025
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
If your current mattress cover has reached the end of its life, Mattress Miracle carries quality replacements for every mattress size and sleep need. From basic cotton covers to waterproof and cooling options, we stock them all and can help you choose the right one.
Mattress Miracle , 441½ West Street, Brantford, ON , (519) 770-0001
Hours: Monday to Wednesday 10am to 6pm, Thursday to Friday 10am to 7pm, Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 12pm to 4pm.
Stop in and we will match you with the right cover for your mattress size and budget.
Shop This Topic at Mattress Miracle
Popular picks at Mattress Miracle:
- Restonic ComfortCare Dalton & Albany
- Whitney double-sided bamboo mattress
- Somnia 3.0 neck support pillow
Or shop the full mattress lineup in our Brantford showroom.