Quick Answer: A removable mattress cover is only useful if it is genuinely washable at 60°C, zips the full perimeter, and uses a zipper rated for repeated use. Many covers marketed as "removable" cannot be hot-washed (the fill compresses), run only partway around, or have zippers that fail within a year. Ask these three questions before you pay a premium for the feature.
In This Guide
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A removable, washable mattress cover is genuinely useful. Over a 10-year mattress lifespan, the ticking (outer cover) accumulates skin cells, sweat proteins, dust mite material, and allergens. Being able to wash it at high temperature makes a meaningful hygiene difference compared to vacuuming alone. But the term "removable cover" has become a marketing claim that deserves scrutiny before you pay extra for it.
What Removable Actually Means
A removable mattress cover, in the full sense of the term, is a ticking (the outer fabric layer of the mattress) that can be unzipped and removed for washing. The mattress inside retains its structural layers (foam and/or coil) without the cover.
Several mattress types use this design: many memory foam mattresses, some latex mattresses, and an increasing number of hybrid models. The cover typically sits over the foam layers and zips around the perimeter.
The catch is the gap between "removable" as a label and "useful when removed." A cover that zips halfway around, cannot be washed in hot water without damage, or has a zipper that fails on the third removal is technically removable but practically not. Buyers sometimes only discover this problem after the first major cleaning incident.
7 Questions to Ask Before Buying
Questions to Ask About Any Removable Mattress Cover
Question 1: Does the zipper run the full perimeter?
A cover that only opens partway cannot be fully removed. Some designs have a zipper running along three sides (or just one long side) that allows the cover to fold back but not to fully come off for machine washing. Ask to see the zipper run on the display model. It should continue around the full mattress perimeter or at minimum allow the cover to slide fully off the foam core.
Question 2: What is the maximum wash temperature?
A cover that can only be washed in cold water will not kill dust mites (which require 60°C) and will not fully sanitise after a significant spill. Ask for the care label information before buying. A genuinely useful removable cover should be washable at 60°C. If the answer is "cold only" or "30°C maximum," the cover is decorative rather than hygienic.
Question 3: Can it go in a standard home dryer?
A large queen or king mattress cover may not fit in a standard residential dryer. Some covers require a commercial laundromat machine for drying. This is practical information you need before your first washing incident. Ask specifically about dryer compatibility and whether heat or tumble settings affect the material.
Question 4: What does the zipper rating mean for longevity?
Heavy-duty #8 or #10 zippers are significantly more durable than standard #5 zippers used on clothing. A mattress cover zipper needs to handle being removed and replaced many times over a 10-year mattress lifespan without breaking or separating. Brands that specify YKK or similar industrial zipper ratings are being transparent about this. If the spec sheet only says "quality zipper," ask if they have specifics.
Question 5: Is there a comfort layer inside the cover?
Some removable covers are quilted or include a thin fibre or foam comfort layer sewn into the ticking. This is fine and can add softness. The consideration is: does that comfort layer survive hot washing? Some quilted fibre fills compress and clump when hot-washed, permanently altering the feel of the cover. Ask whether the fill (if any) is rated for machine washing at the care temperature.
Question 6: Does the mattress warranty apply only with the original cover?
Some mattress warranties specify that the cover must remain on the mattress for warranty validity. Removing the cover for cleaning should be expected use, but in some cases extreme wear or damage to the cover is treated as a warranty issue. Ask the retailer whether normal washing and re-attaching the cover affects warranty terms.
Question 7: What fire retardant is used in the cover?
Canadian mattresses must meet fire resistance standards under the Canadian Consumer Product Safety Act. This is achieved either by inherently fire-resistant fibres (wool is a natural flame barrier; Kevlar is used in some covers) or by chemical fire retardant treatment. Ask specifically: is a chemical fire retardant used, and if so, which one? This is particularly relevant if you are buying for a child's bed.
Cover Materials and What They Affect
The material of the removable cover affects breathability, feel, how it ages, and washability:
Common Cover Materials and Their Trade-offs
- Knit polyester (most common): Stretchy, durable, resists pilling. Takes dye well so colours stay consistent. Washes easily. Does not breathe as well as natural fibres. Comfortable but not temperature-regulating. Most mid-range mattresses use this.
- Rayon from bamboo / Tencel (lyocell): Derived from wood pulp. Breathable, moisture-wicking. Often marketed as cooling. Softer feel than polyester but more prone to shrinking if over-heated in the washer or dryer. Usually requires cooler wash temperatures, which limits mite-kill efficacy.
- Cotton or organic cotton: Natural, breathable, washable at 60°C. The best option for washability and allergen control. Tends to be less stretchy than knit polyester, so fit can be firmer. Higher-end covers often use cotton or organic cotton with a tight weave.
- Wool: Naturally fire-resistant (relevant for fire retardant compliance), temperature-regulating, moisture-wicking. The most expensive natural option. Hand-wash or delicate cycle only for most wool covers, which limits hygiene utility. More relevant in all-wool mattresses (like some Sleep In models) than in a standard removable cover.
- Phase-change material (PCM) infused covers: Marketed as cooling, these covers contain microencapsulated materials that absorb body heat. The cooling effect is real but temporary (the material re-saturates over a sleep cycle). The encapsulated beads must survive washing intact; ask specifically about wash durability.
Fire Retardants in Mattress Covers: What Canadians Should Know
All mattresses sold in Canada must meet fire smouldering and open-flame resistance requirements. The cover plays a role in this compliance. There are two main approaches:
Barrier Fibre vs. Chemical Flame Retardants
Barrier fibres (silica, Kevlar, wool, or rayon blends) are woven into the cover and act as a physical flame barrier. These do not add chemical compounds that can off-gas or transfer to skin. Chemical flame retardants (various phosphorus, halogen, or nitrogen compounds) are applied to the fabric and achieve compliance through chemical reaction rather than physical barrier. Health Canada's assessment of flame retardant chemicals notes that while current formulations used in mattresses are considered safe at expected exposure levels, the regulatory landscape for specific compounds continues to evolve. For a child's mattress, asking for the barrier fibre approach is a reasonable precaution. Our PFAS-free mattress guide discusses the broader chemical treatment landscape at pfas-free-mattress-canada.
Maintaining a Removable Cover
Once you know your cover is washable at 60°C, here is a practical maintenance schedule:
Removable Cover Maintenance Schedule
Every 3 months: Remove cover and wash at maximum care-label temperature. Air dry or tumble dry per care instructions. This is the key allergen reduction step.
After any spill or accident: Remove cover immediately, treat any staining in the cover while the foam is treated separately, wash at maximum temperature.
Annually: Inspect the zipper for smooth operation. Apply a little zipper lubricant (wax-based, not petroleum) if it drags. Check the fabric for wear at the fold lines where the zipper runs.
When re-attaching: Take care to align the zipper start point correctly before pulling. Running the zipper sideways or at an angle stresses the teeth. Start at the corner, align the two sides evenly, and pull steadily.
If your mattress does not have a removable cover, a mattress protector achieves a similar hygiene result with the added benefit of physical waterproofing. A thin, fitted protector goes on top of the ticking and washes like a fitted sheet. For households with young children or allergy concerns, a protector over any mattress (with or without a removable cover) is the most practical solution.
For context on how mattress covers age alongside the foam underneath, see our piece on why mattress foam turns yellow. And if you are evaluating a mattress where the cover cannot be removed but the mattress is showing wear, the warranty claim measurement guide explains what structural defects Canadian warranties actually cover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wash a removable mattress cover in a front-loader?
Usually yes, if the cover fits. A queen or king cover is large and may tangle or stress the drum in a smaller residential front-loader. If your machine has a drum of 4.5 cubic feet or larger, a queen cover should fit without issue. For king size, a commercial-capacity machine at a laundromat is more practical for thorough washing. Always confirm dryer capacity for the drying stage as well.
Will removing the mattress cover void my warranty?
Removing the cover for normal washing purposes should not void a warranty. However, some warranties exclude damage to the cover specifically (torn zipper, fabric damage) and some require that the cover be present and intact for a warranty claim to be valid on the underlying mattress structure. Read the warranty documentation before removing the cover for the first time. If the terms are ambiguous, ask your retailer to confirm in writing.
Is a removable cover better than a separate mattress protector?
They serve slightly different purposes. A removable mattress cover is the mattress's outer ticking layer; washing it refreshes the sleep surface itself. A separate mattress protector sits between you and the ticking and catches everything before it reaches the ticking. For maximum hygiene, both together is the best approach: a washable protector on top that you wash monthly, and a removable cover beneath that you wash quarterly. For everyday use with a good protector, a non-removable cover is perfectly adequate.
How do I know if my mattress cover is machine washable?
Check the care label sewn into the cover. Symbols include a washtub icon (machine washable), a circle with a cross (dry clean only), or a hand in water (hand wash only). If the washtub icon has a number inside it, that is the maximum wash temperature in Celsius. A number 60 inside the washtub means washable at 60°C. If there is no care label, contact the manufacturer before washing.
Can I see mattresses with removable covers at Mattress Miracle in Brantford?
Yes. Several models in our showroom at 441 1/2 West Street in Brantford have removable covers, including some Restonic models. Ask Brad or Talia to show you the zipper design and care label on any model you are considering. We can also tell you the wash temperature rating for each cover on display. Call (519) 770-0001 to confirm what is currently in the showroom.
Sources
- Woodcock, A., Forster, L., Matthews, E., Martin, J., Letley, L., Vickers, M., et al. (2003). Control of exposure to mite allergen and allergen-impermeable bed covers for adults with asthma. New England Journal of Medicine, 349(3), 225-236. doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa023175
- Health Canada. (2021). Mattresses - Consumer Product Safety. Government of Canada. canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product-safety
- Government of Canada. (2016). Mattresses Regulations (SOR/2016-178). Canada Gazette. laws-lois.justice.gc.ca
- Thomas, W.R., Heinrich, T.K., Smith, W.A., & Hales, B.J. (2007). Pyroglyphid house dust mite allergens. Protein and Peptide Letters, 14(10), 943-953. doi.org/10.2174/092986607782541323
- Custovic, A., & Wijk, R.G. (2005). The effectiveness of measures to change the indoor environment in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and asthma. Allergy, 60(9), 1112-1115. doi.org/10.1111/j.1398-9995.2005.00934.x
- Jacobson, B.H., Boolani, A., & Smith, D.B. (2008). Changes in back pain, sleep quality, and perceived stress after introduction of new bedding systems. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 8(1), 1-8. doi.org/10.1016/j.jcm.2008.09.002
Related Reading
- Non-Leaching Waterproof Mattress Protectors for Toddlers
- Why Does Mattress Foam Turn Yellow? Polyfoam Oxidation
- UV Light for Dust Mites on Mattresses: What Works
- How to Measure Mattress Sag for a Warranty Claim in Canada
- Mattress Protectors at Mattress Miracle
- Best Mattress for Night Shift Workers: Sleep Guide
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
Mattress Miracle
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford
Phone: (519) 770-0001
Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thu-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-4
We can show you the zipper design on any model in our showroom and tell you the wash temperature rating before you commit. We have been helping Brantford families choose wisely since 1987.