Your waterproof mattress protector does an excellent job of shielding your mattress from stains and accidental spills. It takes a lot of beating in a bid to do its protective job. Based on its job, it’s only natural that the protector is susceptible to a lot of problems.
Okay, you have done something to protect your mattress by covering it with a waterproof mattress protector. But what protects the protector? How do you make sure the mattress guard serves its purpose for a very long time?
There are several issues the waterproof mattress protector can have. In fact, it has a lot of enemies, among which are stains, dust mites, and other strong liquid spills.
Things That Can Damage Your Mattress Protector & How to Avoid Them
Not reading -cleaning or maintenance instructions
Waterproof mattress protectors come in different materials such as vinyl, polyurethane, and polyester materials. These fabrics have a specific maintenance routine. There is a certain temperature that may not be great for a particular material. Even when you know all about the material, there could be differences in its cleaning method.
You could easily damage it when you wash it wrongly or with the wrong material. That is why it is important to read through the maintenance instruction from the company. Almost all types of mattress protectors have washing and cleaning instructions. It will be great to carefully read the instructions before first time wash.
Slow response to accidental spills
Delaying to clean the surface after spills are certainly one major way to ruin the mattress protector. If you allow spills soak in, you could create permanent stains that will be very difficult to remove. In fact, the stain is not the most worrying aspect. It’s the odor. You need to attend to accidental spills of coffee and other liquids as soon as possible. Once spills occur, pull off or unzip the protector before soaking with a slightly damp cloth. Press the damp towel for some minutes to allow for liquid absorption. Next, spray baking soda on the affected area and allow it to dry out.
Not washing the mattress protector when needed
Although the waterproof mattress protector is made with materials that slightly resist stains, they still need occasional cleaning. It collects a lot of dirt and these stains can settle deeply if not properly cleaned. It could also be a breeding ground for dust mites. Your mattress protector should be washed at least once a month. This is apart from the occasional spot cleaning you are likely going to do. Your mattress protector will certainly stand the test of time when you give it the care and maintenance it deserves.
Sun drying the mattress protector
Some materials used for the waterproof mattress protector cannot withstand excel temperature level. Keeping the protector under the sun for a long time can damage its components. UV rays can do a lot of damage to waterproof materials.
It could lead to serious wear and tear over time. Instead of drying under the sun, dry in a low-temperature environment. You could dry the protector overnight. This will be great if you have an extra protector you can use in place when drying the other one.
Bladder Leaks
Urine contains very strong chemicals that are very difficult to clean. Even if you have succeeded in cleaning the stain, the odor may still linger for a long time. And it’s not very easy to wipe of urine stains with mere soap and water.
You need to apply both detergent and an enzyme cleaner. This will help you clean the stains and remove other chemical components in the urine. After cleaning, sprinkle with soda water to completely remove the mess. You can allow the affected area to dry completely before use.
Instead of waiting to provide the solution, you can do something to prevent it. Most times waterproof mattress protectors for children usually fall victim of bladder spills. Sometimes the urine spill may not even be from kids, but your pets.
Incontinence in pets is a common occurrence, especially when you play with them on the mattress. You can prevent the spill of urine on the protector by wearing a diaper. This will guide against any urine leak that may affect your mattress protector. It will also reduce the frequency of cleaning the mattress protector.
Using bleach on the protector
Bleach is a no-no when it comes to washing a waterproof mattress protector. It can damage it easily. The strong chemical on bleach is not for delicate material like polyurethane. Although the material is tough and strong against liquid stains, it won’t do well against bleach. Instead, use a mild detergent when washing the protector.
Using high temperature
If you are going to wash the waterproof mattress protector with a washing machine, be mindful of the temperature level. Again, you should read the instructional manual for a guideline. Most waterproof materials used as a cover for protectors do not require high temperature.
The plastic on the material is more likely going to deform or break when the temperature is too high. Use a low and stable temperature on the protector when washing in a washing machine. This will help to preserve the texture and strength of the protector.
Drying when wrinkle guard is on
There are some laundry machines with this feature. A wrinkle guard spins up the laundry occasionally to prevent rumpling of the cloth. But the protector does not need this feature as much as cotton cloth. When you turn on this guard while drying the protector, it diminishes its strength, making it vulnerable to water absorption.
If your laundry machine comes with this feature, it will be automatically turned on when you want to dry. Turn the feature off when drying your protector to prevent further wear and tear.
Using a center agitator machine
If your mattress protector care tag allows you to wash with a washing machine, avoid using a center agitator. It could rough up and tear the protector. Some protectors, especially vinyl material, are not strong enough to withstand tough pressure. They could easily tear when you wash them using the center agitator. Instead, use a front load washing machine. This is considered mild enough for almost all types of waterproof materials.
Using the wrong settings for your protector
Obviously, your waterproof mattress protector will not have the same washing setting as your other clothes. The latter is more delicate. That is why you need to use delicate cycle settings for the protector. Again, use the “cool” temperature when washing your mattress guard. It helps to protect the delicate components in the waterproof material.
Putting back the mattress protector before it dries completely
In a hurry to make use of the mattress protectors, some people may fix back the material without allowing them to dry properly. If you do this, you are erroneously inviting mildew to your mattress protector. It’s always important to allow the mattress to dry entirely before covering them back on the mattress. It will ensure a warm cozy environment.
Other factors that could damage the waterproof mattress protector
A waterproof mattress protector needs little different areas mentioned above. It is because when you purchase one, you are going to get a lightweight, yet durable yet thinner mattress cover having the capability to repel water and other liquid spills and make sure to provide protection against dust, mites, and bugs for keeping the mattress clean and safe from all such external factors.
But when you consider that the protector is intended to protect the mattress, it doesn’t mean it will not need any kind of maintenance or protection itself.
Though it plays an important role in keeping and saving the mattress, you have to take good care of the mattress protector that waterproof your mattress for long-lasting performance.
To protect your mattress protector itself you need to assure the following things:
Make sure you keep pointy things away from your bed. Or at least avoid leaving pens, pencils, nails and pins, cutters and clippers on the mattress which has a protector on it.
Since the protector is made to resist spills, dust, and dirt, it may not be resistant to pointy pokes. It is important to notice that when your kids poke the mattress topper with pointy and sharp things. Scissors, cutters and stationery items may cut through or at least damage the protector if they are poked through the protector.
This damages the protector easily and led to complete loss for sure as it will no longer be able to use the protector as the water spills may get leaked down to the mattress.
Furthermore, leaving the protector in a detergent mixture or soaking it inside the tub for removing stubborn stains and leaving them for hours may lead to issues that are truly harmful and will cause serious damage and weakening of the material leading to early wear and tear that will cost you a lot.
Washing your mattress protector in a machine with deep clean, and spin cycle with high-speed cause wriggling at a higher speed and that surely lead to damaging because the fabric or materials used in waterproof protectors for mattresses does not stand or resist the damage and may show early wear and tear if you are doing so on a regular and frequent basis.
In case if your mattress protector does not fit your mattress well, it will be pulled and pressed causing wrinkles and may also lead to damages and issues sooner or later.
The use of chemicals and bleaching agents are surely harmful to such materials and you must be able to reduce the chances or may not use the bleaching agents and harsh detergents on the protector.
Rather, you must be able to choose mild detergent and soft agents to treat the stains and cleaning process of your mattress protector so that you will be able to get lasting performance and assured protection against all the elements that the protector promises you to protect your mattress from and will keep it safe as you have expected.
So, the way to use the waterproof protector or a mattress topper for back pain is to keep it away from possible damages for long-lasting performance and comfort.
Conclusion
The fact that waterproof mattress protectors are tough against liquids does not mean they are unbreakable. If it’s not utilized correctly, you may be buying another mattress protector earlier than you expect. They can get damaged if not carefully cared for. Above all, we can’t overemphasize the importance of going through the care manual. Once you know what your mattress protector needs, you will certainly know how best to maintain it.
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