Essential Care & Maintenance for Your Caravan Mattress Topper

You’ve bought a caravan mattress topper and want to know how to keep it fresh and clean for a hygienic sleeping environment. Plus, you want to get your money’s worth and prolong the life of your mattress topper—we’ve got you covered with these simple hacks. This guide covers everything on how to store, wash and remove stains from your mattress topper.

How to clean a caravan mattress topper?

Follow these step-by-step instructions to ensure your mattress topper stays fresher for longer every time you wash it. Before getting started, make sure to check the cleaning instructions supplied with your specific product, as they may differ. And don’t forget to rotate your mattress every few months.

Step 1: Remove the cover and wash

Most mattress topper covers are machine washable, meaning they can be thrown in with the rest of your bedding for a regular clean. Check the label for the recommended washing temperature and other instructions.

Step 2: Vacuum your mattress topper

Now that you’re left with the exposed mattress topper, a quick vacuum will remove hair and dust. We recommend vacuuming both sides for a satisfying deep clean. 

Step 3: Remove stains

Notice any light stains? Using a mild solution of laundry detergent and lukewarm water, dab at the stains with a damp sponge. If you prefer, you can also use a vinegar and water solution in a spray bottle (although some people find the smell of vinegar off-putting, so prefer to use detergent). To ensure moisture doesn’t transfer to your mattress or bedding, make sure to remove the mattress topper first. 

For stubborn stains, you may need stronger products (or baking soda!). To remove blood stains, make sure to use cold water rather than warm, as this makes the stain easier to remove. 

Step 4: Air dry your mattress

Leave in a sunny, dry or warm space to air dry. Make sure the mattress is completely dry before placing it back on your bed. 

Step 5: Deodorise

Want an extra freshness boost? Deodorising is a great way to achieve that with a regular household item. Simply sprinkle some baking soda over the mattress, leave for a few hours, and hey presto—any lingering odours will be gone, and your mattress will smell fresh as a daisy. Don’t forget to quickly run the vacuum over the mattress to remove the baking soda residue. If you have a particular scent in mind that you like, there are plenty of mattress and bed linen sprays on the market with every scent under the sun, from tropical flowers to soothing cotton. 

As a rule, most mattress toppers themselves are not suitable for machine washing or tumble drying; however, it’s always worth checking the label or consulting with the supplier. 

How often should a mattress topper be washed?

How often you clean your mattress topper should follow the same rules as cleaning a regular mattress. Every three months should suffice. However, if you or your partner are prone to night sweats or sleep with pets on the bed, cleaning should be done more regularly—every month or so. 

How to stop a mattress from getting damp in a caravan?

Reducing condensation and improving ventilation is the key to minimising dampness. To stop your caravan mattress from getting damp, we recommend the following:

• Move your mattress away from walls to improve ventilation and prevent mould

• Use a high-wicking or moisture-resistant mattress cover

• Avoid placing your mattress directly on the floor

• Open windows and use fans and/or dehumidifiers to boost air circulation and reduce the moisture content in the caravan

• Regularly clean the bedroom space, vacuuming, dusting, and wiping away condensation

• Take the covers off after a night sweat to let the mattress breathe, and apply silica gel packets to absorb excess moisture 

Signs of dampness or wear to watch out for

Common signs of dampness and wear on a mattress topper include stains, mould, odours, tearing, fraying and persistent dents or unevenness. With memory foam, you may notice that the foam takes longer to bounce back and regain its shape.  

How do you store a mattress topper when not using it?

If you buy a travel mattress topper from Slothie, it comes with a perfectly-sized bag so you can store it without taking up much space in your caravan. Make sure it’s clean and dry before stashing away to prevent the risk of mould or unpleasant odours. 

We hope this guide has covered everything you need to keep your caravan mattress topper in top form for longer. Whenever you need cleaning advice, refer back to this guide.