The world of mattress accessories is a confusing one. Which Airbnb mattress pad should you buy? What size do you get? Don’t worry we’re here to answer all your questions and resolve any rumors you might have read online. Once you understand what a mattress pad is used for and how to maintain them you’ll be able to decide which one works for you.
How To Clean A Mattress Pad?
Even though your mattress pads are covered by bedsheets, you still need to wash them regularly.
How to clean mattress pad stains? Before you throw your mattress pad in the washing machine, take a spray bottle and fill it half with light detergent and the other half with warm water. Soak the stained spots for 20 minutes before throwing the pad into the washing machine. This should loosen up the fabric and help the washing machine remove the stains.
How to machine wash mattress pads? Almost all mattress pads can go into a laundry machine (except memory foam). Remember to check the tag for any special instructions with your mattress pad.
Pour a light detergent into the washing machine, add the mattress pad and set the cycle to either the longest setting possible (if you have an old machine) or to a delicate setting with warm water temperature. Remember to only use fabric softener every fourth cycle since it leaves a waxy layer afterward.
How to clean memory foam? If you use any memory foam then you must clean by hand since machine cleaning damages the foam. Start by vacuuming your memory foam mattress pad with a wide brush and upholstery nozzle. Next, fill up a spray bottle with a quarter light detergent and the rest with warm water. Gently spray over the pad until the whole thing is damp. If you have tough stains or odors, then spray around those areas until the foam is soaked, wait 10-15 minutes and dab dry with a towel.
For mattress pads that can be machine dried throw in a new tennis ball in with the cycle and place the settings on a normal cycle. The tennis ball will bounce around the dryer and fluff up the mattress pad.
What’s A Mattress Pad? What’s A Mattress Topper?
A mattress pad and topper is an extra layer that is placed between the mattress and the fitted bed sheet. What is a mattress pad used for? A mattress pad is used to protect your mattress from accidental spills, add minimal cushioning, and protect from dust mites.
Our recommendation is to buy a firm mattress and place a mattress pad on top. A firm mattress lasts longer while the pad softens the whole bed up and will prevent stains and odors.
We place waterproof mattress pads on all our beds to protect them from our Airbnb guest accidents. It ensures a longer mattress life that will save you money.
A mattress top is similar to a mattress pad but lays on top of the mattress instead of folding around the edge corners. The main reason for a mattress topper is if you have an older mattress and want a short term solution to add comfort. Generally, you want to stick with a 3” or greater memory foam mattress topper.
How To Choose A Mattress Pad?
Choosing can be tough, you want it to protect your mattress from spills and stains yet provide one that gives a greater sleep. With our Airbnb properties we ask these three questions;
What material – The most common materials are cotton, wool, and latex. Cotton is machine washable and great for summer months. Wool is great in the winter months and both latex/wool are dust mite and mold resistant.
Consider a memory foam even though you’ll have to wash the pad by hand. If you have an older mattress, a memory foam pad can lengthen the lifespan for a few more years. The only downfall is memory foam absorbs heat. If you live in a hot climate all year round a cotton pad is more logical.
What mattress pad should I buy? There are many brands of mattress pads out there but buying one that is water-resistant, machine washable, hypoallergenic and has protection against dust mites is what we look for. Our favorite mattress pad is from Utopia Bedding which is a deep pad. It checks all our boxes.
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How To Stop Mattress Pad From Sliding
Stopping this will save you a world of headaches. Not only for your own bed but for your guest’s bed. How do to keep mattress pads from bunching?. Over the years we have found solid methods. Here are the most trustworthy and our favorites:
Pad Straps: Until we found this method we struggled with our bedsheets and mattress pad lifting up in the middle of the night. These straps clip into a triangle shape underneath the mattress. If you want a solid strap that holds any sheet or pad in place, then the 8-pack elastic straps suspenders are perfect.
PIN IT: How to keep a mattress pad from sliding off? This method uses corkscrew or tac style pins that go on each corner of the bed and into the box spring. If you are looking for inexpensive pins we love the Sumind Clears.
Sticky Velcro: How to keep your mattress pad in place? Purchase velcro tape. Place the adhesive side on both the box spring and underside of the mattress pad. Remember to align all sides before applying the tape and for better support use 3-inch pieces of tape.
There are a few other ways to keep your mattress from sliding off which include duct tape, a nonstick mat, or safety pins but we found the methods above to work the best and be the most consistent.
How Often Do I Replace A Mattress Pad?
A high-end Airbnb mattress pad should last 3-5 years. How often do I replace a mattress pad? Indications such as stains, odors or the thickness of your mattress pad shrinking are clear signs that it needs replacement.
We use the taco method. If your mattress pad is clearly a taco shape then you need to replace it. The edges are thicker and higher than the middle of your mattress pad with stains also being in the middle. It’s time to replace your mattress pad.
Final Thoughts
Using a mattress pad will lengthen the life span and in some cases can improve the quality of an old mattress. Remember, these tips will cut down the cost of replacing each mattress in your Airbnb and help keep you with a higher profit margin. Enjoy and happy hosting!