Got a dirty feather mattress topper? A mattress topper is vital to help set yourself up for a restful and peaceful sleep. But if it’s dirty, would you be willing to sleep on it?

A feather mattress topper isn’t invincible to dust mites, bed bugs, stains, and odours like other mattress topper types. On top of that, these contaminants can cause health problems such as allergies and asthma or even a rare one called Bird Fanciers’ Lung.

Feather mattress toppers are a better alternative for asthma sufferers since fewer dust mites are present!

As to why it’s a better alternative, memory foam toppers are rarely hypoallergenic and likely cause more respiratory problems than down and feather-based toppers.

But certainly, it’s still not a good idea to sleep on a dirty feather mattress topper. And if you’re wondering what type of bird’s down and feather mattress toppers material comes from, they come from geese, ducks, or both.

Let’s cover how to clean your feather mattress topper using all the best methods we know.

Materials You Need To clean A Feather Mattress Topper

Before we go to the actual cleaning steps, gather these materials so you can seamlessly clean your feather mattress topper. These materials are readily available in your laundry area or on local market shelves:

• Detergent (preferably liquid detergent)
• Water
• Washing Machine
• Dryer
• Clothes clippers
• Clothesline

Step by Step Instructions

As with cleaning any mattress topper, you need to take precautionary measures before cleaning activities. We always recommend:

• Check for wear and tear, no matter how small or almost unnoticeable
• Check for small holes
• Check the care instructions

It’ll take several hours – about an hour and a half for the wash cycle and a few hours for drying. Follow these steps:

How to Quickly Clean and Deodorize a Feather Mattress Topper?

The steps mentioned above are the deep cleaning method, but if you’re short of time. If you want to quickly clean your feather mattress topper, you can simply vacuum it first and then hang your topper in the bright sunlight outside.

The sun’s heat will remove odours and disinfect your feather mattress topper within a few hours. No breaking a sweat, and you’ll have a fresh feather mattress topper afterward.

Can a Feather Mattress Topper Be Dry Cleaned?

Yes, a feather mattress topper can be dry cleaned. But before you do that, you could check your topper’s care instruction tags or labels first. After all, the manufacturers have the final say if their product is suitable for one cleaning method to another.

If you decide to dry clean your feather mattress topper, carefully fold your topper to fit inside the dry cleaning machine, and you just have to wait it out.

How Do You Clean Pee Out of a Feather Mattress Topper?

We have an extensive guide on how to get pee out of a mattress topper, but for feather mattress toppers using the vinegar-baking soda method we’ve covered here is great.

But if the urine has covered more than 30% of your feather mattress topper’s surface area, you must do the deep cleaning method we’ve covered above.

After that, rest assured that your feather mattress topper will look, smell, and feel like new afterward.

How Does Cleaning a Feather Mattress Toppers Differ From Other Mattress Types?

Most mattress toppers with dense materials cannot be folded to fit inside a washing or dry cleaning machine. We’re talking about memory foam, polyfoam, latex foam, and gel foam mattress toppers.

Since you can’t use a washing machine, feather mattress toppers are often spot cleaned instead of machine-washed.

They’re also soft and foldable. Crease-related problems may occur when you smush them inside a washing or dry cleaning machine.

So the main difference is feather and down mattress toppers are easier to clean than most mattress topper types. As well as this, memory foam mattress toppers are harder to put on the bed than feather mattress toppers.

How to Deodorise a Feather Mattress Topper?

Deodorising a feather mattress topper can be done in quick and deep cleaning ways, both of which we’ve covered above. But for the sake of a quick rundown, here’s how you deodorize a feather mattress topper:

Quick Way

• Vacuum your feather mattress topper using an upholstery attachment for fabric
• Using a clothesline and clothes clippers, hang your feather mattress topper in the bright sunlight and wait a few hours.

Deep Cleaning

• Check your feather mattress topper first for holes, wear, and tear.
• Prepare your washing machine for a cold wash cycle, and put in the topper.
• After the cycle, put it in the dryer and clock in the low-medium temperature.
• Remove from the dryer and dry it outdoors using a clothesline and clothes clippers.

Why Does Feather Mattress Toppers Smell?

Mattress toppers, in general, can smell because of sweat, accumulated dead skin cells, urine, dust mites, blood, vomit, leftover food crumbs, and spilled drinks.

These all apply to feather mattress toppers.

But, you can easily make your topper smell fresh within a cycle in your washing machine.

You pop it inside your washing machine, wait it out, dry it in your dryer and the outdoors, and you now have a fresh-smelling feather mattress topper, all while breaking no sweat.

How to Fluff a Feather Mattress Topper?

Fluffing is fixing the lumps and uneven areas in your feather mattress topper. Since down and feathers are not bonded inside your topper, they get dislodged occasionally, leading to lumps and uneven surfaces.

To fix these, you do fluffing. You can fluff a feather mattress topper in two easy ways:

Hand Method

The hand method uses your hand (obviously). You must repeatedly pat down your feather mattress topper to redistribute the down and feathers in lumpy and uneven areas.

Shake Method

How do you execute the ‘shake method’? Holding two sides of your feather mattress topper, shake it from side to side repeatedly until the down and feathers are redistributed to their natural positions. And how do you know when they’re redistributed successfully? You’ll be quick to notice an all-even surface.

How Long Do Feather Mattress Toppers Last?

Feather mattress toppers typically last for at least 2 years. But if you bought a high-quality feather mattress topper that is well-maintained, you can prolong it for a few more years.

Wear and tear is the primary reason a feather mattress topper’s lifespan shortens. Avoid this by regularly spot cleaning and deep cleaning every month to ensure it lasts longer.  

Here are some tips to prolong your feather mattress topper:

Tips to Properly Care For a Feather Mattress Topper

To prolong and make the best out of the benefits of your feather mattress topper, follow these tips:

• Use a mattress protector. These are usually waterproof, so you won’t worry about liquid stains.
• Ensure your washing machine is large enough for your feather mattress topper. Go to your local laundry shop if your machine is small for your topper to fit in.
• Dry it properly using a dryer and the sunlight. Letting it become damp can lead to the growth of moulds.
• Use a mattress pad to reduce the pressure on your feather mattress topper. This leads to reduced instances of lumps and uneven surfaces.

Ready To Clean Your Feather Mattress Topper?

Cleaning a feather mattress topper is an easy task. If you notice stains and odours, you can pop it inside your washing machine and let the machine do the cleaning!

With this in mind, you certainly could enjoy your feather mattress topper without the unsightly stains and unpleasant odour! You’ll sleep soundly and peacefully while enjoying your fresh-smelling bed!