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IKEA Mattress Covers | Are They Removable?

It is unrealistic to live in a world where you would need to replace your mattress every time it gets damaged or infested with dust mites. Enter mattress covers. The fact that you can remove, clean, and place them back onto your mattress is integral to their function and, indeed, their existence.

If your mattress cover needs to be cared for, this article investigates the best ways to clean and dry your cover whilst understanding why it’s a household treasure.


IKEA mattress covers can be removed to be cleaned or replaced. The ability to be removed is critical to their function as mattress protectors. If they were not removable, they would just be part of the mattress and you would struggle to keep them clean and any damage would require full mattress replacement.

IKEA Mattress Covers Can Be Removed

Removing IKEA mattress covers is generally an easy task.

Mattress protectors can be elasticated at the four corners or along the entire edge. These are put on and removed like a fitted sheet.

These kinds of covers can simply be removed by lifting the elastic straps/edging from under the mattress corners.

Woman placing the mattress cover on mattress

Other mattress protectors slide over the whole mattress and zip up for full coverage. To remove these, you will undo the zip and slide the protector off. It may be a two-person job with heavier mattresses. You should also avoid bending latex mattresses in the process as you can damage them.

How to Wash an IKEA Mattress Cover

Even though they are mostly made from waterproof materials, IKEA mattress covers can be washed by tossing them into the washing machine (if they have a zip, this must be closed).

The wash cycle will clean all parts that are not waterproof as normal and the parts that are waterproof will essentially get scrubbed down with a good detergent to remove topical dirt.

It is important to only use detergents that don’t have bleach as the bleach can ruin the waterproofing agent in most mattress covers.

Almost all of their mattress protectors can be washed at 140 °F (60 °C), which is high enough to kill dust mites but low enough to avoid ruining or shrinking the cover.

Some covers like the IKEA ROSENVIAL mattress protector, however, need to be washed at 100 °F (40 °C) as it contains filling with wax-infused viscose fibers, which can be ruined if washed at higher temperatures.

These mattress protectors can be washed on a normal spin cycle, but preferably on a delicate or gentle cycle.

You will also need to consider the size of your washer when washing your covers as they do come in various sizes.

If you have a large-sized cover (queen- or king-sized), it is best to have a washer with a large drum capacity of 4.5-5.0 cubic feet as it allows for enough water to thoroughly wash your cover.

If you have smaller-sized covers (single or double (full-sized)), you can get away with smaller washers. You can also still use washers with a large drum capacity; you will just be able to load more into your washer with the mattress covers.

Drying an IKEA Mattress Cover

You can air-dry your IKEA mattress cover. However, it is not advisable to hang your wet mattress cover on a rope or wire as this can cause stretching and damage.

Place it spread out on a flat, clean surface, and not in direct sunlight. This may take a long time to dry fully but can be sped up with the help of a well-positioned fan.

Man drying out mattress cover on a table with ceiling fan turned on

You can also dry your mattress cover in a tumble dryer unless the label on your cover says not to do so, and provided your dryer drum is large enough.

It is best to place your tumble dryer on a low-heat setting. If you place it on a high-heat setting, this kind of extreme heat exposure can cause the fabric of the cover to shrink, and it most likely will not fit over your mattress anymore. If this happened, you would have to buy a new one.

High heat exposure can also cause the waterproof material in your cover to melt and become distorted, ruining its functionality.

Obviously, setting your tumble dryer on a low-heat setting will slow the drying process and the drying time will be longer, but replacing the cover will be more inconvenient and expensive.

There are no specific drying times allocated for IKEA mattress covers. However, I do suggest inspecting your cover every 15-20 minutes of being in the dryer to see how much longer you would need to leave it in.

Is the Mattress Cover Really Worth It?

It is a lot easier and more cost-effective to clean your mattress cover than it is to clean your actual mattress, making mattress covers, in my opinion, worth the money.

Mattress covers help prolong the life and quality of your expensive mattress by protecting it from spills (especially if you have kids or pets) and daily wear.

Not to mention, if you happen to stain your mattress, you may land up losing its warranty.

Mattress covers are an inexpensive way to ensure your mattress stays fresh and clean. They can also protect you from sharing nights with dust mites as you are able to wash your cover at any time, making it less of a desirable environment for these little critters to inhabit.

Some mattress covers even provide additional comfort to your current mattress either by providing extra cushioning or helping to regulate your body temperature.

Can You Replace an IKEA Mattress Cover?

Luckily, if something goes wrong with your current IKEA mattress cover, you can purchase a brand-new one.

An-entrance-of-an-IKEA-Store

You may want to aim at replacing your mattress cover every two years or if it experiences some extreme wear and tear first.

If you need to replace your mattress cover, it’s not a problem as there are various types of protectors that come in different sizes that range from single to king-sized mattresses.

Foam, latex, and spring mattresses come with covers already and have a warranty that is limited to about ten years. However, you will not be covered by this warranty if cleaned incorrectly by using the wrong cleaning method or products. So, be sure to follow those care instructions carefully!

Sources

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/files/pdf/3a/71/3a711bb8/mattress_warranty_jan_11_2022.pdf

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/cat/mattress-pillow-protectors-24824/?filters=f-feature%3A47492

http://itisapieceofcake2011.blogspot.com/2013/04/how-to-wash-ikea-mattress-cover.html

https://www.realhomes.com/news/5-reasons-why-you-really-need-a-mattress-protector-new-mattress-or-not

https://www.ikea.com/my/en/files/pdf/0d/f4/0df46c48/buyingguide_mattress.pdf

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/manuals/morgedal-foam-mattress-medium-firm-dark-gray__AA-2239602-3-2.pdf

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/morgedal-foam-mattress-medium-firm-dark-gray-00272208/

https://www.thespruce.com/what-size-washer-for-king-size-comforter-5323513

https://www.leadhousehold.co.za/latest-news/how-to-select-the-right-load-size-for-your-laundry/

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