Can I put a memory foam topper in the washing machine?

GhostBed says: Never put a memory foam mattress topper in the washing machine. K&H Pet Products says: We do not recommend washing memory foam in a washing machine or drying it with a dryer.

Pet Urine on a Memory Foam Mattress Topper: What to Do

Q: How do I spot clean pee on a memory foam topper?

ViscoSoft says: Dab (don't soak) spots with warm water and a tiny amount of dish soap. Use a clean cloth to blot the area gently, then air dry thoroughly before re-covering. GhostBed says: Be careful not to soak the foam, since it's very absorbent.

Q: Can I wash the topper cover?

Tempur says: Most TEMPUR covers can be removed and cleaned in accordance with the washing instructions on the care label, which is located in the inside cover. ViscoSoft says: Unzip the cover and wash it separately using a cold, gentle cycle.

Q: How long should memory foam dry?

K&H Pet Products says: Allow it to dry for at least 48 hours in a well ventilated area with windows. This should be done no more than once a year.

Q: What if the topper is too soaked to clean?

No maker we checked gives a cleaning method for foam soaked all the way through. GhostBed says: If you notice that your mattress topper is too dirty to clean or doesn't support you as much as you would like, consider replacing it sooner.

This guide covers what to do when a dog or cat pees on a memory foam mattress topper or a memory foam pet bed insert: blotting, washing the removable cover, spot cleaning the foam, drying it, and what makers say when foam gets soaked, using care pages from Tempur, ViscoSoft, GhostBed, K&H Pet Products, Purple and Tuft & Needle. If the pee landed on a comforter or duvet, see cat peed on a comforter or duvet.

Step 1: Blot up what you can

The Carpet and Rug Institute's advice for wet urine is written for carpet, but its first step is blotting: "Blot liquids with a dry, white absorbent cloth or white paper towels."

Source: Carpet and Rug Institute, Spot Solver: Urine, Wet.

Step 2: Take off the cover and wash it

Tempur says: "Most TEMPUR covers can be removed and cleaned in accordance with the washing instructions on the care label, which is located in the inside cover." It adds: "During washing, the cover must be turned inside out and the zipper must be closed." Tempur also notes that not every cover is washable: "Special covers which contain TEMPUR material cannot be washed or dry cleaned but can easily be removed for airing and brushing."

ViscoSoft says of its topper covers: "Unzip the cover and wash it separately using a cold, gentle cycle." It also says: "Avoid harsh detergents and skip the bleach", and on drying the cover: "Heat can damage elastic fibers and cause shrinkage."

For a memory foam pet bed, K&H Pet Products says: "Remove the cover and wash it on the gentle cycle with cold water. Line dry or use the no-heat cycle on your dryer." For the full rinse, wash and smell-check routine for fabrics, see our guide to getting pet pee smell out of clothes, bedding and towels, and for other pet beds see how to clean a pet bed after an accident.

Sources: Tempur, Your New Product; ViscoSoft, How to Care for Your Mattress Topper; K&H Pet Products, Memory Sleeper care instructions.

Step 3: Do not machine wash the foam

GhostBed says: "Never put a memory foam mattress topper in the washing machine". Tempur says: "The TEMPUR Material cannot be washed or dry cleaned."

K&H Pet Products says: "We do not recommend washing memory foam in a washing machine or drying it with a dryer." In its product Q&A it explains:

"Memory foam has different properties from regular foam and washing can destroy the foam. Also, memory foam will hold liquid for long periods of time, so allowing it to get saturated with liquid can create mildew and mold inside the memory foam cells."

The same K&H care section also lists, among its options: "Wash it by hand in the bath tub and line dry".

Sources: GhostBed, How to Care for Your Memory Foam Mattress Topper; Tempur, Your New Product; K&H Pet Products, Memory Sleeper care instructions.

Step 4: Spot clean the foam without soaking it

Tempur says: "To clean a TEMPUR product, remove the cover and ventilate the TEMPUR material, or wipe off carefully using a well-wrung cloth to remove any surface stains or dirt."

ViscoSoft says: "Foam absorbs moisture easily, and full submersion will ruin it." Its steps are: "Dab (don't soak) spots with warm water and a tiny amount of dish soap. Use a clean cloth to blot the area gently, then air dry thoroughly before re-covering."

GhostBed says: "Be careful not to soak the foam, since it's very absorbent."

Sources: Tempur, Your New Product; ViscoSoft, How to Care for Your Mattress Topper; GhostBed, How to Care for Your Memory Foam Mattress Topper.

Step 5: Let it dry completely, without heat

For its memory foam, K&H Pet Products says: "Allow it to dry for at least 48 hours in a well ventilated area with windows. This should be done no more than once a year." Tempur says: "TEMPUR products should be regularly ventilated to remove any moisture."

On steam, Purple writes about mattresses, not toppers: "you should not steam clean a memory foam, latex, or adjustable mattress since the heat and water could damage its materials."

If the smell returns once the foam is dry, see why pet urine smell comes back after cleaning. For a stain you found late, see how to get old, dried pet urine stains out. If the pee went through the topper into the mattress, see Pet Cleanup Kit's mattress guide.

Sources: K&H Pet Products, Memory Sleeper care instructions; Tempur, Your New Product; Purple, How to Clean a Mattress.

When the topper is too soaked

None of the makers we checked give a cleaning method for foam that is soaked all the way through. K&H's warning above about foam that gets "saturated with liquid" is the closest. On replacing a topper, GhostBed says: "If you notice that your mattress topper is too dirty to clean or doesn't support you as much as you would like, consider replacing it sooner."

Sources: K&H Pet Products, Memory Sleeper care instructions; GhostBed, How to Care for Your Memory Foam Mattress Topper.

Next time: add a protector

GhostBed says: "Mattress protectors are covers that go over your mattress topper to help eliminate stains and odors." Tempur says: "We suggest to use TEMPUR-FIT™ Pillow Protector and TEMPUR-FIT™ Mattress Protector to prevent the products from getting wet or dirty." For mattresses, Tuft & Needle says: "we specifically recommend purchasing a waterproof mattress protector".

Sources: GhostBed, How to Care for Your Memory Foam Mattress Topper; Tempur, Your New Product; Tuft & Needle, Mattress Maintenance 101.

Why a pet may pee on the bed

For dogs, the American Kennel Club says: "In fact, there are many reasons why dogs pee on the bed." It adds: "Any change in bathroom behavior can potentially have a physical cause, so rule out any health conditions with a trip to the veterinarian." More in dog peeing on the bed and senior dog accidents.

For cats, the Cornell Feline Health Center says: "You may find puddles of urine or feces on soft surfaces like carpets, beds, or clothing, or on hard surfaces like tile floors or bathtubs." More in cat peed on a comforter or duvet and senior cat peeing outside the litter box.

Sources: American Kennel Club, Why Do Dogs Pee on Beds?; Cornell Feline Health Center, Feline Behavior Problems: House Soiling.

Accident on the carpet or couch too?

P-Cleaner is the Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Foaming Liquid from Pet Cleanup Kit. The product listing says: "Works on carpets, upholstery, tile, and more." It is not described for memory foam or mattress toppers; for those, follow the maker's care instructions and the steps above. Follow the directions on the product label.

Buy P-Cleaner on petcleanupkit.com

Quoted from the petcleanupkit.com product listing.