A bed bug mattress cover serves as a protective barrier against the dreaded pests, blocking them from burrowing through. Mattress covers act as a physical barrier and also typically contain chemicals that are designed to repel bed bugs. By enclosing your mattress in one of these special covers, you can effectively remove existing bed bugs and prevent new ones from infesting your bedroom.
It’s only natural to want to keep this special cover in top condition. However, can you wash it? In this guide, we’ll answer this question and also offer tips for keeping your mattress cover clean and bed bug-free!
What Are Bed Bug Mattress Covers?
That said, bed bug mattress covers can be a helpful tool in your fight against these pesky pests. They work by creating a barrier between your body and the mattress, making it more difficult for bed bugs to bite you while you sleep. Additionally, some covers are treated with pesticides that can help to kill any bed bugs that happen to get through the barrier.
If you’re considering using a bed bug mattress cover, be sure to purchase one that fits snugly over your mattress.
Otherwise, the bed bugs will simply find their way around it. Also, make sure to launder the cover regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This will help to ensure that any bed bugs that do manage to get inside the cover are quickly killed off.
What Do Bed Bugs Look Like?
Adult bed bugs are approximately 3/16” long and reddish-brown, with oval-shaped, flattened bodies. They are wingless and have six legs. Nymphs (young bed bugs) are clear in color and become brown as they mature. You may also see what look like varnish spots on your sheets or mattress, which are their droppings.
How Can You Prevent an Infestation?
If you have bed bugs, you need to take immediate action to prevent them from spreading. The first step is to wash all of your bedding, including your mattress cover, in hot water.
You should also vacuum your bedroom and any other areas where you’ve seen bed bugs. If possible, seal any cracks or crevices in your home so that the bugs cannot hide. Contact a professional pest control company to help you get rid of the infestation.
Can You Wash Bed Bug Mattress Covers and Should You?
If you think you have bed bugs, the first thing you should do is wash your mattress cover. But Can You Wash Bed Bug Mattress Covers and Should You? Let’s find out.
Washing your mattress cover is a good way to get rid of bedbugs. But you need to make sure that the water is hot enough to kill the bugs. The temperatures should be between 140°F and 150°F. If the water is not hot enough, the bedbugs will survive and continue to infest your home.
However, washing your mattress cover alone will not get rid of all the bedbugs in your home. You also need to treat your mattress, box spring, and furniture. Otherwise, the bedbugs will just keep coming back.
How To Clean Your Bed Bug Mattress Cover
Here are some tips on how to clean your bed bug mattress cover:
- Wash your bed bug mattress cover in hot water. This will kill any bed bugs or eggs that may be present.
- Dry your bed bug mattress cover on high heat. This will further prevent the spread of bedbugs.
- Vacuum your bed bug mattress cover regularly. This will remove any dirt, dust or other debris that could attract bed bugs.
- Inspect your bed bug mattress cover for signs of bedbugs. If you see any, contact a professional for help.
- Discard any contaminated items that cannot be effectively cleaned or treated.
By following these simple tips, you can keep your bed bug mattress cover clean and prevent the spread of these pests.
Alternatives to Washing the Cover
If you don’t want to wash your bed bug mattress cover, there are a few alternative options. You can try spot cleaning with a mild detergent and a sponge or brush. You can also vacuum the mattress cover weekly to help keep it clean.
Additionally, you can place the mattress cover in the sun for a few hours to help kill any bugs that may be living in it.
FAQs
How do you clean a bed cover without washing it?
It is possible to clean a bed cover without washing it. There are a few methods that can be used to clean the bed cover.
One method is to vacuum the bed cover. This will remove any dirt or dust that may be on the surface of the bed cover.
Another method is to use a damp cloth to wipe down the surface of the bed cover. This will remove any stains or spots that may be on the bed cover.
How often should a bed cover be washed?
A bed cover should be washed at least once a week, and more often if it is soiled. Bed covers can harbor dust mites, which are tiny creatures that live off of the dead skin cells that we shed every day. Dust mites are one of the main causes of allergies and asthma, so it’s important to keep them under control. Washing your bed cover in hot water will kill any dust mites that may be lurking inside.
What happens if you never wash your bedding?
If you don’t wash your bedding, the sweat, dead skin cells, and body oils that accumulate on it can provide a food source for dust mites. Dust mites are tiny creatures that thrive in dirty environments and are known to cause asthma and other respiratory problems.
In addition to being a health hazard, dust mites can also damage your mattress and make it more difficult to clean. If you have bed bugs, not washing your bedding will give them a perfect place to hide and lay their eggs.
How long do bed covers take to dry?
If you’re asking yourself “can you wash bed bug mattress covers?”, the answer is yes! But how long do they take to dry?
Most bed bug mattress covers are made of materials that will dry quickly. However, if your cover is made of a natural fiber like wool, it may take a bit longer to dry. In general, you can expect your bed bug mattress cover to take between 1-2 hours to dry.
How do you dry a mattress cover fast?
If you have a bed bug mattress cover that needs to be dried, there are a few things you can do to speed up the process. First, if possible, put the cover in the sun. The ultraviolet rays will kill any remaining bed bugs and help to dry the fabric.
If it is not possible to put the cover in the sun, you can try using a clothesline or drying rack. Be sure to place the cover in a well-ventilated area so that it dries evenly and quickly. You may also want to consider using a fan to speed up the drying process.
Conclusion
Bed bug mattress covers are a great tool to protect against infestations and should be included in any comprehensive bed bug prevention plan. Learning how to properly care for them is an important step to ensuring that your protection lasts as long as possible. We hope this article has answered the question of whether or not you can wash bed bug mattress covers, as well as given you some tips on how best to do so. With these steps, you will have fewer worries about bed bugs invading your sleep space!