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Clean a Purple mattress by spot-cleaning the attached cover with a small amount of mild detergent. Do not remove the mattress cover, put it in a washing machine, or soak the mattress. Blot spills quickly, wipe away cleaner residue with a lightly damp cloth, and let the area dry completely before replacing your bedding. Purple’s current care instructions say the mattress cover should remain attached and should not be machine washed or dried.
What You Will Need
Gather a few simple supplies before you begin:
- Clean white cloths or plain paper towels
- A bowl of warm water
- Mild detergent or a cleaner made for upholstery
- An enzyme cleaner for stains such as urine, when needed
- A vacuum with a clean upholstery attachment
- A fan for faster drying
Use white cloths when possible. A brightly colored towel may transfer dye to the mattress fabric.
Check the cleaner’s label before using it. Test it on a small, less visible section of the mattress cover first.
How to Clean a Purple Mattress Step by Step
1. Remove the Bedding
Take off the sheets, mattress protector, blankets, and other bedding.
Wash each item according to its own care label. Do not assume the mattress cover follows the same instructions as the removable protector. The cover with the zipper is part of the mattress and should remain in place.
2. Vacuum Loose Dirt
Use a clean upholstery attachment to lightly vacuum the top and sides of the mattress.
Pay attention to:
- Seams
- Tufts or quilted areas
- The space around the edges
- Areas where pet hair collects
Use gentle pressure. Avoid dragging a rough vacuum head across stretchy mattress fabric because it may snag the surface.
Vacuuming is useful for dust, crumbs, hair, and dry debris. It will not remove stains, so handle marked areas separately.
3. Blot Fresh Spills
Place a clean, dry cloth over the spill and press down gently.
Do not scrub. Scrubbing can spread the liquid across a wider area and push it farther into the cover.
Switch to a dry section of the cloth and continue blotting until you can no longer lift much moisture.
Work from the outside of the spill toward the center. This helps keep the wet area from growing.
4. Apply a Small Amount of Cleaner
Mix a little mild detergent with warm water, or use a mild upholstery cleaner according to its label.
Dampen a clean cloth with the solution. The cloth should be moist, not dripping.
Gently dab the stained area. Avoid pouring or spraying a large amount of cleaner directly onto the mattress.
Purple recommends spot-cleaning the attached cover with mild detergent. Its spill instructions also allow a cleaning solution or enzyme cleaner, followed by a lightly damp cloth to remove residue.
5. Remove Cleaner Residue
Dampen a second clean cloth with warm water and wring it out well.
Blot the area to lift remaining soap or cleaning solution. Repeat with a clean section of the cloth when needed.
Too much detergent can leave a sticky patch that attracts more dirt. You do not need to make the fabric wet enough to rinse it like clothing.
6. Blot the Area Dry
Press a clean, dry cloth firmly against the cleaned area.
Replace the cloth as it becomes damp. Continue until you have removed as much moisture as possible.
Do not twist, pinch, or pull the mattress cover.
7. Let the Mattress Dry Completely
Leave the mattress uncovered until the cleaned area is fully dry.
Open a window or run a fan to improve airflow. Keep the room comfortable and well ventilated.
Do not remake the bed just because the surface feels almost dry. Moisture may remain below the top fabric. Allow extra drying time after a larger spill.
Purple specifically advises avoiding over-wetting and letting the mattress dry completely before covering it again.
Do Not Remove the Purple Mattress Cover
The zipper around a Purple mattress can make the cover look removable. However, Purple identifies this cover as part of the mattress and says not to remove it for cleaning. Machine washing and drying are not recommended.
Removing the cover may also make it difficult to put back correctly. Stretchy mattress covers can shrink, lose their shape, or become damaged in a washer or dryer.
Do not confuse the attached mattress cover with a separate mattress protector. A protector sits over the mattress and is designed to be removed.
How to Clean Common Purple Mattress Stains
Sweat or Body-Oil Marks
Use a small amount of diluted mild detergent on a damp cloth.
Blot the mark rather than scrubbing it. Follow with a separate cloth lightly dampened with warm water, and then blot dry.
For older discoloration, several light cleaning attempts are safer than soaking the area during one long session. Some marks may not disappear completely.
Urine
Blot a fresh accident immediately with dry towels.
Apply a small amount of enzyme cleaner that is suitable for upholstery. Enzyme cleaners are made to break down organic residue, but formulas vary. Follow the cleaner’s directions and test it on a hidden area first.
Enzyme cleaner should usually sit for **10 to 15 minutes**, but the correct time depends on the product and the surface.
After treatment, use a warm, lightly damp cloth to remove residue. Blot dry and provide plenty of airflow.
Avoid flooding the mattress, even when the stain covers a large area.
Food and Drink
Lift solid material carefully with a spoon or dull-edged tool. Do not grind it into the fabric.
Blot liquid with a dry cloth. Clean the remaining mark with diluted mild detergent or an appropriate upholstery cleaner.
Sugary drinks can leave sticky residue, so take time to blot the area with a separate damp cloth after cleaning.
Pet Accidents
Remove any solid mess first without pressing it into the mattress.
Blot liquids and use an enzyme cleaner labeled for the type of stain. Keep pets away from the mattress until the cleaner has been removed and the mattress is completely dry.
For homes with pets, a washable mattress protector can make regular cleanup much easier.
Blood
Begin with a clean cloth lightly dampened with cool water. Hot water may make some protein-based stains harder to remove.
Blot gently. Use only a small amount of mild cleaner if water alone does not lift the mark.
Do not use bleach unless the current mattress care instructions specifically allow it. Purple’s standard mattress-cover instructions call for mild spot cleaning rather than bleaching.
Cleaning Methods to Avoid
Do Not Soak the Mattress
A Purple mattress contains several internal materials that are difficult to dry once saturated. Excess water may spread well beyond the visible stain.
Use damp cloths rather than buckets of water or heavily soaked sponges.
Do Not Wash the Mattress Grid
Some smaller Purple products have removable grid pieces with their own washing instructions. That does not mean the grid inside a Purple mattress can be washed.
Purple warns against washing the Purple Grid inside the mattress and says doing so may affect warranty coverage.
Do Not Put the Attached Cover in a Washer or Dryer
The mattress cover should remain on the mattress. A home washer may stretch or damage it, while dryer heat may change its size or shape.
Avoid Steam Unless Your Model’s Instructions Allow It
Steam adds both moisture and heat. These can be difficult to control inside a layered mattress.
Before using a steam cleaner, extraction machine, or professional cleaning system, check the current instructions for your exact Purple model. General mattress-cleaning advice does not always apply to every Purple construction.
Avoid Harsh Chemical Mixtures
Do not combine bleach, ammonia, vinegar, peroxide, or other household chemicals.
A strong homemade mixture may discolor the cover or leave a difficult-to-remove residue. Use one mild product at a time and follow its label.
Avoid Hard Scrubbing Brushes
Rough brushes can fuzz, stretch, or snag mattress fabric. A soft cloth and repeated blotting are usually safer.
How to Wash a Purple Mattress Protector
A Purple mattress protector is removable and has different care instructions from the attached mattress cover.
Purple’s current support instructions say its mattress protector can be machine washed in cold water and tumble dried on low.
Before washing, check the care label on your particular protector. Instructions may differ by product version.
Do not put the protector back on the mattress while it is damp. A damp protector can trap moisture against the mattress surface.
How to Keep a Purple Mattress Cleaner
Use a fitted mattress protector that stretches enough to move with the mattress. A stiff or tight protector may change how the surface feels.
Other practical habits include:
- Wash sheets regularly.
- Keep drinks on a bedside table instead of the bed.
- Vacuum crumbs and pet hair before they build up.
- Clean spills as soon as possible.
- Let damp hair dry before getting into bed.
- Use an extra washable pad on a child’s bed or pet-friendly bed.
- Check beneath the fitted sheet during laundry day.
A protector is especially useful in guest rooms, kids’ rooms, dorm rooms, shared beds, and homes where pets sleep on the bed.
When to Consider Professional Cleaning
Professional advice may be useful when:
- A large amount of liquid reached the mattress
- The stain remains after careful spot cleaning
- The mattress has a strong odor that does not fade after drying
- You are unsure which cleaner is safe for your model
- The fabric appears damaged
- Moisture may have reached deep inside the mattress
Purple advises seeking professional cleaning guidance when visible marks remain after spot cleaning.
Tell the cleaner that the attached cover should not be removed and that the mattress must not be saturated. You may also contact Purple support before approving a deep-cleaning method that uses heat, steam, extraction, or strong chemicals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove and wash the Purple mattress cover?
No. Purple says the attached mattress cover should not be removed and does not recommend machine washing or drying it. Spot-clean the cover while it remains on the mattress.
What cleaner should I use on a Purple mattress?
Use a small amount of mild detergent, such as a cleaner made for upholstery. An enzyme cleaner may be used for certain organic stains. Test any cleaner on a hidden area and follow its label.
Can I use a carpet cleaner on my Purple mattress?
Do not use a carpet-cleaning machine unless Purple confirms that it is suitable for your exact model. These machines can introduce too much water into a layered mattress. Spot cleaning is the safer basic method.
Can I steam-clean a Purple mattress?
Avoid steam cleaning unless the current instructions for your mattress specifically allow it. Steam adds heat and moisture, and the inside of a mattress may dry slowly.
Can I wash the Purple Grid inside my mattress?
No. Do not wash or soak the Grid inside a Purple mattress. Purple warns that washing the mattress Grid may affect warranty coverage.
How long should a Purple mattress dry after cleaning?
Drying time depends on the size of the wet area, room humidity, and airflow. Keep the mattress uncovered until the spot is completely dry. A fan and open window can help.
How do I remove urine from a Purple mattress?
Blot the liquid immediately, apply a small amount of upholstery-safe enzyme cleaner, and remove residue with a lightly damp cloth. Blot again and let the mattress dry fully. Do not saturate it.
Is the Purple mattress protector machine washable?
Purple’s protector instructions say to machine wash it in cold water and tumble dry on low. Check the care label because instructions can vary between protector models and versions.
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