Washing bedding after a wet night: a simple laundry routine

Washing bedding after a wet night: a simple laundry routine

After a wet night the job is to change what is wet, get back to sleep, and leave the washing for the morning. A routine for each half keeps both calm. This guide covers what to do in the dark, how to wash sheets, pyjamas and waterproof layers, and how to deal with odour and the mattress.

At night: strip, bag and go back to bed

Nothing needs washing at 2 a.m. The goal is a dry child and a dry bed, with the wet things out of sight.

  1. Keep the light low and your voice quiet. Help your child out of wet pyjamas, wipe their skin with a damp cloth or a wipe, and help them into dry ones.
  2. Peel off the wet layer. If you made the bed with a pad over the sheet, the pad may be the only thing to remove.
  3. Put wet items in a waterproof bag or a lined basket near the bedroom door. A waterproof bag such as Voccos Waterproof Wet Dry Bags, Black and Grey, 2 Pack is one option for holding damp items.
  4. Remake the bed with a spare pad or sheet, wash your hands, and go back to sleep.

Keep a dry spare set and a small towel where you can reach them without turning on a bright light.

In the morning: rinse or straight to the wash

Deal with wet items the same day if you can, rather than leaving them in a closed bag. Fabric that stays soaked is harder to freshen.

  • If there was a messy leak, shake solids into the toilet first.
  • Rinse the wet areas under cool running water, or start with a rinse cycle, then wash. A cool rinse first is a common habit.
  • If you cannot wash the same day, hang the items to air rather than sealing them away.

Washing sheets and pyjamas

Follow the care labels. A few habits help with most bedding.

  • Wash wet bedding on its own, or with other bedding, rather than a mixed load.
  • Use the amount of detergent shown on the pack. Too much can leave residue and too little may not clean well. If you have hard water, check the pack for guidance. If you prefer no scent, one fragrance-free option is Tru Earth Baby Laundry Detergent Eco-Strips, Fragrance Free, 64 Count.
  • Do not overfill the drum. Items need room for water to move through them.
  • Add an extra rinse if the load still smells of detergent or of the night.

Washing waterproof protectors and pads

Waterproof layers and washable pads are more sensitive than sheets, so the care label matters most here.

  • Labels for waterproof layers often say to skip bleach and fabric softener, so check yours before choosing a laundry additive.
  • Use the temperature and cycle the label gives. Pads and protectors do not all share the same instructions, so read each one.
  • Not every protector goes in the machine. A zippered vinyl cover such as the Vinyl Mattress Protector, Zippered, Twin should be cleaned the way its own instructions say, and some waterproof covers are made to be wiped down instead of washed.
  • Check whether the label says to wash them alone or with similar soft items.
  • For more washable pads to rotate, see washable underpads and bed pads.

Drying waterproof layers without damage

High heat is a common risk for waterproof layers. If the label allows machine drying, use the setting it names. If not, or if you are unsure, air-dry.

  • Hang flat on a rack or line, away from direct heat such as radiators and heating vents.
  • In a Canadian winter, a rack in a warm room with a fan nearby works well.
  • Make sure a pad is dry all the way through before it goes back on the bed.

Dealing with lingering odour

If the smell stays after washing, work through the likely causes before buying anything new.

  • Find where the smell is. A quilted pad holds liquid in its middle layers, so check the middle and the seams, not just the surface.
  • Check that the item is dry all the way through. A damp core can smell sour even when the top feels dry.
  • Wash that one item again in a small load with an extra rinse, so water can move through the thick layers.
  • Move a finished load to the rack or dryer as soon as the cycle ends.
  • On a dry day, hang sheets and pyjamas outdoors if their labels allow line-drying.
  • If the item's care label allows it, a laundry product made for urine and similar stains is another option. Follow that product's instructions exactly and do not combine it with other cleaners.

If you use cloth items and want more laundry supplies, browse cloth diaper accessories.

Airing the mattress

If the leak got through, strip the bed fully and deal with the mattress while the room is quiet.

  1. Blot the damp spot with clean towels. Press rather than rub.
  2. Check the mattress care tag before using any cleaner, and avoid soaking the mattress.
  3. Open a window if the weather allows, or run a fan so air can move around the mattress.
  4. Let it dry fully before you make the bed again.

If the mattress keeps getting wet despite a protector, check that the protector fits the mattress and has no splits or open zipper. If wet nights are new or sudden, ask your doctor or nurse.

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Common questions

Can I wash a wet-night load with the family laundry?

That is a preference. Keeping bedding with bedding is the simpler habit. Whatever you choose, follow the care label on each item and leave room in the drum.

How many spare sets should I keep?

Enough that a wet night does not leave the bed without a dry layer while the wash is drying. One set on the bed and one spare is a workable minimum, and a second spare helps in winter when air-drying is slower.

How often should I wash the mattress protector?

Clean it whenever it is wet or soiled, in the way its care instructions say. Between wet nights, clean it with your usual bedding routine if the instructions allow.

Can I put everything in the dryer?

For sheets and pyjamas, follow the label on the tag. For waterproof layers, follow the label exactly and air-dry if there is any doubt.

Need help choosing pads or protectors to make laundry easier? Contact us and we will help you choose. We reply within one business day.