Why Is My Mattress Topper Turning Green? 3 Probable Reasons

Discolored, stained mattress toppers can look gross and unsightly. However, it seems like almost all mattress toppers eventually turn green or yellow. Some of them fade over time, while others change colors based on numerous external factors.

A mattress topper turns green due to oxidation, sweat buildup, or wear and tear. Mattress toppers can also turn yellow or green if they have a lot of dirt and body oils on them. You don’t have to replace the topper if it changes colors, though you should if it crumbles apart.

While some mattress toppers are green out of the box, blue ones are very susceptible to changing colors. Clean your mattress topper regularly, and don’t forget to let it air out.

Why Do Mattress Toppers Turn Yellow or Green?

If your mattress topper keeps turning green or yellow from long-term use, it might not be an issue. Foam or gel mattress toppers often get a greenish tint wherever you lay. Excessive amounts of sweat and body oils will discolor and fade your bedding within a couple of months.

So, why is your mattress topper green all of a sudden?

Sweat and Body Oils on the Mattress Topper

Whether or not you shower right before bed, you’re bound to get a lot of sweat, skin cells, and body oils all over the mattress topper. Tom’s Guide claims body oils and sweat are the two main reasons your bedding looks yellow or green. Unfortunately, it’s fairly difficult to avoid this mattress topper issue.

Oxidation Discolors Memory Foam and Gel Foam

This discoloration is natural, so it won’t damage your mattress topper. You’ll likely notice the green or yellow stains wherever your body heat rests when you sleep. Moving around sends a lot of air through the mattress topper, causing a reaction between the foam and the surrounding oxygen.

Wear and Tear Will Affect the Topper

Long-term use will cause stains on any mattress topper, regardless of the material or quality. Heavy sheets, heated fabrics, and electric blankets dehydrate you, which can make you sweat a lot. This sweat worsens the bedding’s natural deterioration.

Choosing a top-shelf mattress topper can prevent green and yellow stains. I’ve used the Linenspa Memory Foam Mattress Topper for many years. I’ve replaced it once, but the soft two-inch foam paired with the breathable gel infusion is second to none. You can find the topper in all sizes to fit your mattress.

How to Fix Mattress Topper Discoloration

To fix mattress topper discoloration, try these suggestions:

1. Clean your mattress regularly. Amerisleep recommends using a mixture of one part distilled vinegar to one part water to scrub and clean your mattress topper. This cleaning solution removes bacterial growth, odors, and stains. It’s also gentle enough to prevent the mattress topper from drying out.
2. Change your bed sheets if you keep sweating too much. I used to sweat through cotton and polyester bed sheets. However, I made the switch to bamboo rayon bed sheets, which was a huge improvement. Make sure you choose breathable, lightweight bed sheets to prevent yourself from perspiring all night.
3. Don’t use a weighted blanket on soft, smooth mattress toppers. Weighted blankets cause a lot of sweating, but they can also indent and weaken mattress toppers made of gel or memory foam. Consider sticking to weighted blankets that weigh less than 20 pounds. As a general rule of thumb don’t get a weighted blanket that’s more than 10% of your body weight.
4. Vacuum the mattress topper weekly if you have pets. Pets shed a lot of hair, dander, and other contaminants that will soil your mattress topper. You can’t put a memory foam or gel mattress topper in the laundry machine, so you’ll have to remove the hair and lint by hand (or a vacuum).
5. Let your mattress topper dry while you wash the sheets. Don’t put any blankets or sheets on it. The air should be able to flow through the mattress topper, preventing mold and mildew growth. Speaking of which, mold can undoubtedly turn your mattress topper green, brown, or black.

Failure to clean your bedding correctly will cause green, yellow, brown, and other unwanted stains. For instance, it’s best to dry clean weighted blankets, slow tumble bed sheets, and wash most pillowcases on lower heat.

Is It Normal for a Mattress Topper to Turn Different Colors?

It’s normal for a mattress topper to turn different colors because they oxidize and build up a lot of body fluids. Washing your bedding will prevent green and yellow stains, but they’re bound to show up within a few weeks or months.

While almost all mattress toppers will eventually get stained, faded, or discolored, it shouldn’t happen overnight. Here’s a list of things to keep an eye out for:

• Foul odors paired with green stains on a mattress topper often indicate mold or bacteria.
• Paint, drinks, and other liquid spills will immediately change your mattress topper’s color, but they should be cleaned as soon as possible.
• Gel memory foam mattresses often come in blue-green shades that fade to green, which is expected and completely okay.
• Bedding discoloration paired with deterioration often means it’s time to replace the foam or fabric.

Another issue is when your mattress topper is too big for the mattress or bed frame. Since bed frames aren’t universal, the topper can hang off the edges and dry or crumble. Your mattress topper should be able half an inch shorter than your bed on all sides.

Pet urine can also make your mattress topper turn green. Since many mattress toppers use blue foam, the combination of yellow and blue makes the bedding look green. You’ll have to replace the topper if it’s not cleaned right away. Pet urine is acidic, so it’ll soak into the memory foam and dry it out from the inside.

Consider these additional signs that it’s time to replace your mattress topper:

• Torn foam or fabric
• Crumbling material
• Irremovable stains and odors
• Spreading stains (they could indicate mold growth)
• Material hardening (specifically with gel or tea-infused mattress toppers)