On a cold winter night, a heated mattress pad can keep you snuggly and warm.

While heated mattress pads are a major convenience, they can also be hard to clean. Since the mattress pads are electric, you can’t exactly clean them the way you would a traditional mattress pad.

Don’t worry, there are ways to get your heated mattress pads clean without ruining them, just follow these tips.

Spot Clean
The best way to clean most heated mattress pads is to spot clean them. This allows you to remove dirt and stains without having to actually soak the entire mattress pad. Use a laundry stain remover or laundry detergent to clean each dirt spot or stain. Spray each spot and then dab it with a cloth or towel to remove the stain. Let the mattress pad air dry before you put your sheets and blankets back on it.

Machine Wash
Not all heated mattress pads can be machine washed, but some can. If you are planning to wash your mattress pad in the washing machine, you have to take some precautions. Make sure there are no wires showing or poking through the pad and always remove the electric cord. It should attach somewhere near a corner or seam of the mattress pad. Use a gentle detergent and wash the mattress pad by itself. Dry thoroughly before placing it back on your bed.

Drying
Drying the mattress pad correctly is very important and will help it last longer. It’s never a good idea to dry the mattress pad in the dryer, so you should always let it hang to dry. If you don’t have a place to hang it in your laundry room and can’t hang it outside on a line, try draping it over your shower curtain rod. Never store or use a heated mattress pad while it is still wet or damp.

Don’t let the fear of not knowing how to clean a mattress pad stop you from buying one. Just follow the tips above and you won’t have any problems.