Your memory foam mattress could be the biggest investment in your bedroom, so you should take care of it. If you want to keep it free from odors and allergens, you should clean it regularly. But this shouldn’t be a big problem if you clean the sheets regularly. However, if there are spills you have to clean it sparingly.
If you use too much water, the mattress can easily trap it. Keep in mind, this is not the kind of thing you’d put in your washing machine. So, what does cleaning your mattress entail? Here is a detailed step-by-step guide on how to clean memory foam mattress.
Gather all the materials
If you’re doing simple cleaning, you need a gentle fabric cleaner, spray bottle, water, and a vacuum with a soft brush attachment.
Take off the beddings
Before you get into the actual cleaning, you should remove the blankets, sheets, pillows, duvets, and mattress covers. To remove the cover, locate the zipper which is at the bottom or side of the mattress. You may want to be cautious because some covers are tricky to remove than others.
Most covers can be cleaned by hand, so if you use a machine, you may end up destroying it. However, you should check the warranty to ensure the cover is removable.
If there are no directions, then spot cleaning is the best. You simply use a mild detergent and wash on a gentle cycle. Mattress covers come in a variety of fabrics, so harsh chemicals can discolor or damage the fabrics. Avoid putting it on a dryer as this could potentially shrink it.
Remove dirt with a vacuum
Routine mattress cleaning will help you get rid of any debris, dirt, and stray hair. And because most mattresses come with stitched covers, they can trap dust and debris. Your goals should be to get through all those nooks and crannies. While a small brush attachment will work well for this purpose, the upholstery attachment will get into hard to reach areas. Be sure to put the right attachments on your vacuum.
Start with slow strokes and then move through the entire mattress vertically. A vacuum will also pick pet hair which may sometimes cling on the fabric. Next, flip the mattress by placing it against the wall. If the mattress has a pillow top, you should target the smaller crevices that can trap debris that is hard to see.
Clean the stains
If you want to keep stains on your mattress at bay, you should remove the cover immediately. When the spill sinks further into the mattress, it could develop mold and mildew. You can remove most stains with a mild detergent or dishwashing liquid.
Still, you can pick a cleaner of your choice and mix in the ratio of 2:1. A general rule of thumb is to ensure there are some bubbles on the surface of the solution after mixing the liquid to maintain consistency.
Using too much cleaning solution can ruin the integrity of the mattress foam. Avoid using harsh cleaners that contain ammonia as it can easily degrade the foam of your mattress.
If there’re light stains on the mattress, a fabric cleaner solution works best. For tough stains, you should mix a quarter cup of vinegar with three-quarters cup of water.
Just dip a sponge gently in a cleaning solution. Then, rub the stain by making circular motions starting from the outermost part heading inward. Avoid applying too much pressure on the stain as you could make it sink further. A vinegar solution works best when removing pet stains. Another way of cleaning stubborn stains is by using boric acid.
To remove liquid stains, you should use a paper towel to absorb as much water as possible. Simply add water into a spray bottle, sprinkle the mixture, and rub with a paper towel. Then, apply the baking soda and let it sit for about 8 hours to remove the odor.
How to clean memory foam mattress after bedwetting
Unlike the traditional mattress, cleaning memory foam is slightly more different. The first step is to soak up urine with a towel. Be careful not to overdo it to ensure it doesn’t penetrate deeply into the mattress. You can use more than one towel to force the urine out of the mattress.
After this step, you should deodorize the mattress. Simply dilute white vinegar with water and then sprinkle the mixture on the mattress. Next, press the towel into the foam. To absorb any residual odor, draw out the remaining mixture and allow it to sit for 8-10 hours. The next day, you should vacuum the mattress and set the fan to dry it out.
If you want to protect your memory foam mattress from future harm, you should invest in a machine washable cover.
Cleaning other liquids on your foam mattress
When a liquid spills on your mattress, it becomes tough to remove and may cause permanent damage. To start with, you should remove the beddings and throw them in a washing machine for a cold cycle.
Then, take a spray bottle and mix baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and dishwashing liquid. Apply the stain-removing solution on the problem area and let it air dry.
Drying the mattress
Because a foam mattress is not the same as the traditional counterparts, you should give it enough time to dry up. If you can find a good outdoor area, you should place it under the sun. But if the weather is amenable, you can use a fan to dry it out.
If you use a dryer, avoid setting the highest level. You should position it over the damp area of the mattress and let it work its magic within hours. Once the mattress is fully dry, you should replace the sheets and enjoy a good night’s sleep.
Deodorizing the foam mattress
You can mist the foam mattress with a vacuum cleaner. A light layer of citrus cleaner will also help to remove the odors. If you want to make your citrus cleaner, you should place some lemon and orange peels in an airtight container. Then, fill it with white vinegar and let the mixture sit for a couple of days.
Put on the mattress cover
Once you’ve cleaned, vacuumed, and deodorized your mattress, you should place the mattress cover on. This will keep it clean all the time. Don’t place the topper on the mattress unless it’s completely dry as it can lead to mold and mildew buildup. If you like to enjoy your coffee or drink when on the bed, you may want to invest in a waterproof mattress cover.
How to keep memory foam mattress clean
The first step in keeping your mattress in tip-top shape is by removing the cover and vacuuming it. Once you clean the stain, you apply some baking soda and let it sit overnight. And to ensure you remove any odors associated with the stain, you should vacuum the baking soda.
While there’s no problem using hydrogen peroxide, this is not the type of solution you use in a memory foam mattress. It can discolor or affect it underneath.
How to clean foam pillow top mattress
Pillows have turfed tops where dust particles can easily settle into. Before you think of using crazy chemicals, you should try simple household detergents. Just sprinkle the solution on your bed bet ensure it doesn’t get too wet.
If there is any lingering smell, you may want to sprinkle baking soda. After that, switch on the ceiling fan and open the window. Once the mattress dries up, you should vacuum it and place some clean sheets.
Cleaning memory foam mattress topper
Just like the mattress, the topper needs cleaning once in a while. You should use a mild cleaning solution and rub it on a rag. If any stains persist, you should use some boric acid until the stain comes off completely.
And because there’s a possibility that some odors may still be on the topper, you can use baking soda on both sides.
Tips when cleaning mattress
You should never steam clean your foam mattress as you could end up destroying it. This is because steam cleaning uses liquids that can saturate your mattress with liquid.
After cleaning, it could be impossible to remove the water from the mattress. If you’re not careful, you could do irreparable harm to the foam beneath.
Frequently Asked Questions
01.How often you should clean your memory foam mattress
Did you know that a memory foam mattress is more hygienic than other types of mattresses? It’s more likely to inhibit mildew, mold, and any type of fungus. With this in mind, you may want to clean your mattress regularly. You should consider seasonal cleaning.
Every time you change the sheets, you should vacuum the top and the sides to remove dust mites, dead skin, and debris. This will not only prolong the life of the mattress but also improve sleep hygiene.
02.Should you rotate your foam mattress after cleaning?
After cleaning the mattress, you should rotate it to prevent wear and tear. Some come with a top layer for added comfort, so you can imagine the bottom layer may not be that comfortable. Unfortunately, the majority of foam mattresses will not allow for flipping.
Final words
We spend a third of our lives sleeping on our mattresses. Therefore, cleaning your memory foam mattress regularly will provide you with many years of restful sleep. But no matter the cleaning product you use, be sure to check the label for instructions. You should do the cleaning at least twice a year. Remember, each foam mattress has a different cleaning process.