Memory foam mattresses are a popular choice of mattress because of the comfort they offer. It is quite easy to clean memory foam mattress as you’ll soon get to find out.
The comfort of this mattress is due to the fact that the mattress contours to the shape of your body as you lay on it. Making it seems it is specifically designed for you.
In addition to that, a memory foam mattress provides enough grip that allows you to sleep through the night without tossing and turning. You also get to wake up without pains or deadness in any of your limbs.
Knowing all these interesting things that a memory foam offers, it becomes necessary to know exactly how to clean it in order to further extend its durability.
Table of Contents
How to Clean A Memory Foam Mattress – Cleaning Tips
What are the ways to clean a memory foam mattress?
To clean your memory foam mattress, do the following:
1. Vacuum your mattress.
2. Spot clean your mattress.
3. Dry your mattress.
Vacuum Your Mattress
How can you vacuum your memory foam mattress?
To vacuum memory foam mattress, take out your bed covers. Use a vacuum cleaner to vacuum the surface of the foam, paying more attention to the crevices and edges.
If there is any odor coming from the mattress, sprinkle baking soda on it. Leave it for 15 minutes and vacuum it again.
It is very important that you vacuum your mattress, at least once a week. First off, just laying on your bed is enough for your bed to collect dust which is basically dead skin from your body.
In addition to that, there is dust everywhere. So yes, your bed must have collected its own share.
You might just suddenly find some cheetos that you ‘lost’ right there in the corner of your mattress.
Some vacuum cleaners have a special cleaning accessory specifically for cleaning mattresses.
However, if your vacuum model does not come with one, you could either use a crevice tool or a brush tool.
Spot Clean Your Mattress
How do you spot clean your mattress?
Follow these steps to spot clean your mattress:
1. Get a clean absorbent cloth.
2. Dab the spot with the cloth to suck up much of the spilled liquid.
3. Wash the spot with soap and clean cloth.
4. Add a little quantity of vinegar to the soap before you wash if you wish. The vinegar should take care of any bacteria.
5. Sprinkle baking soda on the spot after washing to remove unwanted odor. Then leave it to sit for about 15 minutes.
6. Vacuum the spot to remove the baking soda and leftover debris.
If you have a habit of eating in bed or you have a toddler (or pet) that isn’t potty trained yet, you’ll be faced with the challenge of cleaning up spills frequently.
The key to getting stains out of anything is to get at it fast. And with a memory foam mattress that is really absorbent, it is very important.
If you leave the spill too long, it will get too deep into the mattress, become very difficult to remove, and then stink. It is advisable that you get as many liquid spills out as quickly as possible. Be careful not to press into the mattress in order not to push in the stain even further.
Consider doing your cleaning from the outside so as not to spread the stain further than the spot it already occupies.
On the other hand, if what was spilled is solid, handpick the solid stuff. And you can just skip ahead to washing immediately.
Dry Your Mattress
You’d want your mattress to dry out as quickly as possible. So if you can manage it, carry the mattress outside to get some sunlight.
Not only will contact with sunlight dry the spot faster, but it could also take care of the smell completely.
If, however, you cannot manage that, you could try to reposition your mattress to a window or something. Another option is to strategically position a fan so that it can blow on the mattress.
The idea is to get the mattress dry sometime that day. And this is because if your mattress is wet for too long, it could start to breed mold.
Check out these interesting articles from our previous post:
- How to Clean A Water Dispenser
- How to Clean An AC Drain Line
- How to Help A Hoarder Clean
- How to Clean Your Furnace
- How Often To Dry Clean Pants
- How to Clean A Pillow Top Mattress
Conclusion
Finally, preventing stains in the first place is the best way to keep your mattress around for longer.
So, as much as you can, avoid activities that will cause spillage on your bed, or at least do it less frequently.
And if you have a child or pet who wets the bed, consider getting a mattress protector.
This is usually waterproof and will prevent the pee from sinking into the mattress.
How to Clean A Memory Foam Mattress – Related FAQs
Does Urine Ruin Memory Foam?
Urine can ruin a memory foam especially when they are not cleaned properly. When your mattress is soiled with urine, the moisture seeps into the different layers of the memory foam quickly.
Sadly, the only thing you can do is remove the mattress bedding and leave it to air dry, then remove the stain. There are different stain removing methods for memory mattress depending on the material and type of foam.
It is best you prevent urine from seeping through your memory foam. You can do this by buying breathable and non-toxic waterproof protectors for your memory foam.
How Do You Get Yellow Stains Out Of Memory Foam Mattress?
To get yellow stains out of memory foam mattress use any of these methods:
Method one:
- Mix washing soap or vinegar with water.
- Spray the cleaning solution on the yellow stain or simply dab it on the stain with a sponge.
- Allow it to sit for about 5-10 minutes.
- Wipe it with a clean cloth.
- Repeat this method until all stains have disappeared.
Method two:
- Add washing soap to water.
- Stir the mixture until it forms bubbles.
- Rub the soap bubbles on the stain in a circular style.
- Spray white vinegar on it and allow it to sit for 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle baking soda on the stain.
- Dab it with a cloth when it has stopped fizzling.
If the yellow stains are still visible, use hydrogen peroxide and wet sponge to wipe them off.
How Do You Clean A Mattress After Bedwetting?
To clean a mattress after bedwetting, follow any of these methods:
Method 1:
- Strip the bed and wipe the mattress dry.
- Mix 3 tablespoons of baking soda in a cup of hydrogen peroxide. Stir mixture until properly mixed.
- Pour the hydrogen peroxide solution in a spray bottle.
- Spray the stain and allow it to sit for 1 hour.
- Use baking soda to cover the stain and vacuum it after 8-10 hours.
- Repeat cleaning if there is still stain on the mattress.
Method 2:
- Mix water and white vinegar in equal portions.
- Spray the solution on the stain and allow it sit for about 5-10 minutes.
- Dab it with a white cloth.
- Sprinkle baking soda on the stained spot to remove the urine smell. Vacuum afterwards.
Can You Steam Clean A Memory Foam Mattress?
Follow these steps to steam clean a memory foam mattress:
1. Take off all beddings including bed liners and covers.
2. Plug your steam cleaner to give it enough time to heat up.
3. Use a soft-bristled brush to scrub the mattress and loosen any debris.
4. Use a vacuum cleaner to clean the mattress. Make sure large debris is removed first before vacuuming.
5. Spot clean any visible stains on the mattress and leave it to dry.
6. Steam clean the mattress up, down, and all sides.
7. After steaming, wipe the mattress with a dry towel to absorb left over dirt and moisture.
Do not steam one spot more than 10 seconds. Otherwise, there will be build-up of too much moisture that can lead to mildew and mold infestation.
What Are The Benefits Of Steam Cleaning Your Memory Foam Mattress?
The benefits of steam cleaning your memory foam mattress are:
- It helps to keep the memory foam mattress elastic in order to support your body weight.
- It keeps your mattress stain-free and clean.
- It kills all odor-causing bacteria thereby keeping your mattress smelling so fresh.
- It sanitizes your mattress and kills all moldy spores.
- It kills bed bugs, dust mites, and other insects that may be nesting in your mattress.
The benefit of steam cleaning your mattress cannot be over emphasized. Steam cleaning should be done regularly.
Is Memory Foam Smell Dangerous?
Memory foam smell is dangerous to health. The common symptoms of memory foam mattress are nausea, allergic reactions, and headaches.
If you experience any of the symptoms, you should stop sleeping on it at least during the off-gassing period.
Leave your memory foam mattress in a ventilated room for about one or two weeks. This can help to get rid of the odor or reduce it as well as its symptoms.
After some weeks and there is no noticeable difference in the smell, it is time to look for another alternative to memory foam mattress.
What Causes Yellow Stains On Mattress Pad?
The following are causes of yellow stains on mattress pad:
- Aging. Most times, this is caused by regular exposure to direct sunlight and oxidation.
- Sweat. Sweaty yellow stains are more visible after a while. They usually give off an offensive odor.
- Oil. Oil spills from oily food on your mattress can turn yellow if left unattended for a long time.
- Mold. This comes from poor hygiene practices and care. Mold spores are yellow and grow in areas of your mattress that are exposed to moisture. To prevent this, disinfect your mattress thoroughly.
- Urine. Always spot clean your mattress with baking soda and vinegar to remove urine stain and smell. Then leave it to air dry.
How Do You Clean A Mattress With A Carpet Cleaner?
Follow these steps to clean your mattress with a carpet cleaner:
- Remove all dirty beddings and wash them in a washing machine.
- Plug a vacuum with a hand-held attachment.
- Use the vacuum cleaner to clean every side of your mattress to remove accumulated dust mites and dirt.
- Stand your memory foam mattress against a wall.
- Wash the water reservoir bottle in your carpet cleaner so that you do not transfer dirt to your mattress.
- Fill the water reservoir with the cleaning solution and water as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Use the carpet cleaner to clean your mattress slowly one side at a time.
- Flip your mattress to the other side and clean.
- Once the mattress is dry, put it back to its base.
