how to clean memory foam mattresses

Memory foam mattresses claim to be the best mattresses available. However, they are also very different from other mattresses with the most significant difference being how to clean a memory foam mattress. If you are going to invest in either a memory foam mattress or a memory foam topper, you need to learn how to take care of them. Otherwise, you are merely wasting your money.

Mattress cleaning is crucial if you want your new mattress to continue to provide you with amazing benefits. For the first few months, the bed works perfectly. It contours to your body to help evenly distribute your weight; it helps relieve back pain, and so much more.

But after a few short months, the same problems you were having before start to come back. Your mattress is no longer quite as comfortable, and you are not getting the support you did earlier.

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Cleaning memory foam is a crucial step to ensure your new mattress delivers the best results for years to come. While there is no commercial cleaning solution available, there are several methods you can use to care for your mattress and help extend its life.

Strategies for Cleaning Your Memory Foam Mattress
- How to Clean a Memory Foam Mattress
- How to Wash a Foam Mattress, Topper, or Pillow
- Cleaning a Memory Foam Mattress with Vinegar
- How to Wash a Foam Mattress With Urine Stains
- Can You Wash Foam with a Steam Cleaner?
- How to Dry a Clean Memory Foam Mattress
- How to Keep Your Foam Mattress Clean

Strategies for Cleaning Your Memory Foam Mattress

Whether you are trying to get rid of sweat stains on a mattress, have some odors that need eliminating or just want a cleaner mattress, we have some solutions for you. Memory foam requires special care. Use our cleaning tips to get your mattress back in top condition.

Can you wash a foam mattress topper? These same recipes can be used for memory foam mattress toppers, too. Although the size makes it more appropriate for putting in the washing machine, doing so can damage your cover. Use our spot cleaning methods instead to ensure the longevity of your mattress topper.

How to Clean a Memory Foam Mattress

To clean a memory foam mattress, vacuum up the loose debris, like dead skin cells. Vacuuming your mattress will get rid of all the things you can see, such as lint, loose hair and pet hair, but it also grabs the stuff you don't see. Handheld vacuums allow the most control, but you can also use a regular-sized vacuum with a brush attachment.

When vacuuming, go over every part of the mattress, including the sides. Work from top to bottom and pay close attention to all the crevices. To deodorize or freshen up your mattress, sprinkle baking soda or Borax across the surface, let it sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum clean.

How to Wash a Foam Mattress, Topper, or Pillow

If you want to know the answer to the question can you wash foam, the answer is yes, but you must do so by hand. Whether you are looking to clean a memory foam mattress topper, pillow, or wash a mattress pad, you cannot toss it in the washing machine and walk away, as your washing machine will destroy the fragile foam. Also, if you have a king-sized bed, the topper will likely not even fit inside the washer anyway.

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Mattress Hand Washing Foam Cleaner

2 parts warm water
1 part mild detergent

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Only wash foam if there are no stains or odors present. If there are stains and odors, remove those first before cleaning the entire thing. Mix water with laundry detergent inside a plastic spray bottle.

Lightly spray the detergent solution over the whole mattress, topper, or pillow. Never soak the foam and always keep the spray bottle moving as you are squirting. Dry the mattress, topper, or pillow and remake the bed.

You can also use a small amount of dishwashing liquid on a damp clean cloth. Use a circular motion to rub out the stain. Once gone, apply a second clean cloth to blot up any excess liquid to aid in the drying process.

Cleaning a Memory Foam Mattress with Vinegar

Some stains are tougher than others. If you are having difficulty removing stains from your memory foam mattress, give this homemade stain remover a try. This solution is only a stain remover and should not be used to clean your entire bed.

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Memory Foam Mattress Stain Remover Recipe

¼ cup white vinegar
¾ cup of water
Spray bottle
Wet rag

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Using a funnel, add white vinegar and water to a spray bottle to make this natural mattress stain cleaner. Shake the bottle and spray stain directly, without saturating it too much. Using a damp rag, scrub gently at the stain using a circular motion until it's gone.

The wet cloth will help absorb any excess solution. Allow foam mattress to air dry or aim a portable fan on it for a while before putting on the mattress cover.

Some people recommend using hydrogen peroxide and water to remove tough stains. While it does work, it may discolor or damage memory foam. Hot or warm water is not effective at removing some stains as it cooks the stain into the mattress.

For tough stains such as blood, use cold water and a white rag to blot the stain away. You can also mix two tablespoons of cold water with one tablespoon of baking soda to help remove the stain.

How to Wash a Foam Mattress With Urine Stains

Urine stains are among the hardest stains to tackle with a memory foam mattress. The reason is that memory foam is similar to a sponge and absorbs just about everything, including urine. To prevent long-lasting damage, tackle urine stains as they happen and get rid of mattress stains forever.

Absorb as much of the urine as possible with paper towels. As soon as they are saturated throw them away and replace with new sheets to continue soaking up as much liquid as you can. Spray the area with distilled white vinegar and absorb the vinegar with more paper towels.

Sprinkle baking soda over the wet stain and allow it to sit for up to ten hours. For really stubborn stains, use a soft-bristled brush to work the baking soda into the fabric. Use your vacuum cleaner to suck up the baking soda. Allow the spot to finish drying and replace your sheets.

This same method can be used for how to get vomit stains out of mattress, too. If either vomit or urine stains persist despite your efforts, you can also try using an enzymatic cleaner to eliminate them.

Can You Wash Foam with a Steam Cleaner?

Sometimes the stains are so deeply set that traditional stain removal methods are useless. With these stains, people often ask can you steam clean a memory foam mattress. As long as the care instructions state that it is safe for non-professional cleaning, feel free to use your steam cleaner with an upholstery attachment.

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Deep Cleaning Steam Cleaning Recipe

Water
Vinegar
Lemon juice

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Never use commercial cleaning products in your steam cleaner for mattress cleaning, such as carpet shampoo or upholstery cleaner. The detergents used on carpets and other upholstery can damage your foam mattress. Before you use the steam cleaner, move your bed to a well-ventilated room and if you have a ceiling fan, turn it on.

The better circulation allows for faster drying and reduces the chance of moisture becoming trapped and allowing mold, mildew, or other allergens to appear. You never want mold on memory foam mattress, as it is almost impossible to remove.

Use either a handheld steam cleaner or a full-size machine, depending on how big your mattress is. Fill the steamer with water and add one tablespoon of vinegar and one tablespoon of lemon juice.

The vinegar will help break down stains, while they both will eliminate odor. Use long, slow strokes, working from the top of the mattress to the bottom. Allow 60 minutes to dry, but check for complete dryness before replacing covers and sheets.

How to Dry a Clean Memory Foam Mattress

You want to dry your foam mattress as quickly as possible after it gets wet. Cleaning and stain removal completed in a well-ventilated area will dry your mattress faster. For extremely wet spots, such as those from tough stains, sprinkle baking soda over the area to absorb some of the excess moisture.

After about 30 minutes, vacuum up the clumps. Dry in direct sunlight. This drying process will also disinfect your mattress naturally.

Washing a mattress and spot cleaning your mattress in the sun will speed up drying time, but sometimes you don't have that option. Instead of the sun, use a small fan, turn on the ceiling fan, or use a hair dryer. When using a hair dryer, put it on the lowest-setting as high heat will damage the mattress.

Use the blow dryer in short increments, as too much heat causes the foam to pucker. Only use the dryer every few hours to help in the drying process.

How to Keep Your Foam Mattress Clean

Now that you have cleaned your mattress, the final step in the cleaning process is keeping it that way. The best way to prevent future stains is by enclosing your mattress with a waterproof mattress protector or cover. If you are fighting bed bugs, once you figure out the best way to get rid of bed bugs, you can use these encasement covers to prevent them from coming back.

The difference between a protector and a cover is the way they fit around the foam mattress. A protector is similar to a fitted sheet, while a cover encases the entire mattress keeping out everything from dust mites to liquids.

If you decide it's time for a new mattress, as you're tired of the lumps and bumps with your old one, you need to know what to do with your current mattress. If it's in decent shape, there are organizations where you can donate it. If it's beyond repair, some cities offer mattress recycling. Check with your local waste management facility to learn more.

To get the most out of your new memory foam mattress topper or pad you need to rgeularly clean and maintain it. Come learn how to remove even the toughest stains with ingredients like white vinegar and baking soda, so you can reap the benefits of your new bed for years to come. #memoryfoam #mattress — (vadimgozhda/belchonock/123rf.com)

Thank you for reading about cleaning a memory foam mattress. We hope you found our tips on how to clean a memory foam bed helpful. If these foam cleaning tips are useful, please take a minute to share our ideas on how to clean a memory foam mattress with others on Facebook and Pinterest.