How to Clean a Memory Foam Mattress

Memory foam beds are made from petroleum-based materials which give them contouring, supportive, and pressure relieving properties. Even though these mattresses can foster sound sleeping, they can quickly lose their supportiveness and comfort if not maintained well.

Memory foam is different than other mattress materials. The polyurethane foam absorbs sweat, dead skin, and dust mites, leading to a musty bed. Regular mattress cleaning can remove dust, odors, grime, and pollen, ensuring your bed stays in great shape.

In this article, we’ll explain how to maintain your mattress by vacuuming, spot cleaning, and how to quickly dry your mattress. We’ll also discuss how to keep a mattress clean with a mattress protector and give other helpful tips on maintaining your mattress.

Always defer to the mattress care instructions on the law tag or mattress website as they provide the best guidance to care for your mattress.

You risk damage to your mattress if you ignore these maintenance guidelines, which may not be covered by mattress warranties. If the care instructions are missing, our mattress care guide is your next best bet to ensure you’re taking proper care of your mattress and protecting its longevity.

Vacuuming

The simplest and most effective way to lift the detritus is through a handheld vacuum cleaner or an upholstery attachment. These cleaning devices are easy to handle— anything larger might cause the mattress fabric to rip.

We suggest vacuuming the mattress surface every time you change your sheets— about once a week.

• Buttons and crevices will need thorough vacuuming.
• Make sure to get in the nooks and crannies as dead skin cells and dust build up in those areas.
• Remember to vacuum the sides of your bed.
• Vacuum the underside of your mattress every time you rotate or flip it— about once every 6 months. Look at your care guide to determine if the mattress can be flipped.
• If you have a pet, use a vacuum specifically designed to pick up pet dandruff and hair.

Removing Dried Stains

Once you’ve discovered a stain, it’s best to take care of it right away. We encourage quickly cleaning fresh stains as the spot will lift more easily. However, if you couldn’t get to the spot in time, you can still lift the stain with a little elbow grease.

If you have a zippable mattress cover, we suggest unzipping and looking to see if the stain soaked through and prepare to spot clean the stain both on the mattress and the cover. However, be careful removing the cover, as you may have to clean up fiberglass if your mattress model has this material as a flame barrier.

Using harsh chemicals such as bleach will damage the foam materials. Instead, use a homemade solution of 1 part mild detergent and 2 parts water shaken in a spray bottle until dissolved. Lightly spray the mixture on the mattress. You only need enough to make the fabric surface lather slightly.

Using too much of the solution can risk the integrity of the materials. A memory foam mattress is like a sponge, absorbing moisture and drying slowly. If the mattress isn’t able to dry within 24 hours, it may develop mildew or mold.

1. After spraying the stain, scrub in circular motions with a rag. Rubbing too hard may drive the cleaning solution into the bed and damage the foam.
2. Once the stain is removed, repeat the circular pattern with a clean damp rag, removing the solution. For mattresses with removable covers, once you have removed the stain, toss the cover into the washing machine and use cold water set to a gentle cycle.
3. To dry the mattress quickly, press a clean, dry rag to the wet spot, absorbing excess water. Then let the bed air dry under a fan or in direct sunlight. Once the foam is dry, place clean sheets on the mattress.

Tough Stains

For tougher stains, a mixture of 1 part vinegar and 3 parts warm water will help remove the tougher stains. Some people use hydrogen peroxide because they dislike the smell of vinegar. Bear in mind that hydrogen peroxide can discolor and damage the mattress fabric and void the warranty.

Unlike the detergent solution, this mixture will be put in a bowl.

1. Dip a rag into the liquid and scrub the stain.
2. Wipe away the excess solution with a clean, wet rag.
3. Press a dry towel to the wet spot to absorb excess water and dry under a fan or in the sun.

Liquid Stains

Accidents happen no matter your age. Spilling a dark color drink can be difficult to clean, but it’s easier if you clean it as soon as you can.

1. Use paper towels to absorb as much of the liquid as possible. Repeat until the towels are no longer absorbing moisture.
2. Mist the area with white vinegar in a spray bottle and then absorb the liquid again with a paper towel.
3. Sprinkle the wet spot with baking soda and let it sit for 8 to 10 hours. The baking soda will absorb the moisture and odor.
4. Vacuum the baking soda up. You’ll want to let the spot fully dry before putting clean sheets on the mattress. If the mattress still has an odor, drag the mattress in the sunlight and sprinkle more baking soda on the spot. This will deodorize the bed.

Quickly Dry Your Memory Foam Mattress

As we said, memory foam mattresses are like sponges. They absorb moisture readily and dry slowly because of their density. Many serve as excellent mold-resistant mattresses, but it’s still important to make sure they aren’t damp for too long.

It’s critical to make sure the room is well-ventilated when cleaning. Opening the door and window will help ensure quick drying of your mattress.

Using a small fan or hairdryer on low heat can hasten the drying process. Don’t use the blow dryer’s high heat setting or it will damage the foam. Even a ceiling fan can help speed up the drying process despite the distance between it and the bed.

How to Keep Your Memory Foam Mattress Clean

The first step in mattress care is protecting your bed from damage and debris. While vacuuming and spot cleaning keeps your mattress clean, mattress protectors and encasements will prevent damage and protect against things like dust mites, dust, pollen, and bed bugs.

Waterproof protectors and encasements offer protection to those who enjoy snacking and drinking in bed. Even a mold-resistant or hypoallergenic mattress can benefit from an extra barrier of protection.

There are some mattress companies that require their mattresses to be covered by a mattress protector or encasement to keep the warranty intact. Most companies state stains or discolorations will void the mattress warranty.

A mattress topper can also offer some protection, but the protection is minimal. Liquids can soak through the material and there is no side protection, leading to debris collection on the mattress surface.

Maintenance Tips

Mattress cleaning is a great way to extend your bed’s life. However, there are other ways to care for your mattress that can also increase its longevity.

• Support your memory foam mattress with a solid foundation. Memory foam needs more support than an innerspring mattress. The material can disintegrate if too much pressure is placed on one area. We recommend a base with slats no more than 3 inches apart as the weight of the mattress will spread over a wider space and stop pressure from disintegrating the mattress.
• Rotate your mattress every four to six months. This will help your mattress wear evenly as time goes on.
• Keep the mattress in sunlight. The sun’s rays are deodorizing to memory foam. Placing a foam mattress in sunlight will keep the mattress fresh.
• Wash the bedding and mattress cover weekly. If the mattress has a zippered cover, washing it with your bedsheets in lukewarm water will keep your mattress surface clean.

Is It Time to Replace the Memory Foam Mattress?

Sometimes, the effort of cleaning a memory foam mattress just isn’t worth it. For example, if mattress mold has taken root, it’s difficult enough to dislodge completely for your safety that you are typically better off with replacing the mattress.

If you find that to be the case, you can save greatly on a new mattress purchase with one of the year’s big mattres sales:

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FAQs

How do I protect my mattress from spills?

Use a mattress protector, preferably an encasement that covers all six sides of the mattress. Not all protectors are waterproof, so look for ones that are. You should also use a protector that shields against bed bugs and dust mites.

Can you shampoo a memory foam mattress?

You should only use a mild detergent to spot-clean your mattress.

How do you get stains out of a memory foam mattress?

Use a damp cloth with some detergent to make circular motions on the mattress stain. You can also try dabbing the stain until it comes out.

What causes yellow stains on a mattress?

Sweat can leave behind yellow stains, which are quite common on old mattresses. You can remove them using the methods outlined in this article.

Conclusion

You spend a third of your life on your mattress, which collects dust and grime. Not cleaning them can lead to allergen build-up and faster deterioration of the bed itself. Regularly vacuuming and spot cleaning our beds is a great way to keep our health. Besides, a clean and supportive mattress encourages restful sleep, preventing sagging and uncleanliness.