A foam mattress is regarded as the most comfortable mattress option that provides an amazing level of comfort, support and a sound night sleep. Memory foam mattress is made using a special type of sponge in conjunction with advanced Visco technology. This combination allows it to contour to your body and evenly distribute your weight to relieve pressure points and alleviate back pain while sleeping.
Memory foam mattress requires a thorough cleaning at least once a year to get rid of dead skin cells, dust mites, body odors, allergens and even bacteria which accumulate on it over time. We recommend cleaning this type of mattress by hand, because the memory foam may be ruined if machine cleaned. Below are a few practical tips on how to clean a foam mattress the right way.
What You Need:
- A handheld vacuum cleaner
- 1 cup of warm water
- Gentle laundry detergent or dishwashing liquid
- ½ cup of white vinegar or fabric cleaner
- A clean cloth or rag
- Baking soda
- A spray bottle
Table of Contents
How to Clean a Foam Mattress – Steps to Follow
Remove Your Mattress Cover & Beddings
We recommend cleaning both the mattress topper and foam mattress at the same time. First, remove your sheets, blankets, pillows and duvets and give them a thorough washing if necessary. Then, locate the zipper and take it off carefully to avoid worsening any stain or spill that may have landed on the cover.
Follow the cleaning instructions on the care tag to clean the cover. If no washing directions are provided, we recommend spot-cleaning it using a mild detergent to get rid of stains and odors. Make sure to open the window or turn on the fan to keep the room ventilated.
Caution: Do not clean the cover with bleach, ammonia or other harsh chemicals. Mattress covers consist of a variety of fabrics which can be damaged or discolored by harsh chemicals.
Vacuum the Foam to Remove Any Loose Debris
Vacuuming the foam mattress takes care of loose debris such as stray hair, dead skin cells, lint, pet dander and other dirt particles that build up on the bed. You can use a handheld vacuum cleaner or one with brush attachment to clear out surface crumbs so you can achieve the healthiest, germ-free sleep. Do not scrub deep into the mattress as this is likely to pull or tear out the top layers and damage the bed.
Work on every inch of the mattress, starting with slow and even strokes horizontally and working your way across the entire bed. Finish up with targeted vacuuming in small crevices to remove every nooks and crannies that might have landed in those spots. If you have pets, we recommend using a vacuum cleaner specially designed for picking up pet hair that often clings to fabric.
Mix Your Cleaning Solution
Remember not to use harsh cleaning products (such as ammonia or bleach) to clean your foam mattress as these chemicals could degrade the foam. One of our favorite foam mattress cleaning solutions is a mixture of gentle detergent or dishwashing liquid and warm water. In a spray bottle, add 1 part gentle laundry detergent to 2 parts warm water and shake well until it creates a watery consistency with discernible bubbles on the surface.
For particularly stubborn stains, add ½ cup of white vinegar or fabric cleaner to 1 cup of warm water. Give the spray bottle a good shake to completely mix the cleaner, and then spray the mixture sparingly on the foam mattress. Make sure the cleaner covers the whole mattress, but try not to make it too wet as this could be a recipe for mildew. Also, the mattress will take longer to dry if your go too overboard. Let the cleaning agent sit on the bed for 5-10 minutes.
Clean the Stain
After 5-10 minutes, the cleaning agent will have had ample time to dislodge the stain. Now, using a clean cloth or rag, remove as much of the stain as possible from the foam mattress. Dab the stain using an up and down motion, being careful never to scrub it.
We advise against cleaning the stain in a circular rubbing motion as you might end up spreading the stain or pressing the cleaning agent deeper into your mattress than it should. As soon as the stain is gone, clean off any excess solution using a new rag or cloth dipped in cold water. Also, go slow on water to avoid wetting the mattress.
Deodorize Your Memory Foam Mattress
It is normal for some stains like vomit, urine and cigarette smoke to linger around even after the mattress has been cleaned. For this reason, it is necessary to deodorize the memory foam pad and mattress topper right after cleaning up. Before applying any odor remover, first vacuum the mattress as usual to get rid of any lingering surface crumbs that are difficult to notice.
Then, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the foam mattress. You can do this outside in the sun if it is not too windy, otherwise all the baking soda will be blown away. Allow the baking soda to sit overnight, and then vacuum it up in the morning. Baking soda should help eliminate any lingering odors associated with the stain.
Dry Out Your Foam Mattress
Foam mattress performs poorly when it is still wet, so you need to dry it out completely before putting the mattress topper back on. If excess moisture is left stuck in the memory foam, it can lead to the growth of mold or mildew which could ruin your bed. You can take your mattress to dry out in the sun, and make sure you flip it over periodically in order to dry evenly on all sides.
In the event the weather is not amenable, you can dry out your mattress using a fan or a blow dryer on low to medium setting. Avoid using the highest heat setting as this may lead to puckering or ruining of the top layers of your bed. A foam mattress takes at least 24 hours to dry up completely.
Prevent Future Stains
Spills and other accidents are likely to happen no matter how hard you try to avoid them. The best way to steer clear of lasting stains and damage on memory foam is prevention. We recommend using either a waterproof mattress protector or a mattress encasement to cover your mattress against any spills or accidents.
A mattress protector is designed to fit into a mattress like a sheet, and is typically composed of fluid-resistant materials that still promote breathability. It prevents against stains coming from those spilled drinks and snacks that somehow find their way into bed. Mattress encasements are intended to fit around the whole bed and safeguard against such things as debris, liquids, dust mites, bed bugs and more.
