How to Clean a Foam Mattress? - And Why You Should Take the Time to Do It

A foam mattress will give you the most comfortable night’s sleep of your life. They are expensive but so worth the money. You may be wondering what the care process is like for these mattresses. Whether you have accidentally spilled coffee or some other fluids on your mattress, you will need to know how to properly clean it.

The structure of the foam used to make these mattresses is highly absorbent. This means that they can easily trap a lot of moisture inside, which can be an issue when it comes to cleaning.

Memory foam is a material that is, by nature, antimicrobial. This means that there is less chance of contamination from a memory foam mattress than there is from a regular one. That being said, you should still take the time to clean your mattress.

General maintenance tips

Our biggest tip for you is to always use a mattress protector. This sits on the surface of your mattress and tends to have a waterproof underside. The main purpose is to stop liquids from coming into contact with the mattress material and damaging it.

You should regularly wash this mattress cover, along with the rest of your bedding. This will prevent odors from building up and will ensure the risk of bedbugs is minimized. We advise changing your bedsheets at least once per week and washing your mattress protector every couple of months.

We do not advise using a steam cleaner to clean your foam mattress. This will introduce too much moisture to the fibers and can cause the mattress to become waterlogged. The heat can also damage the memory foam structure and construction. Using a steam cleaner is also likely to void your mattress warranty.

Vacuuming

We recommend vacuuming your mattress every time you remove the sheets for washing. Use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner (the one that looks like a smaller hoover end).

You should ensure that the attachment is completely clean before you use it on your mattress. If it is not, use your fingers to remove any debris and then wash well with warm soapy water. Leave the attachment to dry for 24 hours before you use it on your mattress.

When you vacuum your mattress, ensure you cover every inch of the surface. You should also vacuum the sides and underside of the mattress.

Spills

If you have spilled any liquids onto your mattress you should try to clean them up as fast as possible. Grab a soft cloth and use this to dab at the spill to absorb any excess moisture. Gently press down on the spill and repeat this blotting motion until as much of the liquid has been removed as possible.

Do not scrub or rub at the spill. This will not help to remove the liquid and can push it further into the mattress, or spread it across a wider area. When your cloth is saturated, grab a fresh and dry one to continue the process.

We advise taking it outdoors to dry in the sunshine if this is possible. If not, you should place the mattress near an open window or fan. The passage of airflow will help to dry the damp area faster.

Do not put any sheets or bedding back onto the mattress until it has dried completely.

Stains

You can spot clean stains using water and cleaning products, but be careful as you do this. As we have already mentioned, foam mattresses can absorb a lot of moisture which can be detrimental. This can also force the stain to permeate deeper into the mattress as the water pushes it down. If it is not allowed to dry sufficiently, you can allow mold and mildew to breed inside the mattress.

You will need some kind of cleaning agent to use on your mattress. We recommend white vinegar or a specially formulated enzymatic cleaner. Alternatively, you can make your own cleaning product. To do this, combine 3 tablespoons of baking soda, 10 fluid ounces of hydrogen peroxide, and a few drops of dish soap in a bottle. If you are using white vinegar, we advise diluting it in a 1:1 ratio with water.

Grab your chosen cleaning agent and apply it liberally to the stained area. Allow it to sit on the surface for at least 5 minutes, undisturbed. Get a clean cloth and use this to blot at the stained area. We advise working from the outer edges towards the center.

Again, you should allow the cleaned area to dry completely before remaking your bed.

Odors

There is a great hack to remove odors from fabrics with ease, and all you need is a household ingredient. Baking soda is a miracle substance and is super hassle-free to use.

To do this, you will first have to strip your bed. Sprinkle a thin and even layer of baking soda across the surface of your whole mattress. We advise doing this in the morning after you wake up. This allows the baking soda time to work during the day before you need to use your bed at night.

Allow the baking soda to sit on the bed for as long as possible. You should then use your vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment to suck up any loose baking soda crystals.

We recommend making a fragrance spray for your mattress, although there are many commercial options available too. To make your own version, place some citrus peels in an airtight container and fill it with white vinegar. Allow this mixture to infuse for a couple of weeks, and then strain out the solid peels. Transfer this liquid to a spray bottle for use.

Spray the deodorizing spray all over the surface of your mattress once the baking soda has been removed. Alternatively, you could use a clear spirit such as vodka.

Allow the mattress to dry out completely, preferably in the sunlight. This will help to further eliminate odors and bacteria.