How To Clean Your Memory Foam Mattress - The Right Way!

A memory foam mattress is a wonderful sleep surface, offering the perfect combination of comfort and lumbar support. However, that sponge-like texture also means that it soaks up dirt, sweat, mold, and other materials. It’s vital to know how to clean a memory foam mattress most effectively. 

It is important to clean your memory foam mattress regularly. Tackle any stains or wet spots as quickly as possible to avoid letting them set in the material. 

The good news is that cleaning a memory foam mattress does not take any special tools or materials — just basic cleaning products and a bit of elbow grease. 

Weekly Cleaning

About once a week, you should make an effort to vacuum your memory foam mattress. Make it a habit to do it when you change your sheets. Doing this is fairly straightforward: simply take the handheld vacuum attachment and run it over the top of your mattress.

Why should you vacuum your memory foam mattress? 

Vacuuming your mattress removes dead skin, allergens, and pet dander from the fibers. This makes your sleeping space much healthier, especially if you have allergies or asthma. Memory foam is an extremely comfortable and supportive sleeping surface, but it also acts like a sponge, soaking up environmental 

How To Remove Stains From a Memory Foam Mattress 

Mattress stains happen, whether through accidents or carelessness. The good news is that they are easy to fix! You can remove the stains from a memory foam mattress with a few simple household items. 

General Stain Removal 

For miscellaneous stains like food, a simple homemade memory foam spray will do the trick. Resist the temptation to break out your bleach spray, as this will only stain the mattress further. 

Instead, mix fabric cleaner with water in a spray in a 50:50 ratio. Spray it over the stain just enough to get it moist. Remember not to oversaturate it, as memory foam absorbs liquid and can take a long time to dry. Staying wet for too long puts them at risk of developing mildew. 

Take a basic dry cloth or rag and gently rub at the stain. “Gentle” is the keyword here — scrubbing too hard will grind the stain into the fibers of your mattress and make it more difficult to get out. 

Once the stain is gone, rinse your rag and continue wiping the mattress to remove the fabric cleaner. Then let the spot dry completely before making your bed once again. 

Tough Stain Removal 

Sometimes there are much tougher stains on a mattress that require a bit more elbow grease. The good news is that even these stains can come out with basic ingredients from your kitchen. 

To remove a stubborn stain, mix a 50:50 ratio of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the stain enough to get the mattress moist but not soaked, then rub it gently with a damp cloth. 

You may have heard the recommendation to use hydrogen peroxide on your memory foam mattress. However, this is not a good idea. Hydrogen peroxide can leave white stains behind much like bleach. 

If you do use hydrogen peroxide, dilute it with water in a spray bottle and wipe it up immediately after you remove the stain. 

Specialty Stain Removal

Unfortunately, sometimes you get a particularly unpleasant stain on your memory foam mattress, such as urine. If a pet or child has an accident on your bed, you want to tackle it quickly before it has time to set (and start to smell). 

Start with paper towels to soak up the excess liquid. Repeat this as many times as is necessary, until the liquid is all absorbed. 

Then tackle the stain with some white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Then sprinkle baking soda over the stain to soak up the liquid. Then let the baking soda rest for eight to 10 hours, then vacuum it up. 

How To Deodorize Your Mattress

If you notice your mattress has an odor, either from stains or from simple wear and tear, there are a few steps you can take. 

A light spray of white vinegar can help deodorize a mattress. If this is not strong enough, try bringing the mattress outside in the sun for a few hours. Make sure to lay it on a clean surface, such as a deck or tarp. 

Sunlight is a natural disinfectant and deodorizer. This can be a highly effective way to get old, musty smells out of your memory foam mattress. 

How To Remove Dried Stains

When you are cleaning a memory foam mattress, time is of the essence. Acting quickly when a stain occurs is the best way to keep it from soaking deep into the fibers. 

However, there are inevitably times when you don’t discover a stain until much later. Though this presents more of a challenge, it is still possible to get out a stain that has set and dried on your memory foam mattress. 

To tackle a dried stain, mix a solution of mild detergent and water in a spray bottle in a 1:2 ratio. Spray the stain lightly and rub it gently with a damp rag. You should use enough of the solution to get it to bubble slightly. 

Use small, circular motions to rub the stain out, and make sure not to press too hard or you’ll risk damaging the fibers of your mattress. 

When you have lifted the stain, use a dry rag or paper towels to blot out as much of the excess liquid as possible. Then dry the mattress thoroughly, either through air exposure or with a hairdryer on a light setting. 

How To Dry a Memory Foam Mattress

If you ever spill a liquid on a memory foam mattress, it is important to dry it out as quickly and thoroughly as possible. The last thing you want is for the liquid to penetrate deep into the foam and damage the fibers or cause an odor. 

The first thing to do is to blot as much of the liquid out as possible. One of the best ways to do this is with regular paper towels. Continue blotting until the towels are no longer getting completely saturated. 

If the mattress is extremely wet, you can also try using the baking soda method. Sprinkle a layer of baking soda over the bare mattress and let it sit for eight to 10 hours. This will let the powder soak up the excess liquid. You can then vacuum up the baking soda with a hand vacuum attachment. 

Memory foam dries slowly, so you may also want to consider turning a fan onto the mattress or using a hairdryer on a low setting. Never turn a hairdryer on high heat when drying a memory foam mattress, since this can damage the fibers. 

How Often Should You Clean a Memory Foam Mattress? 

As mentioned above, it is a good idea to clean your memory foam mattress — at least the surface — about once a week with a vacuum. More extensive cleaning should be done as needed. 

How To Keep Your Memory Foam Mattress Clean

There are many ways to maintain your memory foam mattress. One of the most important is to rotate it regularly, about every six months or so. Another good way is to use a mattress protector to avoid serious or deep stains. 

Conclusion

Keeping your bed clean is vital to your health and the quality of your sleep. The good news is that it is not a difficult process. With some basic cleaning supplies and a bit of regular attention, you can keep your memory foam mattress in top condition.