Last updated: Oct 22, 2022
Do you hate sleeping on a dirty memory foam mattress with some annoying stains? Worse still does the memory foam also have an irritating odor?
Yes, I know you hate it, and I also know just how frustrating and annoying a dirty mattress can be. But, before you decide to throw out that expensive mattress or pillow because of bad odors and stains it is essential to note that it is still possible to clean it.
In fact, with a little extra effort and the right cleaning agents, you can make it almost as good as new.
So just how do you clean a foam mattress?
Is it a very tedious task of something simple that you can do over the weekend? We have all the answers for you, and we will ensure that you never have to worry about a dirty mattress again. Want to learn how to clean memory foam?
Here is a short and simple tutorial for you.
When trying to clean anything the first step should always be to gather the supplies that you need. Well, that seems obvious, but many people still overlook this fact.
So what will you need to clean those nasty stains on your memory foam mattress?
Distilled white vinegarBefore you start cleaning your memory foam, there are few important points that you need to keep in mind.
First, it is worth noting that the denser the foam, the longer it will take to dry and so you should only clean it when you have an alternative sleeping option.
Secondly, if the mattress is not very dirty the best option is always to spot clean as it saves you time and it also takes less time to dry.
So do you have a memory foam mattress, pillow or topper that you would like to clean?
Here are the easy steps that you should follow to do this.
Ready to learn how to clean memory foam?
Here is the first step. It entails vacuuming the mattress to get rid of any dust and small debris to make cleaning easy. You can use a regular vacuum or the small handheld one depending on what you have at home.
However, the most crucial thing is to make sure that whatever you use a soft brush attachment to ensure that it does not ruin your memory foam.
Do you want to clean the mattress or pillows inside or outside in the backyard?
Either of the two can still work just fine. Those that have large bathtubs and a lot of space in the bathroom are okay doing it indoors. If this is not the case for you, but you have a spacious backyard, then the outdoors would be the best option for you.
However, if you decide to wash the mattress outside you will need to place it on a tarp or any other clean surface that you can get. Also, make sure that you do it near a water source to make the cleaning easy. But, those with a long garden hose pipe can still use water from the indoor faucets.
Now that you have decided the best location to clean your memory foam, what’s next. It’s time to start doing the actual cleaning, and for this, the first step is to prepare the cleaning agents.
Start by mixing the fabric cleaner with water. And to make sure that the solution is potent enough you should use 2 parts water and 1 part of the fabric cleaner. Mix them in the spray bottle and shake well.
Start by standing the memory foam piece whether it is a pillow, topper or mattress on end. You should then spray it with the fabric cleaner solution that you prepared earlier on from front to back.
But if you are dealing with something as substantial as a mattress this step will be simple for you if you have someone to help you hold it in place.
Once you spray the fabric cleaner solution, you need to let it sit for at least 30 minutes. But before you do this it is vital to ensure that there is enough solution on the memory foam.
Also, you can put more in the areas with stains and leave it to sit for longer if you are dealing with some bad stains.
After the 30 minutes or more it’s time to rinse out the Woolite fabric cleaner solution. For this, you can use a spray nozzle on a hose if you are using it outdoor or detachable shower head if you are in the bathtub.
Have you ever tried squeezing water out of your memory foam mattress? It looks difficult, doesn’t it?
But, it is not as tedious as you might think and you only need to know how to do it right. Squeezing water from memory foam will require you to fold it and then press it down.
But, you should also avoid wringing/twisting the foam because this can damage it. Also, it is important to wear some rubber gloves during this step because most memory foam mattresses will use several chemicals to make it less flammable.
Well, your memory foam mattress would not be clean without using some vinegar. So let me explain how to use it. Start by emptying the spray bottle with the fabric cleaner solution and rinse it.
You should then add 4 parts of water and 1 part of vinegar to the bottle and shake well. You may also use a couple of drops of the essential oil of your choice. Now spray the entire memory foal with the vinegar. After applying the vinegar, you should then spray the mattress with water and squeeze it out.
Drying the mattress will take the longest time. But, it is also the simplest step. Use a hair drier to speed up the drying but make sure you do not hold it too close to the mattress as it might damage it.
Alternatively, you can also air dry it indoors and use an electric fan to speed up the process or leave it out in the sun for a few hours.
Following the steps above will take care of most of the stains, but there are some that can prove to be tough to remove. But guess what? You can still remove them with the methods below
Wet the stained spot on the mattress with some plain water and then sprinkle it with some borax (dry boric acid). You should then use a dry sponge to blot the stain until it disappears. But do it in a circular motion so that it does not spread.
Apply some hydrogen peroxide on a clean cloth or sponge and use it to blot out the stain. Also, do this in a circular motion, and it is also important to know that the hydrogen peroxide will bleach the fabric. But, isn’t this just a small price to pay to get rid of that annoying stain?
Do you have a pet?
If so, the chances are that you already have a pet stain remover. You can also use this to remove the stain by applying and letting it sit for a quarter an hour before blotting the area with a wet cloth.
Even with the stains gone you still need to get rid of the odors. Moreover, any smell no matter how faint can be very uncomfortable. Try one of the following simple ways to remove the odors.
Baking soda is always a good solution when you want to get rid of odors. Sprinkling your mattress with baking soda and leaving it overnight before vacuuming it in the morning can remove most of the smell.
A citrus-based cleaning agent can also be handy. For the best results, you should spray it on the mattress and leave it to dry overnight before vacuuming.
Yes, cleaning your memory foam and getting rid of odors or stain is that simple. And you do not have to spend a lot of time doing it. No matter how bad the stains or odors might be, they are still possible to remove with a little extra effort. And of course some determination.
So what are you waiting for?
Get the few items on the list, put on some gloves and start taking care of those nasty stains on your expensive memory foam piece.
