How to Clean a Memory Foam Mattress

Mattresses aren’t easy to clean, it’s just a fact of life. And when it comes to memory foam things can get even tougher, especially when you’re faced with difficult, stubborn stains and smells such as blood or urine.

Whether it’s daily cleaning or dealing with a serious incident, however, there are solutions out there. Here we cover everything from the everyday cleaning tips that will keep your memory foam mattress spick and span for longer to how to clean a memory foam mattress after bedwetting. With this guide owning a memory foam mattress, or memory foam topper, should be stress-free and easy, even in the face of pets, children and serial spillers.

How to Clean a Foam Mattress: Why Regular Cleaning is Important

Whether it’s a memory foam mattress, a sprung bed or latex, keeping your mattress clean is absolutely vital for your sleep health.

Your mattress probably contains mites

We hate to be the bearers of bad tidings but it’s absolutely true, there are almost certainly microscopic critters living right there in your mattress. In fact, research tells us that the average mattress might contain as many as a million dust mites (1). While these mites aren’t going to bite you, there is a chance that you may develop an allergy to them so we think it’s a good idea to minimise their presence wherever possible.

Although dust mites don’t consider you to be a tasty snack, bed bugs certainly do. These nibbly guys are an unpleasant pest, capable of travelling from home-to-home in densely populated areas, such as apartment blocks and terraces (2), so keeping on top of mattress care to keep them at bay is a wise move.

Dust, mould and other allergens play havoc with your health

Dust accumulates fast, even in the cleanest of homes, so it’s important to carry out regular cleaning of your mattress to minimise it and its effects. Dust, and the dust mites that feed on it, can cause allergies and exacerbate problems such as asthma and eczema too.

In addition, mould can grow in a mattress that is left damp after a spill or cleaning, while pet dander and pollen can find their way into a mattress too. All common allergens, regular cleaning can reduce their effect on your health.

A cleaner mattress for better sleep

A bad night’s sleep can really ruin your day. You’ll probably find it tough to concentrate, struggle to get involved in social activities and feel generally groggy and run down. A lack of sleep can also make it harder for your body to fight off illnesses and to deal with stressful situations at work and in the home. While a nice, clean mattress won’t guarantee you’ll enjoy a better night’s sleep it certainly won’t harm your chances. With those niggling smells that can keep you up removed you can sleep that bit more sweetly. And reducing the presence of dust, mites, bacteria and other bothers can make sure that you’re breathing freely without coughs and sneezes. It’ll could also mean less annoying itchiness.

How to clean a memory foam mattress topper or mattress: an everyday cleaning guide

 

Now that you understand just why regular mattress maintenance can be so important to the health of you and your family, you’ll probably want to know how best to go about cleaning memory foam. After all, it doesn’t look like it’s going to be an easy task…

Cleaning memory foam: the basics

Before you do anything, be sure to check the instructions that probably came with your mattress. There may be a label on the mattress itself or they may be found on the box or in the paperwork. Can’t find them? Pop over to the manufacturer’s website and you’ll likely find guidance there. Wherever possible follow these instructions to the letter, to protect your mattress and protect any guarantee attached to it.

Many mattresses, especially memory foam mattresses, will come with a removable cover. If this is the case, your job just got a whole lot easier. Simply remove this cover and, being sure to follow supplied care instructions, chuck it in the washing machine for a nice warm wash. Where possible, air dry outside to let the wind and the sun’s UV rays (which could actually help to kill off bacteria) do their thing for a fresh finish (3).

Your hoover is your hero

When it comes to cleaning a mattress, there’s no better tool than your vacuum cleaner. We’re not kidding, a quick weekly pass with that noisy sucker can do wonders for your bed and most vacuums will be supplied with an upholstery attachment for this very job. This soft, usually round, brush will effectively pick up dust and debris without doing damage to the mattress (which can happen with more robust bristles).Once in a while you should also flip your memory foam mattress and vacuum the underside (now the top) too, however do be aware that this is not necessary for a hybrid mattress, which is more likely to require simply rotating 180 degrees so that the head and the foot of the bed respectively switch places.

The damage damp can do

When cleaning a mattress you may find that you’ll need to spot clean stains, of which more shortly. If you’ve got your mattress at all damp it’s absolutely vital to allow it to air dry for as long as possible to reduce the risk of mould and mildew developing. With this in mind, be sure to carry out cleaning that requires a damp cloth as early in the day as you can. Once cleaning is complete, leave the mattress exposed and throw open those windows. On cold days, you may wish to turn fans or a dehumidifier on nearby in order to get things dried out thoroughly before bedtime.

How to get stains out of a memory foam mattress: what to do when accidents happen

Despite all best efforts accidents can happen. Children wet the bed. Pets can’t help but puke. Your other half can’t be trusted with his morning coffee yet still insists on a caffeine injection before he unravels himself from the duvet. Don’t panic. A stain isn’t the end of the world, even on memory foam…

How do you clean a memory foam mattress after an accident?

Don’t panic! Whatever the stain, new or old, it can be dealt with. The results may not be 100% perfect but by the time you’re done things will look a heck of a lot better. Whether it’s blood, pee or a cup of tea, start off by soaking up any excess moisture with reams of absorbent kitchen roll. Stick a heavy book on top, stand on it. Do everything you can to suck up as much of the wetness as possible.

Done? To remove a stain you have three choices but it’s always advisable to start with a spot test before committing to any of these approaches.

1. Possibly the most popular mattress cleaning solution is baking soda, which can be made into a paste (one part powder to two parts water) and applied liberally. Allow to sit for around half an hour before removing any residue.
2. Distilled white vinegar, mixed with an equal amount of water, is an effective alternative if gently rubbed into a stain, helping to reduce the risk of spreading.
3. Likewise, boric acid can be sprinkled on an area dampened with water then blotted away.

Whichever you opt for, always avoid scrubbing, which can damage the mattress and cause a stain to stubbornly set in. If necessary you can repeat any of these approaches twice or several times. And remember, if you’re ever in any doubt about how to clean and care for your mattress – memory foam or otherwise – you can turn to the care guide provided by your mattress manufacturer.

How to get stains out of memory foam mattress: common culprits

‘How to get urine out of memory foam mattress’, it’s a common Google search for a reason. Whether it’s a child or a pet, there’s nothing more frustrating, or more liable to happen, than bedwetting. Should it happen, that distilled white vinegar is usually the best solution. And don’t rub! Take your time dabbing at the stain and repeat if needed. Try not to over-soak, which can cause a stain to spread and be sure to allow for thorough air-drying.

When it comes to blood, plain cold water is usually the best solution, pulling stains out of most materials, including memory foam (so be sure to put blood-stained sheets in a cold wash too). Avoid over-soaking and gently blot with a cold-soaked cloth.

As for coffee or tea stains, blotting away the excess before gently rubbing a little washing up liquid into the stain can help. Rinse well without overdoing it and repeat as needed.

How to get urine smell out of memory foam mattress (and other nasty whiffs)

You’ve tackled the stain but you could swear there’s still an unpleasant smell lingering somewhere under the sheets. So how do you clean a foam mattress that still honks? Your number one tool when it comes to shifting nasty smells is baking soda. In fact, sprinkling this deodorising powder over your mattress on a regular basis can help reduce the aromas that build up from regular use. Simply sift the soda over the entire mattress using a sieve, and allow to sit for a couple of hours before vacuuming it away.

Protect your memory foam mattress to avoid future cleaning issues

The best defence is a good offence, as they say on the battlefield and the sports field. It’s a worthwhile adage when it comes to your mattress too. Take some simple steps now to avoid all the stress of stains and smells later.

Use a protective mattress cover

A good mattress protector is a must, whether you have a memory foam mattress, or any other mattress type for that matter. Stretching over your mattress’s surface, a cover fits tightly to the bed, reducing the amount of dust and dirt that can enter the inners of the bed. Where possible, opt for a waterproof mattress protector, especially on children’s beds, so that when an accident occurs you need only strip off the cover and chuck it in the washing machine while the memory foam below remains fresh as a daisy and reliably dry to boot.

Eliminate high risk elements

If there’s a common culprit when it comes to mattress damage, there may be things you can do to minimise risk. For example, if a confused pet treats your bed as its own litter tray simply closing the door so the puss or pooch can’t get in could be the easy answer. Not possible? Invest in a large waterproof sheet that will cover the entire bed, duvet, pillows and all, and be sure to put it on every morning. If the problem is more human it could be as simple as changing habits or removing certain items from the bedroom. The new rules? No eating and drinking in bed and art supplies stay in the kitchen or dining room.

Insure your mattress against damage

While most mattresses will be supplied with a great guarantee of five to ten years or more, most policies won’t protect against accidental damage, like spills. For this reasonit’s well worth investing in a separate policy that has you covered in case the unexpected does happen.Bensons for Beds’ very own BedGuard care plan does just that, giving you five years of peace of mind with complete accidental damage coverage. Covering you in case of accidental stains and spillages, as well as burns and other types of damage, caused by you, your kids, pets or visitors, this policy gives you access to professional repair and restoration or, if an item can’t be fixed, you may even be entitled to a complete replacement.

Note: Terms and conditions do apply when taking out a BedGuard bed care plan. Review them in full here.

Buy, love and protect your mattress with Bensons for Beds

From helping you to choose your new memory foam mattress to getting it home with timed to-the-room delivery and helping you to keep your bed well protected for years to come, the team at Bensons for Beds is here to help make life, and mattress care, easier.

Start your new bed research today in our advice-packed Sleep Hub or give us a call to discuss your needs on 0808 144 6160. And when you’re ready to start shopping? Drop in to your nearest Bensons for Beds showroom where our friendly, helpful and knowledgeable staff are waiting to help you find the bed of your dreams.

Sources:

1. https://stanfordhealthcare.org/content/dam/SHC/clinics/menlo-medical-clinic/docs/Allergy/Dust%20Mite.pdf
2. https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/sd-ds/pdf/Housing/BedbugBrochure.pdf
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1563624/