How to Clean a Memory Foam Mattress

Your memory foam mattress may be filled with bacteria and grime. What's the best way to clean it? Read on for the answer.

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Why Cleaning a Memory Foam Mattress Is Different

Memory foam mattresses are made with a unique material known as viscoelastic.

This material envelops your body and helps alleviate pain from your pressure points. But it can also make cleaning the mattress, or a memory foam topper, a bit more difficult.

Moisture is one of the biggest concerns. While you shouldn't soak any mattress, memory foam in particular takes a long time to dry. This increases the risk of mold growth.

Harsh chemicals also aren't good for viscoelastic. The chemicals eat away at the foam, causing damage to your expensive mattress.

In this guide, we'll explain the best way to clean your memory foam mattress.

How to Vacuum Your Memory Foam Mattress

A vacuum cleaner is one of the most effective tools you can use to keep your memory foam clean. You should vacuum your memory foam mattress as often as once a month. The extra layer of foam offers many crevices for dust, dirt, and debris to hide.

Use a handheld vacuum cleaner or the small attachment on your regular vacuum cleaner. A wet/dry vacuum cleaner is even more useful than a regular vacuum, but both can work well.

Give the entire surface a thorough once-over—you'll extend the life of the mattress and have a cleaner sleeping surface. If you're vacuuming a memory foam topper, make sure to vacuum both sides.

Getting Stains Out of a Memory Foam Mattress

Time is of the essence with stained memory foam mattresses or mattress toppers. The quicker you start cleaning the mess, the easier it is to eliminate. Since the mattresses and mattress toppers are so absorbent, focus on spot cleaning just one area at a time.

The cleaning process starts with these steps:

1. Blot with a clean cloth
   Gently press on the stain to soak up extra liquid. Don't rub it—you'll only help the stain sink deeper.

2. Spray a mixture of water and laundry detergent
   Be sure not to oversoak the mattress. Memory foam works like a sponge. It will soak up any extra moisture and cause it to stay locked into the mattress.

3. Gently rub in a circular motion
   Use a separate clean cloth for this step. The goal is to loosen the stain. Avoid rubbing too hard, or you'll press it further into the mattress.

Once you remove the stain, blot the area again with a clean, dry cloth. Let the mattress air dry in a well-ventilated area or even out in direct sunlight.

Cleaning Urine Out of Memory Foam

As with other kinds of stains, you stand the best chance of completely removing urine if you catch it quickly. Here's what to do:

1. Absorb the liquid
   Press down on the wet patch with a clean, dry cloth to soak up as much urine as you can.

2. Spray with white vinegar
   Gently spray the entire area of the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes, then blot with a clean towel.

3. Spread a thin layer of baking soda
   Let the baking soda sit for at least 8 hours. This will draw the rest of the stain out and eliminate the odor. Then, use a damp cloth or a vacuum to clean the baking soda up. Make sure the area is completely dry before putting linens back on the bed.

How to Get Sweat Stains Out of Memory Foam

It's no secret that memory foam makes some people hot. If you sweat on your memory foam, you may stain it. But cleaning the mattress often can help minimize the staining.

Follow this cleaning process to eliminate sweat stains:

1. Blot the area with a clean cloth:
   Once you soak up as much of the sweat as possible, mix equal parts of the following:
   
   • Hydrogen peroxide
     
   • Dish soap
     
   • Water

2. Spray the stain with the solution.
   Put the mixture in a spray bottle and lightly cover the area. Let it sit for 15–20 minutes, then blot it up with a clean rag.

   Don't let the mixture sit any longer or the hydrogen peroxide may damage the memory foam.

3. Spread a thin layer of baking soda.
   Cover the stain and let it sit. Wait a minimum of 8 hours and then use a slightly damp cloth or a vacuum to clean the baking soda off the bed.

How to Dry Memory Foam Faster

If you don't have time to let your bed fully air dry or are worried about mold growth, there are a couple ways to speed up the drying process

1. Set a portable fan near the mattress on its lowest setting.

2. If you need to dry it even faster, use a hairdryer on the lowest setting. Don't focus on the same spot for more than a few minutes—the heat may warp the foam.

Can You Steam Clean a Memory Foam Mattress?

Steaming is a great way to deep clean your mattress—just be sure not to get it too wet. Steaming is a great way to deep clean your mattress—just be sure not to get it too wet. Steam cleaning works especially well for old, stubborn stains that have already set into the mattress.

Before you begin, vacuum your memory foam topper or mattress thoroughly. Make sure to get all sides and crevices to remove hair, dirt, and dust mites.

Next, steam clean the mattress. If the mattress has odors or stains, add vinegar to the steam cleaner or a few drops of lemon essential oil. Work in long, even strokes, being careful not to stay in one section too long.

Once done, keep the mattress upright for at least a few hours to a few days to completely air dry. If you can, let direct sunlight shine on it for faster drying.

Bottom Line

Memory foam may feel great on your body, but you need to take care of it to preserve its longevity. Practice regular vacuuming and periodic deep cleaning to lengthen your mattress' life.

The best way to take care of your mattress is to clean it immediately after spills or stains. These tips will help your mattress look and smell great for many years.