How To Clean Your Foam Mattress

If you have a foam mattress, you already know how comfortable it is to sink into after a long day. Did you also know that you are supposed to clean it? Foam mattresses require a bit of care to get the most out of them for years to come. Let’s take a look at how to clean your foam mattress the right way with these tips.

Step 1: Check the label/manufacturer

When it comes to how to clean your foam mattress, you should always check for a label on the mattress or instructions from the manufacturer. If you have either of these to guide you, make sure you follow any and all care guidelines to ensure the longevity of your mattress. If you do not have these to guide you, following our basic cleaning tips will help you clean the mattress without worry.

Step 2: Vacuum the mattress

The first step is to vacuum the mattress. You can use a brush attachment to get in the harder to clean areas. The key is to get all the crumbs, lint, surface dirt, and other debris off, or at least get as much of it as possible. Depending on the type of foam you have, this will either remove a lot of surface dirt or a little. Either way, it is a good starting point for cleaning your foam mattress. You should make sure you vacuum not just the top, but also the sides.

Step 3: Clean with solution

The next step in how to clean your foam mattress is to wash it down with a cleaning solution. You should avoid using harsh cleaning products such as bleach on your foam mattress. This may ruin the foam or stain it permanently. Even if you do not have a colored foam mattress, it can still eat away at the foam. While you can buy foam cleaner, you can also mix up your own non-abrasive solution that is safe to use on foam mattresses such as mixing fabric cleaner or white vinegar with water. You should aim for 1 part cleaner to two parts for water. This will give you cleaning power without being overpowering

With this solution in a spray bottle, you want to spray the mattress sparingly. You will then scrub the surface with a washcloth or towel. You want to make sure you do not soak the mattress as this may lead to mildew forming depending on your foam type. For areas with stains, you can spray a little extra or clean the spot more than once to try to work out the stain. You may also be able to use a mild stain remover to work out the stain if the cleaning solution doesn’t do the trick. If the area is really troublesome, you may be able to order some replacement foam and resurface it yourself.

Step 4: Deodorize as needed

Once you are finished cleaning, you can move on to deodorizing it. You do not need to wait for the mattress to dry completely to perform this step. You will simply sprinkle some baking soda over the surface of the mattress. This serves a few purposes. This will remove any odors and it will also help absorb any excess moisture to help the mattress dry. You can even open up the bedroom windows or move the mattress to a safe spot outside to really let the baking soda work.

Step 5: Vacuum again

Once the mattress is dry, you can vacuum again. This will remove the baking soda residue and any extra debris left behind. Make sure the mattress is dry before vacuuming to avoid issues for your vacuum cleaner. Again, make sure you vacuum the surface and the sides for a better clean overall.

Step 6: Flip and repeat on other side

Some foam mattresses are designed to be flipped and should be cleaned with this in mind. If your mattress falls in this category, you should flip it and perform all these same steps on the other side. This will ensure your mattress is as clean as possible to avoid any issues down the road. You should also flip the mattress when you are done so you aren’t always sleeping on the same surface. This will help maintain the longevity of your foam mattress for years to come. If your mattress is not meant to be flipped, you are good to go once it is dry.

Step 7: Repeat cleaning and deodorizing as needed for dirtier mattresses

If the mattress is particularly dirty, you may need to complete these steps more than once. If you don’t clean the mattress often enough, it is common for it to become a little dirtier which could mean another round of cleaning. While you may be tempted to simply use more cleaning solution or use a harsher cleaning solution to get the job done, it is far better to clean it multiple times than run the risk of ruining the mattress forever.

Step 8: Allow it to dry fully before putting the bed back together

You should never put the bed back together with a damp foam mattress. This can lead to mildew getting trapped between the sheet and the surface of the mattress. You definitely don’t want to sleep in that! Make sure the mattress is completely dry before reassembling your bed.

Step 9: Clean the mattress topper if you use one

If you use a foam mattress topper in addition to your foam mattress, you should clean it when you clean the mattress. You would clean the topper the same way you cleaned the mattress. Again, make sure the topper and mattress are completely dry before reassembling the bed.

Step 10: Repeat yearly

While it would be easy to clean it once and forget it from there, your mattress deserves regular cleaning. It will help keep your bedroom smelling great and help with the longevity of your foam mattress. You should definitely make sure to clean the mattress topper if you use one at least once a year. You can make it part of your spring cleaning list so you always remember to do it.

Posted in DIY, Mattresses