A memory foam mattress will have specific cleaning requirements. You can harm your mattress with harsh cleaning solutions and steam cleaning.
You cannot steam clean a foam mattress since steam might damage the foam. Therefore, you will have to consider a safe cleaning method to maintain freshness and boost the durability of your mattress.
Why Would You Want to Use a Steam Cleaner on Your Mattress?
Many prefer steam cleaning since it is a mess-free method and helps with optimal cleaning. Steam cleaning is an effective way to clean mattresses. Also, it is hygienic and safe since it does not include chemicals. It can be the best for those suffering from allergies. However, steam cleaning works the best for industrial purposes. Experts find it helpful to clean dirt from engines. But you can consider using it to clean walls and floors.
Additionally, it is an eco-friendly cleaning method and offers the best cleaning. Hence, some use it on mattresses to remove all the possible dirt and dust. After all, your bed gets exposed to oil, sweat, dirt, and spills. All these can cause germs to build up and pose health risks. A steam cleaner can kill germs and restore the freshness of your mattress. But is it safe for a memory foam mattress?
Can You Steam Clean a Memory Foam Mattress?
No, you cannot use steam to clean your memory foam mattress. A steam cleaner will damage the memory foam, and you cannot expect the desired durability. The moisture and heat from the steam cleaner will damage the integrity and construction of the memory foam layer. In brief, steam will cause irreparable damage to the memory foam, and you will have to avoid this cleaning method.
What’s the Best Way to Clean a Memory Foam Mattress?
You can use fabric cleaner and vinegar to clean your memory foam mattress. You can follow a few steps to clean a memory foam mattress safely and effectively. Here are step-by-step instructions you can follow.
Vacuum the Mattress
First, you can vacuum your mattress to clean dust, pet hair, dirt, and other particles. Moreover, regular vacuuming will prevent dust and dirt from penetrating inside. Penetrated dirt can impact the durability of the mattress.
Use Fabric Cleaner
Fabric cleaner is safe for most memory foam mattresses. But you cannot apply fabric cleaner directly to your memory mattress. You will have to make a solution with one cup of water and 1/2 cup of fabric cleaner. Take a spray bottle and fill it with your homemade cleaning solution. Now, keep the mattress near any water supply to make cleaning easier. Shake the spray bottle thoroughly and spray the mix onto the foam mattress. It will offer the best cleaning by drawing the stains. Moreover, you will love the freshness and fragrance after cleaning.
Read also: Can you use upholstery cleaner on a mattress?
Make Vinegar Solution
You can make a vinegar solution with 1/2 cup of water and 1/2 cup of vinegar. Mix it properly and keep it in a spray bottle. Now, you can spray the solution all over the mattress. You will have to cover the entire memory foam mattress for optimal cleaning. After spraying the vinegar solution, you can rinse it off and remove the excess water from your foam mattress by pressing it gently. You will have to remove all the water since water can cause mold build-up. Moreover, you will have to dry it up completely. It might take a couple of days to dry your mattress naturally. Once it dries up, you can put it on your bed. You can also use a hair dryer on cool setting if you cannot wait for days. But you will have to dry your mattress before reusing it.
Follow these simple steps to clean your memory foam mattress. The process will not only remove the dirt and debris but will also address the stain and odor. As a result, you can restore the new look and freshness.
How Do You Deep Clean a Memory Foam Mattress?
You can deep clean your memory foam mattress and remove dust and dirt deposits. Deep cleaning removes dirt, oil, and stains from your foam mattress. However, the process will be easy and will not require more effort. You will need a few things to deep clean a memory foam mattress. Most of them will be available at your home. You will need a vacuum cleaner, baking soda, a sponge, white vinegar, and warm soapy water. Get all these things, and then you can start cleaning.
Before cleaning, remove the cover from your mattress. Most mattresses come with covers. Mattress covers are machine washable. You should always use a mattress cover to minimize cleaning efforts. After removing the cover, you can sprinkle the baking soda all over the mattress. It will eliminate odors and absorb moistures present on the foam. Sprinkle the baking soda and allow it to settle for ten minutes. Wait for ten minutes, and then use the vacuum cleaner to vacuum your mattress. Vacuum the baking soda off, and then use warm soapy water and the sponge to clean all the dirt and stains. Gently press the sponge all over the mattress and focus on dried stains. You can add some vinegar to the water when your memory foam mattress has a strong odor.
After addressing all the spots, you can use a hand towel or paper towels to dry up the moisture. Press down the towel to absorb the moisture. You can leave the towel on the mattress overnight. If you do so, it will soak the excess water. You will have to dry the mattress before reusing it. You can dry it naturally or use a hair dryer.
How Do You Clean a Badly Stained Memory Foam Mattress?
You will have to address all the spills in the same way. Use a dry towel to blot the liquid, but avoid rubbing. Rubbing might damage the mattress material. Take a dishcloth and wet it in cold water. Press the wet dishcloth on the treated area to remove any additional stain, and take another towel to blot any moisture. It is an easy and best way to address any fresh spills. But dried stains will require more effort. Here are a few methods you can consider to clean a badly stained memory foam mattress.
Read also: Will urine damage memory foam?
Baking Soda with Salt
You can make a paste with salt, baking soda, and water. It is an all-purpose and stain-fighting cleaning solution that you can use for almost all types of stains. Take two tablespoons of baking soda, ¼ cup water, and one teaspoon salt. Mix them to make a paste, and you can add more water if required. Once the mix turns into the paste, stop adding more water. Apply it directly to the stains with a circular motion. The baking soda and salt have basic pH properties, and they will deodorize and neutralize any spot. Allow it to sit for half an hour, and then you can remove it. The paste will soak all the dried stains. Take a wet cloth to wipe the treated area, and you can also consider vacuuming if needed.
Baking Soda with Dish Soap
You can combine baking soda and dish soap to address most stains. The oil-lifting properties of dish soap and neutralizing effect of the baking soda make the combination best for many dried spots, including food and sweat. Make a solution with one teaspoon of dish soap, two tablespoons of baking soda, and one cup of hot water. Mix them properly and dip a towel into the solution. Use the towel to rub the stain and leave it for half an hour. After half an hour, use a damp towel to blot the area, and then use a dry towel to remove the remaining moisture.
Hydrogen Peroxide & Dish Soap
Hydrogen Peroxide & Dish Soap
The dish soap and hydrogen peroxide together can address any stain on your memory foam mattress. The hydrogen peroxide will react with other particles through oxidation, and the dish soap will intensify the reaction by trapping the oxygen gas. You can consider this solution for urine and blood stains. Since it will act as a disinfectant, you can expect optimal cleaning.
You will need 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide and 1/4 cup of dish soap, watered down with 1/2 cup of water to prepare your cleaning solution. Mix the ingredients well in a spray bottle and spray the mix on the stain. You will have to use the cleaning solution immediately. Otherwise, hydrogen peroxide will convert to water quickly. Spray it on the affected area and leave for ten minutes. Follow the timing and then use a dry cloth to blot the remaining moisture. You can use a hair dryer to dry the area. After drying it up completely, you can use a vacuum if needed.
However, note that this option may cause staining to your memory foam mattress. You will also want to dry your mattress quickly after using any wet products on it.
Can You Steam Clean a Memory Foam Mattress?
No, you cannot steam clean your memory foam mattress. Steam might impact the durability and integrity of your expensive mattress. However, you will have many other easy ways to clean a memory foam mattress. You can use fabric cleaner, baking soda, and vinegar to clean your mattress and restore its freshness.