Memory foam, just like regular mattresses can be a great place for dust mites to live. I know that is really gross, but it’s also why it is so important to regularly vacuum your memory foam mattress. Dust mites can cause allergies to really flare up.
Years ago, I had heard that dust mites couldn’t live in memory foam, but I have since heard that is not true. They can live and eat off of our dead skin just like a traditional mattress. Because I have dogs my mattress tends to also get dog hair on it.
To vacuum the mattress you will want to use a non-motorized tool. I have an attachment that works well on fabrics and upholstery. You don’t want something that has a spinning brush or may tear up the memory foam.
Gently sweep over the top and sides of the mattress to clean away anything on or in the memory foam mattress.
Free Weekly Cleaning Printable
Clean your home in under 30 minutes a day with this free Weekly Cleaning printable!
Cleaning A Stain On A Memory Foam Mattress
Next, you will want to spot clean your memory foam mattress. Obviously, you can’t wash the whole mattress but you can clean up any stains or spills.
Mix up a solution of 1 tsp dawn soap and a cup of water in a spray bottle. You can also add 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide for really tough stains but keep in mind it may discolor memory foam. You may want to try testing this mix in a small spot on your memory foam mattress before you use it.
Lightly spray the memory foam with the mixture, making sure not to get it too wet. Then using a damp microfiber cloth gently blot at the stain until it goes away. You may need to respray it a few times. Also, keep in mind some stains like blood may not completely come out of the memory foam.
Once you have cleaned all of the spots as best you can, you will want to let it dry for a while. I like to let the spots dry for at least an hour or two or until they don’t feel damp to the touch. If you want to help the memory foam mattress dry faster you can place a fan so it blows across the top of the mattress.
Getting Rid of Smells On A Memory Foam Mattress
Next, you will want to help take care of any smells with baking soda. Use about 1/2 cup to a cup of baking soda depending on the size of your mattress. If you want you can add a little lavender essential oil to the baking soda to make your mattress smell even better.
Sprinkle the baking soda over the mattress and let it sit. The baking soda will absorb any smells coming from the memory foam mattress. It will also help absorb any moisture. Even if you don’t spot treat your mattress it can still have moisture from sweat. This is especially true in the summer.
I recommend letting the baking soda sit on the mattress for about 1-2 hours so it can really absorb any odors or moisture. Once it has been on the mattress for that amount of time you can then vacuum up the baking soda.
Again just use a non-motorized vacuum tool so you don’t tear up the mattress. Gently vacuum all of the baking soda from the top of the mattress. You may want to vacuum the sides one more time just to really get them clean.
Once you are finished cleaning your mattress you can put your bed back together. You may want to flip or rotate your mattress at this time. A lot of memory foam mattresses have a top and bottom so you don’t always want to flip it, but rotating it 90 degrees will help extend the life of your mattress. Check with your mattress manufacturer’s directions.
If you have a problem with staining on your mattress now might be the time to invest in a mattress cover. I have purchased a few from Amazon that I really like. Once you put on a mattress protector you can add back on your sheets and make your bed like normal.
Those smells and stains can be a thing of the past with these simple tips on how to clean a memory foam mattress. Keep your mattress looking great and get a good night’s sleep too!
