Cleaning any mattress is a tough task. They are not exactly small enough to put in the washing machine after all. When it comes to a delicate material like memory foam, however, it gets even more finicky.
Professional cleaners explain that using too much water can lead to mold, using too much heat can damage the foam, and not cleaning enough will lead to odor – so how do you clean a memory foam mattress?
Here, our cleaning experts break down the step-by-step of cleaning a mattress and reveal what to avoid when freshening up memory foam.
What you need to clean a memory foam mattress
Before you can start cleaning a mattress, it helps to gather your essential cleaning supplies:
- The best vacuum cleaner
- A stain treatment such as an enzyme cleaner, like Nature's Miracle Stain Remover from Walmart or a gentle detergent such as Woolite Gentle Cycle Detergent, also from Walmart
- Baking soda, such as Arm & Hammer baking soda from Walmart
- White vinegar, also from Walmart
- A mattress protector, at Amazon
To clean your memory foam mattress:
1. Remove the bedding and vacuum
Before you start washing memory foam, remove any bed sheets and mattress toppers to vacuum the mattress fully.
Trish Duarte, president and CEO of MaidPro of Temecula and Murrieta says, ‘Start by using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove any loose dirt, dust, and debris from the surface of the mattress. This helps to eliminate surface particles before proceeding with further cleaning.’
2. Spot clean stains
When cleaning memory foam, it is vital to avoid getting it too wet. For that reason, you should spot treat stains, rather than scrub the whole mattress.
Ross Pascale, cleaning expert and director of Neeet House Cleaning suggests, ‘For any lingering stains, mix a tiny amount of mild detergent with a whole lot of water. Always test the solution on a hidden part of the mattress first to make sure it doesn't stain it. Then, use a damp cloth dipped in the solution to dab at the stain. Don't soak the area.’
When removing discoloration from your bedding, such as tough sweat stains, Christina Heiser, content director at Saatva, the luxury sleep company, recommends switching to an enzyme cleaner, ‘In most cases, a non-toxic, natural enzyme cleaner, which chemically breaks down stains and odors, should be sufficient.
‘Alternatively, you can create your own all-natural DIY stain remover by combining lemon juice and salt to make a paste. Put the paste in a spray bottle, spray it onto the stain, and let it sit for up to an hour. After that, wipe off the solution with a clean towel.’
With the stain lifted, allow the area to dry completely before moving on.
3. Deodorize with baking soda
To deodorize a memory foam mattress without wetting the surface, try cleaning with baking soda.
Taylor Riley, professional cleaner and founder of Boom. Facility Service Advisors says, ‘As for deodorizing the mattress, I recommend sprinkling a generous amount of baking soda over the entire mattress and letting it sit for 15-30 minutes. Baking soda absorbs the moisture that is necessary for mold or bacteria to thrive. After letting it sit, you can then vacuum the mattress thoroughly to remove the baking soda and lingering odors.’
It is worth noting that some vacuums are not suited to sucking up lots of fine powder as it can clog filters. To avoid this, brush off the majority of the powder and trash it before using the vacuum to pick up the remaining fine dust.
‘One final tip I will offer is using a fabric freshener on the mattress,’ Taylor adds. ‘I prefer Fresh Wave Odor Eliminator Spray, at Walmart, because it's inexpensive and made with natural ingredients.'
4. Disinfect with white vinegar
If you are still concerned about bacteria on your memory foam mattress, you can clean with vinegar to help kill germs and remove odors. Spray a fine mist of white vinegar over the surface of your memory foam mattress, being sure to avoid soaking the foam.
Then, let it dry by placing the mattress in direct sunlight and opening a window to increase ventilation. Ensure it is fully dry before replacing your bedding. The pungent smell of vinegar disappears when it dries, so don't worry, you won't be smelling it through your bedding.
5. Clean regularly
One of the biggest mattress cleaning mistakes is failing to clean your mattress often enough. To keep memory foam mattresses clean and improve your sleep hygiene, it is important to clean it at least monthly, says Taylor Riley, a professional cleaner.
‘To keep a mattress smelling nice, the best course of action is to establish a cleaning routine. Another tip is to ensure you’re keeping your bedding clean,’ he adds.
‘Cleaning your sheets at least once a week will remove sweat, body oils, or skin cells that collect in the fabric. By keeping your sheets clean you will ultimately extend the freshness and longevity of your mattress.’
Given that memory foam mattresses can be a pain to clean, it helps to use the best mattress protector you can afford to keep it in good condition. Christina Heiser of Saatva, says, ‘A protector is designed to keep dirt, dust, liquids, stains, and bugs out of your bed. It can also help prevent sweat stains.’ Better yet, they can easily be removed and washed in a washing machine for easy refreshes, making cleaning a memory foam mattress far simpler.
