How to Clean a Memory Foam Mattress

Memory foam mattresses have a lot of upsides. They’re supportive, comfortable, and ideal for sharing with a restless sleeper. However, they do require some upkeep. If you have one, you should learn how to clean a memory foam mattress.

How to Clean a Memory Foam Mattress

If you own a mattress, we sincerely hope you’re cleaning it at least once a year. (If you aren’t, now is a good time to start!) However, you may not be aware that different mattress materials require different cleaning approaches. Memory foam mattresses are newer additions to many of our homes, so you may not know how to clean a memory foam mattress effectively. Don’t worry – we’re here to help.

What Makes Memory Foam Mattresses Special?

Unlike traditional mattresses, memory foam mattresses are made of polyurethane or plant-based foam. These mattresses are typically solid foam, but can sometimes have gel liners or other built-in comfort accessories. There are actually a lot of cleanliness advantages to a memory foam mattress. They don’t offer as hospitable an environment to germs and pests as traditional mattresses, and they also don’t accumulate as much dust. In fact, most memory foam mattresses are hypoallergenic, making them a preferable choice for allergy sufferers and germaphobes alike.

However, because memory foam mattresses are made of a chemical foam, you need to be careful about how you clean them. Harsh cleaners like bleach can react badly with memory foam. This can cause unsightly damage to your mattress and even limit its lifespan. Excessive moisture can also soak deep into the mattress, causing unpleasant smells and texture issues. Here's how to clean a memory foam mattress the right way:

Step One: Vacuum Your Mattress

Gently vacuum the top and sides of your mattress with a hand-held vacuum or wand attachment. It’s best to use an upholstery attachment to make sure you remove all debris. After you’ve taken care of the top and sides, make sure you flip your mattress and take care of the bottom as well. This is also a good time to rotate your mattress if you haven’t done that yet this year.

Step Two: Prepare a Gentle Cleanser

When cleaning a memory foam mattress, you’ll want to avoid any kind of harsh chemicals. However, cleaning a memory foam mattress doesn't require anything expensive or overly specialized. You can easily make your own memory foam cleaner with a spare spray bottle. Fill the bottle with two parts warm water and one part fabric cleanser or dishwashing liquid. Shake the bottle to mix the contents, and then you'll be ready to clean.

Step Three: Spot Cleaning

When cleaning a memory foam mattress, it’s very important to avoid saturating the mattress. Instead of spraying cleaner all over the mattress, you will want to look for dirty spots and then spray them gently, taking care to avoid using too much. Use a rag to wipe the spots if needed. If you’re dealing with difficult smells, spot treating with baking soda can also be effective.

Step Four: Let It Dry

Once everything is cleaned up, it’s not time to put the sheet back on just yet. It’s very important to make sure moisture does not get trapped in the mattress, so you need to check that it's completely dry before you cover it again. You can dry anything you’ve spot-cleaned with a hairdryer or leave the mattress uncovered with a fan blowing air over it for several hours.

Step Five: Mattress Protection

Now that your mattress is nice and clean, be sure to take some steps to keep it that way. Invest in a mattress protector to keep your newly tidy mattress fresh until the next time.

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Finally, always be sure to check the mattress care recommendations from the manufacturer before you get to work.

With proper care, your memory foam mattress will last a long time.

Looking to purchase a new mattress? Stop by Beautyrest Sleep Gallery for premium mattresses for the whole family. At our locations in Springfield and Branson, Missouri, we provide an extensive selection of top-quality mattresses, including Beautyrest®, Serta iComfort®, Tempur-Pedic®, and Scandinavian Sleep Systems. A family-owned and -operated business that supports local charities, Beautyrest Sleep Gallery offers free local delivery and setup as well as a Best Price Guarantee. Shopping for a new mattress can be overwhelming, but with our wide variety of mattresses and expert sales staff, we can put your worries to rest. To get started, please visit us in store or explore our mattress selection online.