Getting Ready to Clean Your Memory Foam Mattress Topper Memory foam mattress toppers, and memory foam mattresses as well, for that matter, must always be cleaned by hand, because machine cleaning can destroy the memory foam. Start by removing your mattress topper from the bed, and place it on the floor. Check it for any stains and odors. Especially if you have to remove stains and odors, you may want to bring the topper into your bathroom, turning on the fan or opening the window to keep the room ventilated. If you're cleaning it on a hardwood or carpeted floor, place a tarp under it to protect the floor. Gather all the materials you need. For simple cleaning, you need a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment, a gentle fabric cleaner, water, and a spray bottle. Vacuuming and Cleaning Your Memory Foam Mattress Topper The first step in cleaning your mattress topper is to vacuum it. Use a powerful handheld vacuum if possible, working with a soft brush attachment. Work your way from across the mattress topper using circular motions to pick up dust, debris, and other particles from the mattress.
If you have an eggshell-style mattress topper, work through the crevices between the peaks, where debris is likely to congregate. If your mattress topper is free from odors or stains, move straight to spraying it with detergent. Use a gentle laundry detergent such as those used for hand washing, mixing one part detergent to two parts warm water. Fill a spray bottle with the detergent, and then spray the entire mattress lightly. Don't soak the foam, but keep your spray bottle moving as you spray. How to Remove Stains from Your Memory Foam Mattress Topper After you blot the stain with water, sprinkle boric acid on it, and then keep blotting it till it's gone. If you're dealing with a stain caused by pet urine that soaked through your bedding, try an enzymatic pet stain cleaner. Apply the cleaner, and then let it sit for 15 minutes or so. Another option for stain removal is hydrogen peroxide. Be very careful using this chemical, and be aware that it may discolor your foam mattress topper.
After spot cleaning the stains, blot the area again with a damp sponge and let it dry. Once it's dry, vacuum once more to remove any vestiges of the chemicals. How to Remove Odors From Your Memory Foam Mattress Topper Stains that have a tendency to linger inside a memory foam pad or mattress topper include urine, vomit, and cigarette smoke. To remove these odors, start by vacuuming and spray-cleaning the mattress topper as usual, and then sprinkle it with baking soda. Let it sit overnight or for at least eight hours before vacuuming the baking soda away. Other options include trying citrus-based cleaning products or products specifically designed for eliminating odors. The Final Stages of Cleaning Your Memory Foam Mattress Topper Don't forget the flip side of your gel memory foam mattress topper. After you've cleaned it and removed all stains and odors, flip it over, and give the flip side a spray with your detergent solution. Let it dry completely, and then vacuum away any detergent residue.
Don't return a mattress topper to your bed unless it's completely dry, as it can develop mildew, which can destroy the mattress topper. It's best to give your mattress topper a full 24 hours to make sure it's completely dry.Want to clean a mattress of urine or vomit and get that bad smell out? Don't toss your memory foam topper or bed. Click below for step by step instructions on how to freshen up a soiled mattress without ending up with a moldy bed that will make you sick. First try the method outlined in How To Clean A Mattress - Emergency. If necessary treat the entire mattress. And get a good protector like the one below so you don't have to go through this again! Use this method if the soiled area is:If the vinegar and baking soda didn't work and the mattress or pad is still unusable, your final option is use a steam cleaner to try to remove the stains and odors. Forcing enough liquid through the mattress to clean it and then get it dry before it starts growing mold is usually not an option unless you live in a desert.
WARNING: Steam cleaning memory foam mattresses and toppers may ruin them and is not recommended by any manufacturer of steam cleaners. It may take a while to get all the materials together, but if the soil has waited this long, a couple of days more won't hurt. 1) Steam Cleaner - You can sometimes rent these, but you can buy a great one for less than $100. And if it saves a mattress that you paid thousands for, isn't it worth it? Besides these machines are great for cleaning up all sorts of impossible messes like baked on food on your kitchen cook top or bathroom grout. Two highly rated steam cleaners are: 2) A GOOD Odor Neutralizer: Anti-Icky-Poo. But it really works. 3) Fan - Get one that oscillates and has a stand so that it's high enough to blow air over a table. This Honeywell model is reliable and quiet. 4) Sturdy Table - Available for 3 to 5 days. Just make sure that the mattress or topper doesn't sag. 6) Tarp - or plastic tablecloth to protect your table
Step 1: Put the tarp down on the table.Step 2: Place the mattress or topper on the table with the soiled side up. Spray a fine mist of the odor neutralizer on the surface of the mattress.Step 3: Take the steam cleaner and gently steam from side to side with long strokes. Press firmly with dry towels to blot up any excess moisture.Step 4: Pour a generous layer of baking soda on the whole mattress. Let it sit for more than 45 minutes. Then vacuum it up.Step 5: Get out a fan and blow it over the surface of the memory foam. If you've treated the underside turn it over every 4 hours or so to let it dry evenly. Don't put it back on your bed until it is TOTALLY dry. This can take a day or two for a memory foam topper and from 3 to 5 days for a mattress.Do not soak, saturate, wring or twist your mattress or topper during any part of the cleaning process.If the memory foam bed still smells bad after all this work or worse, starts to smell moldy, just get rid of it. Breathing mold all night is hazardous to your health.