How to Clean Memory Foam Mattresses Published April 29, 2010 | Updated August 4, 2015 A soft and comfortable memory foam mattress is a treat to sleep on -- until a drink is spilled or a pet has an accident on it. While it may seem impossible to clean, you don't have to be intimidated. Memory foam mattresses are actually easy to clean, and you'll have positive results if you follow these instructions. All you need are a few household products and some time for cleaning it thoroughly. Cleaning a Memory Foam Mattress: Shop Memory Foam Mattresses ▸ Vacuum the Memory Foam MattressUse a hand-held vacuum or a regular vacuum with a brush attachment. This will help to remove extra lint or dirt and will keep it from getting ground in. It may help to place the bedding on the floor or outside on a flat surface. Treat with SolutionFill a spray bottle with 1/2 cup fabric cleaner and 1 cup water. Shake well to make sure that the cleaner is completely mixed before you start spraying.
Place the mattress or mattress topper in your bathtub or on a tarp near an outdoor water source. Spray the memory foam mattress with your cleaning solution until you cover it entirely, front and back. Let the mattress sit for 30 to 45 minutes. Rinse off the mattress in the shower or with a hose. Second TreatmentRefill your spray bottle with 1/4 cup vinegar and 3/4 cup water. Spray the vinegar solution all over your memory foam mattress. Rinse the mattress again, getting all of the solution out. Clear out excess water by gently pressing on the mattress. Be careful to not twist or fold the mattress as that may cause permanent damage. Dry the Mattress CompletelyUse a hair dryer or small fan to dry the memory foam mattress as much as possible. Leave the mattress outside or in a well-ventilated area to dry. It may take one or two days for the memory foam to fully dry. Use the hair dryer or fan every few hours to help the drying process. Memory Foam Mattress Cleaning Tip: It's much easier to clean memory foam mattresses if you have someone who can help you.
Memory foam becomes quite dense after it has soaked up water. You'll probably need another set of hands in order to handle the heavy mattress.last updated: Feb 16, 2017So are memory foam mattresses toxic? Are chemicals and VOC’s found in mattresses safe?We at Essentia make foam, so we’re privy to a lot of what goes into foam mattresses, the good and the bad.All foams, natural or synthetic, have chemical contents. That's just the reality of making foam. Natural foam is obviously much cleaner.If you're looking for a healthier mattress we're a good place to start. Essentia mattresses have been tested for VOC's!By-the-way, you're not alone with your concerns.Watch Senator Durbin recount his experience with exposure to fire retardant chemicals.VOC's (volatile organic compounds) can now be found in nearly all common household products; from carpets to microwaves, paints, couches... including mattresses according to the EPA.With chemicals and pesticides now being found in umbilical cord blood, chemicals are becoming a concern for many...and rightly so.
Safe for Kids, Adults...To our knowledge, as foamers and manufacturers, these are the ingredients used to make the components listed below. Ingredients may vary for glues, memory foams, natural and synthetic latex foams.Talalay Global, formerly known as Latex International, also confirms using the same ingredients we use to make their 100% natural latex foam.We don't hide behind certifications. The list below indicates the actual ingredients used to make our natural memory foam. We even list what comes out of our mattresses in terms of our VOC's which offers complete transparency.Diphenyl diisocyanate is an ingredient used in the production of natural latex foam and polyurathane foams. It allows components of a formula to blend together properly. Our formula is a water based solution. Diphenyl diisocyanate polymerizes in the presence of water. It has traditionally been used for the production of latex foam, some european urethane manufacturers have blended this component with Toluene diisocyanate in the attempt of reducing toluene content.
Phenol-melamine resins are used in the production of natural latex foam; this component is what creates the flexible properties to the foam. This component has more value in conventional latex, while a zero gravity pressure relieving foam requires less flexibility.Waxes styrene-butadiene copolymer is used to add resistance and longevity to natural foams. This component has excellent abrasion resistance when properly blended. This component is most commonly used in blends of natural latex. This component is considered a thickening agent and gelling agent and contains vegetal based waxes.Mattress manufacturers use glues to bond the inner layers of mattresses together as well as to bond the fabric cover to the core.Adhesives can be rolled to bond each layer or can be diluted in water and sprayed over each surface to be bonded. This second application method allows manufacturers to call their glue a "water based adhesive".A water based adhesive is a simple process whereby water is mixed in with a solvent based adhesive to facilitate spraying the glue over each mattress surface.
When the glue dries, all water molecules in the adhesive evaporate and only the adhesive which emit VOCs is left behind.The long-term health effects that may occur after prolonged exposure to Volatile Organic Content (VOC) found in Adhesive/Glue solvents include cancers, damage to the heart, liver, central nervous system and kidneys.Biological Monitoring - Is memory foam safe?Clinical evaluations conducted by Duke University; Source ATSDR - Public health advisory Public Health Implications: The exact amount of TDI required to cause adverse health effects is unknown. People have become sensitized after being exposed to as little as 20 parts per billion (ppb). After sensitization there is no amount of TDI that one may be exposed to safely. Studies have shown that in sensitized individuals, asthmatic attacks can occur after exposed to TDI air concentrations as low as 0.1 ppb.Testing Results: Of 113 participants tested, 10 participant (9%) developed antibodies.Certain imported polyurethane memory foam products have industrial perfumes to mask the chemical odour that exists in their products.