You spent a lot of time creating your perfect bed. Thanks to a high-quality mattress, comfortable sheets, a cozy down comforter, and supportive pillows, you’re now sleeping on the perfect slumber oasis. Then… the unthinkable happens. Whether you accidentally spilled your morning coffee in bed or your puppy mistook your mattress for her pee pad, you had a liquid stain that is threatening to ruin your mattress and the sleep oasis you created.
You need to know how to clean your mattress, preferably as soon as the liquid hits. It’s important to note, though, that all mattresses are not made from the same materials and therefore will need to be cleaned differently as well.
Cleaning an Innerspring Mattress
Cleaning your mattress is not an everyday chore, thankfully. But when it's time, it will be beneficial to you to learn everything you can about how to deep clean a mattress. This does not mean dumping water on it and trying to scrub away the stain. Do not do that! Never drench your mattress with alcohol or liquid cleaners.
Before you begin attempting to deep clean your mattress, be sure to check the care label for manufacturer recommendations or cautions. As long as the label doesn’t say otherwise, you can take these steps:
- Gather your needed supplies and get to work right away. You’ll need baking soda, clean towels, cold water, laundry detergent, white vinegar, spray bottle, and a hand-held vacuum or one with attachments that allow you to vacuum the bed.
- Blot the area, but don’t scrub hard. Scrubbing pushes the spill further and further into the mattress. Grab a dry towel and blot the soiled area, soaking up as much of the liquid as possible.
- You’re now going to want to spray a vinegar solution on the stain. In order to make this, mix two parts cold water, one part white vinegar, and a small amount of laundry detergent together in a spray bottle. Allow the solution to sit for about 10 or 15 minutes.
- Cover the entire stain with baking soda and allow it to sit for at least eight hours, if not closer to ten.
- Lastly, you’ll need to vacuum up the dry baking soda. Using the hose attachment, vacuum the dried baking soda from the mattress. The stain and the urine odor should be gone!
Cleaning a Memory Foam Mattress
Memory foam mattresses are made of polyurethane and other chemical materials that are sensitive to pressure and temperature. This is why it molds to the shape of your body when you lay on it. These materials also mean that memory foam cannot be fully saturated wet. Memory foam is a porous material and once it gets wet, the moisture seeps down into it and stays there unless you are able to properly ventilate it. Any type of excess moisture will bring mold and mildew, plus you probably won’t enjoy sleeping on a damp mattress for several nights. You’ll be dealing with a situation worse than the one you have now!
Before anything else, be sure to read the label for instructions before you attempt cleaning it. In the case of a memory foam mattress, it is best to spot treat any stains, as soon as they happen. You will probably see on the instructions that the ideal way to steam clean a mattress made from memory foam is with a medium heat setting. This ensures that heat does not damage the cells of the mattress.
Stop a Future Stain from Happening
Your mattress is a relatively big purchase, one you probably took the time to research before you chose the right option. You want your mattress to last at least eight years, at least. Really, the best way to learn how to wash a mattress is to learn not to let your mattress be stained or dirty in the first place. In order to avoid the need for a deep clean, use a mattress protector to keep it totally dry and clean.
An accident can happen in a second. The five steps listed above aren’t something you want to do every day. A mattress protector has one job and does it exceptionally well- to protect your mattress! Remember, if your mattress has a liquid stain on it, this isn’t covered by your warranty. Spending a little bit now could save you thousands in the future, not to mention the untold stress of trying to clean your mattress.
Your mattress wasn’t cheap, and you certainly want to do what you can to make sure your investment lasts. No one plans on pouring wine on their bed or letting their dog use their mattress instead of the backyard. Yet, stains happen. It’s a part of life. This is why it is recommended to buy a mattress protector for your mattress. Even a top-of-the-line mattress won’t stay stain-free forever unless it’s completely protected! We sell dozens of mattress protectors, both in our stores and online.
When in doubt, reach out to the mattress and sleep experts at City Mattress! We’ll go over the details of your mattress with you, as well as the best way to clean it. You can purchase a mattress protector at the same time, so you don’t need to go through this again!