You will most likely spend a considerable amount of time in bed sleeping, relaxing, and enjoying other activities. While you enjoy how comfortable the bed feels, do you also wonder how clean (or unclean) your sleeping area is at that moment? If you’re using a mattress topper, you can start with cleaning that first before working your way to the other components that make up your bed.
Mattress toppers work to improve the feel and quality of your bed. The topper is a great way to bring back new life to your bed, making it feel comfortably soft and supportive once more, especially when the mattress underneath has significantly deteriorated with years of heavy use. A memory foam topper allows you to enjoy your sleeping surface again without too much effort involved because the product just needs to be placed on top of the mattress to do its magic. It works to make a sagging mattress feel firmer and more supportive, while also having the power to firm up a mattress that has lost its bouncy structure. With regular use, the topper will eventually become dirty and may even be stained with liquid spills and other substances.
Memory foam is not machine washable and it would be difficult to stuff the entire mattress topper in anyway. Instead, you will need to carefully clean the mattress topper with regular surface cleaning and spot treatments. Cleaning the topper may involve a bit of effort, but the task will prove to have a huge payoff considering how fresh and spotless it will feel (and look) after you are done with this chore.
Prevent Lasting Damage
A dirty memory foam mattress topper will be more prone to quick deterioration compared to one that is regularly cleaned and properly maintained. Allowing dirt or stains to stay on the surface of the mattress topper and within can eventually degrade its function and appearance. For instance, a corner where half a glass of soda spilled and is left on its own for a while may not seem like a big deal, but the material may slowly be deteriorating when it is not cleaned properly. The dirty area may even attract ants and other pests that can attack the material and quickly damage it. Cleaning the memory foam mattress topper as soon as a spill or similar accident occurs can help prevent permanent damage from setting in.
Avoid Allergen Buildup
Although it is not visible to the naked eye, your mattress topper may very well be a breeding ground for microorganisms that can wreak havoc on your health. As you go longer without washing or cleaning the surface you regularly sleep on, more dust mites, fungi, bacteria, and other allergens set up camp. If you notice bouts of sneezing and/or itching, you may want to clean your dirty memory foam mattress topper as soon as possible. Getting rid of the allergen buildup on the surface of the topper can help put a stop to any allergy symptoms you may be suffering from and protect you from more serious health problems.
Prolong the Topper’s Quality and Aesthetics
A memory foam mattress topper will eventually show some signs of wear and tear. However, this does not mean there’s nothing you can do to slow down these signs. Keeping the surface clean can help in preserving the original appearance of the topper so it can look new and you can enjoy its benefits for a longer period of time.
Surface Cleaning with a Vacuum
Cleaning the surface of a memory foam mattress topper regularly is one of the easiest ways to keep it properly maintained. Remove the cover of the topper and then use a vacuum to get rid of dirt, skin cells, hair, food bits, and microorganisms that may be building up on the surface. Make sure you thoroughly clean the top before vacuuming the sides. After, you can work on flipping over the memory foam mattress topper – do not neglect to clean the bottom part because the same accumulation of dirt and microorganisms on the top can also be found there.
Treat Stains with Laundry Detergent
It is important to deal with stains on the memory foam mattress topper as soon as you see them or immediately after a spill occurs. Do the spot treatment using a clean, light-colored cloth to avoid color transfers. Choose a gentle formula liquid laundry detergent and mix it with an equal amount of water to form the cleaning solution for the spot treatment. Do not use powder detergent mixes because they may lead to discoloration or other negative effects. Dip the light-colored cloth in the solution. Using a circular motion, gently but firmly rub the solution into the stain. Leave it alone for 30 minutes to allow the solution to seep into the stain and work its magic. Next, get a fresh, damp cloth and use this to wipe off the soapy solution. You can work the damp cloth on the spot to remove all traces of the detergent on the mattress topper.
Remove Stains and Odors with Baking Soda
Baking soda works to effectively neutralize odors and remove stains. Sprinkle baking soda on the stained area of the memory foam mattress topper and leave the powder overnight or for at least 8 hours. Afterward, use a vacuum to gather the baking soda along with the stain. Another way to go about this spot treatment method is to mix in two parts of cold water with one part of baking soda to form a runny paste. Apply the paste into the stain, ensuring that the mixture is nicely absorbed before leaving it for 30 minutes. Using a clean cloth dipped in water, wipe off the residue on the treated area. Use paper towels or a dry towel to blot off the rest of the solution that seeped into the topper.
Use Vinegar to Remove Stains
Vinegar works not only in the kitchen for cooking but as a cleaning aid as well. Mix equal parts of distilled white vinegar with water in a shallow container. Dip a piece of clean cloth into the solution and then rub the stained area of the memory foam mattress topper. Work from the edge of the stain towards the middle to reduce the risk of the stain spreading further and affecting an even bigger area. Continue with the rubbing motion until the stain is removed. Use another piece of clean cloth, this time dipped in water, to wipe off the vinegar solution. Use paper towels or a dry towel to pat the treated area dry.
Eliminate Stains with Boric Acid
Boric acid works well in removing stains on fabrics. Blot the stained area first with water before sprinkling boric acid on top. You can then start patting the area until the boric acid works to remove the stain.
Air Dry the Memory Foam Mattress Topper
It is important to allow the topper to completely dry before placing it back on top of the mattress. This way, you can prevent mold and mildew from developing in the damp areas. You can place the mattress topper in a well-ventilated area inside your home and use fans to help speed up the drying process. You can also take the mattress topper outside to air it out, but avoid placing it under direct sunlight as it can cause damage to the memory foam.
Q: Is a memory foam mattress topper machine washable?
A: No, it cannot be washed in a machine because doing so will result in damage to the memory foam material.
Q: How can you remove stains or spills on a memory foam mattress topper?
A: Stains can be removed with spot treating using different cleaning solutions including water and baking soda, water and distilled vinegar, boric acid, and laundry detergent.
Q: What can I do to regularly clean a mattress topper?
A: You can vacuum the surface to remove dirt, bacteria, dust mites, food particles, and other items that may have accumulated.
Q: Can I use hydrogen peroxide as a cleaning agent for the topper?
A: No. Avoid using hydrogen peroxide as this may damage the memory foam’s structure.
Memory foam mattress toppers work beautifully in improving the softness and support of an old mattress. Keeping the topper clean will help ensure you’ll get the most out of your investment, so you can look forward to enjoying the comfortable sleeping surface for a long time. By following the tips for properly cleaning a memory foam mattress, you can help prolong its life and avoid premature product deterioration.
Research Gate – https://www.researchgate.net/publication/8998133_Effect_of_firmness_of_mattress_on_chronic_non-specific_low-back_pain_Randomised_double-blind_controlled_multicentre_trial
Harvard Health Publishing – https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/what-type-of-mattress-is-best-for-people-with-low-back-pain
BioMedCentral – https://aacijournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13223-018-0280-7
US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC99181/
American Chemical Society – https://axial.acs.org/2018/08/03/the-science-of-baking-soda/
Harvard School of Public Health – https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/vinegar/
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