Therese asked: How do I clean a memory foam topped mattress? It is urine stained and non-turnable.
The tricky part about cleaning memory foam is that it holds water and, as a result, is very difficult to dry. When you use this cleaning method, for best results, take care not to wet the mattress any more than necessary. You’ll have to do a little extra work to get it dry again, but for the combination of stain and odor removal it will be well worth the effort.
General Cleaning
For mattresses that are not stained, just need to be lightly cleaned or freshened, it is best to avoid water and instead use other methods of cleaning.
- Sunlight is a natural disinfectant that can freshen and deodorize the mattress. If you can bring the mattress outside for a couple hours, the sun will do the rest of the work for you.
- For a quick and easy cleaning, mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and lightly mist the surface. The vinegar will kill most bacteria (about 98%) on the surface and deodorize the foam as well. Mist the mattress first thing in the morning and allow it to air dry uncovered for the rest of the day. Only a light mist should be used.
- Another option is baking soda. Sprinkle a light layer of baking soda over the mattress and let it sit for a couple hours. The baking soda will absorb any dirt and oils in foam and also act as a deodorizer. Vacuum up the baking soda afterwards.
- Steam cleaning using the upholstery attachment on a steamer is another low-moisture option. Be sure to help the foam dry as much as possible afterward by pressing it with a towel to absorb excess moisture and pointing a fan on the area.
Removing Stains and Urine
You Will Need:
- A homemade solution:
- 1 quart hydrogen peroxide
- ¼ cup baking soda
- 1 tablespoon liquid dishwashing soap
- Bucket or bowl
- Clean spray bottle
- An enzyme cleaner, such as:
- Nature’s Miracle
- Kids ‘N’ Pets
Steps to Remove the Stain:
- To use a homemade solution, combine peroxide, baking soda and dishwashing liquid using the measurements listed above. Mix it together in the bucket or bowl, agitating only lightly to avoid making too many suds.
- Pour the solution into the spray bottle.
- Spray the stain with the solution. You’ll need to apply more of the solution to heavier stains, particularly if you’re dealing with urine stains which have soaked into the foam. Only wet as much of the surface as necessary.
- For a thorough, deep clean, press down on the foam on the wet spot to help distribute the cleaning solution into the mattress where the urine or stain has soaked through.
- Allow to air dry, uncovered. You will need several hours up to several days for the spot to dry fully. For help in speeding the drying process, see the Additional Tips section below.
- If any residue remains from the baking soda in the solution, use the upholstery attachment on a vacuum hose to vacuum the mattress.
- To use a store-bought cleaner, a pet enzyme cleaner is the best choice. If you have a pet that is repeatedly ‘marking’ on the mattress, this will help remedy the problem. These cleaners are available in the pet aisle of most supermarkets. To use one, pour as much of the cleaner onto the area as there was urine so that it can soak in equally as deep.
- Let it work for 5-10 minutes (the enzymes will eat up all the organic matter), then press the area with a towel repeatedly to absorb as much moisture as possible.
- To speed drying time, see the Additional Tips section below.
Additional Tips and Advice
- Peroxide is a bleaching agent and may discolor the foam surface. If slight discoloration will bother you, spot test first.
- There are several ways you can help the mattress dry more quickly. The easiest is to set up a fan to blow over the wet area. Alternatively, you can use a hair dryer to apply air and heat. Do not leave the hair dryer on unattended, you’ll have to hold it over the wet spot while using it. Another option that can be used in conjunction with the fan or hair dryer is to press a clean, absorbent towel over the spot. This will soak up some of the moisture, but wait at least an hour after you initially apply the solution to give it time to work.
- If you need to use the mattress before the spot is fully dry, lay a folded thick towel over the wet area, under the mattress sheet. As soon as you get out of the bed, strip the bedding back so the mattress is once again exposed to the air. Do not use a mattress protector until the spot is fully dry.
- The homemade solution for stains can be used as a general cleaning mist as well. Spray the solution lightly over the mattress first thing in the morning, then allow it to air dry uncovered the rest of the day.
- If your mattress topper is removable and does need to be washed, use the guide How to Wash Memory Foam.
Katherine says
I took the foam topper outside on the deck and poured hot vinegar and water over the stained part. I wanted to wash the urine completely out of the topper.
I then rinsed it with plain water, squeezed out as much moisture as possible, then suspended the topper with the wet part getting maximum air circulation for about a week. This solved the problem I’d been having with my cat being attracted to a urine smell (from a previous animal) in the mattress.
My foam topper is king size, so I imagine it would be easier for a smaller size.
Jamie says
I put Wisk, peroxide & baking soda in my garden sprayer and attached the hose. I put the memory foam on my hammock and hosed it down. While I came in the house to get more baking soda, my son took the memory foam and threw it in the pool and was floating on it. I was so mad, but it turned out to be a good thing. We turned it over a few times until the solution I sprayed on it was out. Then we rolled it up and took it to the steps and rolled it onto the pool deck. I left it there for 2 hours, then we picked it up and moved it back onto the hammock. It will remain on the hammock until it is completely dry. It is so hard to handle and it gets so heavy. I would recommend treating it and just throwing it in the pool.
James says
Use a mattress protector; problem solved.
John says
Please read this for quick way to dry a single mattress!!!!
I have had to wash and dry both a thin foam mattress from Ikea that is about 6 inches thick (fully soaked in a bath of water and washing up powder and rinsed with a bath of clean water, then air drying for days and tramping on towels to soak up the moisture) and a thick single bed foam mattress that is 12 inches thick (used a carpet cleaner on hand attachment only, then sucked water back up).
In both cases, I have found that standing them on their side next to a radiator dries them within a day. Just turn it over once to dry the other side if it’s a deep mattress. Wish I had figured that one sooner!
To prevent, I have found that using two mattress protectors per mattress saves a lot of hassle. One just doesn’t cut it!
Stephanie says
HELP!!!!!!!! My daughter’s friend had her strawberry lemon soda bottle on my bed. She didn’t have the top on correctly. All of the soda is now in a 15×12 area of the mattress. I tried to soak up as much as possible, but it is still runny. It’s a king and I am not able to roll it up by myself. I called a lot of mattress stores and they told me to just blow a fan on it. I’m so upset right now. I have only had the mattress for a week. I’m still waiting to hear from the company I purchased from. But any advise from here would be greatly appreciated.
Tricia says
My little one had an accident on my memory foam mattress last night. Unfortunately, her bowels let loose and left a large smelly stain that went through to the mattress. I mixed up the solution you posted and applied sparingly to the stains. I used a soft brush in a circular motion on both the mattress pad and mattress itself. I am pleased to say there’s not a trace of stain or smell left! Thank you so much for for posting this. You made my day!
Sue says
I used a fabric cleaner, but it didn’t help much. So, I used kosher salt and water, made a paste, very thick, scrapped it in, then left it for several hours. Went back, cleaned off the salt and the stain was gone, except for in the stitching, then used SPIT & it took the rest out. UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!! MAKE SURE YOU USE A WHITE WASH CLOTH OR TOWEL. THANKS EVERYBODY!!!!! IT SAVED MY EXPENSIVE MATTRESS!!! WILL TELL EVERYONE I KNOW ABOUT THIS WEBSITE. 🙂 THANKS AGAIN!!!
Mary says
Brilliant…works well…thanks!