We spend about a third of our lives on our mattresses. Over time, our dead skin cells, sweat, hair, body odor, and pet dander can sneak into our sheets and accumulate in our beds. Dirty mattresses can harbor dust mites, bacteria, and other microorganisms that can cause allergies, skin inflammation, and in rare cases, infections. While we keep our sheets clean, it is still important to clean our mattresses from time to time. Keeping your memory foam bed dry and uncontaminated should help improve the quality of your sleep, so how do we clean a memory foam mattress?

Vacuuming
With a vacuum cleaner, you can eliminate dust mites, dust, pet dander, and other pollutants from the surface of your mattress. Before vacuuming your mattress, remove the sheets, pillows, topper, and all other coverings. Then, powder the mattress with baking soda and leave it on for 12 to 24 hours. The baking soda should absorb moisture and odors trapped within the top layer of the bed.

After the baking soda has sat for long enough, slowly vacuum every surface of the bed. If possible, use a handheld vacuum with a small brush attachment. The brush should work to loosen dirt and debris from the crevices of the bed mattress, making it easier for the vacuum to suck it up.

Dry stains
The best way to clean a dried stain is to attack it as soon as you discover it. While it might not be fresh, the sooner you address a stain the better. First, remove your mattress cover and machine-wash the stained cover in cold water with regular detergent, unless the manufacturer recommends otherwise. Keep in mind that not every mattress cover is made to be removed, and removing it may violate your warranty. If the stain gets on the memory foam, you can start by preparing a bottle of cleaning solution. Use a homemade solution consisting of 1 part mild detergent to 2 parts water and shake well in a spray bottle until dissolved. Spray the mixture gently onto the mattress. You only need enough to make the fabric surface lather slightly. Spray the stain well, and then gently scrub with a clean, damp cloth. Once the stain is gone, use another damp rag to gently wipe away the soapy residue, then immediately dry with a clean, dry cloth on a damp spot. Next, place the bed in direct sunlight or with a fan to speed up the drying process.

Stubborn stains
For severe stains, like urine or vomit, you’ll need to mix a new, odor-eliminating cleaning solution by diluting one part white vinegar in three parts warm water. Remove the mattress cover to clean it in the washer. Soak a clean cloth in the vinegar solution, wring out any excess liquid, and use it to penetrate and gently scrub the fresh stain. After removing the smell and stain, use a clean, moist cloth followed by a dry cloth to absorb the solution, and then place the bed mattress under a fan or the sun to completely dry it.

Liquid stains
For dark-colored liquids like wine or coffee, you might need a stain remover. First, stop the stain from penetrating the memory foam mattress by using disposable towels to absorb as much of the liquid as possible. After the towels absorb the moisture, mist the stained area with the diluted white vinegar solution. Let it sit for a minute before wiping it off with clean paper towels and repeat until the stain is lifted. To remove odors, pour some baking soda on the wet spot and leave it for eight to ten hours. The baking soda should absorb any leftover moisture or odors, and you can vacuum up the baking soda after it has dried.

Maintenance Tips
Mattress cleaning is a great way to extend your bed’s life. However, there are other ways to care for your mattress that can also increase its longevity.

• Flip the foam mattress at least every six months. Doing so will prevent parts of the mattress from wearing out faster than the rest.
• Use the mattress in a well-ventilated room that gets lots of sunlight. The fresh air and sun’s rays will prevent moisture buildup and keep the mattress smelling fresh.
• Wash or change the sheets at least once a week. If the bed has a removable cover, you should also wash it weekly.

Memory foam mattresses are very popular today due to their cozy comfort and great support. Regular cleaning of your memory foam mattress or mattress cover will help you get your money's worth by maximizing the life of your bedding. Also sticking to a regular mattress cleaning routine will help ensure that your sleeping surface is always clean and fresh, ready for a good night's sleep.