Part of the passion of being a declutterer is finding truly treasured possessions which add value to life and maintaining them so that they last. I recently decided to buy a memory foam mattress because it is amazing for alleviating back and neck pain while creating the perfect sleeping surface. It is comfortable, controls the temperature just right, and it makes you feel like you’re on a cloud.
But I have to be honest – the increased level of comfort is not the only reason I chose memory foam for my bed. I also prefer this type of surface because its compact structure doesn’t allow for dust, bacterial, bedbugs, mould, or dust mites to set up shop in the mattress (unlike spring mattresses). However, this doesn’t mean you don’t have to perform some maintenance work on your bed!
Just like any other mattress, a fancy foam mattress still gets stained, absorbs your sweat and odours during the night, and gets cluttered in time. So, what is there to do? How do you clean such a surface?
I also struggled a bit at first, but I learned several important cleaning tips (that you can read below) and now I can easily declutter my memory foam.
Prepare the area
I don’t recommend cleaning the mattress on the bed because you may damage the frame. It’s best to take it outside or in a well-ventilated room – this way you’re also airing your mattress and drying out any moisture that might have built up.
You don’t need any fancy tools, just a tarp for the mattress (so it doesn’t sit directly on the floor/ground) a vacuum cleaner, a soft brush, a gentle fabric cleaner, and a spray bottle.
Removing Odours and Moisture
The best treatment is with baking soda – just sprinkle some on the surface and let it absorb everything for a while (from several hours to an entire night). Of course, you don’t have to sprinkle the baking soda on the entire surface – just where you see spots or the foam feels damp (it’s more of a spot cleaning).
If the stain doesn’t budge, try sprinkling it with water and boric acid. Just make sure to blot the mixture into the mattress – don’t rub it in! If a pet (or a child!) peed on the bed, you should try an enzymatic stain cleaner – let it sit for about 15 minutes and then blot it out with a clean, damp sponge.
Let everything dry before using the vacuum cleaner.
Vacuuming your Memory Foam
For this activity, you’ll need a soft brush accessory and lots of patience. Turn your vacuum on and, if you can, set it on mild to low (you don’t want the vacuum to rip out the foam, right?). Use the brush to gently scrub the surface and make sure you get all the baking soda off of it.
Use circular motions and don’t press too hard –the vacuum will pick up debris and dust from the surface, while the brush will gather hair and other similar things. Vacuuming may take longer if your mattress has a pattern, but make sure you get into every crevice (this is where the dust settles the best).
Keep in mind that even the best foam mattresses need to be vacuumed at least once a year!
The Final Step
Once the mattress is free of odours and stains, you can do a gentle spraying of the surface with the fabric cleaner – it can be a solution of water and detergent/ dish soap. Make sure to avoid soaking the foam!
Once this step is done, use the vacuum cleaner to get the detergent out and let the mattress dry for a few hours (or overnight). You can also put clean, dry towels on the surface and press them on the foam, to absorb any moisture that might have sunk in.
It many seem like a lot of work but you deserve the best quality sleeping experience possible!
Thanks for reading
A TidyMind