How to Clean Memory Foam Mattresses, Toppers, and Pillows

By Aoife OJune 24, 2020

If you’ve been enjoying your memory foam mattress, topper, or pillow for one year it’s time to give it a refresh. Cleaning your memory foam removes bacteria, dust mites, and allergens that can cause skin problems, allergies, and diminish the durability of your memory foam.

If you’re wondering can you wash foam in the washing machine? It’s important to note that memory foam must be treated differently to other types of foam. For cleaning memory foam, it’s advisable to use as little water as possible. Memory foam smell removal is also possible using household items from your pantry.

Anything can be cleaned with the right know-how and attention to the care label

In this handy guide, we’ll review how

To clean and dry memory foam mattress
To clean and dry memory foam pillows
To clean and dry memory foam toppers
How to keep your mattress, toppers, and pillows clean
The best way to remove stains

If you’re wondering how to clean other mattress types, learn here.

Can Memory Foam Be Washed?

Anything can be cleaned - with the right know-how and attention to the care label, your memory foam mattress can be cleaned. However, it’s not as easy as taking it to the dry cleaners, it needs to be cleaned by hand and you’ll need at least one day to complete the task. Washing memory foam is a delicate process but the results are worth it, to sleep on a fresh clean mattress.

Can You Put Memory Foam in the Dryer?

Washing memory foam requires a little time and gentle hands but what about drying? Although memory foam is a strong material, it’s not able to withstand the high temperature of a dryer. If your tumble dryer can be set to no-heat tumble dry, this may lower the time needed to dry your memory foam. Always check the care instructions first.

Despite this, it’s advisable not to put memory foam into the dryer as the chemicals within the foam are flammable and could cause a fire. Air dry your memory foam in the sun, direct sunlight acts as a natural antibacterial agent, assisting in your memory foam cleaning, thanks sun!

How to Clean a Memory Foam Mattress

This deep cleaning method is only advisable if you have a few days to allow your mattress to air dry. It is inadvisable to soak a memory foam mattress with water and this method requires a lot of water. Therefore, use this method only if you can dry your memory foam mattress in the fresh air for some days. Otherwise, try these methods for a quicker, spot cleaning approach.

What you need for cleaning memory foam mattress;

Vacuum with a brush attachment
Rubber gloves
Empty spray bottle
Detachable shower head (if indoors)
Spray hose attachment (if outdoors)
Electric fan
Tarp
Woolite fabric cleaner
Water

Steps:

Vacuum entire mattress
Put the mattress in the bathtub or outside on the tarp
Mix 1 part Woolite with 2 parts water into the empty spray bottle
Stand the mattress on its side and spray the entire mattress with your Woolite mixture
Let stand for 30 minutes
Using a light spray of water, rinse down the mattress
Gently fold the mattress with your gloved hands to rinse excess water
Allow standing in the fresh air to air dry or place in front of an electric fan to speed the process
Ensure the mattress is completely dry before putting back on the bed, placing a damp mattress on the bed will harbor mold which could make you sick
Once you’re satisfied it’s completely dry, cover with a mattress protector to prevent further stains

To dry your memory foam mattress allow to sit in direct sunlight and fresh air if possible

How to Dry a Memory Foam Mattress

To dry your memory foam mattress allow to sit in direct sunlight and fresh air if possible. However, if indoors is the only option you can place the mattress by an open window. Put the mattress on its side by the open window until it’s fully dry. Alternatively, an electric fan could speed up the drying process indoors.

How to Clean a Memory Foam Pillow

If you’ve accidentally washed memory foam pillow in the washer you’ll be greeted with a lumpy mess! It’s best to use the method above for cleaning foam mattress. However, take great care to dry the pillow fully before using it, you don’t want mold to develop where you rest your head at night.

How to Dry Memory Foam Pillows

The same method applied for drying pillows as drying a mattress. You want to air dry in direct sunlight if possible. Or you can place the pillow by an open window, the fresh air will freshen your room as it dries the pillow. Alternatively, place the pillow on a towel in front of an electric fan until fully dry.

How to Clean a Memory Foam Mattress Topper

Thankfully, mattress toppers are typically wrapped in a zip-off cotton cover, this makes cleaning super easy. Simply remove the cover and place in the washer, take note of the temperature on the care label.

How to Dry Memory Foam Toppers

Consult the care label and only dry your mattress topper cover in the dryer label says so. When dealing with delicate fabrics, air-drying in the sun may be the best option as it will care for the fabric better than a hot dryer.

Always take great care when cleaning memory foam, it seems like a harsh material but requires a gentle hand

How to Remove Stains

Baking Soda Method

What you need:

One part baking soda
2 parts cold water
Clean rag or paper towels

What to do:

Remove all sheets and bedclothes
Mix the water and baking soda in a bowl
Apply to stain (by dabbing not rubbing)
Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes
Dab stain again with a damp cloth
Vacuum excess residue (take this opportunity to vacuum the entire mattress, bed base, and under the bed)
Allow the excess water to air dry on the mattress before dressing the bed

Vinegar and Baking Soda Method

What you need:

Vinegar
Baking soda
Vacuum
A few towels
Empty spray bottle

How to get urine out of mattress:

Remove bed sheets and bedding and wash as soon as possible
Using a 50/50 mixture, put vinegar and water into the spray bottle
Using one of your dry, clean towels, blot the excess urine without scrubbing as this will push the urine further into the mattress
Spray your vinegar/water mix over the stain while blotting out the excess liquid
Sprinkle your baking soda over the stain and allow to sit for as long as possible (8 hours recommended)
When ready, vacuum the stain to clean the baking soda off the mattress, use this opportunity to vacuum the entire mattress and base, don’t forget under the bed too
Repeat process if necessary

How to Keep Your Bed Clean

Vacuum the mattress regularly, including the base and under the bed
Use household items to remove stains and act fast on the stain because it’s more difficult to remove when they’re dried in
Always use a mattress protector, it keeps stains at bay and could prolong the lifespan of your mattress

Tips and Reminders to Clean Memory Foam

Vacuum the mattress regularly
Spot clean as soon as the stain occurs
Don’t use harsh chemicals such as bleach or ammonia
Be gentle with your memory foam, it may seem like a sturdy material but put under too much heat or handled too harshly can damage the foam

Conclusion

Always take great care when cleaning memory foam, it seems like a harsh material but requires a gentle hand. Above all, ensure the memory foam is 100% dry before putting it back on the bed. A damp mattress, pillow, or mattress topper could harbor mold which could make you sick.

Although some methods can be time-consuming, a fresh clean bed is a real treat, you’ll sleep clean and prolong the lifespan of your mattress too.

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How to Clean a Mattress Topper

Vacuum mattress, base, and under your bed. Use stain remover on any stains then sprinkle baking soda onto the mattress. Allow to sit for as long as possible and vacuum mattress again. Flip the mattress and repeat the process on the other side. Vacuum mattress, base, and under your bed before dressing.

How to Wash Memory Foam Mattress

Vacuum mattress, base, and under your bed. Treat any stains with stain remover and sprinkle baking soda onto the mattress. Let sit for as long as possible before vacuuming again. Flip and repeat the process. Take care with certain mattresses such as memory foam as these can’t get too wet.

How to Wash Pillows With Baking Soda

Easily clean your pillows with baking soda. Begin by sprinkling baking soda all over the pillow or mix one part baking soda with 1 part water to form a paste and treat stains. Let sit for 30 minutes then vacuum baking soda residue from the pillow and blot with a damp rag. Let air dry completely.

How to Dry Memory Foam Pillows

Dry your memory foam pillow in the fresh air if possible under direct sunlight, the sun acts as a natural antibacterial agent as it dries. Alternatively, set the pillow on a towel in front of an electric fan. Ensure the pillow is completely dry before using again, you don’t want mold to form on the surface of the pillow.

Can You Wash Memory Foam?

Memory foam may seem like a harsh material that can take a beating but in fact it requires a delicate hand and a lot of patience to clean. It’s advisable to use as little water as possible on memory foam as it doesn’t dry easily. However, a memory foam mattress topper can be easily cleaned by putting into the washer.

How to Spot Clean a Pillow

Spot clean pillow stains as soon as they occur for the best results. Sprinkle some baking soda onto the pillow or mix with some water to form a paste. Treat the stains and let sit for 30 minutes. Vacuum the baking soda residue from the pillow and blot with a damp rag. Allow to air dry fully.

Can You Put Memory Foam in the Dryer?

It’s inadvisable to put memory foam in the dryer. The chemicals in memory foam can cause a reaction from the intense heat of the dryer and cause a fire. Therefore, never put memory foam into the dryer. It’s more beneficial to the material to air dry in the fresh air under direct sunlight if possible.