Only a few things can be compared to a good night’s sleep. Memory foam is one of such items that can help you achieve the memorable sleep you so desire.
Memory foam mattresses have been around for over 50 years now.They were first invented by NASA to provide comfort and safety for Astronauts.
Years later, Tempurpedic brought it into everyday usage. Now it can be found in every nook and cranny in the United States.
Viscoelastic foams, as they are also called, can help regulate body temperature.
Knowing how to keep your mattress clean will help you sleep better. It also goes a long way in helping to maintain the sanctity of your bed.
CLEANING YOUR MATTRESS
Actually, cleaning a mattress can be quite tricky. People often overlook its importance and would usually do a shoddy job.
Memory foam mattresses are quite different from other types of mattresses as they distribute our weight evenly as we sleep on them, think of this feature as their special power.
The advantage your memory foam has over all other bed types is that they have an overall effect of reducing pressure points and back pains, like a mini massager, except without all the mechanical whining some massage beds make.
Memory foam mattresses maintain their shape and serve us perfectly for the first few months.
After using it for several years, they may begin to lose shape and by extension become a little less comfortable to sleep on. To avoid this, it’s important to clean and maintain your memory mattress regularly.
You’ll need to clean your memory foam mattress thoroughly at least once in a year to prevent it from harboring bugs and other tiny creatures that can make sleep uncomfortable. Cleaning it every few months keeps it fresh.
Whether it’s a traditional, open-cell or Gel type of memory mattress, the method of cleaning is all similar.
1-REMOVE ALL THE ATTACHMENTS
To clean a memory foam mattress, you need to remove all objects on the bed. This includes the Pillows, fancy pillows, linens, and other bed decorations.
Remove the pillowcases for washing. Wash all the attachments separately in the washing machine, and spin in the dryer to remove all moisture. This way, you’ll have an entirely new and fresh bed.
2-WASH THE COVER
Zip-off and remove the mattress cover and dip in a washing machine. Cold or warm water can be used, however, it is advised to make use of warm water.
Use a gentle, bleach-free, detergent and make sure to set the washing machine to gentle.
Make sure the water is in its largest capacity. After the washing cycle has been completed, run the mattress cover through the rinse cycle to drain out the detergent completely. After this, place in a dryer, set at high or low, and leave to dry thoroughly.
3-SPOT CLEAN
A washing machine can’t thoroughly remove the stains in a mattress cover, especially oil stains. Hence, spot cleaning will be a necessary step in removing oil and other organic stains.
To spot clean, dip a foam in water mixed with dish soap, and apply directly on the stain.
An enzyme-based cleaner can also be used as it contains lipases that help target fat-based stains. An enzymatic cleaner, unlike other types of spot cleaners, is non-toxic.
Apply to the stained area only and ensure that the mattress dries up before replacing the cover.
Caution should be taken when spot-cleaning a memory foam mattress. A memory foam matters should never get too wet, hence, a minimal amount of cleaner should be used.
4-GET RID OF ODOURS
Just like your wears, memory foam may begin to give off an unpleasant odor after regular use. However, unlike your wears, mattresses can’t be thrown into a washing machine.
If taking out for sun-drying would be a stressful process, a better way to get rid of odors is to sprinkle baking soda on it. To avoid oversaturation, a spray bottle should be used. You can use corn-starch and vinegar together with the baking soda.
While the later removes odors, the corn-starch absorbs body oils. Vacuum the mattress thoroughly and let-in some direct sunlight. While vacuuming, make sure you go over the crevices thoroughly as many times as you can.
Allow the baking soda and corn-starch sit for 2-5 hours, this will allow it to get absorbed into the mattress.
After some time, the baking soda starts soaking up the cornstarch and vinegar. This will eventually remove the nasty odor
5-VACUUM THE MATTRESS AGAIN
After applying the baking soda, it’s important to vacuum again to ensure the baking soda and other chemicals used are thoroughly removed. Make sure the vacuum has an upholstery attachment and comes with a UV-disinfection tool.
Also, allow the brush to caress the top of the mattress, and the nozzle to get into all corners.
A handheld vacuum clear will be the best choice for this process. Stretch the nozzle well to make it cover the hard to reach areas of the top and the also the sides of the mattress.
Vacuuming should be done regularly to remove any dust and moist that collects on the memory mattress surface.
6-AIR OUT YOUR MATTRESS
Aside vacuuming, it will also be helpful to take your mattress out into fresh air and sunshine. This eradicates odors and bleaching out stains. Flip the bed over as you air and sundry it.
This process should last a couple of hours. In cases where the entire mattress can’t be taken out, you can stand it close to the window, where sun rays can touch it.
Conclusion
Nothing beats a good night’s sleep, and the only way you can sleep comfortably in your bed is to give it the care it deserves.
Remember that the first step in keeping your mattress clean is to get a removable mattress protector so that you wash that instead of the mattress cover. And if still your bed got dirty then use the steps above.
