Can You Steam Clean A Memory Foam Mattress?

Many guests at my home compliment how comfortable the beds are. My secret is the memory foam mattress and the memory foam toppings for the firmer beds, at my home, you can choose either. 

The beauty of memory foam mattresses is that they contour to your body shape, keep your backbone aligned so that you are always in the most comfortable position helping you to sleep better, ease back pain and even reduce snoring. 

Is it OK to steam clean memory foam mattresses?

Yes, you can steam clean a memory foam mattress. Steam cleaning is the most environmentally friendly way to rid your mattress of dust mites, allergens, smells, dirt, dead skin cells, bed bugs, and bacteria allowing you to get a good night sleep in the knowledge that your bed is clean and fresh.

How to Steam Clean a Memory Foam Mattress? In Four Easy Steps.

Memory foam mattresses are specially designed to cradle your body while you sleep, ensuring your joints and muscles are properly supported. 

It provides lasting support and allows air to circulate for exceptional temperature control. 

These mattresses are awesome but you have to clean them properly to prevent the build-up of allergens. 

Here, I am going to share with you the secrets of steam cleaning your memory foam mattress in simple steps. 

Step 1: Strip the mattress of the beddings

Do some prep work, strip the memory foam mattress of all the beddings including sheets, pillows, and bed coverings. In addition, remove all the waterproof liners at the top and beneath the mattress before you start vacuuming. 

Step 2: Vacuum the excess dust from the mattress

With constant use, your memory foam mattress will gather dust, dirt and grime in its crevices. A small vacuum cleaner like the Bissell SteamShot Steam Cleaner can do the job effectively. 

Vacuum cleaning will take care of heavy set dust and make it easier for the steam cleaner to do a better job. 

However, before you start, lightly sprinkle some borax or baking powder on your topper or mattress and let the powder sit there on the surface for at least 30-45 minutes to infuse a fresh smell and fight odor.

After the required length of time, remove the excess borax or baking powder with a small brush and tray. Then you can use your handheld vacuum cleaner to get rid of the remainder. 

Vacuuming will get rid of the deep-set dust, pet hair, skin cells from the mattress along with the applied borax, and baking powder.

While vacuuming your memory foam mattress, remember to vacuum the corners, sides, and bottom because specks of dust may be lodged there over time. 

Step 3: Spot Treat All Stubborn Stains

Spot cleaning is a good idea to get rid of stubborn stains. If you tackle the stubborn tough stains first steam cleaning will be much easier and more effective. 

If spot treatment is needed before you can Steam Clean A Memory Foam Mattress, this is how you do it. 

First, wet a washcloth with warm soapy water ( you can use a bit of dishwashing liquid for this). 

Second, identify the stain and rub the area, in a circular motion, using the washcloth. 

Third, after applying the solution, blot the area to get rid of the excess liquid out of the foam.

Finally, after you clean the area, place and press a dry towel over the dampened area and let it sit for 15-20 minutes to eradicate any excess moisture. Later the steam cleaner will apply moisture, but you do not want too much moisture in any particular area on the mattress. 

Be sure to check out the care label instructions on your mattress to have an idea of the best detergent to use. 

Do This To Steam Clean A Memory Foam Mattress Today:

Stain treatment on memory foam mattresses should start before the steam cleaning process begins for best results. The quickest way to steam clean a memory foam mattress is to mix the required detergent in water. 

Dab a piece of clean cloth in the mixture and squeeze out the excess water. Use the washcloth to gently agitate the stained spot until the stain loosen.

Wipe off the product before allowing your mattress to air dry for about ten minutes. Once the mattress dries out, you can go ahead with the steam cleaner and steam clean.

Step 4: Start Steam Cleaning A Memory Foam Mattress

Memory foam mattresses are more delicate than ordinary mattresses therefore, you have to be very careful when steam cleaning. You can follow these basic steps to steam clean your mattress. 

First, fill the reservoir of your steam cleaner, then turn on the steam cleaner and allow it to warm up. It should take a couple of minutes to start producing steam. When it is time to start, hole the nozzle at least six inches away from the mattress. 

If you position the nozzle too close to the mattress it may damage it. Similarly, keeping it much further away won’t be effective in getting rid of tough stains.

For a thorough clean, ensure that all areas of the mattress make contact with the steam from the cleaner. Clean a small area at a time for best results. It is best to clean in a circular motion so that all the little air pockets receive a thorough cleaning. 

Be careful not to leave the nozzle in one spot for too long. Letting the steam nozzle remain in one spot for more than ten seconds may cause the mattress to get too moist. Too much moisture is the enemy of the memory foam mattress as it may lead to a memory foam mold infestation. 

You can use a steam mop to clean your mattress. If you intend to do so, ensure that you cover all areas on the mattress and check the mop head regularly and change the head if it gets dirty. 

It gets dirty real quick so change the mop head to prevent spreading dirt from one area of the mattress to the other. 

After steaming allow the mattress and toppings to dry thoroughly before reuse. It is possible to air dry your mattress outside. The sun will help to speed the process up but be mindful of a change in weather, rain would be no good at this time. 

Alternatively, you can place the mattress in a well-ventilated area of the house and use a small electric fan to improve circulation and speed up the drying process. 

When it is dried thoroughly, you may replace the bed covering with clean bed linings. 

What causes yellow stains on mattresses?

The accumulation of moisture, sweat, urine, oils and other bodily fluids on your mattress can cause yellowing over time. Excess moisture on your bed is the perfect breeding ground for mites and for mold and mildew to grow. The steam cleaning process explained above can prevent this. 

Top 5 Steamers To Steam Clean A Memory Foam Mattress

Comforday Pressurized Steam Cleaner is also a good product. 

Bissell SteamShot Steam Cleaner is perfect if you have a small budget.

Sienna Steam Birdie Handheld Steam Cleaner can be used for large bedding.

Comforday Handheld Steam Cleaner can be used for light steam cleaning. 

McCulloch MC1375 Canister Steam System. 

Conclusion

You can steam clean a memory foam mattress properly today with the information provided to extend the life of the memory foam. It is important that you always check the care label for instructions on how to properly take care of your memory foam product.

Reading the instructions first and following them will ensure that your product lasts for a long time. 

You gotta be careful because most manufacturers of steam cleaners do not recommend that you use it on memory foam. However, it is the best way to clean without the use of chemicals.

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About the Author: Doug Smith

Doug has been working around the house fixing stuff for years with a smile on his face. Let's just say he is an avid DIYer. Recently, he has decided to share some of the lessons learnt and knowledge gained from fixing things online. Hope you like what he has to say.