How To Dry A Mattress? Ultimate Guide

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23 min read

Wet mattresses are difficult to dry after a flood or water incident. While it’s possible to dry a wet mattress, it’s important to think about the source of the water before proceeding. Mattresses may be dried even if they were soaked by rain, a leak, or a burst pipe. However, you may have to get rid of it at some point. There are a variety of ways to dry a mattress, including using an air dryer and vacuuming it. When it’s time to get a new mattress, we explain why.

What Happens for a Regular Mattress

Mattresses with springs are the most prevalent model on the market. They’re constructed of cotton and foam-covered springs, so they’re more open and allow for better airflow. It also means that water and moisture can be readily absorbed by them.

Oxidation and loss of tensile strength occur when metal springs come into contact with air and moisture. Consequently, your mattress will be loud and uncomfortable. Stains and odours are also caused by the process of oxidation in and of itself.

What better place for mold and fungi to thrive than in the mattress’s core? Allergy symptoms include nasal congestion, coughing, itching throat and eyes when mold spores are inhaled. A rash or allergic reaction to the skin is another possibility. If you have a respiratory or immune system issue, things get worse. So, if you see mold spots on your mattress, don’t sleep on it.

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It also shortens the life of your mattress because of the presence of moisture. Five to six years is the average lifespan of a standard mattress. But when water is added, the longevity is dramatically reduced.

What Happens for a Polyfoam Mattress

Mattresses made of polyfoam are the second most vulnerable. Despite the fact that they don’t include metal, they’re less durable than memory foam mattresses.

Water-holding capacity is determined by the mattress’s foam density and thickness. When it comes to soaking up a spill, dense materials tend to absorb liquids more slowly, allowing you more time to do so.

A biocide layer may be included in some polyfoam mattresses. A biocide is a substance that kills and prevents the growth of microorganisms that are dangerous to humans, such as mold. The Biocidal Product Regulations or an equivalent criteria must be met before purchasing a mattress that claims to be “antibacterial.” The reason for this is that biocides themselves can offer health concerns.

If you dry your polyfoam mattress correctly, it won’t suffer much damage from water. In general, you can anticipate your polyfoam mattress to be extremely forgiving.

Mattresses made of polyfoam often last roughly ten years longer than those made of springs.

What Happens for a Memory Foam Mattress

Polyurethane is the main ingredient in memory foam mattresses. When you lie down on it, the viscoelastic material conforms to your body shape and returns to its original shape when you get up.

Air pockets separate the polyurethane cells that make up these mattresses. There are no liquids that can be absorbed by polyurethane because it is nonporous. Water, on the other hand, can become entrapped in the foam’s air pockets or small holes. As a result, even if a memory foam mattress appears dry on the exterior, it may be damp on the inside.

Memory foam, on the other hand, is resilient and forgiving when it comes to spills. You should anticipate your mattress to survive eight to 10 years if you remove the water soon.

Enough water and moisture, on the other hand, will damage even the greatest grade memory foam. As a result, you must remove any standing water soon and allow the mattress to dry.

Over time, the moisture in the mattress can breed mold and mildew, giving off an unpleasant odor.

Antibacterial memory foam is sometimes made with polyurethane based on zinc. Biocidal polyurethane has been proven to be useful in the fight against mold and bacteria.

Regular use requires a lower level of antibacterial activity. Your memory foam mattress should be replaced as soon as it gets wet for more than a few days. Sleeping on a mold-infested mattress is dangerous for your health and cannot be salvaged.

What Happens for a Tempurpedic Mattress

Tempurpedic is a mattress, pillow, and sleep accessory maker. An established name in the memory foam industry since 1992, it is well-known for the long lifespan and exceptional quality of its memory foam products.

High-density memory foam with a patented design claims to eliminate odors, sagging, and heat retention in the mattress. Tempurpedic mattresses

The risk of mold and mildew growth on a Tempurpedic mattress remains the same. They specifically state on their website that “material should never become wet” and that they cannot guarantee that the wet mattress is completely recoverable.

In the event that your mattress does get wet, follow the same steps you would for any other mattress. You should, however, avoid dry cleaning your TEMPUR-Topper Supreme. Remove the lid and wash it in cold water instead.

What Happens for an Air Mattress

You can think of an air mattress as a mattress filled with air. You can choose between an electric or a manual pump when purchasing this mattress, so you can use it anytime you want. You can store it in a closet while not in use by allowing the air to escape.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), plastic, or rubber are commonly used to create air mattresses elastic and long-lasting, unlike spring or foam mattresses.

Polyurethane plastic, which is used in certain air mattresses but not all, is a substance similar to memory foam. Other substances in memory foam increase its density and reduce its springiness.

Mold is less likely to grow on polyurethane plastic and PVC. So, there’s no need to be concerned about spilt coffee on this mattress kind. With a damp towel, you can clean your air mattress if necessary. If the issue is more serious, simply deflate the mattress and place it in the sun for an hour or so to dry it out.

Water might be dangerous if you’re utilizing an electronic pump. Keep the pump away from liquids and moisture and take care of the electronic components.

Deflate your air mattress and store it in a dry place if you won’t be using the mattress for a time. Mold can grow on your mattress if it is exposed to too much moisture for an extended period of time.

A Complete Guide for Cleaning a Mattress - Deluxe Mattress Cleaning

How to Dry a Wet Mattress Quickly

Mold and germs can grow quickly in a wet mattress, so drying it out as soon as possible is critical. No matter what the source of the moisture is, following procedures will help you quickly dry a damp bed.

1. Clean Dirt and Remove the Bedding

The first step is to get rid of any dirt or bedding that may be left behind. Plaster and drywall can be disposed of in heavy-duty plastic bags if there is significant damage. To avoid the growth of mold, wash the bedding as soon as possible. Even if the water supply is shut off, you can dry your bedding outside until you have time to wash it inside.

2. Soak Up the Water

Clean towels can be used to extract as much water as possible from little puddles on the mattress. A towel that’s overly damp should be replaced with a new one.

Sprinkle kitty litter on the damp area first, then push down with towels. More water will be drained and dried faster with the help of the kitty litter. Vacuum moist kitty litter out of the house with a shop vacuum.

3. Suck Up Water With a Wet-Dry Vacuum

You can also use a wet-dry vacuum to dry your mattress. Move the hose across the mattress’s surface to remove as much water as possible. Using a sectional approach, work from the left to the right, top to bottom, until there is no more water to remove.

4. Remove Stains With Hydrogen Peroxide and Dish Soap

It’s better to remove stains while the mattress is still slightly damp, as drying might cause them to set in. Using an old toothbrush, apply one part liquid dish soap to two parts hydrogen peroxide on the stain. If you don’t cover the entire discoloration with the mixture, let it there for five minutes. After that, simply use a moist cloth to wipe it clean.

5. Dry It With a Hairdryer

After that, blow dry the mattress with a hairdryer. Move the hairdryer over the damp place for ten to twenty minutes while keeping it a few inches away from the mattress surface. Let the mattress cool down for a few minutes before checking to see if it is still damp.

6. Prop the Mattress and Use a Fan

A damp mattress might have a dry exterior but a wet within. To dry out a mattress, place it against a wall or other stable surface with a fan in place. There should be at least 2 feet of room on each sides of the mattress. After the wet area seems dry, leave the fan running on high for 6 to 8 hours. Position your dehumidifier near the mattress and run it continuously as it dries. Over-drying your mattress is always preferable to leaving it slightly damp.

7. Move It Outside

Moving your mattress outside to dry is a good idea whenever you can. Not only will sunlight and fresh air hasten the drying process, but they’ll also help prevent or even eliminate mold growth. Prop it up so that more air can move through it and more sunshine can reach it. You should still use fans to speed up drying and prevent the growth of mold and germs, but this is not an absolute necessity.

8. Disinfect Your Mattress with Alcohol

For best results, you should clean your mattress with equal quantities of rubbing alcohol and water. Spray the mattress evenly with a spray bottle. Make sure to inspect the areas beneath the rivets and the seams. Using a towel instead of a spray bottle will suffice.

When Is It Safe To Dry a Mattress?

Despite the fact that you can always dry your mattress, doing so isn’t always a good bet. There may be mold and bacteria growing inside the mattress, making it dangerous. Groundwater and storm surge floods and sewage backups are the most typical causes of this. Even if the water is clean, it will eventually become infested with mold. Because of this, you must begin drying it immediately.

After becoming wet, it is fine to dry and clean.

  • As long as it didn’t hit the earth first, rain was acceptable.
  • A burst or leaking water pipe
  • An overflowing bathtub or sink.
  • Spilled water, food, or other liquids
  • Bedwetting

If any of the following are true, you should toss it.

  • It was soaked due to a toilet overflow, a flood of underground water, or a sewage overflow.
  • Through and through, the mattress is saturated.
  • Because it’s been raining for at least 48 hours now,
  • It’s impossible to fast dry it.
  • It has already been infested with mold.

How to Keep Your Mattress in Good Shape Longer

Protecting your mattress and home from disaster is as simple as following our list of the ten greatest ways to take care of it.

1. Make sure your mattress is properly supported.

The appropriate kind of support for your mattress is critical, even if you don’t have to buy a matching box spring or foundation when you buy a new one. Materials are preserved and early wear is prevented as a result.

For more information, speak with the product’s creator or review the manufacturer’s warranty policy. Memory foam and other speciality mattresses typically require strong, sturdy support, whereas box springs are typically exclusively utilized with spring mattresses.

The weight of sleepers and the mattress should be supported by a bed’s frame, and queen and king beds should have center support bars for added stability. Mattresses that are too heavy or too light may require additional support from platform beds that have large slats.

You should examine your bed’s support every year or so to ensure sure there are no broken slats or springs that could affect your mattress……………………..

2. Use a mattress protector from the beginning.

One of the finest and simplest ways to ensure the longevity of your mattress is to use a mattress protector.

Waterproof protection against spills and mishaps is provided by a high-quality mattress protector, which also serves to limit the amount of dust, debris, and filth that end up on your mattress.

This keeps skin oils and sweat off the bed, which helps keep allergens like mildew and dust mites from building up. To make cleaning up after accidents as easy as possible, many modern protectors feel just like a fitted sheet.

3. Wash bed linens regularly.

Sweat, oils, hair, and skin cells are all shed while you sleep. Crumbs are left behind when people eat in bed, and animals can bring in a wide variety of items. Not only does this smell bad, but it can also foster bacteria and encourage the growth of dust mites if it makes its way into the mattress.

Most housekeeping professionals recommend washing bed sheets and blankets every week to every two weeks. The cleanliness of your sheets is essential even if you’re wearing a mattress protector. Additionally, the mattress protector should be washed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

4. Get pets separate beds to snuggle in.

Giving pets their own beds rather than having them snuggle on your mattress is preferable when it comes to bedding.

Your bed will be soiled even if your pet is well-groomed because they wander outside and slobber and shed hair and cells much like people. The occasional accident by a pet can wreak havoc on a perfectly excellent mattress.

5. Rotate the mattress regularly.

No matter the size or the material, rotating a mattress on a regular basis is beneficial to all mattresses. Some manufacturers believe rotation is not necessary, yet rotating helps promote more even wear, whereas not rotating increases the likelihood of depressions and softness.

Turn the mattress head to foot every two to six months so that the top and bottom are facing each other. During the first few of years of using a new mattress, this is very critical.

6. No jumping on the bed!

When your mother cautioned you not to jump on the bed, she was absolutely correct. Even though spring, water, and air beds may be more prone to damage from rough use than other types of foundations, frames, and foams, all of these can wear down more quickly if you are rough with the mattress.

7. Take care when moving your mattress.

In the event that you have to move, wrap your mattress in plastic and prevent twisting or folding it. Heavy-duty mattress bags can be secured with tape to keep dirt and wetness off the bed, and these also protect the bed from scuffs and scratches. Moving and box stores typically carry these bags.

In general, it’s better to move a mattress upright on its side to avoid creases or sagging during transport. Manufacturers often advise against dragging or moving the mattress using the cover’s grips.

8. Don’t bring home unwanted hitchhikers.

Bedbugs are one of the fastest ways to destroy a mattress since they are tough to get rid of after they have infiltrated the mattress itself.

Always check the bed for symptoms of bed bugs and try to keep luggage off the floor when sleeping away from home. A few pointers from Texas A&M University will help you avoid carrying bedbugs back into your own house if you suspect you have them.

Consider utilizing a bedbug-proof mattress encasement if you live in an apartment or in an area where these pests are prevalent. To keep pests out of your mattress, these aren’t your typical mattress covers. They have impenetrable zippers and cover the entire bed.

9. Let the light in occasionally.

Remove your mattress for a few hours every month or two on a sunny, dry day to let the sun to air out your mattress (though if bedbugs are possible, leave the cover on).

To keep dust mite populations in check according to a research by Kingston University, this prevents excess moisture from both sleepers and humidity.

10. Follow manufacturer cleaning directions.

In order to maintain the health and cleanliness of your mattress, it is essential that you clean your mattress on a regular basis.

A hose attachment for vacuuming should be used to remove surface dust from the majority of beds, even if stain removal and basic cleaning instructions are provided by the manufacturer.

Before changing the bed, treat any stains with a moderate water and soap solution and allow them to dry thoroughly. Foams should not be cleaned using powerful chemical cleansers, since they can weaken the foam’s structural integrity.

Vacuuming should be done every one to three months, depending on the degree of dust, allergies, or personal preference, and stains should be cleaned as needed with spot treatments.

The essentials of mattress care and maintenance are the same regardless of the type or brand of mattress. Maintaining a clean, safe, and well-supported bed is the first step in extending its lifespan.

The lifespan of a mattress is highly variable, but by following some best practices, you can make sure that you get the most out of your investment and may sleep soundly for many years to come. Know that a 10-year mattress guarantee is the industry norm, regardless of whether you’re shopping at a brick-and-mortar store or a new bed in a box mattress company.

The appropriate way to use a vacuum cleaner for mattress cleaning | by RVA Cleaning Solutions | Medium

FAQs

It’s normal to wonder if water would damage the mattress or if pee odors can be removed. When it comes to damp mattresses, these are some of the most often asked questions we receive.

What To Do If You Spill Water on Your Mattress?

You can use a hairdryer and a towel to quickly dry your mattress if it gets wet. Soak absorb the water by pressing the towel into the mattress. Then, for ten to twenty minutes, use your hairdryer to dry the damp area. Before checking to see if it’s dry, let the area cool down a bit.

Is a Mattress Ruined if It Gets Wet?

A wet mattress might be salvaged or destroyed depending on where the water came from. Mold and germs can be found in sewage and floodwaters, both of which pose a serious threat to your health. It’s better to get rid of your mattress in this situation. However, if the water comes from a clean source and hasn’t sat for more than 48 hours, you can dry your mattress.

How to Dry a Mattress After Bedwetting?

Urine can be dried in the same manner you would any other liquid. It’s important to clean up any urine spills as soon as possible because it can stain quickly. Use baking soda to remove as much pee as possible while you are still wet.

After that, use a mixture of vinegar and warm water to remove the stain. You may also use this to get rid of pee scents, as well. In the case of minor mishaps, a hairdryer and a fan can be used.

Don’t forget to inspect your mattress’s box spring, too. You can use the same methods to clean and dry it, or you can let it air dry outside.

How Do You Remove Odors From a Wet Mattress?

Baking soda can be used to eliminate unpleasant scents from a wet mattress. Afterwards, add the baking soda and let it sit for a few minutes. Before vacuuming up the baking soda, let it sit for at least a few hours.

The easiest way to deal with urine scents is to get rid of the odor before drying. As much pee as possible should be absorbed by baking soda. After that, use a mixture of vinegar and warm water to clean the affected region.

It’s also possible to take the mattress outside for some fresh air to dry it. Better airflow can be achieved by placing the mattress near a window or in direct sunlight as much as feasible.

How Long Does It Take Mattress to Dry?

You can dry a damp mattress in six to eight hours if you follow the instructions above. Using a house fan can speed up the process by two to three times, while letting it air dry can take up to a week.

Mold and germs are more likely to grow if it takes a long time to dry. Because of this, you should only use drying equipment if you absolutely need it. Replacement is preferable if you have an old mattress.

How Do You Dry Wet Box Springs?

To dry your damp box springs, simply follow the instructions outlined above. The box spring, on the other hand, contains wood that, if not thoroughly dry, can rot. A wet box spring can be air-dried while you concentrate on drying the mattress.

Fans and dehumidifiers can be used on your mattress and box springs once you’ve finished using them. Dry the wood entirely by running the machines for longer than you think you need to.

Equal parts isopropyl alcohol and water should be used to clean the box spring. Baking soda can also be used to eliminate unpleasant scents.

Can a Mattress Get Moldy?

Mold can grow on a moist mattress. After a mattress is moist, mold can grow inside of it. After drying it properly, mold can stay in your mattress even if it is completely dry.

Mold can be brought back to life with as little as a few drops of water. Even if you don’t generally suffer from allergies or sleep issues, this can cause them. Breath difficulties are possible in some circumstances.

Conclusion

You should be able to recover your mattress if it doesn’t get too wet or if the material isn’t susceptible to moisture. In four simple steps, you may learn how to dry a mattress in the most efficient manner. To begin, see if it can be dried or if it’s best to discard it.

Clean your mattress and remove any remaining liquid to avoid the development of odors, stains, or mold. Wait 24 hours before using this product. A wet mattress is dangerous to your health, so avoid it at all costs.

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