How to Clean a Latex Mattress
When you invest in a latex mattress, you’re in it for the long haul. These durable mattresses are known to last for 10, 15, or even 20 years. But to keep your latex mattress fresh for its entire lifespan, you’ll need to spot-clean and sanitize along the way. To help you tackle common stains and keep your latex bed in tip-top shape, we’ve compiled a cleaning guide complete with tips and tricks for long-term maintenance.
Why and When to Clean Your Latex Mattress
You spend a lot of time in bed—almost 3,000 hours a year if you get the recommended 8 hours of sleep each night. Even if you don’t want to think about it, you sweat and shed dead skin cells while you snooze, which linger in your mattress. Latex foam is highly breathable and stays fresher than memory foam, but it still requires an occasional deep clean.
On top of everyday wear, your mattress may need attention after a spill, accident, or anything else that leaves a stain. If you don’t clean your mattress, you risk permanent staining, foam degradation, and allergy triggers from dust mites, mold, and mildew that build up within the bed.
Is Latex Hypoallergenic?
One of the many benefits of latex mattresses is that natural latex is hypoallergenic. But that doesn’t mean your mattress is immune to moisture buildup and bacteria. Even the highest quality and hypoallergenic materials need cleaning and upkeep.
Signs Your Mattress Needs to Be Cleaned
Stains or discoloration
Mold or mildew
Unpleasant odor
Your allergies are worse at night
Your mattress feels damp or moist
How to Clean a Latex Mattress: Step-by-Step Instructions
Ready to refresh your sleep space? You can follow these steps to clean a latex, memory foam, or polyfoam mattress. We’ll recommend methods for specific stain types next, but here are our instructions for a routine clean:
Step 1: Gather Materials
Round up your cleaning supplies! For this latex mattress cleaning method, you need:
Vacuum
Small bowl
Clean rag or sponge
Mild dish soap or laundry detergent
Warm water
Baking soda
Step 2: Prep Your Bed
Remove all bedding from your mattress. Now’s a good opportunity to wash or change your sheets, which you should do once every one to two weeks.
Step 3: Vacuum Your Mattress
Use a hand vacuum or your vacuum’s long, brush, or upholstery attachment to pick up any debris on the mattress surface.
Step 4: Spot Clean Your Mattress
In a small bowl, mix two parts warm water with one part mild dish soap or laundry detergent. Dip your rag or sponge into the mixture then gently rub the stain or problem area on your mattress in small, circular motions. Repeat until clean.
Caution: Don’t Soak Your Mattress!
To avoid unnecessary moisture, only treat your mattress where it’s needed. With all foam mattress types—including latex—use as little liquid as possible to get the job done. You should never soak a foam mattress.
Step 5: Deodorize Your Mattress
Sprinkle baking soda over the area of your mattress that you just cleaned. Let it sit for at least half an hour (but preferably a few hours), then vacuum the residue.
Step 6: Drying Your Mattress
Now, sit back and wait for the affected area to dry. This may take a few hours or overnight, depending on the size of the area and how much liquid you used to treat the stain. Ensure your mattress is completely dry before remaking the bed.
Should I Use Sunlight to Dry My Latex Mattress?
No, we do NOT recommend “sunning” your latex mattress to speed up dying, as direct sunlight can damage natural latex foam. Leave it to dry indoors, away from windows or with the blinds closed.
Tackling Stains on a Latex Mattress
If you’re dealing with a tough stain, you may need more than soap and water to clean your mattress. Try these more aggressive DIY solutions to target sweat, urine, and blood stains.
Sweat Stains (Hydrogen Peroxide + Baking Soda)
Materials:
Hydrogen peroxide
Baking soda
Clean cloths
Bowl
Vacuum
Redress the bed with fresh sheets.
Instructions:
- 1)
Remove all sheets and bedding.
- 2)
In a bowl, mix 8 ounces of hydrogen peroxide and 3 tablespoons of baking soda.
- 3)
With a clean cloth, apply the solution to the affected area. Allow it to sit for a few hours.
- 4)
Dampen a clean cloth and gently blot the stain.
- 5)
Allow the spot to air dry, then vacuum the entire mattress.
Urine Stains (Vinegar + Baking Soda)
Materials:
Vinegar
Water
Baking soda
Empty spray bottle
Clean cloths
Vacuum
Instructions:
- 1)
Remove the bed sheets and wash them following the care label.
- 2)
Pour a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water into the spray bottle.
- 3)
Using one of your dry, clean towels, blot the excess urine without scrubbing, as this will push the urine further into the mattress.
- 4)
Spray your vinegar/water mix over the stain while blotting out the excess liquid.
- 5)
Sprinkle baking soda over the stain and allow it to sit for about 8 hours.
- 6)
Vacuum the stain to clean the baking soda off the mattress. You can use this opportunity to vacuum the entire bed and base.
- 7)
Repeat the process if necessary.
Blood Stains (Meat Tenderizer)
Reserve this method for the toughest blood stains. We recommend trying one of the previous strategies first, then following these instructions if you can’t work out the stain.
Materials:
Meat tenderizer (unseasoned)
Water
Clean cloths
Bowl
Instructions:
- 1)
In the bowl, combine one part meat tenderizer with two parts water. Mix until the ingredients form a paste.
- 2)
Rub the paste on the stain and let it sit for about 1 hour.
- 3)
Wipe away the paste with a damp cloth, then dab the area with a dry cloth.
More Tips for Latex Mattress Maintenance
Aside from routine cleaning and spot treatment as needed, here’s how you can keep your latex mattress as good as new for as long as possible.
Mattress Protectors
Regardless of the type of mattress you own, we recommend covering it with a waterproof mattress protector. A mattress protector will help minimize wear while keeping sweat, spills, dust mites, and debris out of your mattress. For easy care, look for a machine-washable option like our GlacioTex™ Cooling Mattress Protector.
Indentations and Sagging
A Proper Base
Every bed needs a sturdy foundation to create a flat, elevated surface for your mattress and prevent premature sagging. Most latex mattresses are compatible with solid and slatted foundations, but always check the manufacturer's specific recommendations. In general, box springs are not recommended for latex mattresses.
Mattress Rotation
Spread out regular wear and tear and prevent indentations by rotating your mattress 180 degrees every six months. You’ll get the most out of your mattress by using every inch.
Mattress Toppers
Adding a mattress topper is a quick fix for an older mattress with impressions, or a way to prevent wear and tear from the get-go. If you like the responsive feel of latex, check out our Latex Mattress Topper. A topper will also help protect your mattress from dust mites, spills, and stains.
Clean Comfort on Your Latex Bed
With these tips, you have everything you need to keep your latex bed clean and pristine! The natural resilience of latex matched with regular maintenance is a winning combination for quality sleep on a mattress that lasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
On Latex Mattress Cleaning and Maintenance
Disclaimer: Nolah does not provide medical advice. All resources on the Nolah blog, including this article, are informational only and do not replace professional medical counsel. Talk to your doctor about any health, mental health, or sleep-related issues.
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