How To Dry A Mattress. Best 4-Step Guide

You have four steps to understand how to dry a mattress. But why do you need to read an article for something that seems so mundane? Mattresses are thick and large items that can be tricky to dry.

Perhaps you just finished cleaning a memory foam mattress, and it accidentally got soaked. Or maybe you spilled something on the mattress, and you want the most effective way to dry it. These situations put you at risk for mold and mildew, so drying is something never to overlook.

how to dry a mattress

 

How Do You Dry A Mattress?

 

Step #1. Check

Before the drying process itself, you must check how soaked your mattress is. Remember that some materials for mattresses should not get wet, and even drying won’t redeem them. Furthermore, if your mattress has been wet for a long time, it might have developed mold, and throwing it away is a better option than reusing it. 

If you accidentally spilled something on the mattress or if the material absorbed moisture during cleaning, you must act as soon as possible. This will prevent its deterioration, and you can keep the mattress from absorbing the liquid deeper. However, please check what type of liquid has soaked the mattress.

It’s best to dispose of the mattress if it has absorbed harsh chemicals or contaminated water. Restoring it by drying will be impossible and unsafe for reuse. You may successfully dry it, but it’s possible that the inside is contaminated and poses health risks. 

 

Step #2. Eliminate liquid

The second step is applicable if you have spilled something on the mattress or it got soaked. You want to use a sponge to absorb the excess liquid on the surface before you proceed to dry. This will not only help hasten the process but also prevent staining. 

In some cases, you can use a vacuum for heavier liquids that have seeped into the mattress. You may place something heavy on the material or stand on top of it to squeeze out the liquid in the inner layers. If needed, you can also cover the wet areas with baking soda to suck the remaining moisture and help with odor removal.

 Rub it into the mattress to reach the interior and let sit for 12 hours. Then, vacuum the baking soda and proceed with the next step.

 

Step #3. Sanitize

Using baking soda in the previous step will eliminate odors. However, it would be best if you still sanitize your mattress before drying it entirely. This is especially useful for mold prevention and additional peace of mind if the liquid on your mattress potentially harbors pathogens (e.g., pet urine.)

You can use urine removers from pet stores, but hydrogen peroxide will also be helpful. If your mattress’s material finds hydrogen peroxide too harsh, you can also use vinegar for sanitization. Spray on the contaminated surface and let it sit for 10 minutes.  

Afterward, you can opt to wipe the mattress with a towel soaked in a solution of water and alcohol. You can even add a bit of dishwashing soap to the mixture. This solution prevents mold growth, and the soap helps improve the smell. 

 

Step #4. Air dry

The final step is drying the mattress using air circulation. It’s the safest option because using high heat can damage the material. Place your mattress outdoors on a sunny day until it’s thoroughly dried.

Flip it now and then to ensure that all sides have dried after 24 hours. If the conditions are humid and may risk mold growth, an area with a fan and dehumidifier should help with the drying process. You can also use a blowdryer at a low setting to hasten the process. 

 

Can You Sleep On A Damp Mattress?

The emphasis is necessary on waiting for the mattress to dry completely before you use it. Unless you’re sure that even the interior has dried up, please use an alternative for the night. Overdrying a mattress is always better than using something even slightly damp. 

Even if only the inner layers are damp, it can still encourage mold and mildew. It’s unsanitary and risky for your health and may even exacerbate those with existing issues. Furthermore, sleeping on something damp can put you at risk for pneumonia. 

 

Is Mattress Ruined If It Gets Wet?

As discussed earlier, it’s best to check how wet your mattress is before you even dry it. The damage might be too severe, or the material itself doesn’t allow moisture. Drying some mattresses will be useless because you’ll fail to restore them once they got wet. 

The interior is prone to degrading or even decomposing and may also start developing pathogens. If not, the mattress may have already weakened and lost its supportive structure. Therefore, check your mattress label regarding care and gauge how soaked it has gotten if it’s still redeemable. 

 

Conclusion

If your mattress does not get too soaked or if its material is not sensitive to moisture, you should be able to restore it. You can understand how to dry a mattress the best way in four steps. First, gauge if it’s possible to dry it or if it’s better to throw it away.

Then, soak up the excess liquid and sanitize your mattress to prevent odor, stains, and mold. Finally, let it air dry for 24 hours before using. Never use a damp mattress as it’s risky for the health.