How to Clean a Memory Foam Mattress: A Step-by-Step Guide
Memory foam behaves differently than an innerspring or hybrid when it comes to cleaning, and treating it the same way can do real damage. Foam absorbs liquid rather than letting it sit on the surface, and it can take days to fully dry out if it gets too wet — which invites mildew and can break down the foam itself. Here's how to clean a memory foam mattress properly, without soaking it or voiding the warranty.
Why Memory Foam Needs a Different Approach
Standard mattress-cleaning advice often assumes you can scrub and rinse the surface. With memory foam, too much liquid gets trapped in the cell structure instead of evaporating off the top, which is why every step below leans toward "damp," never "wet."
What You'll Need
- A vacuum with an upholstery attachment
- Mild dish soap or a gentle enzyme cleaner
- A spray bottle
- Clean white cloths or paper towels
- Baking soda
- A fan or open window for airflow
Step-by-Step: Cleaning a Memory Foam Mattress
1. Strip and Vacuum
Remove all bedding, including the mattress protector, and wash it separately. Vacuum the entire surface with an upholstery attachment to lift dust, skin cells, and debris before you introduce any moisture — cleaning on top of dust just pushes it deeper into the foam.
2. Spot-Treat Stains
Mix a small amount of mild dish soap with water in a spray bottle, or use an enzyme cleaner for organic stains like sweat or pet accidents. Lightly mist the stained area — never pour or saturate — and blot with a clean cloth working from the outside of the stain inward. Blot, don't rub; rubbing pushes the stain deeper and can damage the foam's surface.
3. Deodorize with Baking Soda
Once the spot-treated area is dry to the touch, sprinkle a light, even layer of baking soda over the entire mattress surface. Let it sit for at least a few hours (overnight works well if you have a guest bed or spare mattress to sleep on) to absorb odors and residual moisture, then vacuum it up thoroughly.
4. Dry Completely Before Remaking the Bed
This is the step people skip, and it's the one that matters most. Point a fan at the mattress or open a window to circulate air, and don't put sheets back on until the treated area is completely dry to the touch — trapping any dampness under bedding is exactly how mildew gets started inside foam.
What to Avoid
- Don't use a steam cleaner or wet-vac soaking method — memory foam holds onto moisture far longer than other mattress types.
- Avoid bleach or harsh solvents, which can break down the foam and its cover fabric.
- Don't flip a memory foam mattress to "clean the other side" unless the manufacturer specifically designed it to be flipped.
- Skip fabric fresheners with heavy fragrance and moisture content as a substitute for actually cleaning a stain.
Routine Maintenance Between Deep Cleans
A weekly vacuum and a mattress protector do most of the heavy lifting long-term. If you don't already have one, a good protector or topper combination keeps spills, sweat, and oils from ever reaching the foam in the first place, which means far less deep-cleaning down the road. For general mattress cleaning across other materials, our complete mattress cleaning guide covers innerspring and hybrid specifics, and our guide on getting stains out of a mattress walks through tougher stain scenarios in more depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean a memory foam mattress?
Vacuum it first, spot-treat any stains with a lightly misted mild soap or enzyme solution and blot dry, deodorize with baking soda, then let it air out completely before putting sheets back on.
Can you get a memory foam mattress wet during cleaning?
You should avoid saturating it. Memory foam absorbs and holds moisture much longer than it should, which can lead to mildew inside the foam — mist and blot instead of soaking.
How do I get pee out of a memory foam mattress?
Blot up as much liquid as possible immediately, then treat the area with an enzyme cleaner designed to break down organic stains, misting lightly and blotting rather than pouring the solution directly on the foam.
Does a memory foam mattress need a box spring to stay clean and supported?
No — most memory foam mattresses are designed for a solid foundation, platform bed, or slatted base rather than a traditional box spring; check your specific mattress's base requirements.
How long does it take a memory foam mattress to dry after cleaning?
It depends on how much moisture was used, but plan on several hours with active airflow from a fan or open window — don't remake the bed until the area is completely dry to the touch.
Ready for a mattress that's easier to keep fresh from day one? Browse our memory foam mattresses in person at any of our five LA showrooms, backed by a free 120-night comfort guarantee.
