The state of your mattress is important for your quality of sleep and overall comfort, but it can become unpleasant when left wet or water-damaged. From natural disasters and leaks in your home to spills and accidents, there are many reasons why this can happen, but there are also things that you can do to save your mattress. Here are some tips and tricks to help you dry your mattress quickly and effectively.
How to Dry a Wet or Water-Damaged Mattress
Step 1: Remove as Much Moisture as Possible
After removing all bedding and fabrics, use some clean and dry towels to blot away as much liquid as you can from the mattress. Once you’ve gotten most of it out, you can then sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda or cat litter and work this in with a dry sponge using circular motions. Finally, you can get your wet/dry vacuum and use this to absorb all the leftover moisture.
Step 2: Create a Cleaning Solution
You can make an easy and effective cleaning solution by combining a cup of rubbing alcohol and a cup of water into a bowl. Dab a clean cloth into this solution before using it to wipe the entire surface of the mattress to prevent mold and mildew from growing.
Step 3: Let Mattress Dry
After running the solution over the whole mattress, you can now bring it outside to dry completely. This can take around 24 to 48 hours, but the direct sunlight exposure will remove any remaining moisture left behind, while also deodorizing and killing the bacteria. Make sure that you lean the mattress against a wall to encourage all-around air circulation, which will help speed up the process.
Alternatively, you can also use a fan or a hairdryer to dry your mattress, but it’ll be great if you also have a dehumidifier to control the moisture levels in the air. Once the mattress has completely dried, you can then return all the bedding and pillows into place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Water-Damaged Mattress Be Saved?
A water-damaged mattress can definitely be saved so long as you immediately remove any excess moisture, thoroughly clean the mattress to prevent mold, mildew, or bacteria from growing, and let your mattress dry completely.
Can You Dry Out a Wet Mattress?
Yes, you can dry out a wet mattress with a few different items:
- Baking Soda: A generous layer placed over the soaked area will effectively soak up all the leftover liquids
- Wet/Dry Vacuum: This vacuum removes the excess moisture and the hidden impurities on your mattress, both solid and liquid
Is a Mattress Ruined If It Gets Wet?
No, a mattress isn’t ruined just because it gets wet as long as you remove as much moisture as possible and clean your mattress as soon as possible.
What’s the Quickest Way to Dry a Mattress?
The quickest way to dry a mattress is by bringing it outside and placing it under direct sunlight. Not only will the heat from the sun evaporate any lingering moisture, but it can also kill any bacteria and any nasty smells that they could have caused.
Can Baking Soda Dry a Wet Mattress?
Yes, baking soda can be used to dry a wet mattress. After sprinkling a thick layer over the area, leave it until the white powder begins to form a paste, then you can use a cloth to wipe everything away and vacuum around the area to clean off any lingering powder.
Can I Dry a Mattress with a Hairdryer
Yes, you can definitely dry a mattress with a hairdryer as long as you keep it around five to six inches away from the mattress surface. You should also set it to release warm air instead of hot air.
Other Mattress Cleaning Tips
Learn to Identify Mold Early On
The biggest danger of a wet mattress is the potential mold growth, which can endanger the health of you and your loved ones. It’s important to know the signs of mold growth. Mold formations start inside the mattress and will appear as white fuzz. Then, it will turn green and begin to spread across the surface. Finally, mold on the surface of the mattress will appear black.
Once mold has formed on your mattress, it will immediately become a toxic environment and will have to be thrown out and replaced.
Take Immediate Action
The most important thing to remember when it comes to cleaning a wet mattress is that immediate action must be taken to lessen the amount of damage. This will reduce the chances of mold and mildew formation, which can spare you the massive expense of having to buy a new mattress.
Take Preventative Measures to Avoid Similar Accidents
There are many ways that you can avoid a soaked mattress in the future:
- Waterproof Mattress Cover: Covering your mattress with a high-quality mattress cover will stop any liquids from absorbing into your mattress and leaving a mark
- Avoid Food and Beverages on the Mattress: By making it a habit to keep any food and beverage away from your bed, you’ll be able to avoid any spills and accidents.
- Pet Training: Training your pets to stay off the bed will reduce the likelihood of any unwanted incident
Call Professional Cleaning Services
If you’re unsure as to how to deal with your soaked mattress, you can always call the professionals to help. Luce’s mattress cleaning service is a quick and affordable solution that will give your worn-out mattress a much-needed refresh so that you and your loved ones can enjoy a comfortable and restful night's sleep.
