How To Clean A Pillow Top Mattress

A pillow top mattress consists of a single, gusseted layer composed of fiber or foam. As the name implies, pillow-top mattresses frequently have a soft, pillowy sensation. The layer is attached to the mattress top, leaving a thin space between it and the comfort layer beneath.

Statistics show that nearly 50% of Americans sleep on pillow-top mattresses. In this post, our focus is to show you how to clean your pillow-top mattress from dirt and stains of various types. 

Needed Supplies To Clean Your Mattress

Cleaning your pillow top pad doesn't require a lot of expensive or specialized equipment. A vacuum cleaner and some baking soda are just a couple of items you'll need to give your mattress a fresh coat of cleanliness. 

To give your pillowtop mattress newfound freshness, you will need the following items:

  • Baking soda
  • Spray bottle 
  • Clean cloth
  • Scrub brush
  • Vinegar 
  • Industrial spot cleaner or hydrogen peroxide
  • Warm and cold water
  • Mild detergent
  • Empty water spray (optional)
  • Vacuum cleaner (optional) 
  • Broomstick’s end (optional)

Cleaning your Pillow Top Mattress

Before you carry out any cleaning on your pillow top mattress, it is important to remove the bedding. Generally, there are 4 major ways to clean your pillow top. They include;

Spot Cleaning

To do a spot cleaning, use hydrogen peroxide (can be pure or diluted) to spot-clean your mattress. Hydrogen peroxide simultaneously helps to eliminate discoloration, disinfect, and clean. Apply the hydrogen peroxide immediately to the stain and wait for it to remove any spots and stain. After this, you can use a clean towel to wipe off the after effect. 

Once you are done with spot cleaning you can turn the fan onto your mattress to let it air dry. Alternatively, simply open all the windows in your bedroom and you are good.  You can effectively clean a mattress in this manner without washing the whole thing. 

Deep Cleaning

With deep cleaning, you can get rid of mold and destroy bacteria on the mattress by using simple cleaners to get into the fibers of the pillowtop mattress. Use a scrub brush to remove any visible stains after letting your mattress soak in your soapy solution.

Enzyme-based cleaners are recommended as they help to remove deep-seated odors from the mattress. Remove all the soapy solution from your mattress by using abundant clean water.  If you notice unclean water draining from your mattress, repeat the cleaning process.

Allow your mattress to completely dry out before using it. You can choose to transfer your mattress outside for convenience and to prevent a mess inside from all the water and soap that gets spilled..

Surface Cleaning 

Sometimes dirt and stains may appear on your mattresses but vinegar can easily remove them. A vinegar-in-water spray that effectively cleans the top layer of the mattress will leave you with a neutral scent rather than the overpowering vinegar smell. 

Apply the diluted vinegar you've poured into a spray bottle to the entire surface of your mattress. To get rid of the smell, dab any spills with a wet cloth and let the mattress air dry fully before using it.

Dry cleaning

This is the most convenient method that makes sure your pillowtop mattress is dust-free and deodorized. There are two ways to dry clean your pillow top mattress;

  1. Use of commercial dry clean powder: you can use dry cleaning powder from the store. Let the powder on the mattress deodorize before vacuuming it up. Although effective for general cleaning, this procedure won't thoroughly clean your mattress.
  2. Use of baking soda and essential oil: baking soda would react with the oils to produce a magnet-like effect on the dust, attracting the dust particles for easy cleaning. Vacuum up any extra powder after letting the mixture sit for at least an hour. Additionally, your mattress will be deodorized by the baking soda and will retain a fresh, clean scent thanks to the essential oils.

Beyond the general steps, there are certain ways to remove specific stains from pillow top mattresses;

Cleaning Sweat Stains

Use hydrogen peroxide if the sweat stains on your pillow top mattress have turned it yellow. Using a spray bottle, prepare a solution of warm water and 3% hydrogen peroxide and shake vigorously. Spray the sweat stains well, then allow to dry for 10 to 20 minutes. Rinse with fresh water and wipe away any extra moisture. Repeat the process until the mattress is clean.

Cleaning Urine Stains 

Fresh urine can be readily removed from a pillow top by wiping it with paper towels. After that, spray the affected area with a solution made by combining white vinegar and water in equal parts. Allow it to sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse the area with fresh water and wipe away any extra moisture. To get dried urine out of a pillow top, use the hydrogen peroxide treatment for sweat stains above 

Conclusion 

Maintaining a clean, cozy, and hygienic sleeping environment requires understanding how to properly clean a pillow top mattress. Given the variety of mattresses available at Ego Home, keeping them clean can significantly improve your quality of sleep.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

How frequently should my pillow top mattress be cleaned?

Your pillow top mattress should be cleaned every three to six months to keep it fresh and allergen-free. Regular cleaning can help your mattress last longer and enhance the quality of your sleep.

What typical cleaning errors should be avoided to protect pillow top mattresses from damage or excessive wear?

Avoid using harsh chemicals or washing too vigorously while cleaning your pillow top mattress to prevent damage. To prevent the growth of mold and mildew, be sure to wait until the mattress is dry before replacing the bedding.

How long does a pillow top mattress take to dry out?

Your mattress typically dries out overnight with good aeration. The foam does, however, take about two weeks to properly dry off. The mattress should be placed under direct sunlight to dry as quickly as possible.

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