How Do You Clean a Mattress From Water Damage?
Water damage to a mattress may seem like a blow to your investment and a cumbersome nuisance, but it is not always so. Depending on the type of water damage, it is possible to salvage the mattress if you clean it promptly with appropriate techniques. In this blog, we explain how to clean a mattress from water damage and protect your investment.
Identify the Culprit: Types of Water Damage in Mattresses
Mattresses are a heavily used household item. There are many ways in which water can damage the mattress. Here are some common types of mattress damage from water:
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Sweating: Sweat is natural during the night. The problem gets worse if the mattress is not breathable. Sweat means excess moisture ,and a build-up of the same on the mattress over time can lead to mildew growth.
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Accidental spills: Any spills, such as water, juice, tea, or coffee, can seep into the mattress layers and cause damage.
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Wet bedding: A wet mattress that is not dried properly can cause damage to the mattress. It is crucial to use proper cleaning techniques and dry the mattress completely to prevent water damage.
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Floods or leaky structures: Natural disasters like rains or floods and even leaky structures such as a damaged roof or leaky pipes can damage a mattress. Fully submerged and wet mattresses can lead to problems like dirt, odor, mold, and damage to the mattress materials.
But what happens if a mattress gets wet? Water damage to a mattress can mean a lot of trouble healthwise. The longer the water stays on the mattress, the higher the chances of mold and mildew infestation. It can lead to health issues like allergies and respiratory ailments. There is also the problem of stains and funky smells.
Is My Mattress Forever Ruined? To Restore or Not to Restore
The biggest question people ask about a water-damaged mattress is whether it is worth trying to restore the mattress or toss it out and buy a new one. The answer rests on a lot of different factors:
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Visual aspects: While it may be possible to clean coffee or tea stains, mold growth is something you should never ignore. It is a severe health risk. Check whether unusual black, brown, green, or white fuzz, spots, or slime are on the mattress. If you do find anything, there is no point in restoring the mattress.
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Mattress material: Latex and water beds may resist water, allowing you time for cleaning it. A PU foam or Memory foam mattress is a tricky situation. If not cleaned quickly, they can absorb water and ruin the mattress forever.
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Uneven mattress surface: If the water damage has led to your soft bed mattress losing its original shape, it is best to toss out the mattress.
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Bad odor: Another obvious sign of water damage that is not easily restored is unpleasant smells emanating from a mattress. It indicates bacterial and mold growth in the mattress, which can lead to health issues.
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Age of the mattress: If it is a somewhat new mattress, without any of the above signs of deep water damage, it is possible to restore the mattress with proper cleaning techniques. If your mattress is already on its last lap or over 8 years old, restoring it would only help in the short term.
Tips for Cleaning a Water-Damaged Mattress
If you have decided to restore and clean a water-damaged mattress, you must act quickly. For sizable damage, it is best to leave the cleaning task in the hands of professionals. They have specialized cleaning equipment to inspect the water damage. They can advise whether it is possible to restore and clean the mattress. However, when taking the matter of cleaning in your own hands, consider the following tips:
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Bring out the big guns or a high-powered vacuum cleaner
Remove all the bedding and debris from the mattress surface. There may be dirt and dust and to properly clean and dry the mattress it is crucial to remove the visible dirt away.
If there are areas with visible stains, make sure to spot-clean them right then and there. It is best to use gentle yet effective cleaning solutions to clean tough stains before they permanently take a spot on the mattress surface.
Dry the mattress surface with dryers, vacuum cleaners, towels, and anything else that might help. Water seeps in very quickly into the mattress layers and it is important to suck up as much water as possible before it is too late.
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The baking soda treatment
In many cases, a generous coat of baking soda and gentle scrubbing with a sponge can do wonders for cleaning as well as drying off the mattress. Baking soda treatment is also effective for moisture wicking and preventing mold. You can sprinkle baking soda, leave it for a few minutes, and then vacuum it. Cat owners may have an edge here, as cat litter is believed to have the same effects as that of baking soda.
Make sure to dry the mattress in a ventilated area. Utilise standing and ceiling fans to dry the mattress.
A water-damaged mattress is susceptible to mold growth. Even when it seems you have removed all the moisture, it is still important to properly clean the mattress to eliminate the risk of mold. A gentle wipe down with 1:1 solution of alcohol and water is considered effective.
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Leverage natural sunlight
Natural sunlight can do wonders for disinfecting the mattress, thanks to the ultraviolet rays. Support the mattress against a stable surface and let it sundry, preferably under indirect sunlight. It will help dry out and disinfect the water-damaged mattress.
Use antimicrobial sprays to disinfect the mattress. It can also help remove funky odors.
Prevention is Surely Better Than a Water-Damaged Mattress
So, you’ve braved a colossal mess and protected your investment, but imagine had you taken measures to prevent water damage in the first place. While you can’t prevent natural disasters, you can take steps to avoid water damage to your mattress. Simple measures like using a mattress protector, buying a cooling mattress, ensuring proper cleaning methods, and keeping the room temperature comfortable are effective.
Conclusion
A water-damaged mattress is like a ticking bomb, requiring quick action. Armed with the knowledge about proper cleaning methods, it is possible to clean and restore a water-damaged mattress. We highly advise reading the cleaning and maintenance guidelines by your mattress manufacturer. If, however, the ship has sailed and your mattress is no longer salvageable, consider checking out King Koil’s range of premium mattresses. You can also buy our Mattpro Ultra waterproof mattress protector here. To learn more about our products, leave feedback, or anything else, get in touch. You can call us on +919999999044, Whatsapp us at +918826163528, or write to us at hello@kingkoil.in.
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