It seems to be that foam mattresses are all the rage these days. They are currently being sought after by so many people looking to replace their old mattresses. They are known for the superior comfort they provide as well as their heat dispersion qualities. However, not a lot of people know how to care for their foam mattress. If this trend continues, their mattresses may not last as long as they were intended to.

Support It and Let It Breathe

The first thing you should do with your mattress is to make sure it gets a chance to breathe. Once your new mattress reaches your home, remove all plastic coverings. This lets the trapped air escape, which will take the foul odors built up with it. Dust it off too, as the mattress has probably been in storage for some time.

It would be best if you allow your new mattress to dry off in the sun. Air drying your mattress under the heat of the sun is a great, natural disinfectant. It also helps with deodorizing your foam mattress. As a reminder, this should not only be done if the mattress is new. Dry your mattress under the sun on a regular basis, or as often as you can.

Next, you should make sure that your foam mattress gets proper support. Foam mattresses require quite the solid foundation. This means that you may also want to invest in a solid bed frame. However, you should still make sure that your mattress gets proper air circulation. These foam mattresses may not be ideal for hot sleepers. However, they may still be passable if given as much breathability as possible to cool down.

It is not advisable to place your foam mattress on something that has box springs. You should also make sure that the slats on your bed frame are not too far apart. A distance of no more than three inches for each slat is acceptable. Otherwise, the bed frame may have difficulty supporting the weight of the foam mattress. This could prove to be a big hazard and lead to some serious damage.

Rotation is Key

Another way you could care for your foam mattress is rotating it every now and then. This helps the mattress get even usage, which prevents massive dents on the surface of it. It is advisable to turn your mattress 180 degrees at least every six months. If your mattress is adjustable or of a lower density, you should do rotate three months. Just remember that foam mattresses are not meant to be flipped, just rotated.

Getting Rid of Stains

But what if your mattress gets stains and spills? There is no need to worry much about that. There is an easy way to clean them or at least reduce their effect. Once a spill happens, make sure to clean your foam mattress as quickly as possible. This is done to ensure that no further damage takes place. Here are a few simple steps to remove stains from a foam mattress:

1. Remove any beddings and mattress covers as quickly as possible. Make sure that these also get cleaned if they were stained. These require a different cleaning process than your foam mattress.
2. Add a couple of drops of mild dish soap to a bucket of warm water. Remember to only use mild stuff here. Mix the soap and the water together.
3. Lightly moisten a washcloth with the previously prepared mixture. Don’t put too much on the washcloth, as this may cause the stain to spread.
4. Work your way from the outside of the stain going in. Lightly dab only while applying a little of the soapy mixture as possible. Again, doing this prevents the stain from spreading out of the original area.
5. Once the stain has lessened, leave it out uncovered in order to air dry. This also removes any smell if the stain had caused any in the first place.
6. If there still odor due to the stain,sprinkle a little bit of baking soda. Suck it up with a vacuum cleaner afterward to prevent making a mess.
7. Repeat these steps if need be.

Make sure that you do not use any form of harsh cleaners for a foam mattress. Do not use anything that is chemical-based. These harsh cleaners may permanently damage the material and leave it with unsightly damage. Not to mention that this could affect the comfort that the mattress provides to those sleeping. As much as possible only use mild cleaners or those that use natural ingredients.

You can also prevent stains from reaching the mattress itself by using a mattress pad. These are usually hypoallergenic and easy to clean. They completely envelop the mattress and catch stains before they do any damage to the mattress. Plus, they are quite cheap, so you can get multiple of them.

Say No to Allergens

It is also important that allergens be kept off of a foam mattress at all costs. This may make it hard for a person to breath or cause them to get rashes. This is in spite of the fact that the material used has some natural hypoallergenic qualities. If allergens such as dust mites and pet dander build up, there will be negative effects.

You should also make sure that you regularly change your beddings and covers. These too can be a breeding ground for a wide variety of allergens. For instance, sweat and dead skin may build up over time on beddings. These are not only allergens, but these may also cause skin irritation and acne. It would be wise to stay as far away from these things as humanly possible. You would not want any of these things on where you sleep each and every night.

No More Foul Odors

If your mattress starts to give off a foul, chemical-like smell, then it may be off-gassing. This is typical of some mattresses especially as they are used for a long period of time. To counteract this, sprinkle a bit of baking soda on the affected areas, as previously mentioned. Just make sure that you remove the baking soda as soon as it takes effect.

You may also put fragrances to make your bed smell better. Doing this consistently also reduces the likelihood of out-gassing happening again.Some fragrances even have a variety of health benefits. A good fragrance to use for mattresses is lavender. Aside from smelling great, it is only a mild scent that also has relaxing qualities.

Check the Tags

If your concerns were not discussed, it is a good idea to check your mattress tags. In most cases, your mattress will have a tag specifically for care instructions. This will show you what to do and how to do it. The best part is, these instructions are specified for the material the mattress is made of. Also, if you see the warranty tags on your mattress, make a conscious effort not to remove them. They make come in handy someday.

Hopefully, this article has taught you a thing or two about how taking care of mattresses. Most of the tips here can be applied to various mattress types, not just foam. Be sure to apply these tips regularly to ensure that your mattress stays in top condition. If you do so, you won’t have to spend so much on new mattresses so often. Nevertheless, if you’re looking for a good quality mattress, LatexBear, has a good line of foam mattresses and other mattress types that suit your needs.