Important things to keep in mind when cleaning your Salem mattress.

Mattresses are investments - not just in terms of the money you spent to purchase the right one for you but also in terms of your health. This is why it's crucial  to keep it clean and in top shape.  If you're wondering what you can do, here are some mattress maintenance tips that you should try out.

Be careful with cleaning agents

Select cleaning solutions can stain mattress fabrics, so be careful when using them. Do a patch test in a hidden area first to see if the cleaning solution can be completely removed from the mattress fabric. 

If the fabric cover is removable, take it off for washing

Select Salem foam mattresses come with removable fabric covers, so it's easier to maintain. You can do regular washings of this cover (about every  3 months when coupled with the use of bedsheet) to keep it in top shape or wash it every time it gets stained or soiled. 

However, make sure not to use heat in the washing. No hot water or heat drying as it can cause shrinkage.

Vacuum the surface of your mattress at least once every month

Despite using bedsheets and mattress protectors, tiny bits of dust and debris can still get to the surface of your mattress.  This is why it's best to vacuum the surface of your mattress regularly. This will help you manage possible allergens and even keep out dust mites. 

Dry out your mattress when it's very humid

With a climate like ours, humidity levels can make our mattresses feel damp. Especially on the weeks when the rains do not stop, it can feel like our mattress holds on to moisture from the air. if nothing is done about this, mold and mildew can find their way to your mattress. This can also create bad odors. 

To prevent these issues, make sure to sun out or air out your mattress regularly. If you can lug your mattress outside, sunlight can help dry it out. If your mattress is too heavy to move, air it out by removing all coverings (including your mattress protector) and open all of the windows in your room. You can further boost the air circulation by turning a fan on. Leave this set up for a few hours  and you'll come back to a fresher mattress.

Another option is by sprinkling baking soda on the surface of your mattress. Let it sit for a few hours and then use a vacuum or  by shaking them off outside. The baking soda will pull out the moisture from your mattress, helping it dry out nicely. 

In case of serious water damage, act promptly

If your mattress got soaked in water, there are a few things you should do right away. First, you should remove excess moisture as soon as possible. Remove the mattress from the wet area as soon as you can and keep it somewhere it won't be reached by water. 

If the cause of damage is flooding, the additional step of rinsing and disinfecting may be necessary. If there are mud or other dirt stuck on your mattress, rinsing it off with clean running water will help.  Shampooing the mattress can also be ideal but this can be too complex for a DIY procedure. You can, however, hire professional cleaners to get this done. 

You can opt to disinfect as well. This will require a solution made from one part water and one part rubbing alcohol or one part color-safe bleach and nine parts water. Spray your choice of mix on the surfaces of your mattress and let it sit for a bit.  

 Once done, you can use towels or even blankets to sap up the moisture from your mattress. Press the cloth to the wet areas to transfer the water from the foam to the towel or blanket. Repeat this procedure until you manage to remove as much moisture as you can. if you have a wet and dry vacuum on hand, you can also use this to take out the excess moisture from your mattress. Follow the instructions provided by your product manufacturer and remember to be gentle when running the nozzle onto the fabric to avoid damaging your mattress.

The next step would be to put the mattress out under the sun to further dry it out. If this is not possible, you can air dry it inside the room by opening all of the windows and using fans to target the wet areas. if you want to speed things up and you have the patience for it, you can also use a blow dryer. Do not use high heat settings, however, to avoid damaging the mattress. 

If you own a thick, spring mattress and it got severely water damaged, DIY repairs may not be the easiest to do. In such cases, it will be best to assess the damage and hire professionals to get the job done. There are lots of service providers that you can find online that can help. 

For seriously water-damaged units, especially ones that were flooded,  assess your unit closely before using them again. Make sure that they are cleaned thoroughly and that they do not have a bad odor.  It might also be best to expect to have it cleaned again after a few months of use. If you don’t think the cleaning done was not thorough enough, consider replacing the mattress with a new one. While costly, this may be better for your health in the long run.

Prevention is key

While accidents can happen, preventing anything that can get your mattress wet is the best way to keep your unit in top shape.  To further keep your mattress dry, you can also use a breathable but waterproof mattress protector to add an extra layer of protection to your mattress.

Keeping your mattress clean and in great shape is a must if you want to make the most out of this investment. Proper care and handling of your unit will allow you to enjoy the comfort of your chosen mattress for a longer period. This is especially true with Salem mattresses as our pieces are made to be durable.