How to Clean and Care for a Foam Mattress Topper

Vacuum and spot clean regularly to keep away dust mites, bacteria, and odor

Foam mattress pad removed from bed topper for cleaning

The Spruce / Ana Maria Stanciu

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 30 mins - 1 hr, 30 mins
  • Total Time: 1 - 3 days
  • Skill Level: Beginner
  • Estimated Cost: $0 to $10

Clean a foam mattress topper regularly so it doesn't get a build-up of dust mites, bacteria, and allergens. Vacuum your mattress topper whenever you change your sheets to eliminate dust mites. Spot-clean and rinse away stains with a clean cloth and household items to wash away natural body oils and keep odors away.

Never put foam pads in a washing machine or dryer since the spinning and agitation are too much for the delicate structure of the foam. The foam material used in these toppers can be damaged by bleach and other harsh chemicals used for many cleaning products.

Follow these steps to remove stains, odors, and the organisms potentially lurking in your mattress topper.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment
  • Spray bottle
  • Water hose
  • Bucket
  • Cleaning cloths

Materials

  • High-efficiency laundry detergent
  • Cool water

Instructions

How to Clean a Foam Mattress Pad
Detergent High-efficiency
Water Temperature Cool
Cycle Type Do not machine wash
Drying Cycle Type Do not machine dry
Special Treatments Hand-wash only
Iron Settings Do not iron
How Often to Clean Light cleaning at every bedding change; deep cleaning every few months.
Materials and tools to clean and care for a foam mattress pad

The Spruce / Ana Maria Stanciu

How to Clean a Foam Mattress Pad

  1. Remove the Topper From the Bed

    • Remove the mattress topper and place it flat on the floor, preferably near a water hose. Perform the cleaning outdoors on a smooth, clean driveway slab or a laundry room floor with a convenient floor drain nearby. Place a tarp underneath it.
    • If the topper has a removable fabric cover, take it off and toss it in the washer.
    Foam mattress pad removed from bed topper and placed on white tarp

    The Spruce / Ana Maria Stanciu

  2. Vacuum the Foam

    Humans shed about 1 1/2 pounds of skin cells per year. Dust mites feed on dead skin cells. Vacuuming the foam mattress pad minimizes this food source for dust mites, a massive source of anguish for people with environmental allergies.

    • Begin by vacuuming the topper well on both sides. Use a powerful hand-held vacuum with a soft brush attachment or a standard vacuum's upholstery brush tool. Work in a circular motion to dislodge dust and dust mites accumulated on the surface. Vacuum thoroughly.
    • Dig into the notches to remove the debris for foam pads with eggshell-style crevices.
    Foam mattress pad being vacuumed with soft brush attachment

    The Spruce / Ana Maria Stanciu

  3. Treat Strong Odors

    Bacteria are often the cause of unpleasant odors. Bacteria get on a mattress topper through sweat and other body fluids left behind on a mattress topper. Cigarette smoke, urine, and other odors linger on foam mattress pads.

    • To get rid of odors, sprinkle the pad with baking soda.
    • Let it sit for at least eight hours or overnight.
    • Vacuum up the excess powder. 
    Baking soda sprinkled on foam mattress pad to treat strong odors

    The Spruce / Ana Maria Stanciu

  4. Treat Stains

    If the foam pad has stains, spot-clean them with a laundry borax and water solution, following package directions. More detailed instructions about treating stains are listed below.

    Tip

    Add oxygen bleach to the borax cleaning solution to help lighten stains.

    Foam mattress pad spot cleaned with oxygen-based bleach and water solution

    The Spruce / Ana Maria Stanciu

  5. Spritz With a Cleaning Solution

    • Fill a spray bottle with one part liquid laundry detergent (preferably high-efficiency (HE) detergent, which produces fewer suds) to two parts water.
    • Lightly spray this solution over the pad's surface and allow it to sit for at least 45 minutes.
    High-efficiency detergent and water solution sprayed foam mattress pad for cleaning

    The Spruce / Ana Maria Stanciu

  6. Rinse the Pad and Remove Excess Moisture

    • If you can access an outdoor hose, rinse the detergent solution.
    • If not, wipe the pad's surface with a clean white cloth dipped in water.
    • Rinse the cloth often to remove the detergent from the cloth.
    • Gently squeeze the foam—never wring or twist it—to remove excess water.
    Foam mattress pad rinsed with white cloth and water

    The Spruce / Ana Maria Stanciu

  7. Air-Dry the Foam

    • Allow the topper to dry flat for several days on a waterproof surface. Keep it away from direct sunlight, which may break down the foam.
    • Place an electric fan nearby to help circulate air and speed up the drying time.
    • Turn the topper a couple of times each day to help it dry more evenly. If possible, stand the topper on its edge or elevate it on risers when it's nearly dry so there's airflow around all surfaces. Don't place the pad back on the bed until you're certain it's completely dry. A damp topper can foster the growth of mildew and other molds.
    Foam mattress pad air dried with gray fan

    The Spruce / Ana Maria Stanciu

Treating Stains on Foam Mattress Pads

For any wet spills or stains, use a spatula or spoon to lift away any solids from the surface. Next, use white paper towels to absorb as much moisture as possible. If the spill is large, remove the topper from the mattress to prevent it from soaking through to the bed.

Once you've removed as much moisture as possible, dampen the stain with water and sprinkle it with laundry borax. Working from the outside edge of the stain toward the center, work the borax into the stain with a sponge or clean cloth until it's absorbed. Allow the borax to sit for at least 15 minutes. Then, use a hand-held vacuum or the brush attachment on a standard vacuum to remove the residue. Repeat if necessary.

After any stain removal process, allow the topper to air-dry for at least 24 hours before placing it back onto a mattress. Extend the drying time if the stain is extensive.

Blood Stains

Dampen a sponge or clean white cloth for bloodstains with 2% hydrogen peroxide. Blot the stain from the edges toward the center to prevent spreading. Keep moving to a clean cloth area as the stain is transferred. Hydrogen peroxide may cause the foam to turn yellow but will remove the blood without crumbling the foam.

Urine and Vomit Stains and Odors

For tough odors from urine or vomit, clean the area with laundry borax, and then sprinkle the entire surface of the stain with baking soda. Allow the baking soda to sit for 24 hours, then vacuum away. This will also help with cigarette smoke odors.

How Often to Clean a Foam Mattress Pad

Since a foam mattress pad must be cleaned by hand, the key to keeping it in great shape is to spot-clean and remove stains immediately when they happen. Vacuum the pad when you change your bed sheets. Regular vacuuming makes a thorough cleaning less difficult and less frequently needed. A deeper cleaning for a foam mattress pad can be done every few months.

How to Repair a Foam Mattress Pad

Try a specially formulated foam spray adhesive if you have a tear in your foam mattress pad. The spray can bond the foam back together. It's a short-term solution until you can replace the pad.

Tips

  • A commercial odor removal spray, like Febreze or Ozium, can help refresh a foam topper.
  • Flip and rotate the mattress pad from top to bottom every six months to create even use and wear.
  • Change bed sheets and mattress covers often, especially during summer, to prevent moisture from remaining in and on the pad.
  • Vacuum the mattress topper regularly, at least monthly, to remove dust mites.
  • If using a hair dryer on a foam mattress pad, ensure it's set to no heat and held at least 6 inches away to not damage the foam.
FAQ
  • How often should I replace a foam mattress topper?

    A foam mattress topper that gets everyday use lasts about three to five years. But if the topper has stains that refuse to come out or if you notice that the foam is beginning to break down, replace it.

  • Can I use a bleach spray to disinfect a foam mattress topper?

    No. Bleach and other strong chemical cleaners can damage foam mattress toppers. Vacuuming, ordinary detergent, and borax, combined with lengthy air drying, are generally enough to kill viruses and bacteria in your mattress topper. However, other disinfectant sprays that contain no bleach can be sprayed over the mattress topper to disinfect it. Ensure the topper is fully dry before returning it to your bed.

  • What about steam cleaning?

    A handheld steam cleaner can work to clean and disinfect a foam mattress or mattress topper, but it works best with short bursts of steam. And take care not to saturate the topper with water.

  • What if I'm worried about bed bugs?

    The same techniques used for removing dust mites from a mattress or mattress topper—especially thorough vacuuming—will usually remove bed bugs. However, for bed bug removal, it's essential to thoroughly clean all bedroom areas, including dismantling and cleaning all wooden furniture crevices where bugs can hide.

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. 6 Weird Facts About Your Body. Texas A&M University Health.

  2. How to Choose a Mattress Topper. Consumer Reports.

  3. How to Clean & Disinfect Your Mattress. Nolah Technologies.