Can you tell me how to remove sweat stains from mattress pads and a mattress? They look terrible. Not only are there marks, the bedding smells bad. Is it possible to get rid of the odor too?
LaVerne Sorenson, Mesa, AZ
I sympathize with your dilemma. It can be embarrassing to go to change the sheets and see ugly spots on a mattress and have to suffer the smells, as well. But, I can give you tips on how to clean sweat stains from a mattress and mattress pads. All you’ll need are simple ingredients you may have at home already.
The first component that can remove stains from a mattress and get rid of odor at the same time is vinegar. Just dampen the stained areas with a wet towel or rag. Then spray vinegar directly on the affected areas without making the material soaking wet.
Afterward, let it air dry in sunlight, if possible. If you can’t move the mattress outside, use a ceiling or box fan to help dry the mattress so that mold will not settle deep into the material.
You can also learn how to clean a mattress pad the same way. The advantage of the pad is that, unless it’s made from memory foam, you can probably treat the stain and then wash it in the washing machine. Air dry in the sun or use the dryer.
The second thing you can use to get sweat stains out is Borax. It’s often sold in stores right alongside laundry detergent. Again, dampen the stained part of the mattress with a damp cloth. Then sprinkle the spots with Borax and rub that in well. As before, allow it to dry naturally in the sunshine if you can. Once it’s done, use a vacuum to clean up the extra powder if needed.
A third mattress stain remover is baking soda. It gets rid of marks and odors, too. Just follow the same steps you would use for Borax.
In addition to cleaning your mattress and bedding, you may be wondering can you wash memory foam pillows, as well. Vinegar, Borax, and baking soda can all be used on memory foam, but it is important not to saturate the fabric. Liquids that get trapped in memory foam often lead to mold and mildew and the item can usually not be salvaged.
Finally, if all else fails, you can try a steam cleaner on the mattress if its care instructions allow it. But be careful to avoid creating new water stains as a result. For more ideas, try these tips on how to best remove urine smell from a mattress. It’s a detailed read with several cleaner recipes.
Hope it helps,
Joan
