Mattress ·

How to Dry a Wet Mattress

How to Dry a Wet Mattress

While they’re hell for everyone else, the darkest, dampest places are heaven for fungi and the growth of mould. More than just an aesthetic problem, mould may trigger allergies, fungal infections, or even severe asthma attacks. 

With one slight mishap, such as spilling a glass of water on the place you spend one third of your lifetime - your mattress - you may create the perfect environment for mould growth that could potentially endanger your health. But it’s not just about that - who wants to fall asleep on a damp mattress? That’s why today we’ll cover some simple steps on how to dry a wet mattress.

How to Dry a Wet Mattress: A Step-by-Step Guide

Depending on the type and degree of the damage, you can either dry a wet mattress fast by using a dry, clean cloth to soak up the excess liquid and continue drying with some sort of fan, or take some more drastic measures to ensure it dries fully if the liquid has seeped deeper into the material. Let’s take a look.

Sop Up the Liquid

  • Blot the wet bed fast with either paper towels or clean, dry towels to remove as much liquid as possible. The best way possible is to apply pressure on the affected surface, absorbing the liquid from the inner layers. 
  • Wring out the towels in an empty bucket or replace them with dry ones and continue the process for as long as necessary.

Dry With Blow Dryer

  • If the surface where there is a spill is small, you can quickly dry it with a hairdryer.
  • Try drying it in several short intervals on the warm (medium) setting. Remember not to use the hot setting to avoid damaging your mattress. 

Make Sure to Get Rid of the Stains & Odours

If the liquid that caused an inconvenience on your mattress is water, then feel free to scroll down to the next section. If, however, your beloved pets are to blame for your troubles - you might want to read our article on how to get urine stains and odours out of your mattress. 

Absorb the Excess Moisture

  • According to the Dynamic Duo: Vinegar and Baking Soda, baking soda has the power to absorb moisture, and since it’s a powder, it can easily make its way to the deepest layers of your mattress. Sprinkle this absorbing agent across your mattress and rub it in with a gentle brush to penetrate the mattress layers. 
  • Leave the baking soda for as long as you can (ideally for twelve hours), before you clean it up using a vacuum cleaner.

Prevent Mould Growth

As we already mentioned, a wet mattress is an ideal place for mould to grow, so you should do your best to prevent it before it’s too late.

  • Create a cleaning solution made of equal parts water and rubbing alcohol, eg. one cup of water and one cup of alcohol.
  • Soak an absorbent towel in the cleaning solution and rub down the wet area with it. To avoid the mattress soaking up any moisture, make sure the towel is not too wet by wringing the excess solution out. 
  • Open the windows in your room after cleaning with alcohol to air out the smell and allow the mattress to dry rapidly.

Direct Exposure to Sunlight

After completing the steps to absorb excess moisture from a mattress, leave it out for several hours in direct sunlight. This is also the best way for you to disinfect your mattress, as the sun’s ultraviolet rays are known for their germ-killing properties.

  • Take the mattress outdoors, find the sunniest spot on your balcony or garden, and lay it on a blanket to prevent dirt from getting on your mattress. 
  • Flip the mattress regularly to ensure that both sides are equally dry. Repeat this process for as long as necessary, and return the mattress inside once it’s completely dry.
  • If not possible, however, try exposing it to airflow by turning on some sort of fan such as your space heater, ceiling fan, or dehumidifier. 

Use a Waterproof Mattress Protector

To prevent further accidents, you may want to consider a trusty waterproof mattress protector that’s made from breathable materials. Using this wellness guardian will not only prevent liquids from penetrating the layers of your mattress, but it will also safeguard it from gathering dead skin cells, dust, or sweat. In fact, using a mattress topper decreases the presence of dust mites and minimises the chances for allergy flare-ups. 

Call a Professional Restoration Company

If you don’t want to go through the trouble or if it’s a particularly bad/tricky spill, you can simply call a professional restoration company to take care of your water-damaged mattress. They specialise in water damage and use the right apparatus to remove water from your mattress, so you won’t have to buy a new mattress.

Final Takeaway

With the simple steps we outlined in this article, you can effectively dry your mattress from any liquids and prevent the growth of mould. Make sure you lose no time when it comes to starting the drying process, however, as mould can grow rapidly after spores are attached to your mattress.

Keep in mind that unfortunately, if you catch a whiff of an irritating, musty smell after several days pass from the drying process, it may indicate the presence of mold and it might be too late to stop the growing inside your mattress.

FAQ

How to get rid of stains on a mattress?

The best way to clean a stained mattress is to spot-clean by using an enzymatic cleaner or mix dish soap and hydrogen peroxide in a solution.

How to dry a mattress outdoors?

The most important thing for drying a mattress outdoors is placing it where there is proper air circulation and allowing it to sit in the sunlight for a few hours.

Sources

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