Your bed should be a clean, fresh space where you can unwind and relax at the end of the day and ultimately, rest and recharge. But we get it—life happens. Whether it's spills and stains or just general dust and dirt, your bed can get dirty. We're talking about how to take care of your foam mattress so that it last longer and helps you get your best rest.
Basic Foam Mattress Upkeep
As a general rule, you should be cleaning your bedding once a week, namely your sheets, pillowcases and any other item you come in contact with every night. Your sheets collect dust, dirt, skin cells, sweat, body oils and pet dander (if your furry friend is allowed in your bedroom) while you sleep. Even though it's a little gross to think too much about, think about all the buildup on your bedding after a whole week of sleep.
If once a week seems excessive to you, try not to leave the same sheets on your bed for more than two weeks. Not only will they start to smell, having the same, dirty sheets on your bed for too long can give you a rash or infection and ruin your bedding and mattress.
Another mattress rule of thumb we like to stick to is rotating your mattress. To get the best life out of your foam mattress, don't flip it, just rotate it 180 degrees every 3 to 6 months. (Your Leesa or Leesa Hybrid mattress is built from the bottom up and not meant to be flipped!) When it's time to rotate your mattress, take this opportunity to deep clean and even vacuum your mattress, taking it a step further than changing your bedding.
We also recommend protecting your mattress with a waterproof mattress protector. A mattress protector provides a barrier between life and your mattress, so stains, spills, dust and dirt stay out and your mattress lasts longer to help you get your best rest.
Should I vacuum my foam mattress?
Over time, dust mites and dirt build up not only on your bedding, but on your mattress, too. That's why we recommend vacuuming your foam mattress a few times a year. An easy schedule to follow is to clean and rotate your mattress once a quarter with the change of each season.
How to vacuum a foam mattress
Your Leesa mattress, as is true with most foam mattresses, is naturally less prone to harboring allergens and dust mites. However, to keep your bedroom and sleeping area clear of allergens and dust mites, we recommend that you strip your bed and vacuum your mattress with a HEPA-rated vacuum cleaner with its upholstery attachment every 3 to 6 months. An occasional vacuuming of your mattress will keep dust and particles at bay so you can rest on. This especially important to do if you have a pet that shares your bed with you (or even comes into your room at all).
Removing Stains from your Mattress
Leesa’s beautifully-designed seamless woven mattress cover protects the foam inside from getting damaged or stained (and a mattress protector will protect it even more, including the cover). But even with the mattress cover and a protector, life happens. What if you spill your coffee in bed? What if your new puppy has an accident? Here's how we deal with different life stains and our favorite remedies for stain removal.
For any spill, dab the spot with a clean towel or cloth to soak up as much liquid as possible—DON'T RUB THE STAIN. Rubbing or scrubbing your Leesa mattress cover can spread the stain or liquid, potentially damage the cover and make cleaning overall more of a challenge.
If you still have a stain after dabbing, there are plenty of ways to get your Leesa mattress cover looking like new. If the stain or area is small, simply spot treat the area with a cleaning mixture that is specifically formulated for that type of stain. There are a lot of solution recipes online or you can try some of our favorite remedies below. Note: most mixtures are made with common household items that you already have on hand.
Removing Sweat Stains
Did you know that adults can sweat up to a full liter of fluid while we’re getting our shuteye every night. We know, gross. But don't sweat it (hehe). Sweat stains on your mattress and pillows are completely normal and, like other stains, are relatively easy to clean to help prolong the life and comfort of your mattress. Try this simple cleaning solution:
Solution for Sweat Stain Removal
1. Combine 3 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 drop of liquid dish soap into a large spray bottle. Add 8 ounces of hydrogen peroxide.
2. Spray the stain lightly. Allow the solution to sit for five to 10 minutes. (Don’t leave the solution on for too long though, as peroxide can bleach.)
3. After about 10 minutes, dab away residue and moisture with a clean dry cloth or paper towel.
Removing Blood Stains
When it comes to blood stains on your mattress, it's important to remember that is you need to act quickly before the stain sets and avoid using hot water. Like vomit and other bodily fluids (again, yuck!), blood is a protein stain. The trick to treating protein stains is to apply a solution that includes protein. This will help loosen the stain and ultimately remove it.
Try this baking soda paste:
Paste for Blood Stain Removal
1. Mix one part baking soda and two parts cool water to form a paste.
2. With a cool damp cloth, apply the paste to the stained area of the mattress and lightly dab, working the paste into the stain.
3. Let the paste dry for 30 minutes.
4. Repeat the process with a cool damp cloth. It's important that the water is cool. Warm or hot water will cause the stain to set, making it more difficult to remove.
5. Lightly dab and press to remove as much of the baking soda mixture as possible.
Repeat this process if the stain isn't gone, allow area to dry completely before reapplying. If you have baking soda residue leftover, vacuum your mattress cover with the upholstery attachment of your vacuum.
Removing Urine Stains
Just like spills, mattress urine stains can happen. As with all mattress stains, the sooner you take care of the moisture, the less problematic it will be. With a dry cloth or towel, dab to absorb as much liquid as possible.
When dealing with a urine stain:
1. Spray the area lightly with distilled white vinegar (full strength) and let it sit for just a few minutes.
2. With a clean, dry cloth or paper towels, dab the area to dry as much as possible.
3. Sprinkle the damp area liberally with baking soda and wait. (And wait some more.) In general, letting the baking soda sit overnight is best so that the cover and mattress can completely dry. The baking soda will help draw the vinegar and any urine odor out of the mattress.
4. Once the baking soda has been sitting as long as possible, vacuum with the upholstery attachment of your vacuum cleaner.
Removing Smells
Just like your sheets and bedding, your mattress may get a funky odor. Whether it's from cuddling with pets or your sweaty partner, you'll want to get rid of the smell for a fresh, clean bed.
Vacuuming your foam mattress will immediately help remove any smell from your bed. (You can even temporarily flip your mattress to vacuum the bottom, just remember to flip it back for your best rest.) Here are a few other odor-fighters to keep your mattress smelling fresh:
- distilled white vinegar (in a spray bottle)
- baking soda (sprinkled onto mattress, vacuumed up)
- corn starch (especially for urine stains and smells)
- a mattress protector (to protect your mattress from dirt, stains and all things stinky)
Can I remove my mattress cover and wash it?
We don’t recommend removing your Leesa or Sapira mattress cover to wash it. Use a mattress protector (and wash it often) and spot treat your mattress cover as needed to keep your Leesa clean and fresh.