There are several reasons why your mattress might get wet. Since mattresses are thick and have dense fibers, it can be difficult to dry them out. Moreover, if your room has poor ventilation, it can seem even more difficult to dry your mattress completely.
A mattress may get wet in many ways. You may accidentally spill water, fruit juice, milk, or other wet food on the mattress. A child may vomit or pee on the mattress. If your bed is beside the window and you left it open by mistake, it may get wet due to rain or snow.
In all such cases, not only do you have to dry the mattress, but you also need to clean it first if something spills on it. That is why you mustn’t use excess water to clean your mattress, as it can drench the fibers.
However, when your mattress gets wet, there are some simple ways to dry them. When done correctly, you can dry your mattress completely without causing any harm to it.
What Can Happen to Your Mattress if it is Not Dried Thoroughly?
If your mattress retains moisture and does not dry out, it can cause several problems.
- The moisture in the deeper layers of the mattress can make your mattress soggy. The fibers will wilt and lose elasticity, making your mattress lumpy and uneven.
- Sleeping on a wet mattress can make you prone to cold and cough as it will lower your body temperature. You may even get a fever.
- Trapped moisture and your body heat will create the perfect festering ground for germs and microbes. It will cause skin allergies, eye irritation, and even breathing problems.
- In the same way, your mattress might also develop mold and mildew, and sleeping on such a mattress can be very unhealthy and unhygienic.
- Your mattress fibers will decompose easily from the trapped moisture and will not last its lifespan. Since mattresses are expensive, you will jeopardize your investment.
How to Dry Your Mattress Using Simple and Smart Ways?
Although mattresses are bulky, drying them is easier than it may seem. Following some simple ways, you can methodically dry your mattress if it gets wet.
1. Scrape Off Any Solids
Suppose you have spilled solids or something thick and messy on the mattress, like gravy or ketchup, scrape off as much as possible. Use a spoon or spatula for the purpose.
Do not use napkins to rub them off, as pushing the food particles deeper will cause the mattress to stain. Do not sprinkle water immediately, as it will spread the mess further on the mattress.
2. Blot the Wet Areas
Removing the excess liquid by blotting the wet areas is very important. Use kitchen towels to absorb as much of the liquid as possible. Do not use paper towels, as they will disintegrate soon enough.
Press the towel into the mattress to absorb the moisture but do not rub your towel. That will only spread the moisture more. Microfiber towels work best.
3. Spread Newspapers
Lay newspapers on the wet patches once you have blotted out as much liquid as possible. Then lay something heavy on the papers to weigh them down.
They are highly absorbent and draw out moisture when your kitchen towels can no longer do the job. As soon as a layer of newspaper becomes saturated, replace it with a fresh layer till they absorb no more.
4. Use a Hairdryer
When much of the excess moisture has been removed, use a hairdryer to target specific areas of wetness. The concentrated heat from the nozzle will make the drying process much easier.
However, if you use a high-velocity hairdryer, only briefly hold it on one area of the mattress. The heat and pressure will indent the mattress. Rather, gently keep the hairdryer moving around the wet patches for more uniform heat distribution.
5. Use Baking Soda
After using a hairdryer for a while, the mattress will feel somewhat dry to the touch. However, this method would mostly dry the top layers of the mattress, leaving the layer below yet moist. So it’s best to sprinkle baking soda on the areas to ensure moisture is drawn out from the inner layers.
You can also use blotting paper on top and lay something on it to make the baking soda draw out most of the residual moisture.
6. Use a Vacuum Cleaner
Use a wet and dry vacuum cleaner if your mattress is extra thick and you are unsure about the amount of moisture still trapped inside. That is also very effective in drying your mattress.
Moreover, it will also draw out dust and mites from the mattress. Use the wide nozzle of the vacuum brush for maximum drying.
7. Place the Mattress in the Sun
If you have access to a balcony or your bed is by a window, this is one of the best things you can do for your mattress. Even after doing all you can to remove the moisture from the mattress, it is always a good idea to let it air-dry for a while. And it would be even better to place the mattress in the sun for a few hours.
The sunlight will heat and dry the mattress, and it will also act as an excellent disinfectant. You will kill mites and minimize the chances of mold and mildew growing in the mattress this way.
8. Sanitize Your Mattress
You may skip this step if you have only spilled water or beverage on your mattress. However, if your mattress was wet due to pee, vomit, or sweat, then be sure to sanitize it after drying the mattress and using it again.
You can use aerosol disinfectants and spray them on the mattress. Then you can use essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus to make your mattress smell sweet.
9. Set Up Fans
If you cannot take your mattress to the sunlight, you can set up fans around it to dry it out.
You can also use a dehumidifier as it draws out moisture from the indoor air and will reduce the chances of your mattress giving off a musty odor due to dampness. Please do not put on the covers for a few hours at least, and give your mattress a chance to air dry completely before using it again.
10. Flip and Dry Again
This step is only necessary if your mattress was soaked completely or you fear it was wet long enough that the moisture penetrated deep into it.
In that case, you should flip the mattress and repeat the above steps to dry the mattress inside out.
What Can You Do to Prevent Your Mattress from Getting Wet?
Here are a few things you can do to prevent your mattress from getting wet. It will ensure you have a dry and long-lasting mattress.
- The most obvious thing you can do to keep your mattress dry is to keep all wet food away from the mattress. Do not bring your beverages to bed, especially if you have a baby or a skittish pet.
- In addition, keep your bed away from the window to avoid rain or snow accidentally wetting your mattress.
- You can always invest in a High-quality waterproof mattress protector. Laying it on the mattress and putting it on the sheets can help prevent moisture from seeping through.
Conclusion
A mattress can get wet for different reasons, but knowing how to dry it will keep it safe and protect it from long-term damage. Good quality mattresses are expensive. You would want them to last long and not get ruined, right?
The key is to prevent your mattress from getting wet, and if it has gotten wet, act fast and get as much moisture out as possible. Once dry, you can use your mattress like before, and all will be well.
