Water your plants via the window and place the bottle on your bed.
Or you can forget to shut the window while it’s raining.
You might also have a child with a bedwetting problem.
All of these circumstances will have you asking how to quickly dry a damp mattress.
You’ve come to the correct location!
This article will show you how to choose the best method for drying a wet mattress based on its kind and structure, as well as how to deal with smells and stains.
Why Is It Necessary To Act Quickly?
One thing you should know before we begin:
Even if the liquid that soaks into your mattress’ layers is merely water, it poses a threat to your mattress.
Some materials have a spongy structure that allows water to accumulate, creating a breeding environment for germs and mold.
Mold is one of the most frequent allergens in American homes, causing asthma, allergies, and breathing issues.
Furthermore, metal parts in your mattress, like as coils, may rust when exposed to water, resulting in a loss of support and contouring capabilities, particularly if you bought a cheap mattress.
So, if an emergency arises, be sure to respond swiftly.
Recommended: How Thick Should Your Mattress Be?
Which Mattress Kind Dries The Fastest?
One of the first things to do if you need to dry a wet mattress quickly is to determine its kind.
Certain aspects of your mattress’s composition might either speed up or slow down the drying process.
The drying time varies depending on the mattress type.
- Foam with memory. Memory foam is used to make very comfy mattresses. However, their soft, sponge-like fabrics might be a drawback since they absorb moisture quickly. If you spill anything on your memory foam bed, you should act promptly to avoid the liquid from seeping into the deep layers, where it will be hard to remove. Because memory foam mattresses take the longest to dry and may still retain moisture, it’s best to cover them with a waterproof mattress protector to avoid spills.
- Latex. Latex has a sponge-like structure, similar to memory foam. Latex mattresses, on the other hand, are often denser and heavier, and water does not sink into deeper layers, resulting in a faster drying period. To dry out a latex mattress, use a wet-dry vacuum or an absorbing agent.
- Hybrid. In most hybrid mattresses, a coil unit serves as the core layer. The coil layer not only gives a hybrid its trademark bounce, but it also facilitates air circulation between the layers and makes drying simpler. In addition, the coils in hybrid mattresses are frequently covered in a fabric that absorbs moisture and prevents rusting.
- Innerspring. A coil core layer and a thin comfort layer are common features of innerspring mattresses. The basic structure reduces drying time since just a few inches of foam must be dried rather than the whole mattress.
- Top of pillow. Pillow top mattresses may have coil or foam constructions, which affects how quickly they dry. The pillow top, on the other hand, is usually constructed of fiberfill, which is very hygroscopic and can absorb a lot of moisture, making it easier to dry, particularly if it’s removable.
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Drying a Mattress: A Step-by-Step Guide
#1 Preparations
The first step is to reduce the quantity of liquid that enters the layers of your mattress.
If you spill anything on it, remove the bedding as soon as possible since it generally absorbs the most impact.
Blot the excess wet with a cotton towel, a rug, or any other dry cloth.
Simply push it against the spill and pour the liquid into a bucket.
Repeat until there are no visible puddles on the mattress surface or no extra moisture is felt.
If you have a wet-dry vacuum, you may gather even more liquid.
A wet-dry vacuum is good for cleaning up spills and sucking moisture out of deeper layers.
Use your regular cleaning brush and adjust the suction pressure until all of the excess is gone.
#2 Put the Absorbents to Work
Absorbent substances are another option for quickly drying a damp mattress.
These are items that can pull moisture from deeper levels and absorb it.
The following absorbents may be used depending on the amount of your spill:
- Cat litter should be kept clean. If the spill is large and deep, you may use silica crystals or cellulose granules. These substances may absorb a lot of moisture and help your mattress dry faster. Simply pour a good quantity of cat litter over the spill and allow it to soak. To assist soaking, cover the litter with a cloth and push on it. After a couple of hours, vacuum the mattress.
- Baking soda is a kind of baking powder. Regular baking soda also has moisture-absorbing capabilities, so if the spill isn’t too significant, it could help. The basic concept is the same as with cat litter: liberally sprinkle baking soda over the wet area, let it soak for a few hours, and then vacuum the mattress.
These techniques may be used on any mattress type and are safe for foam and synthetic materials.
#3 Use a Hair Dryer
If the absorbent technique didn’t work and there’s still wetness, you may take a more direct approach and use a hairdryer to dry your mattress.
The hairdryer produces a direct stream of heated air that may penetrate deeper layers of the skin and remove moisture.
If you decide to utilize this approach, be sure you follow these guidelines:
- Set the hairdryer to the lowest heat setting possible. Although it may seem that utilizing more heat is more efficient, it is best to blow the water out rather than attempt to evaporate it. To do this, use low heat settings or even cold mode.
- Maintain a safe distance. If your mattress is comprised of memory foam, excessive heat might cause it to degrade and destroy your bed. To reduce the detrimental effect, leave at least 10 inches between the hairdryer and your mattress.
#4 Use A Fan To Air Out The Mattress
This technique of quickly drying a wet mattress is great for large spills that would otherwise take a long time to dry using a blow drier.
It’s also a fantastic way to dry an extra-firm mattress or a bed with coils, which respond well to controlled airflow.
This is what you must do:
- Take the mattress out of the bed and set it on the side. Don’t worry, your mattress will just be like way for a few hours and will not be ruined.
- Place the mattress against the window and open it from the bottom.
- Turn on the fan and place it towards the top side of the mattress with the spill.
The open window and running fan provide a forceful stream of air that may reach the mattress’s deep layers and aid in the water’s evaporation.
Related: How To Move A Memory Foam Mattress?
#5 Mattress Drying Tips in the Open Air
Finally, if the weather permits and your mattress can be moved outside, you may dry it there.
The warm sun and enough ventilation will not only remove moisture from the mattress, but will also destroy any dust mites and mold, making your bed seem even fresher than before the spill!
Here are some suggestions for drying the mattress outside:
- Create a platform. Wood pellets or a few of concrete blocks may be used; just make sure they’re clean. To guarantee appropriate air circulation, place the mattress on a platform.
- Sunlight should be avoided. The easiest approach to dry a mattress outside is to set it someplace that gets plenty of warm air. Alternatively, you may speed up the drying process by placing more fans around the mattress.
What’s the Best Way to Dry an RV Mattress?
Even the best RV mattresses are susceptible to moisture build-up and mishaps, and they may need drying.
So, how do you do it with your RV truck’s limited space?
Here are some pointers:
- Create an airflow if you’re drying your mattress inside. To aid drying, open all windows and flip your mattress on its side.
- Make use of a hair dryer or a space heater. Use a hairdryer with a moderate heat setting and keep it at least 10 inches away from the mattress.
- Clean up your mattress. Because RV mattresses are particularly prone to mildew accumulation, once you’ve dried it off, spray it all over with rubbing alcohol and let it evaporate.
FAQ
When should a wet mattress be dried?
If your mattress has been wet due to rain, bedwetting, a broken pipe, a water spill, or an overflowing bathtub, it will be safe to use after it has dried.
It’s best to toss it out and buy a new one if it became wet from sewage backup or a groundwater flood, if it’s soaking wet, or if mold is already forming.
How do you get the scents out of a damp mattress?
You may use rubbing alcohol solution to eliminate scents, as well as baking soda or baby powder to absorb moisture and eliminate urine odors.
Can I use a heater to dry the mattress?
To dry your mattress, use a heater with a fan to produce a stream of warm air.
To avoid damaging a mattress, though, it’s preferable to keep heated sources away from it.
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Conclusion
We hope that this post will assist you in preparing for such mishaps and rapidly repairing the damage.
Remember to act quickly and use diverse solutions, such as cat litter and a hair dryer, to produce more efficient outcomes.
Have you used any of these techniques before? Which one produced the greatest results for you? Please leave your comments below!
