Quick Answer
- To help the mattress absorb some moisture, sprinkle it with baking soda.
- Use a wet/dry vacuum to clean the mattress.
- Before using the mattress again, make sure it has completely dried.
Water your plants beside the window and place the bottle on your bed at the same time.
may neglect to shut the window when it is raining.
Or maybe you have a child who wets the bed.
You may be left wondering how to quickly dry a wet mattress in any of these scenarios.
You’re at the correct spot, then! Depending on the style and design of the mattress, this article will assist you in determining the best method of drying it while also teaching you how to handle smells and stains.
Table of Contents
Why Is Quick Action Important?
You need to be aware of one thing before we continue:
Even if the liquid that seeps into your mattress’ layers is merely water, it nevertheless poses a risk to your mattress.
Some substances have a porous structure that allows them to hold onto water, creating a favorable environment for the growth of mold and germs.
Mold is one of the most prevalent allergens in American homes and is to blame for respiratory difficulties including asthma and allergies.
Additionally, if your mattress has metal components like coils, they may rust when exposed to moisture and lose their support and contouring abilities, particularly if you bought a cheap mattress.
Therefore, in an emergency, take prompt action.
Which Mattress Type is the Quickest to Dry?
One of the first steps to take when trying to quickly dry a wet mattress is to consider its kind.
Your mattress’s structure might either speed up drying or, on the other hand, slow it down.
Here is how the kind of mattress affects the drying time.
#1. Memory foam
Memory foam is often used to create very comfortable mattresses.
Their porous, sponge-like materials may, however, be a drawback since they are prone to moisture absorption.
It’s advisable to take early action if you spill anything on a memory foam bed to prevent it from sinking into thick layers where it would be difficult to remove.
In order to avoid spills, it is preferable to cover memory foam mattresses in a waterproof mattress protector since they often take the longest to dry and may still retain some moisture.
#2. Latex
Latex has a sponge-like structure, much like memory foam.
However, since latex mattresses are often denser and heavier and don’t take up water in deeper layers, they dry more quickly.
To dry out a wet latex mattress, use an absorbing agent or a wet-dry vacuum.
#3. Hybrid
Most hybrid mattresses have a coil unit in the core layer.
Along with supplying a hybrid with its distinctive bounce, the coil layer encourages airflow between the layers and facilitates drying.
Additionally, the fabric that covers the coils in hybrid mattresses often has the ability to absorb moisture and stop rusting.
#4. Innerspring
A coil core layer and a thin comfort layer are common components of innerspring mattresses.
With such a simple design, drying takes less time since just a few inches of foam need to be dried, rather than the whole mattress.
#5. Top pillow
Mattresses with pillow tops may have coil or foam architectures, which affects how quickly they dry.
The pillow top, on the other hand, is usually constructed of fiberfill, which is often quite hygroscopic and may absorb the bulk of moisture, making it easier to dry, particularly if it is removable.
How to Do It Yourself: Dry a Mattress
You may attempt to repair the water-damaged bed yourself if the mattress hasn’t been completely soaked in water.
The steps are as follows:
#1. Absorb Water From the Mattress
Utilizing clean, dry towels, the first step is to absorb as much water as you can from your mattress.
Replace wet towels with dry ones after dabbing the towels on the mattress to absorb as much water as possible.
Repeat as often as necessary.
#2. Eliminate Remaining Moisture
The moisture that is trapped within the mattress has to be removed once the towels have finished their work of soaking up water from the mattress’s surface.
Use a wet/dry shop vacuum designed to suck up liquids to do this.
You may simply rent one from most home improvement shops if you don’t already have one.
Sprinkle enough baking soda to fully cover the mattress before using the vacuum.
Utilizing a dry sponge, clean the inside of the mattress to include the baking soda.
Baking soda helps not only absorb moisture but also to prevent mold from forming in your mattress.
After letting the baking soda rest for a few hours, use the wet-dry vacuum to remove it.
You may also use kitty litter to absorb more moisture from a particularly wet mattress.
Kitty litter should be applied in the same manner as baking soda.
To assist the litter absorb more moisture, apply pressure to the surface and then vacuum the damp litter up.
Repeat these actions until the mattress has completely dried out.
#3. Protect Your Mattress from Mold
Mold may still find a spot to develop even if you use baking soda, cat litter, and a shop vac right away.
And if mold starts to grow, all of your efforts will be for nothing.
You’re at the wrong place at the wrong time, to paraphrase you in the following manner.
Make a cleaning solution using one cup of rubbing alcohol and one cup of water to stop mold from forming.
Take a clean cloth and dip it into the mixture next.
To allow the alcohol to do its work of preventing mold, wring out the towel and start cleaning the whole surface of the bed.
Totally dry the area.
#4. Make Sure Your Mattress Is Completely Dry
Did you know that one of the greatest methods to ensure your mattress dries completely is to expose it to sunlight, a natural sanitizer? If possible, leave your mattress outdoors in the sun to dry and sterilize.
Leaning against the wall, support the mattress on tiny blocks and prop it up on its side.
It’s crucial to let as much air as possible flow through the mattress.
A dehumidifier and fans should work in cases when it is impossible to dry the mattress outside in the sun.
Use the mattress only when it has totally dried out to prevent mold development.
The main lesson is to take extra care to disinfect and make sure that all moisture is removed when drying a mattress yourself.
After cleaning, keep an eye out for any symptoms of mold growth and foul odors.
How to Dry a Mattress with a Cleaning Service Professional
Your best course of action is to bring in a professional to inspect the damage if your mattress has been soaking up water for a considerable amount of time or doesn’t react to do-it-yourself fixes.
#1. Contact a Professional Restoration Company
Certified experts with years of expertise in water damage repair know just how to dry a mattress.
Contacting a business that adheres to Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards is your best option.
These companies are equipped and trained to thoroughly evaluate your mattress and can give you the best advice on how to properly dry it.
#2. Mattress Assessment
The cleaning company with IICRC support will visit your house to assess the damage.
The expert will assess the mattress’s damage with the use of specialized tools before letting you know whether or not it is possible to save it.
After you allow the mattress repair, the expert will also ask you to supply insurance information so that they may seek reimbursement for you, if feasible, from your provider.
Check your flood insurance coverage again if you reside in a hurricane or flood-prone location to check whether your mattress is protected in the case of a natural catastrophe.
#3. Cleaning Up
Dehumidifiers and other specialized tools will be set up in your house by a professional mattress cleaner before they begin the process of drying out your damp mattress.
These devices inject professional cleaning agents into your mattress, which are subsequently extracted using a shop vacuum.
They may also employ various tactics to recover your mattress, such as antifungal and disinfecting sprays.
The restoration expert will take photographs and notes as they work to record the project.
If they uncover mold, they’ll let you know right away and provide you with advice on what to do next.
#4. Enjoy Your Restored Mattress
The professional may assist with setting up your bed after they have repaired your mattress and determined that it is safe to use.
How to Dry an RV Mattress?
Even the finest RV mattresses may get wet from accidents or moisture buildup and may need to be dried.
How then can you do it in the constrained truck bed of your RV?
Here are some pointers:
#1. Make An Airflow If You’re Drying Your Mattress Indoors
Turn your mattress on its side and open all the windows to help the drying process.
#2. Use A Heater Or Hairdryer
Place the hairdryer at least 10 inches away from the mattress while using the moderate heat setting.
#3. Disinfect Your Mattress
RV mattresses are more prone to mildew accumulation, so after drying it off, spray it liberally from all sides with rubbing alcohol and allow it to dissipate.
Is That Mold On Your Mattress?
One of the biggest dangers of having a damp mattress is the possibility of mold growth, which might be harmful to you and your family.
Are you unsure whether the substance you see on your mattress is mold? Here are some tell-tale symptoms that mold has taken hold:
- Mold will first start to emerge within as white fluff.
- Mold starts to grow toward the surface and becomes green.
- When mold first surfaces, it will be dark.
If you discover any mold, you should get rid of the mattress immediately since it is now a poisonous environment.
Although disposing of a mold-infested mattress might be upsetting, it is ultimately the only choice at this point.
Conclusion
This essay is intended to assist you in preparing for potential mishaps and speedy damage restoration.
Remember to act as soon as possible and mix the various ways — for example, cat litter and a hairdryer — to get more efficient outcomes.
Have any of these been tested by you? Which one produced the greatest results for you? Post your comments below!
FAQs
Do you still have concerns about drying a wet mattress?
In such a case, have a look at some of the most typical inquiries on this topic below.
You could just get the response you need!
How fast can a mattress be dried?
You may not have the time or means to leave the house and hire a wet/dry vacuum if your mattress has been soaked with water, rain, flooding, urine, or any other liquid.
Then, we advise blotting up as much water as you can with fresh towels first.
As soon as your towels are wet, remember to replace them with fresh ones.
After that, use baking soda and cat litter to extract any remaining liquid even more thoroughly.
Until you have time to take more action, this should keep you afloat.
If a mattress gets wet, is it destroyed?
The quick answer is, not usually.
Even the highest quality memory foam mattresses may be damaged by water, but it’s quite easy to tell if your mattress is still damaged after using our recommended mitigation techniques.
But keep an eye out for these things:
– A musty, unpleasant odor
– Color-changing stains
– New stains appearing
It’s time to get a new mattress if your current one exhibits any of the aforementioned characteristics.
How much time does a mattress need to dry?
Depending on the material it is composed of and how saturated it is, your mattress may need anywhere from 24 to 48 hours to properly dry after being submerged in water.
Just keep in mind that it’s crucial to wait until your mattress is entirely dry, so try to be patient.
When is a damp mattress safe to be dried?
If your mattress became wet due to rain, bedwetting, a busted pipe, a water spill, or a bathtub that spilled, it will be okay to use after it has dried.
However, it’s best to toss it out and buy a new one if it became wet due to a sewage backup, groundwater flood, soaking wet, or if mold is already beginning to form.
How can I get the smells out of a damp mattress?
You may use baking soda or baby powder to effectively remove moisture and urine scents, as well as rubbing alcohol solution to evaporate odors.
Can I dry the mattress with a heater?
You may combine a heater with a fan to produce a stream of warm air to dry your mattress.
To avoid damaging a mattress, it is important to keep heated devices away from it.
