Any thing, even if it is not used often, still gets dirty over time. Therefore, every housewife sooner or later faces the question of washing it. However, each of us knows that not every product can be washed.
. If an item has a filler, you need to know its properties in order to be sure that the item will not deteriorate after contact with water. Is it possible to wash foam rubber and how to do it correctly? Let’s look at the main points.
Foam rubber
Dust, body oils and sweat accumulate in foam pillows and mattresses, which as a result become a haven for various microorganisms, such as itches, which can cause allergies.
Remove their food and these microorganisms will disappear. TECHNIQUE OF EXECUTION. THERE ARE different types of foam - some are washable and some are not. Before cleaning a foam product for the first time, always read the instructions for use. If your foam product is a single piece, remove dust, itches and their secretions using a vacuum cleaner with a special attachment, such as an upholstery brush. When it comes to washing a solid foam product, you usually need to soak it in cool water first. If the foam has greasy stains and is saturated with sweat, treat it with a product like Biz or apply a liquid laundry detergent containing enzymes (or a paste of granular laundry detergent and water) before soaking. Look for enzymes in your detergent's ingredient list. Then fill the sink, bathtub or basin with warm water and pour in a little liquid dishwashing detergent until a rich foam forms. Wash the foam by pressing on it, then releasing and pressing again. Rinse it in the same way in clean water. Change the rinse water several times until all the detergent has been rinsed out of the foam. To dry a foam product, gently squeeze out as much water as possible from it, pat dry with clean towels, and leave to dry in the sun or indoors at room temperature. “The center portion of the foam can take a very long time to dry,” says Rajeev Jain, director of the Household Refurbishment Association laboratory at the National Institute of Disaster Restoration in Annapolis, Maryland. “But foam usually has an extensive network of capillaries, so the water will eventually evaporate.” If your pillows are filled with many small pieces of foam, never remove them from the cover. Firstly, they are difficult to handle, and secondly, they are easy to spoil. You can wash these pillows in the washing machine. When doing this, use cold water to avoid damaging the synthetic filler. Dry such a pillow in the dryer on low heat, or by placing it on a chair in the yard in the sun. TIPS IN PASSING. To speed up the drying process, use an electric hair dryer. ATTENTION! Never treat foam rubber products with solvents and never dry them on a hot radiator. This may damage the foam.
When buying a sofa, chair or any other product that contains foam rubber, you should know the basic recommendations for its operation. If foam rubber is wet, its physical and mechanical properties change. Therefore, wet foam rubber cannot be subjected to stress, squeezed, or otherwise deformed. First you need to dry it, and only then use it. Manufacturers do not recommend washing foam rubber products, as they take quite a long time to dry. You can resort to hand or machine washing only in case of extreme contamination that cannot be removed in any other way. But it’s better to try to clean the foam using another method. An ineffective option for cleaning foam rubber is knocking it out. In this case, the dust does not leave the foam cells, and the product itself is deformed and destroyed. The most effective way to clean a dusty foam product is to vacuum it. An alcohol solution can irreversibly damage the foam rubber. It is strictly forbidden to wipe furniture or other objects containing foam rubber with alcohol solutions, as this will destroy the foam rubber. It is worth remembering this before treating, for example, a stain on a sofa with an alcohol-based stain remover. The solution applied to the upholstery of the sofa will penetrate to the foam layer, destroying it in the process. By definition, foam rubber can withstand temperatures from -15°C to +100°C.
However, it is not recommended to allow increased thermal effects on foam rubber, since it also has a detrimental effect on it. It is unacceptable to place foam products near open flames or hot objects.
Choosing detergents
When choosing a cleaning product, it is recommended to give preference to formulations that are easy to rinse off, foam well and effectively remove dirt. Laundry or liquid soap, as well as dishwashing gel, are used as powder. Each option has its own characteristics.
Soap is one of the best means for cleaning synthetic material such as polyurethane foam. The composition is applied to the moistened material, but do not aggressively rub soap on the product - it will be enough to apply a soap solution with foam and lightly rinse the dirty area. After this, the soaked product is left for ten minutes to make it easier to wash off the stains.
Washing powder
If powder is used for cleaning, then you must follow these instructions: in a separate container, you need to dissolve the powder in liquid to prepare foam and soap solution. Next, using a brush or manually, all contaminated areas are cleaned and then washed off with clean water. After washing, the item must be thoroughly dried to prevent the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms.
Dishwashing gel
To clean using a gel intended for washing dishes, use any brand of product. Next, the composition is diluted in liquid and foamed. The resulting soap solution is used to treat the contaminated areas with a sponge or brush. Lightly whisking movements remove grease stains and other contaminants. Finally, the cleaned areas are washed off the gel, rinsed several times and sent to dry. Dish gel better cleans the surface of the product from sebum.
How does someone dry seats after drowning?
Ironing foam rubber and products made from it is also prohibited. However, for some applications, foam rubber is simply necessary, which will be exposed to high temperatures. In this case, heat-resistant polyurethane foam is used, which contains special components that impart the necessary properties. Such foam rubber can be used, for example, in ironing boards for processing fabrics on which embroidery, rhinestones, buttons and other convex decorations are sewn. One of the main factors in the deterioration of the quality of foam rubber is transportation. During transportation, foam rubber is compressed, most often reducing its volume by 4-6 times. When foam rubber is unpacked, its quality characteristics are irreversibly reduced, in particular its rigidity is significantly reduced. And the lower the quality of the foam rubber was initially, the more its condition will deteriorate after transportation. Depending on the quality characteristics of the foam rubber, its service life varies significantly. The main criterion for this is the density of the foam rubber. However, the maximum permissible service life of foam rubber products is 15 years. The service life can be reduced by harmful and aggressive environmental influences. Among other things, high humidity, temperature fluctuations, and high air temperatures have a particularly strong effect on the service life of foam rubber.
Is it possible to wash foam rubber well?
Having set ourselves such a task, any of us will certainly be faced with the question of how to wash foam rubber correctly. And here the Internet public will, as always, be generous with advice and specific recommendations, the most popular of which sound like this:
- “pour water into the bath, pour three powders into glasses and, placing sofa cushions there, jump on them”;
- “use an inflatable pool as a container for washing a mattress.”
What can I use to clean it?
Household foaming gels, sprays and dry foam will help effectively rid your mattress of dust and dirt. Stain removers and various concentrated cleaning products for carpets and upholstered furniture also work well on fabric stains.
The most popular household chemicals suitable for cleaning mattresses:
- Vanish, Shine, Cinderella, Selena - sprays.
- Vanish – active foam, powder.
- Nordland - foam.
- Antipyatin - soap.
- Dr. Beckmann - gel.
- Udalix, MienLiebe – stain remover pencil.
- Just a minute, Cinderella – cream.
If preference is given to traditional methods of cleansing, then you can use the following available means:
- laundry soap;
- 3% hydrogen peroxide;
- pure alcohol;
- solvent or acetone;
- soda;
- salt;
- vinegar;
- borax;
- glycerol;
- ammonia.
If you intend to freshen a children's mattress, you need to select an odorless product and thoroughly rinse it with a damp cloth or vacuum cleaner.
Before choosing how to clean a mattress, you should determine the nature of the contamination.
How to quickly dry foam rubber?
The very first lines of the documents say that the service life of furniture products directly depends on the conditions and care of its operation. Yes, this is no secret: everyone knows that caring for any things prolongs their life. The officially recommended temperature regime for the comfortable use of sofas, beds, armchairs and mattresses is limited to +10–25 °C, and the relative humidity of the environment should not exceed 70%. Also, upholstered furniture should not be placed close to the radiators of the heating system. Thus, it becomes clear that excess moisture can harm the frame material, the upholstery, and the filler, which is most often made of polyurethane foam.
What do experts recommend as ways to clean and care for upholstered furniture and its fillings?
It turns out that washing foam rubber and upholstery fabric is not only undesirable, but also prohibited. When wet, foam rubber loses its properties of elasticity and so-called return density. Any deformation in a wet state is harmful to the foam, not to mention the loads. The porous structure allows you to quickly lose excess moisture, but still the process of fully drying the foam takes a long time and can only be done naturally. It is forbidden to heat the material with electrical appliances (fans, hair dryers, heaters).
To clean polyurethane foam products from accumulated dirt and dust, you should use a vacuum cleaner, or best of all, dry cleaning. Small stains can be removed with a soap solution and a brush, but do not overdo it with the amount of water.
Summarizing the above, we understand that the best washing for foam rubber products is careful treatment and dry cleaning as necessary. For small children's toys, washing in a machine with a very strong spin cycle is also suitable. If you are wondering whether it is possible to wash a sofa that has exhausted its reserves, it is worth considering the option of replacing the old filler with a new one. It costs very little, and will bring much less hassle than washing foam rubber. Most of these pranks end funny at best.
Any thing, even if it is not used often, still gets dirty over time. Therefore, every housewife sooner or later faces the question of washing it. However, each of us knows that not every product can be washed.
. If an item has a filler, you need to know its properties in order to be sure that the item will not deteriorate after contact with water. Is it possible to wash foam rubber and how to do it correctly? Let’s look at the main points.
How difficult is it to clean foam rubber?
Before washing foam rubber, you need to understand the main feature of this filler. This material gets its volume and softness thanks to the abundance of cavities inside. And this same property makes it quite fragile. If washed incorrectly, the foam product can become severely deformed, change in volume, or even tear.
In order not to spoil an item filled with foam rubber, try to follow the following rules when washing it:
- the material does not tolerate high temperatures, the water when washing should not be hotter than 40 degrees;
- It is not recommended to crumple or bend the product when cleaning;
- Under no circumstances should you twist the foam rubber to rid it of excess moisture, only gently squeeze it out or let it flow around;
- If the item still has a factory label with information about the washing mode, it is best to follow its instructions.
Is it possible to wash things on foam rubber?
Experts do not recommend washing foam rubber products. This belief is justified by the properties of foam rubber, the main one of which is its peculiarity - the porous structure, thanks to which the volume and softness of the product are achieved. However, this same property makes the material very fragile.
Reference : foam rubber is a soft polyurethane foam that consists of 90% air.
Water, getting into the cavities of the foam rubber, absorbs all its qualities: the foam rubber is deformed and its elasticity is lost. Therefore, in order to clean a foam item and at the same time preserve all the characteristics of the material, it is better, of course, to send the product to dry cleaning, where the stains will be carefully removed without any damage. But not everyone is able to hand over, for example, a huge mattress to a place where such cleaning is carried out. Therefore, if it is really necessary (after all, somehow you need to get rid of the dirt), the foam rubber can be washed at home, but you need to act very carefully.
Fact: It is very easy to remove dust and grease from foam rubber by hand. However, foam rubber is a fragile material and therefore requires careful handling.
General recommendations
Difficult stains on foam rubber cannot be washed at home without damaging the surface of the product. In this case, it is better to take the item to the dry cleaner and trust the professionals.
When cleaning at home, it is important to remember that the material must be handled with care. To properly clean foam rubber by hand, you need to choose a gentle detergent.
Of all the cleaning products for foam rubber, the following are most suitable:
- aerosol cleaners for upholstered furniture;
- home remedies made from vinegar, ammonia and baking soda;
- foam from washing powder;
- a piece of regular soap.
After washing, it is necessary to dry the foam rubber well so that mold and musty smell do not form in its pores. You need to leave it in the bathroom for a while so that the excess water drains away. It is best if it is then dried flat out in the open air, for example on a balcony, but the product should not be left in direct sunlight.
Basic requirements when washing foam rubber:
- observe the temperature regime: washing water should not exceed 40 degrees Celsius;
- The material must not be crushed, squeezed or bent;
- to rid the product of excess moisture, you need to lightly press the object with your palms, or let the water drain on its own;
- follow the washing instructions on the tag.
The optimal cleaning agent for foam rubber should be easy to rinse, low-foaming, and effective. Suitable for these purposes:
- baby laundry detergent;
- liquid soap;
- laundry soap;
- dishwashing gel.
Soap
Soap is one of the most effective means for washing such synthetic material. The product is applied to well-soaked material. There is no need to rub the soap vigorously over the surface - just apply the foam composition with your hands, using light massaging movements. After application, the soap concentrate is left for 10-15 minutes so that it saturates the item well, after which it is washed in water.
Washing powder
If you use powder, it is better to prepare the foam in a separate container rather than sprinkle the foam with powder. This cleanser foams up a lot, making it difficult to rinse off. Therefore, first dissolve the powder in water and clean all dirty places with foam. And then rinse thoroughly with water from the shower.
Advice: be sure to dry the product well after washing so that pathogenic microflora do not multiply inside the foam.
Dishwashing gel
Any dishwashing detergent is diluted in water and rubbed with gentle movements with a sponge or brush into the dirty areas. After the dirt has been removed, the areas are thoroughly rinsed with water.
Tkanoff › Blog › Repairing car seat foam: features and nuances
Today we will tell you how to restore foam rubber with your own hands, share the experience of our craftsmen and offer the optimal course of work in which you will spend less effort and money. If you are ready, then it’s time to prepare the necessary materials and tools. For this you will need:
Secondary foam rubber (PVF). In the Eco-leather online store ecokoja.ru/soputstvuiushchie-tovary/porolon/ you can choose the material of the desired thickness and density.
When everything you need is at hand, you can get to work.
Restoration of foam rubber
To begin, remove the seat from the car interior, disassemble it, remove the cushion, unscrew all the screws and fasteners and disconnect the side plastic panels. Remove the upholstery from the chair and carefully examine the condition of the foam. If it is very worn, then it is better to completely replace it, and if the damage is small, for example, there are several holes, then they can be repaired.
Carefully cut the damaged area almost down to the metal. Cut a piece of new foam and apply it to the area being repaired. It should fit snugly, trim it if necessary. Glue a piece of foam rubber following the instructions for the selected adhesive. Usually the adhesive is applied in several layers, because PPU absorbs well. 3 layers are enough.
Restore all areas in this way. Heavily dented sidewalls can be extended. To do this, glue a sheet of PVV onto them and give them the desired shape: cut off the excess, sand the sharp edges and rough areas with sandpaper.
After increasing the side support, the factory upholstery may not fit, so it may have to be replaced. To do this, split the old one and use the resulting parts to create new ones. Don't forget to add a few centimeters if necessary. Sew all the pieces together: first the center, then the sides. Before stitching the sides to the center, sew a decorative stitch on them.
At the end of the work, put on new upholstery and assemble the entire structure. It will be much more comfortable to sit on a repaired chair, and it will last for many more years.
Source
What is the best way to wash foam rubber: by hand or in a machine?
Foam rubber can be successfully washed both in a washing machine and by hand. How to choose the right method? It's simple: everything you can fit in the machine, wash it in it. Wash bulky items by hand, washing only dirty areas.
Advice : the main criterion for the machine is that the foam rubber item should not wrinkle too much, as this can lead to deformation of the product during washing. Children's toys, pillows, and decorative items with foam filling are suitable for the machine. But it is better to wash mattresses and sofa covers by hand.
Hand washing rules:
- foam rubber is laid out on a horizontal surface;
- the product is well moistened with water and they begin to “cheat” with their hands, as if they are kneading dough;
What materials are they made from?
When choosing a method for cleaning a mattress, you should first of all focus on the type of filler.
Small items (for example, for a crib) made from holofiber or bamboo can be washed in a washing machine without any problems. But foam and cotton mattresses are washed by hand.
Dry cleaning is recommended for the following types:
- spring;
- with coconut filling;
- orthopedic.
For other products, dry processing is needed as a preventive measure to preserve freshness.
How to wash bra foam
Washing such a delicate item as a bra also requires certain knowledge. The main function of the bodice is to support the breasts. The overall appearance of a woman depends on the shape of her bust. And it will be a shame if it loses its shape after washing and becomes unwearable. To prevent this from happening, a bra that has foam inserts (which give the breasts a spectacular look) should be washed at a temperature no higher than 40 degrees on a gentle cycle.
You should not fill the washing machine with other things - the bra may lose shape under the weight of a large number of things.
Help: 30-40 degrees - this temperature is the most useful from an environmental point of view.
When it comes to laundry detergents, it is better to give preference to liquid powder or liquid soap. Such products dissolve better in water and are washed out of laundry. In addition, gels remove dirt much better than powders.
When choosing hand washing, it is worth considering that during the procedure the bra should not be twisted, wrung out, or wrinkled too much. It is enough to lightly rinse the underwear to avoid deformation of the foam.
After washing, lay the bodice on a flat surface and wait to dry completely.
Tip: do not dry your bra on a radiator, in a washing machine or in direct sunlight.
Machine washable
- put the item in the drum;
- pour liquid detergent into the compartment;
- select a gentle wash mode and set the temperature no higher than 40° C. Remember, high temperatures lead to deformation of the foam rubber, it becomes larger or decreases in size, loses its shape;
- After washing, rinse the foam a couple of times and turn off the spin function.
Drying foam rubber
After cleaning and rinsing, the foam rubber product is lightly squeezed with your hands, but not twisted, then carefully spread on a smooth surface covered with clean towels and left until completely dry. Sometimes the product is turned over so that it dries on all sides. Remember that foam rubber should not be dried near radiators, with a hot hairdryer, or under the sun. It is better to choose a shady, well-ventilated place. These drying tips are suitable for hand and machine washing.
offers to purchase foam rubber
retail and wholesale on good terms. Contact us! We work seven days a week and, if the client wishes, we deliver the order to his home at a convenient time.
How to wash a foam pillow
A lot of dust accumulates in foam cushions. If you don't get rid of it, you can harm your health. Therefore, be that as it may, foam pillows should be washed. Most often this is done using an automatic machine and powder.
Tip : it is best to use liquid soap for washing, which does not create a lot of foam and rinses out faster.
Like all products made of polyurethane foam, pillows should be washed at a temperature of 40 degrees. And although foam rubber is a durable material, if you start washing at a higher temperature, then most likely the pillow will immediately lose its shape and elasticity. It will no longer be possible to use such a thing for everyday life.
It is best to set the machine to a delicate wash mode. Since excess foam may not go away with the usual number of rinses, it is worth taking care of additional rinsing. The number of revolutions during spinning is small. 600 or 800 is enough, no more. Foam cannot be dried in a machine, as it will lose its shape. After washing, the pillow should be placed on a towel on the floor and left to dry completely.
If the pillow is small, you can wash it by hand. To do this, pour warm water into a large container, diluting it with liquid detergent. The pillow is washed by squeezing it with your hands until all the dirt is cleared from it. To prevent its shape from being damaged, do not wring out the pillow or keep it in water for too long. After washing, we also leave the product to dry naturally.
Products with foam filling, like any other things, also get dirty over time. And owners often don’t know whether foam rubber can be washed and how to do it. And what about bulky items, for example, a mattress that also needs to be dried? The problem is actually solved simply. The material can be cleaned without damaging it if you know some nuances and follow the instructions.
Care tips and advice
The service life and appearance of foam rubber items directly depends on proper and careful use, as well as compliance with rules and regulations.
To ensure that products with foam rubber become less deformed over time, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- the temperature in the rooms where foam furniture is located should be from 10 to 25 degrees;
- the humidity level should not exceed 70 percent;
- after prolonged use, it is recommended to wash items with foam filling exclusively by hand;
- for washing, it is recommended to use products that do not produce a lot of foam and are quickly washed off;
- It is better to dry wet foam rubber on a terry towel - this way the fabric will absorb excess liquid;
- It is not recommended to place heating devices and other heating devices close to foam rubber products.
The main care tip is not to subject wet polyurethane foam items to stress or pressure. If possible, it is recommended to entrust such a product to professionals - have it dry cleaned. If the hand washing method has been chosen, it should be as gentle and careful as possible.
«>
Is foam rubber washable?
The specific porous structure of this material makes it soft and at the same time very sensitive to mechanical stress. Therefore, many people wonder whether it is even possible to wash foam rubber by hand or in a washing machine.
Important: if handled incorrectly, the foam rubber can tear, change its original volume, or become significantly deformed.
To avoid damage to things, you need to follow a number of rules when cleaning:
- Washing is permissible at a temperature of no more than 40°C. Hot water has a detrimental effect on the material.
- It is not allowed to bend, crease or twist the product in the usual way. This means that only small things are cleaned in the machine.
- You should remove water from objects by lightly squeezing them or naturally by letting them drain.
- If there is a factory label with care instructions, you must adhere to them.
- The detergent should be mild, for delicate fabrics. Gel is better - it washes out quickly.
Advice: dust and grease stains must be removed manually and extremely carefully.
Having studied these rules, it is easy to conclude that foam rubber products are machine washable, but subject to a number of conditions. First of all, the thing should be small so that you don’t have to fold it. But still, more delicate cleaning is preferable for this material.
How to wash a mattress cover?
To effectively and safely wash a mattress cover, you must first find out what it is made of. Taking this into account, the washing method is selected - manual or machine, water temperature and other parameters. Dirt from removable covers is removed using store-bought cleaning products. You can also use the traditional methods described above. If the fabric of the mattress cover allows, you should resort to bleach, and then there will be no need to first remove traces of urine or drinks.
How to wash by hand
Regardless of the size of the product, you need to carry out wet cleaning, straightening it as thoroughly as possible. Any convenient horizontal plane is suitable for this. If the dimensions of the bath allow, the item can be spread in it. The sloping bottom and sides will prevent significant damage to the fragile material, but will provide the opportunity to carry out your plans without any problems.
Tip: before washing a mattress pad or foam mattress, you need to beat it out in the fresh air. This will save you from long and repeated rinsing.
Depending on the detergent chosen, the washing process itself changes.
Washing powder
Fill a bathtub or other suitable container with warm water. Dilute the bulk substance until completely dissolved, but do not create foam. Immerse the item in the resulting solution and, pressing evenly with your palms, force the foam rubber to absorb the liquid and then get rid of it. This method requires thorough and repeated rinsing.
Tip: washing powder can be replaced with gel or dishwashing detergent. The latter is especially true when there are greasy stains.
Soap
A bar of any soap will do, but it is better to use laundry soap. It copes better with many stains and gives a slight whitening effect.
The sequence of actions differs from the washing process with powder:
- Foam rubber is immersed in clean warm water.
- Several pressures are applied to check the degree of contamination of the material based on the condition of the liquid. If it becomes too dirty, you will need to add a new one before the main wash.
- Treat a mattress, jacket or other item saturated with moisture with detergent. But do not use concentrate, since after it the foam rubber will have to be rinsed for a long time. You should lather your palms until foam appears, and then apply it to the object.
- Allow the product to “sour” for 15 minutes. If necessary, the time can be increased by no more than twice.
- Rinse under high pressure water.
This is the best method for washing bras, children's toys, or other delicate items. To clean sofas, armchairs or other pieces of furniture containing foam rubber with soap, use a soft brush.
How to remove urine, blood or drink stains from mattresses with different fillings?
The most common types of contamination of these products are stains from urine (cat or child) and drinks (tea, fruit juice, cognac). Washing them is half the battle; it is also important to dry the mattress properly, otherwise it will become moldy and become unsuitable for further use.
Spring mattress
You can get rid of traces and the smell of urine from a spring product at home using special products that exclude the use of water, which are sold in the store. These can be pencils, napkins, sprays. They must be used in strict accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. For cleaning, you can also use available means, information about which is presented in the table:
Cleaning products for spring mattresses | Preparation | Application | |
Ammonia | From the smell of urine | 1 tsp. dilute in 500 ml of water. | Using a spray bottle, apply the cleaning solution to the stain and leave until completely dry. |
Vinegar | Mix with water in a ratio of 1:3. | ||
Lemon acid | From urine and drink stains, including old ones | 1 tsp. mix with 200 ml of water. | Wipe the work area with a cloth moistened with liquid. |
Foam rubber product
It is advisable to wash such mattresses by hand. Machine washable if:
- safe detergents are used;
- the product is new enough, otherwise the foam will tear;
- aggressive bleaches are not used;
- The product fits in the drum of the machine.
The stain must be removed before washing. Information on how to do this is presented in the table:
Products for removing stains from foam mattresses | Preparation | Application | |
Borax | From stains and urine odor | Dilute borax with water to obtain a paste. | Apply the paste to the work area. Remove the dried mass with a napkin. |
Laundry soap | Not required. | Lather the stain generously. After 5-10 minutes, rub the treated area with a brush. You should not rub too hard; foam rubber does not like intense mechanical impact. | |
Soda | From stains left by drinks | Sprinkle soda generously on the work area, apply soap suds on top of it and brush the area with a brush. | |
Vinegar | Mix vinegar with water in a ratio of 1:3. | Wipe the work area with a cloth moistened with liquid. | |
Lemon acid | 1 tsp. mix acids with 200 ml of water. |
Mattress stuffed with cotton wool, bamboo or silk fiber
Products with such fillers can only be washed on delicate cycles. In this case, you cannot use regular powder. It is recommended to replace it with gel or shampoo. If you are going to wash a mattress stuffed with cotton wool, bamboo or silk fiber, you need to remove stains from its surface. Yellow traces from urine and dark traces from cognac or tea are eliminated with vinegar, citric acid, ammonia, soda, and borax. Methods for preparing and using cleansers based on these components are described above.
After preliminary cleaning of the described or drink-stained product, you can wash it. If the size allows (for example, when it comes to a children's mattress), you can use a washing machine. In other cases, you will have to wash the item by hand. General rules for washing mattresses stuffed with cotton wool, bamboo or silk fiber:
- maximum water temperature – 40 degrees;
- “Delicate wash” or “Hand wash” mode;
- minimum number of revolutions;
- Rinse 3–4 times;
- Spinning and machine drying are prohibited.
Woolen
Cleaning a wool product is not difficult, you just need to keep in mind that wool does not tolerate high temperatures. When washed in hot water, such a mattress can be hopelessly damaged. As in previous cases, you first need to remove the dirt, paying special attention to old stains. Detailed information on how to do this quickly and efficiently is presented in the table:
Products for removing stains from a foam mattress | Preparation | Application | |
A mixture of toothpaste, hydrogen peroxide and cornstarch | From traces and smell of urine | Mix 1 tbsp. l. paste, 1/4 cup peroxide and 1/2 cup starch. | Apply the product to the stain. After drying, remove with a brush. |
Starch | Dilute starch with water until you get a paste. | ||
Aspirin | Dissolve 1 tablet in 1 liter of water. | Clean the work area with a cloth soaked in cleaning solution. | |
A mixture of vinegar and ammonia | From traces of dark drinks | Mix the ingredients in equal parts. |
Tips for washing wool mattresses:
- maximum water temperature – 30 degrees;
- soaking time for hand washing – 15 minutes;
- mode – “Delicate wash” or “Hand wash”;
- detergents – gels, shampoos;
- bleaches are prohibited;
- minimum number of revolutions;
- Rinse 3–4 times;
- Spinning and machine drying are prohibited.
Mattress with coconut coir
Coconut fiber (which is often called shavings) cannot be wetted, otherwise it will lose its performance properties, and a mattress with such a filler will become unusable. It is allowed to remove only fresh dirt from its surface, which does not require the use of aggressive cleaning agents and intense friction. It is unlikely that it will be possible to deal with old stains from urine and drinks at home. To do this, it is better to use the services of professionals. Products containing coconut shavings should be cleaned in the same way as mattresses with springs.
Holofiber and other similar fillers
Products made from holofiber and latex are easy to care for. They can be washed in a machine or by hand, after first cleaning heavily soiled areas using one of the above methods. As for orthopedic mattresses, they should not be wetted excessively. If there is dirt on the surface, you must carefully wipe the work area with a cotton pad moistened with hydrogen peroxide and wrung out well. It is recommended to entrust the removal of difficult-to-remove stains from urine and drinks from expensive orthopedic products to professionals.
How to wash in an automatic machine at home
Small items that fit into the washing drum can be rolled into a loose roll at most. Select a gentle mode for delicate fabrics. It provides optimal conditions for foam rubber: a minimum number of revolutions and water with a temperature of 30 to 40°C. If the liquid is hotter, such conditions will cause uneven expansion and deformation of the material.
At the end of the cycle, you should turn on a second rinse. If washing powder was used, the procedure will have to be done twice. To save time and resources, it is recommended to use gel.
Tip: it is not always possible to load pillows into the washing machine, even if the dimensions allow it. Before doing this, it is better to study the instructions on the label.
How to dry a foam mattress and other things after washing
In fact, this is the first thing you need to think about before you start doing laundry at home.
When planning how best to dry the foam, it is recommended to consider the following:
- Even a small amount of moisture remaining in the foam creates an ideal environment for the proliferation of pathogens, making the item hazardous to health. The appearance of mold is possible.
- Items cannot be twisted, wrung out like regular clothes, or folded when drying.
- It is unacceptable to hang objects vertically.
Important: the material is contraindicated from exposure to direct sunlight and contact with any heating elements. For example, drying foam rubber on or near a radiator is prohibited.
The only acceptable drying position is horizontal. In a mattress situation, none of its edges should rest against an obstacle. Otherwise, after drying, the material will take the indicated shape and will have unnatural convexities.
- After rinsing, making sure that there is no detergent left in the material, leave the item in the bathroom to drain all the liquid. The waiting time depends on the dimensions of the product.
- To speed up the process, you can lightly press down with your palms several times.
- Move the item to a warm place with excellent ventilation.
- Lay out on a horizontal plane and wait for it to dry naturally.
- Periodically, you need to turn the mattress over so that it dries evenly and as quickly as possible.
- If the product is not heavy, you can use a balcony clothes dryer: lay the foam rubber on top so that it does not sag. This way the material will be ventilated from all sides and will quickly get rid of moisture.
This method is suitable for any foam items, regardless of the chosen washing method.
Now you know how to properly wash and dry foam rubber. Using the recommendations received, you can save on dry cleaning services and extend the life of your favorite items. By following these simple rules, you will be able to maintain the properties and pleasant appearance of products with soft synthetic filler.