Ways to Wash an Egg Crate Foam Mattress Pad

While relatively inexpensive, egg crates for your bed don’t need to be thrown away when stained or soiled, and cleanings never need to cost more than a replacement would. It’s possible to effectively clean an egg crate mattress topper with relative ease.

Depending on the level of cleaning you’re after — from routine tidying to a more thorough sterilization — you’ll quickly learn that regaining a comfortable, sanitary sleep can be achieved in a number of ways.

Discarding the Dirt

If you’ve occasionally given in to the temptation of a late-night snack in bed, crumbs become an unavoidable nuisance. However, fragments of a cookie, fabric pills, dirt or any other debris buildup on an egg crate can be banished in a few simple steps.

Begin by removing any bedding from the egg crate and giving it a good shake to loosen any unwanted dirt. Then, with one of the small attachments fitted to your vacuum cleaner, carefully vacuum the egg crate to pick up any of the leftover particles. Vacuum both sides before placing the egg crate back on the bed.

Stains, Stains Go Away

Based on the size of the egg crate, its thickness and the durability of the material, you may be able to wash it in your washing machine. With a standard machine, however, you run the risk of the foam tearing due to the agitation. You may have better luck using a commercial-size or oversize load machine as an alternative. Set the washing machine to the gentlest cycle and use a small amount of mild detergent.

If you’re not keen on running the risk of damaging the pad, a combination of a spot-cleaning treatment and thorough rinsing may be the perfect compromise. For an at-home solution free of toxins, prepare a fabric cleaner from a mixture of water, white distilled vinegar and lemon juice. Spray the cleaner on the soiled areas and allow it to soak in for approximately 20 minutes. Afterward, completely rinse off both sides in the shower. Remove excess water by wringing out the egg crate or folding it over and pressing out the water.

Drying Time

Regardless of the method you use to wash the egg crate, you must allow it to properly dry before placing it back on the bed. Excess moisture could cause odors or, in some instances, mold or mildew to form. A tumble dryer may cause the foam to melt when exposed to direct heat.

If you decide to use a dryer, use a low, gentle setting — even an “air only” setting — and check on the egg crate often. A successful substitute for machine drying is simply laying the egg crate on a flat, dry surface and allowing it to air dry. For any areas that are particularly oversaturated, a wet/dry vac can be used to speed up the drying process.

Keeping the Clean

Take measures to keep your egg crate clean and preserve its quality. Given the fact that foam can often be a magnet for dust and dirt, consider a protective cover of cotton or vinyl that can be fitted over the egg crate or even both your mattress and the pad.

Some covers even provide the perk of being hypoallergenic, if that fits your needs. Light vacuuming and spot cleaning as necessary will keep your egg crate looking, feeling and smelling fresh, leaving you with plenty of time to catch some zzz’s.

How to Clean an Egg Crate Foam Mattress Pad

The Cleaning Process

A. Cleaning – Vacuum

First vacuum clean the mattress – both sides. This will remove most of the surface dust: skin cells, dust mites and other loose debris. Foam mattress toppers are best cleaned using a vacuum attachment with soft bristles. Vacuum the entire surface of the topper – both sides.

B. Washing – Hand Wash

Using Detergent Solution: Use a fairly mild detergent: one designed for washing baby clothes or hand-wash liquid. Mix two parts of water with one part detergent and put it into a spray bottle.

Spray the mattress topper lightly all over – or even better, work in sections. Split it into four quarters and clean each quarter, one at a time. Do not rub the solution into the mattress – simply spray it and blot it with a sponge. You can rub particularly badly soiled areas gently with a fine brush and then blot it dry.

C. Drying – Dry the mattress topper

Always let the topper air dry. Forced drying, such as with a hair dryer, could ruin its viscoelastic properties. The same applies if you are cleaning a latex foam topper.

More Tips to Wash an Egg Crate Foam Mattress Pad

Even if your egg crate mattress does not smell bad, it does not mean there are no germs or bacteria living in the porous material. Knowing how to clean an egg crate mattress pad will help ensure you and your bedsheets stay clean.

Shake The Pad

Before you attempt cleaning the mattress pad, shake out any excess dirt outside. If you do not see any dirt, it does not mean there are no hairs or other material hidden on the pad.

Wash The Pad

Simply wash the pad on the gentle cycle using cold water and a mild detergent. If you do not have a machine large enough to accommodate the load, go to the laundromat and use the oversize load machine.

Hang The Pad

It is important you do not dry the pad in the dryer as the heat will cause the foam to melt. Simply hang it from or drape it over a clothesline on a warm, windy day and allow it to dry. While sunlight will help to dry the pad, indirect sunlight is better.