How to get sweat stains out of a foam mattress?

Sweat stains on the mattress can happen to anyone. Whether you live in a place that is hot and humid, or you like to be toasty under a few blankets, this is just a thing that happens to a lot of people. Sweat eventually produces stains, and over time, it’s common for mattresses to become discolored. 

We all want our home and our belongings to look as well as they can. Luckily, you don’t need to get a new mattress if your current one is stained. All you need to do is give our simple methods a solid try.

Read on below to find out how to clean sweat stains from your foam mattress.

Before you begin

Please make sure that you read our safety tips before you start cleaning.

1. When using any type of detergent, please do not clean around children or pets.
2. For safety reasons, wear cleaning gloves.
3. Foam mattresses don’t handle moisture well. If you apply any liquid to your mattress, make sure you’re careful.
4. Keep the window open to allow the room to air out. Your mattress will need to air-dry as well.
5. The whole process will take several hours, up to a day. Please make sure you have another place to sleep while your mattress is drying.
6. Before using any type of substance on your mattress, perform a quick test. Apply the substance to a small part of the mattress. If after 15-20 minutes it doesn’t stain and dries fine, you can proceed.

Cleaning sweat stains with things found in your home

Sweat stains are tricky in the sense that you are not likely to be cleaning them the moment they happen. They will accumulate over time, and you will see them one day when stripping the mattress to wash the sheets. You probably won’t notice them in your day-to-day life, although your mattress may have a slightly musty smell.

There are several ways to get rid of those stains, even the oldest ones. All you need is some patience and a few things found in your home.

Method #1: Using baking soda

Time: >30 minutes

Required items: vacuum cleaner, baking soda, a bristle brush

This method helps more with the smell than the stain itself, but it is capable of removing stains too.

1. Strip the mattress bare and vacuum it thoroughly. We recommend using the upholstery attachment.
2. Sprinkle the stains generously with baking soda – you want to cover them entirely.
3. Gently rub in the baking soda using a bristle brush. You don’t want to push too hard, but you do want to be thorough. 
4. Leave it to sit for about 15 minutes.
5. Vacuum up all of the baking soda. The stains should be mostly gone.
6. If the stains remain, you can repeat this method, or move on to the next one.

Method #2: Using dry laundry detergent

Time: Several hours

Required items: pre-steps: 3% hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, unscented liquid dish soap, spray bottle. Main steps: dry laundry detergent, water, a whisk, a spoon or a butter knife, 3% hydrogen peroxide, a white cloth, a vacuum cleaner, baking soda.

This method has a high success rate, but it requires the use of laundry detergent. It’s recommended for heavy, deep-set stains.

1. Start by performing all of the steps included in Method #1.
2. Once your mattress has air dried, you can proceed with this method.
3. Mix 3 tablespoons of dry laundry detergent (it has to be powder, not liquid) with 1 tablespoon of water.
4. Whisk it together to create a dry foam.
5. Gently spread the mix onto the stain, covering it completely.
6. Leave it to sit for at least 30 minutes.
7. After that, scrape away the dried solution using a spoon or a butter knife.
8. If any of the solution remains, use a white cloth dipped in hydrogen peroxide (3%) to remove the last bits of it. Don’t apply too much, as foam mattresses don’t like moisture.
9. Leave it to dry, then vacuum the affected area thoroughly.
10. Extra step: If you want to be extra careful about any kind of odor, cover the area generously with baking soda. Leave it to sit for 10 minutes, then vacuum it up.

What’s next?

The above methods should be enough to get rid of sweat stains from your foam mattress. In fact, the first method alone is usually sufficient. However, for stubborn stains, you may need to repeat the steps more than once. If you do – make sure you let your mattress dry out completely between cleaning sessions. You don’t want any moisture to set in permanently.

You may also consider using a commercial stain remover. Make sure you follow the directions on the label carefully. You can also include the baking soda treatment after using the stain remover. It will help you get rid of the chemical smell.

If nothing else helps, please contact a dry cleaning professional. Using very strong detergents may damage your mattress. You should avoid using them in general, because of the risk of inhaling the remaining fumes while you sleep.

Getting rid of sweat stains from a foam mattress is all about being patient and thorough. If you really put your mind to it, you have a very high chance of success.