Egg crate foam mattress pads are well-known for how comfortable and soft they are to sleep in. They are usually made out of polyurethane foam, and they get their name from their peculiar shape, as they resemble an egg crate.
However, owning an egg crate mattress pad means little if you do not know how to care for and clean it properly. If that is what you want to know, keep reading, as we will dive into it all below.
Egg Crate Mattress Pads: What You Need to Know
Egg crate mattress pads are a favorite among people mostly because of the comfort and relief they offer. Namely, the egg crate shape ensures the mattress pad contours to your body. By doing so, it helps relieve pressure points and provides support, allowing you to sleep comfortably.
A big advantage of these mattress pads is the fact that they are highly affordable. They can fit into any budget and will last up to three years. Compared to other options (such as memory foam pads), these don’t last as long, but their price more than makes up for that.
It is vital that the material used for making these pads is high-quality. Otherwise, your body will form an indentation in the materials pretty soon, and the pad will no longer be good for your back or comfortable to sleep in at all. Likewise, the mattress will last longer if the material is high-grade.
Caring for Your Egg Crate Mattress Pads
To ensure your egg crate foam mattress pad lasts you a long time, you need to maintain it properly. That involves cleaning (wiping) it regularly and washing it thoroughly at least once a month. Read on to find out how.
Washing Your Egg Crate Foam Mattress Pad: Step By Step
1. Vacuum It
The first step in the process of cleaning your egg crate foam mattress pad is vacuuming it thoroughly. Make sure you get both the front, back, and sides. Doing so will remove any dirt or debris that might have accumulated.
Never skip this step, no matter how clean the pad might seem. Chances are that race amounts of dirt are still there. If you don’t remove them, water will make it impossible to do so later on due to the nature of the foam and material.
After you are done vacuuming, it is time to get to the washing.
2. Machine Washing
Certain egg crate foam mattress pads are washable in a machine. That should be explicitly indicated in the manual provided by the manufacturer, in the section on pad care.
If that is the case, you may put your pad in a washer. However, it shouldn’t be a regular one, as it is too small. Even if the pad can fit, the pressure and confined space could cause the foam to tear. Thus, use commercial or oversized washers only to ensure your pad survives the wash without a scratch.
You should use a gentle cycle and a water temperature of up to 30 degrees celsius. Furthermore, you will need a mild detergent. Don’t overdo it, though. Only a small amount of detergent will do. A lot of it could potentially damage the foam, no matter how mild the detergent is.
3. Regular Washing
Most egg crate foam mattress pads cannot be washed in a washing machine, no matter how spacious it may be. That is especially the case with lower-quality pads, as their foam would most probably break down during a wash. In such cases, the only thing you can do is wash the pad by hand.
Although you can always use a mild soap, it might be better to try making your own washing solution. That way, you’ll ensure the foam stays intact throughout the washing process.
You can mix equal parts of water, lemon juice, and distilled white vinegar. Once the solution is ready, use a spraying bottle to apply it to your pad evenly and thoroughly. After you are done, let the liquid sit on the mattress pad for about fifteen minutes. That will allow the solution to seep into all pores and clean your pad.
Once the fifteen minutes have passed, move your mattress pad to your shower and gently wash the cleaning solution away with cold water. Make sure you get everything out.
When you are sure the mattress pad is clean, turn off the water and fold the mattress in half. Press it so that any excess water comes out of the foam. Do this a few times until there is no more water.
Alternatively, you can use a wet/dry vacuum instead of folding and pressing your pad. The vacuum will remove all excess water quickly, and you’ll be sure the job was thorough.
Now, it is time for drying.
The Drying Process
If you wash your mattress pad in a washing machine, you can also put it in your dryer. However, do check what the manufacturer’s manual says. Sometimes, these pads should not go in the dryer even if you are allowed to wash them in your washing machine.
The best way to dry your pad is to lay it on a dry and flat surface for about a day. Make sure the area is completely dry and clean of any dirt so that laying on it doesn’t damage the foam. Mold and mildew can form quite easily, so this step is important.
Lastly, always wait for your pad to dry completely before placing it back on your bed. Otherwise, you risk mold invading your bed and bedroom as well. Usually, it takes up to a day for the pad to dry, but it might take more in humid weather.
To Conclude
Egg crate foam mattress pads are highly affordable and good for your back. Their softness will ensure you sleep comfortably on any bed. To ensure your pad lasts you a long time, you need to clean it properly so that the foam doesn’t tear. Hopefully, this cleaning guide teaches you how to do that and helps you care for your pad correctly.