How To Dry A Wet Mattress Fast

Whether your mattress has been dampened by water spillage, child or pet urine, or from being rained on through an open window, the key to rescuing a water-damaged mattress is speed!
Bear in mind that occasionally a wet mattress is unable to be saved. You should dispose of it if the wet was from a toilet overflow, groundwater flood, or sewage backup in the event of a flood, as bacteria can cause severe health issues. If your mattress is soaked through and has been this wet for more than 48 hours it’s also not safe to carry on with any drying processes.
Acting quickly will stop any mould and mildew from forming inside the mattress which can cause an unpleasant smell and increase health risks. Want to know how to dry a wet mattress fast? Read on…

The best way to dry a mattress

Follow these guidelines for the best way of drying your mattress:
1 – Quickly remove the bedding as this will minimise the amount of liquid going into the mattress. Use a towel or cloth to blot up the excess moisture by pressing on the spill and wringing the towel into a bucket. Repeat this process with dry cloths until they’re no longer absorbing moisture. If you have a wet-dry vacuum this will help remove moisture from deeper layers.

2 – Then you can apply absorbent agents that draw the moisture from deeper layers. You can use baking soda for small spills – simply sprinkle a generous amount onto the wet area and leave it to sit for a couple of hours before vacuuming off any residue. If the wet area is large you can use clean cat litter. The silica crystals or cellulose granules found in the litter can draw out large amounts of moisture. You can then press with a dry towel to help with the drying process. Leave for around three hours and then finish with a vacuum.

3 – Airing the mattress out with a fan is another method that works best for larger spills. You’ll need to put the mattress on its side with the top by an open window. Then place the fan near the spill and turn it on. The air from the fan and the window will combine to create a powerful stream of air helping the water to evaporate.

4 – Drying with a hairdryer is also an option for smaller areas of moisture. Set to low heat and keep the hairdryer about 10 inches from the surface of the mattress, moving back and forth for up to 20 minutes. This action will create a flow of warm air directly into the deeper layers resulting in the moisture evaporating.

5 – How to dry a wet bed fast can also be achieved by drying the mattress outdoors, weather permitting. Warm sun and air will draw out the moisture from your mattress and make your bed feel fresh and fully aired. Place your mattress on a platform for optimum air circulation and try to avoid direct sunlight.

6 – For urine stains, you’ll need to add an extra procedure! It’s essential to stop any bacteria from penetrating the mattress fibres so you should pre-treat the stain before drying using natural remedies that are very effective. Mix a one-to-one solution of white vinegar and water and using a sponge rub the solution onto the stain. Let it sit for around 10 minutes and then blot with a clean, dry towel. Finish off by utilising one of the previous drying methods.

How drying times are affected by mattress types

• – Pillow top: typically made of fiberfill which absorbs liquid this is fast to dry
• – Innerspring: with different layers, you only need to dry out a few inches and not the entire mattress
• – Hybrid: coil layers encased in fabric make this mattress easier to dry
• – Latex: denser and heavier mattresses prevent water from soaking into deeper layers resulting in faster drying times
• – Memory foam: soft and spongy materials easily soak up moisture and take the longest to dry

Arrange professional mattress cleaning

If you’re experiencing any problems with your mattress related to cleaning or health conditions you should consider calling in the experts. Bacteria, dust, and other organisms that can lead to asthma, eczema, and allergies can all be eliminated with hot water extraction cleaning techniques.
Any stains will be pre-treated and your mattress will be deep cleaned without the use of any harmful solutions. After the cleaning process, your mattress will be slightly damp with drying times depending on the type of mattress you have but up to eight hours is recommended to dry your mattress naturally.