How to Dry a Wet Mattress Fast

Are you wondering how to dry a wet mattress fast? You might be asking this question if you have accidentally spilled your morning coffee in bed. What’s more: neglecting the problem will only cause you a greater headache in the long run. Moisture is a feast for mold, which will inevitably ruin your valuable mattress. What’s worse: mold releases deadly mycotoxins that can cause problems if you breathe them in while you sleep (1).

That’s why we have put together this quick guide to help you overcome your problem within a few hours. By following our advice, you will be able to dry your wet mattress fast.

Key Takeaways

• Water-proof sheets are the best way to prevent your mattress from getting wet. You should also take extra care to avoid spillages in the bedroom.
• There are four simple ways to dry your mattress fast. You can use a paper towel, blow dryer, a fan, or air dry it outside. However, the method you use depends on the quantity of the spill.

What Causes Mattresses to Get Wet?

The causes of a mattress getting wet can range from accidental spills to open windows. The extent of the wetness determines the most effective way to dry.

Just as there are many types of mattresses, there are also many ways a mattress can get wet. More importantly, it’s vital to know why the mattress got wet in the first place. Here’s why: determining why your mattress is wet will also determine the preferred drying method. The cause could be anything from a minor spill to a flood. Even an open window could allow rainwater to reach the mattress. So, you need to determine the reason before you can introduce the solution.

Furthermore, some damages are beyond repair. Floodwater may contain toxins that need industry-level cleaners to remove. At which point, cleaning and drying your mattress would be far too expensive. As a result, you would need to invest in a new one.

No matter the cause, you will want to dry a mattress as quickly as possible to prevent mold from growing. Otherwise, you might have to replace your mattress sooner than you’d hoped. What’s more, the smell of a wet or moldy mattress is unbearable.

I learned early that spills on my mattress always cause some stains that simple drying might not remove. I had to learn simple ways of removing stains to ensure that my mattress is clean and dry.

How to Prevent Your Mattress From Getting Wet

To prevent your mattress from getting wet, it’s better to use a water-resistant mattress cover or latex mattresses for their natural water-resisting abilities. In addition, you need to ensure minimal situations warrant liquid getting on your mattress.

The best way to prevent a mattress from getting wet is by using water-proof coverings or sheets. In addition, exercise extreme caution around your mattress. So, don’t bring drinks to bed, keep your windows closed if it’s raining, and ensure your clothes are completely dry before jumping into bed. Keep children and pets away from your bedroom in order to avoid spilling-related incidents.

I advise people to invest in latex mattresses because they naturally resist stains, while you don’t miss out on comfort. A latex mattress is much easier to clean and dry, and it also provides a great amount of comfort for most sleepers. As the saying goes: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Comfynorth.ca lists some of the best latex mattresses in Canada.

No matter the cause, you always want to dry a wet mattress fast to prevent damage and keep it in service for many more years to come. That said, you will want to know how often should you replace your mattress first. According to WebMD, the average mattress can last up to nine years. If you take good care of it, it can keep serving you longer.

I use a platform bed frame to keep my mattress away from spills on the floor. I also like that the raised bed helps improve airflow through the mattress, keeping it always dry. 

How to Dry a Wet Mattress Fast

The simple ways to dry your mattress fast are; using a paper towel, a blow dryer, a fan, and air drying outside without the sun. Using any of these procedures depends on the amount of spill.

We know that coverings and extreme caution aren’t enough to keep it clean and safe to use. After all, accidents happen, regardless of preventative measures. Below, we’ll include some maintenance tips to help you dry a wet mattress fast.

For more minor spills, you will want to use a paper towel. Paper towels are super absorbent, allowing you to clean up spills fast. Lay paper towels on the spill for a few minutes, allowing them to absorb all the moisture. After that, your mattress should air-dry in no time.

For more significant spills, consider using a blow dryer. Use the warm setting and hold the blow dryer a good distance away to ensure you are not burning your mattress. After a few minutes, the moisture should evaporate under the heat.

If it’s a giant spill, use fans. Put the mattress between an open window and a large fan. The air circulation should be enough to evaporate the moisture quickly. Furthermore, if you have an air conditioner or an air dehumidifier, turn them on to accelerate the process.

If you still can’t dry a mattress, take it outside and let nature do the work. Leave the mattress in the open air, but not under direct sunlight, for a few hours. Direct sunlight can compromise the durability of your mattress.

All these methods in combination are guaranteed to dry a wet mattress fast. However, the spill might be tough to dry. In this case, try using an upholstery cleaner to absorb the moisture. Furthermore, you could try the following home products:

• Wool dryer balls can accelerate the process by absorbing moisture and removing the nasty smell.
• Organic cotton balls will wipe the liquid and absorb it simultaneously.
• Stain cleaner to remove liquid stains and reduce odors.
• Sprinkle baking soda or other salts over the spill, let sit for an hour to soak up the moisture, and then vacuum.

If I can’t satisfactorily remove the stains on my mattress after taking all these steps, I next take my mattress to a professional cleaner. Although I may need to spend a few bucks and wait some time, the freshness of thorough cleaning is worth it.

When I get my mattress wet by accident, I make sure it is absolutely dry no matter the drying method I use, because I don't want it to be a culture for allergens.

Conclusion

So, now you know how to dry a wet mattress fast. If your mattress is wet, get to work. The sooner you act, the better your chance of rescuing your mattress from irreversible damage. Use the maintenance tips we included above to dry your mattress quickly, saving you time and potentially money in the long run. Furthermore, don’t hesitate to use these methods in combination with tough spills. We know they work based on numerous reports from people in similar situations.

While it might take some work, drying your mattress is worth the effort. After all, you don’t want to replace a perfectly good mattress when you can dry it fast and with minimal effort. However, ensure you dry your mattress quickly. The longer you wait, the deeper the moisture can travel inside the mattress and become harder to remove.

Do you have any other tips on how to dry a wet mattress fast that we did not cover in this article? If you do, feel free to share them in the comments section to help out others in need of advice.