Foam products are found in every home; carrying them to the dry cleaner every time is inconvenient and not beneficial for the family budget. You can clean such things at home, the main thing is to know the rules and sequence of actions. If the size allows, then in some cases you can wash the foam rubber in a washing machine.
How to clean foam rubber at home?
It is not recommended to machine wash foam rubber items frequently, as this material is very fragile and aggressive cleaning in the drum thins out the pores and reduces the volume. After machine washable Foam rubber loses its shape and comes in waves, so it is better to clean such products by hand. Hand washing is more gentle on the fabric.
How to wash foam rubber by hand:
- Regular liquid soap – to wash with this product, you need to immerse the product in warm water, soap it and walk over the entire surface with pressing movements. Do not rub the foam rubber with your hands, as the material can be easily damaged.
- Washing powder should not be poured directly onto the foam; it is recommended to beat the foam in a separate bowl and cover the wet product. The powder must be washed off thoroughly with water from the shower head.
Features of cleaning foam rubber
Foam rubber is a complex material consisting of many pores and cavities inside. Thin veins are easy to break, so the process of cleaning such products is not easy.
To preserve the material, the following rules must be observed when cleaning:
- You cannot twist or rub the material, you can only squeeze it out by pressing with your hands;
- the water temperature should not exceed 40 degrees;
- You cannot stuff a foam rubber thing into the drum of the machine that does not fit there entirely without bending.
On most mattresses made from this material, you can find a label with factory care recommendations, which spell out the cleaning rules.
Machine wash rules
Small foam items can be machine washed, You need to choose a delicate washing mode with minimum spin speed. The main thing is not to stuff something into the drum that doesn’t fit there without getting crushed. You can safely put small pillows, chair covers, and foam-filled bras in the washing machine.
How to clean a large foam mattress?
You can keep your mattress clean and fresh by regularly vacuuming and ventilating the room. To remove stains from such a product, you need to know the rules for careful cleaning at home:
- Do not wet the mattress too much, as drying it will be problematic.
- It is not recommended to use steam cleaners, as the steam will drive the stain into the deeper layers of the foam and leave the mattress damp, which can lead to mold.
- Clean stains with a soft, damp cloth.
To remove difficult stains from coffee, tea or urine, you can use available products - baking soda and vinegar. You need to mix the two products directly in a spray bottle, then cover the stain and leave for several hours to act. After drying, the mattress must be vacuumed; if the stain is not completely removed, the procedure can be repeated or a different detergent can be selected.
General recommendations
Difficult stains on foam rubber cannot be washed at home without damaging the surface of the product. In this case, it is better to take the item to the dry cleaner and trust the professionals.
When cleaning at home, it is important to remember that the material must be handled with care. To properly clean foam rubber by hand, you need to select gentle detergent.
Of all the cleaning products for foam rubber, the following are most suitable:
- aerosol cleaners for upholstered furniture;
- home remedies made from vinegar, ammonia and baking soda;
- foam from washing powder;
- a piece of regular soap.
After washing, it is necessary to dry the foam rubber well so that mold and musty smell do not form in its pores.You need to leave it in the bathroom for a while so that the excess water drains away. It is best if it is then dried flat out in the open air, for example on a balcony, but the product should not be left in direct sunlight.
