How to Dry a Wet Mattress Quicky (+ How Long It Takes to Dry)

Whether you had a leak or a spill, no one wants to sleep on a wet mattress. Luckily, in most cases, it’s easy to dry a mattress yourself. In this article, we spoke to several cleaning professionals to teach you how to dry a wet mattress and learn how long you can expect it to take to completely dry. We’ll also explain when it’s time to replace a water-damaged mattress.

How to Dry a Wet Mattress

Residential cleaning specialist Regina DeCorte says to remove all wet bedding and blot the area with a clean, dry towel to soak up the liquid. Treat any stains with a stain remover. Use a hair dryer to dry small wet spots, or use a wet/dry vacuum for larger areas. Dry the mattress in the sun or a well-ventilated area.

Section 1 of 4:

Drying the Mattress

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1
Blot the area with clean, dry towels. DeCorte says, “Immediately remove all wet bedding from the mattress, and blot the area using a clean, dry towel. Several towels may be necessary.”^{[1]
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Expert Source

Regina DeCorte
Residential Cleaning Specialist

Expert Interview} Do this as soon as possible after a spill or leak has occurred, and replace your towel once it becomes soaked. Try to get as much of the liquid up as possible.
- Wash and dry any wet sheets, comforters, pillows, or blankets as you normally would.
- House cleaning professional Kadi Dulude recommends stepping on the towels you put on the mattress to help suck up as much liquid as possible.^{[2]
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  Kadi Dulude
  House Cleaning Professional
  
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Meet the wikiHow Experts

Regina DeCorte is a residential cleaning specialist and the founder of Maid in JC, a home cleaning service. She has over 8 years of experience.

Kadi Dulude is a house cleaning professional and the owner of the cleaning company Wizard of Homes. She has over 10 years of experience.

Elias Weston is a cleaning specialist and the founder of Seatown Cleaners. He offers standard, deep, and moving cleaning services using green products.

Chris Willatt is a house cleaning professional and the owner of Alpine Maids. He has been featured in USA Today, Forbes, and Readers Digest.

James Sears is a house cleaning professional who leads the customer happiness team at Neatly. He and the team have 9 years of experience.
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Treat any stains with an appropriate stain remover. Cleaning specialist Elias Weston explains, “The type of stain remover you use will depend on the mattress and the type of stain. Enzyme-based stain removers are designed to remove biological stains, like urine or blood.”^{[3]
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Expert Source

Elias Weston
Cleaning Specialist

Expert Interview} Treat other stains with a mixture of 2 parts hydrogen peroxide to 1 part liquid dishwashing soap. Brush the stain remover into the mattress with a toothbrush, then wipe it up after 5 minutes with a cool, damp cloth.^{[4]
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- As an alternative, Dulude recommends using vinegar to “scrub out whatever made the mattress wet.”^{[5]
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  House Cleaning Professional
  
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- If you have a white mattress, house cleaning professional Chris Willatt suggests using something oxidizing, like Oxi-Clean, so the stain doesn’t discolor your mattress.^{[6]
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  Chris Willatt
  House Cleaning Professional
  
  Expert Interview}
- If you’re removing a bodily fluid, like urine, house cleaning professional James Sears advises that you wear gloves.^{[7]
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  James Sears
  House Cleaning Professional
  
  Expert Interview}
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Dry small spots with a hairdryer. If only a small amount of liquid got on the mattress, like if you spilled a glass of water, try drying it with a hairdryer. According to DeCorte, “A hand-held blow dryer set on a medium heat, high speed should allow you to quickly dry the mattress.”^{[8]
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Expert Source

Regina DeCorte
Residential Cleaning Specialist

Expert Interview} Aim the hairdryer at the wet spot and keep it moving for best results.
- Warning: Excessive heat can damage mattresses, so be careful when using this method. It’s best to use an alternative method for memory foam mattresses or latex mattresses, as exposure to heat can ruin them.
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Sprinkle baking soda over the mattress to soak up remaining moisture. “Sprinkle and cover the top of the mattress with baking soda. Let [it] sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour, then vacuum up the baking soda. Flip the mattress over, and repeat on the other side,” explains Weston. Use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum, if applicable, to vacuum up all the baking soda.^{[9]
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Elias Weston
Cleaning Specialist

Expert Interview}
- Plain baking soda will absorb any lingering moisture as well as unpleasant odors from your mattress.
- If you have more time, let the baking soda sit for up to 24 hours.
- Sprinkling the baking soda on both sides of the mattress is especially important if you have a double-sided mattress that you flip on occasion.
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Use a wet/dry vacuum to soak up excess liquid. If rain blew in from the window, for example, a portion of your mattress may be soaked. Turn on a wet/dry vacuum and run the nozzle over the wet parts of the mattress in long, even strokes to suck up the liquid.^{[10]
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- Disinfect the vacuum nozzle first, as you don’t want to touch your mattress with a nozzle that’s been stuck into cobweb-filled corners of the garage. Simply wipe it with an antibacterial wipe, inside and out, and let it dry.
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Press clean kitty litter into the mattress to absorb liquid. If your mattress was moved during a rainstorm, for instance, it’s bound to be pretty wet. Spread a layer of clean kitty litter over the wet areas of the mattress. Then, cover the kitty litter with a towel and firmly press the kitty litter into the mattress. Vacuum up the kitty litter with a wet/dry vacuum.^{[11]
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- If the mattress is still wet, spread a fresh layer of kitty litter on the mattress and allow it to sit for 1 to 2 hours. Then, vacuum it up.
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Dry the mattress outside in direct sunlight, if possible. After you’ve soaked up as much of the liquid as possible, take the mattress outdoors and set it in the sunlight. Choose the hottest, sunniest spot on your property. Be sure to spread plastic sheeting or an old blanket beneath the mattress so it doesn’t get dirty.^{[12]
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- Sunlight has the added benefit of killing bacteria and odors in your mattress, as well.
Open as many windows as possible to get the air moving around the mattress. If both sides are wet, stand it on one end or lean it against a solid surface so air can flow freely around it. Set up a fan and/or a dehumidifier, depending on what you have handy. Direct the fan at the mattress to increase the air circulation.^{[13]
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If your mattress has been submerged in water for a long period of time, it may be severely damaged. A professional cleaning service will inspect the damage to see if it’s possible to save the mattress. If so, they’ll use their tools to clean and dry the mattress so it’s safe to use again.

Section 2 of 4:

How long does it take a mattress to dry?

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Drying a mattress can take anywhere from a few hours to over 48 hours. Time is essential for drying a mattress. If you just spilled a bit of water, your mattress will likely be completely dry within an hour or two. However, if the mattress is soaked, like from a ceiling leak, it’s best to make alternative sleeping arrangements for the night, as it may take up to 24 or even 48 hours to fully dry. Dulude says, “Let it dry with no sheets or blankets on it.”^{[14]
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Expert Source

Kadi Dulude
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview} Covering the mattress with sheets and bedding when it’s wet will lead to mold and mildew growth, which is hazardous to your health.
- Mattresses with foam or latex cores tend to be more water-resistant than mattresses with spring coils, so they’ll likely dry more quickly in the case of a spill.
- However, the density of a foam or rubber mattress can keep it from drying out quickly if it becomes waterlogged. Meanwhile, air can easily move between the coils inside a traditional spring bed.

Section 3 of 4:

Mattress Maintenance

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Not only does a waterproof mattress protector keep spills from seeping through to your mattress, but it also prevents the mattress from absorbing sweat, dirt, oil, and germs! Once your mattress is clean and dry, cover it with a nontoxic, hypoallergenic, waterproof mattress protector to ensure you don’t have to worry about a wet mattress again.^{[15]
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If you’ll be away from your home for a few days, use the opportunity to air out your mattress. Strip all the sheets and bedding and allow the mattress to air out while you’re gone. Allowing sunlight into the room can kill bacteria in the mattress, so leave the shades open if possible.^{[16]
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Section 4 of 4:

When to Replace a Mattress

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Replace a mattress if it has mold. When a mattress is water-damaged, it may grow mold if it isn’t cleaned and dried properly. Mold starts out inside the mattress, appearing as white fuzz. As it spreads toward the surface, it will turn green, and it may appear black once it reaches the surface. The mattress will also likely have a musty, pungent smell. If you see any signs of mold, get rid of the mattress immediately.^{[17]
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- FEMA advises throwing away contaminated beds after a natural disaster. The water the mattress was exposed to may have contained dangerous debris and bacteria.^{[18]
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  Federal agency responsible for coordinating responses to disasters and states of emergency
  
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- If you experience coughing, sneezing, or difficulty breathing while sleeping on a water-damaged mattress, you may have a mold allergy.
- Water damage can also cause a mattress to sag and lose support, so replace your mattress if it causes discomfort or disrupts your sleep.
- Mattresses generally last 6-8 years before they start to lose their support. If your mattress has reached its lifespan, it’s a good idea to replace it, whether or not it’s been water-damaged.^{[19]
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Tips

Avoid eating or drinking on or near your mattress to keep it clean and dry.

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Most mattress warranties do not cover water damage, but check your manufacturer’s policies to see if there is an option for replacement or repair.

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Warnings

Mattresses that have been completely submerged, like during a flood, should be replaced or cleaned by a restoration company for health reasons.

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Replace any mattress showing signs of mold or mildew.^{[20]
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