How to Clean Foam Like a Pro!
Cleanliness is always a concern, particularly with longer-life products like foam used across so many settings. During the winter months, when illnesses are more common, antibacterial cleaning is a worry too, on top of removing visible dirt from the surface and within.
Thanks to its versatility, foam is frequently used in high-contact areas such as sofas, children's play centres, crash mats and foam pits. Where foam is directly exposed without a cover – as in foam pits and often in children's play centres – cleaning the foam itself is even more important, though it's worth remembering that many polyurethane foams are naturally impervious to bacteria.
Before you start
Water is the key element for cleaning upholstery foam, but take some precautions. Avoid submerging memory foam in water, as its dense nature means it takes a long time to dry out. For any foam, we recommend a reusable spray bottle in which your cleaning agent can be mixed with water if it needs diluting. Two popular cleaning items are rubbing alcohol and white vinegar, along with a microfibre cloth.
How to clean upholstery foam
- Wipe the foam with a microfibre cloth first to remove debris such as crumbs, hair and small particles.
- Tackle stubborn stains by dipping a cloth directly into rubbing alcohol and wiping the affected area. White vinegar works the same way.
- Choose a bleach-free all-purpose cleaner and patch-test it on a small area. Then apply it with a spray bottle and wipe in one direction rather than scrubbing, which can rub dirt further in.
- Rinse without submerging: use a heavily diluted liquid detergent and a second clean cloth to rinse out the remaining cleaning agents across the wider foam object.
- Finish by spraying the foam with a non-toxic antibacterial fabric spray for a full antibacterial clean.
In many cases, professional cleaning isn't necessary. By following these simple steps, anyone can clean different types of foam using high-street products. Foam used in hospitals and clinical care settings is different and needs full sterilisation, but most items are suitable for home cleaning. For routine upkeep, see our guide to foam cushion care. As a leading UK foam supplier, eFoam encourages customers to contact us with any queries about cleaning practices.
Frequently asked questions
Can you clean foam with water?
Water is the key element, but don't submerge foam, and especially not memory foam, as its dense structure takes a long time to dry. Use a reusable spray bottle so you can apply diluted cleaner instead.
What removes stains from foam?
Rubbing alcohol and white vinegar are both popular, applied with a microfibre cloth. Always wipe in one direction rather than scrubbing, as scrubbing can rub dirt further in and aggravate stains.
Should you patch-test foam cleaner?
Yes. Use a bleach-free all-purpose cleaner and patch-test it on a small area first to make sure it doesn't damage or discolour the foam before cleaning the whole piece.
