Products with foam filling, like any other things, also get dirty over time. And owners often don’t know whether foam rubber can be washed and how to do it. And what about bulky items, for example, a mattress that also needs to be dried? The problem is actually solved simply. The material can be cleaned without damaging it if you know some nuances and follow the instructions.
Caring for such items at home will cost less than dry cleaning services, and any housewife can do it. You just need to know how to wash foam rubber correctly, according to the rules. We will tell you about all the features and secrets of this process later in our article.
General recommendations
Many people ask the question, is this synthetic material washable? The easiest way is to go to a dry cleaner, where they will clean it with professional products. This method is relevant if the stains are really difficult to remove.
Dust and grease can be easily removed from this material by hand. It must be remembered that the material is fragile and therefore needs to be handled with care.
It is optimal to choose a cleaning composition that is easy to wash off. Such means may be:
- baby laundry detergent;
- liquid soap;
- laundry soap.
What can I use to clean it?
Household foaming gels, sprays and dry foam will help effectively rid your mattress of dust and dirt. Stain removers and various concentrated cleaning products for carpets and upholstered furniture also work well on fabric stains.
The most popular household chemicals suitable for cleaning mattresses:
- Vanish, Shine, Cinderella, Selena - sprays.
- Vanish – active foam, powder.
- Nordland - foam.
- Antipyatin - soap.
- Dr. Beckmann - gel.
- Udalix, MienLiebe – stain remover pencil.
- Just a minute, Cinderella – cream.
If preference is given to traditional methods of cleansing, then you can use the following available means:
- laundry soap;
- 3% hydrogen peroxide;
- pure alcohol;
- solvent or acetone;
- soda;
- salt;
- vinegar;
- borax;
- glycerol;
- ammonia.
If you intend to freshen a children's mattress, you need to select an odorless product and thoroughly rinse it with a damp cloth or vacuum cleaner.
Before choosing how to clean a mattress, you should determine the nature of the contamination.
Machine or hand wash
It is preferable to wash large items by hand. It is enough to knock out a dusty mattress and do not wet it with water. The small pillow can be cleaned in the washing machine. Set the gentle mode, otherwise the foam will disintegrate into fragments. Do not set the temperature above 40 degrees. When heated, the material increases in volume and loses its shape. At the end of the washing program, turn on the spin mode.
There are a few things to consider when washing:
- You can’t twist it, you can only squeeze it out;
- the active substance should be easily washed away;
- The detergent should not be too aggressive.
Scented soap
Don't like chemical cleaners? Learn how to wash with soap quickly and efficiently. Fill the bathtub with warm water, add foam rubber and leave for a few minutes. Once the material is saturated, begin applying detergent. Do not water the foam sheet with concentrated product. Rubbing with a single bar of soap is also not recommended. Gently rub in the soap suds with your hands. Leave for 10-15 minutes, then rinse under running water.
Washing powder
The technology is practically no different from washing with soap. First, dissolve the powder in water. Then lower the contaminated item and leave for half an hour. Rinse by lightly squeezing the foam in your hands so that excess detergent comes out of the pores.
Do not forget to thoroughly dry the washed product. Accumulated excess moisture becomes a favorable environment for the breeding of pathogenic bacteria.
What are the features for artificial fillers?
Technical progress introduces new types of fillers that are in no way inferior, and in some ways superior, to natural ones.
The main advantage of such fillers is comfort during use, low cost and easy care.
Foam rubber
It should be remembered that foam rubber consists of foam, which forms numerous cells filled with air.
It is this factor that causes the fragility and tendency of this material to deform.
Foam rubber can be exposed to water. Bend, crumple, twist - you can’t. Therefore, large foam products can only be washed by hand.
Forty degrees Celsius is the maximum temperature for water. Bleach is prohibited. This material is pressed out by pressing.
Made from polyester
Synthetic material, soft, lightweight. Does not attract dust and does not cause allergies. Service life is about four years. The disadvantages include the fact that during operation it tends to cake, decreasing in volume.
The material is unpretentious in care: it lends itself well to both hand and machine washing. It can be pressed in a machine at low speeds using balls. Drying in a washing machine with periodic shaking of the product is allowed.
"Antistress"
This miracle of scientific thought will help relieve stress after a tiring day. Small polystyrene beads are used as filler for such products.
They create a relaxing effect and have moisture-repellent properties. The latter allows you to easily wash pillows of this type.
To avoid “leakage” of the filler during water procedures, you should carefully check the integrity of the fabric of the diaper or cover.
Washing features are presented in the following article.
Made from holofiber
Unlike polyester, holofiber is more wear-resistant. It keeps its shape perfectly, does not absorb odors, and does not create conditions for the proliferation of microorganisms.
These holofiber bedding items are washed entirely. Experienced users recommend gentle hand washing. There is no need to squeeze or rub the product forcefully. Even pressure over the entire surface is sufficient.
A lot of useful information on the topic can be found here.
From padding polyester
Sintepon pillows are quite popular. They are resilient, comfortable and cheap. Hand and machine washing, subject to certain rules, will not be a problem.
A special feature of care is that the synthetic winterizer does not need to be soaked. Prolonged contact with water is undesirable. Be sure to rinse the product well. Drying in a washing machine is prohibited.
Latex
The porous structure of this material allows moisture to evaporate without absorbing it. The guaranteed service life is ten years.
Latex pillows cannot be machine washed. Manufacturers recommend washing them by hand or cleaning them with a damp sponge. Do not use detergents containing chlorine.
A large number of important recommendations are outlined in the corresponding article.
Orthopedic
A certain type of orthopedic pillow filler is a determining factor in the care of the product.
For example, memory foam bedding should not be washed. The most complete information is indicated on the manufacturer's label.
The article “How to wash an orthopedic pillow” shares indispensable tips and little tricks.
Drying
Not all housewives know how to do laundry correctly. To save time, some people dry things with a hairdryer. High temperatures are contraindicated in the case of foam rubber. Drying on a radiator is highly not recommended. As a result, deformation will occur and the product will lose its attractive appearance. The foam should be placed on a flat surface and turned over from time to time until completely dry.
Foam rubber 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 care for roller blinds
The following rules help to preserve roller blinds:
- roller shutters should hang away from heat sources;
- in the room where roller blinds hang, it is necessary to maintain normal levels of temperature and humidity;
- curtains must be raised when cooking;
- do not smoke in the room where roller blinds hang;
- avoid creases on the surface of the canvas;
- periodically ventilate the room (thanks to the draft, dust will not settle on the surface of the curtains);
- Once every 2 weeks you need to vacuum the blinds;
- Dry cleaning is allowed no more than twice a year, wet cleaning - no more than once a month;
- Fresh dirt must be removed immediately.
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.
How to remove urine, blood or drink stains from mattresses with different fillings?
The most common types of contamination of these products are stains from urine (cat or child) and drinks (tea, fruit juice, cognac). Washing them is half the battle; it is also important to dry the mattress properly, otherwise it will become moldy and become unsuitable for further use.
Spring mattress
You can get rid of traces and the smell of urine from a spring product at home using special products that exclude the use of water, which are sold in the store. These can be pencils, napkins, sprays. They must be used in strict accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations. For cleaning, you can also use available means, information about which is presented in the table:
Cleaning products for spring mattresses | Preparation | Application | |
Ammonia | From the smell of urine | 1 tsp. dilute in 500 ml of water. | Using a spray bottle, apply the cleaning solution to the stain and leave until completely dry. |
Vinegar | Mix with water in a ratio of 1:3. | ||
Lemon acid | From urine and drink stains, including old ones | 1 tsp. mix with 200 ml of water. | Wipe the work area with a cloth moistened with liquid. |
Foam rubber product
It is advisable to wash such mattresses by hand. Machine washable if:
- safe detergents are used;
- the product is new enough, otherwise the foam will tear;
- aggressive bleaches are not used;
- The product fits in the drum of the machine.
The stain must be removed before washing. Information on how to do this is presented in the table:
Products for removing stains from foam mattresses | Preparation | Application | |
Borax | From stains and urine odor | Dilute borax with water to obtain a paste. | Apply the paste to the work area. Remove the dried mass with a napkin. |
Laundry soap | Not required. | Lather the stain generously. After 5-10 minutes, rub the treated area with a brush. You should not rub too hard; foam rubber does not like intense mechanical impact. | |
Soda | From stains left by drinks | Sprinkle soda generously on the work area, apply soap suds on top of it and brush the area with a brush. | |
Vinegar | Mix vinegar with water in a ratio of 1:3. | Wipe the work area with a cloth moistened with liquid. | |
Lemon acid | 1 tsp. mix acids with 200 ml of water. |
Mattress stuffed with cotton wool, bamboo or silk fiber
Products with such fillers can only be washed on delicate cycles. In this case, you cannot use regular powder. It is recommended to replace it with gel or shampoo. If you are going to wash a mattress stuffed with cotton wool, bamboo or silk fiber, you need to remove stains from its surface. Yellow traces from urine and dark traces from cognac or tea are eliminated with vinegar, citric acid, ammonia, soda, and borax. Methods for preparing and using cleansers based on these components are described above.
After preliminary cleaning of the described or drink-stained product, you can wash it. If the size allows (for example, when it comes to a children's mattress), you can use a washing machine. In other cases, you will have to wash the item by hand. General rules for washing mattresses stuffed with cotton wool, bamboo or silk fiber:
- maximum water temperature – 40 degrees;
- “Delicate wash” or “Hand wash” mode;
- minimum number of revolutions;
- Rinse 3–4 times;
- Spinning and machine drying are prohibited.
Woolen
Cleaning a wool product is not difficult, you just need to keep in mind that wool does not tolerate high temperatures. When washed in hot water, such a mattress can be hopelessly damaged. As in previous cases, you first need to remove the dirt, paying special attention to old stains. Detailed information on how to do this quickly and efficiently is presented in the table:
Products for removing stains from a foam mattress | Preparation | Application | |
A mixture of toothpaste, hydrogen peroxide and cornstarch | From traces and smell of urine | Mix 1 tbsp. l. paste, 1/4 cup peroxide and 1/2 cup starch. | Apply the product to the stain. After drying, remove with a brush. |
Starch | Dilute starch with water until you get a paste. | ||
Aspirin | Dissolve 1 tablet in 1 liter of water. | Clean the work area with a cloth soaked in cleaning solution. | |
A mixture of vinegar and ammonia | From traces of dark drinks | Mix the ingredients in equal parts. |
Tips for washing wool mattresses:
- maximum water temperature – 30 degrees;
- soaking time for hand washing – 15 minutes;
- mode – “Delicate wash” or “Hand wash”;
- detergents – gels, shampoos;
- bleaches are prohibited;
- minimum number of revolutions;
- Rinse 3–4 times;
- Spinning and machine drying are prohibited.
Mattress with coconut coir
Coconut fiber (which is often called shavings) cannot be wetted, otherwise it will lose its performance properties, and a mattress with such a filler will become unusable. It is allowed to remove only fresh dirt from its surface, which does not require the use of aggressive cleaning agents and intense friction. It is unlikely that it will be possible to deal with old stains from urine and drinks at home. To do this, it is better to use the services of professionals. Products containing coconut shavings should be cleaned in the same way as mattresses with springs.
Holofiber and other similar fillers
Products made from holofiber and latex are easy to care for. They can be washed in a machine or by hand, after first cleaning heavily soiled areas using one of the above methods. As for orthopedic mattresses, they should not be wetted excessively. If there is dirt on the surface, you must carefully wipe the work area with a cotton pad moistened with hydrogen peroxide and wrung out well. It is recommended to entrust the removal of difficult-to-remove stains from urine and drinks from expensive orthopedic products to professionals.
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 deep 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 needs to be vacuumed; if the stain is not completely removed, the procedure can be repeated or a different detergent can be selected.
How to get rid of an unpleasant odor?
Even after cleaning and removing stains, the mattress sometimes produces an unpleasant odor. To finally get rid of it, the following methods are recommended:
- treat the fabric with vinegar solution (1:1);
- wipe the mattress with ammonia;
- Mix a tablespoon of bleaching washing powder, 100 g of soda and a liter of water, then spray this solution over the fabric.
Choose any of the listed options, then sprinkle the fabric with soda and after 20-30 minutes of exposure, go over the surface of the mattress with a vacuum cleaner.
You can buy ready-made odor absorbers in the store. They are scattered over the surface of the product and after 3-4 hours of exposure they are removed with a vacuum cleaner.
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 choose a 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.
Every person at some point has a question: is it possible to wash foam products at home? Caring for foam rubber items requires knowledge of the features of washing and further drying. Otherwise, the risk of deformation and complete damage to the foam rubber product cannot be ruled out. To maintain the presentation of items, you must adhere to recommendations and special requirements.
Is foam rubber washable? – Tips for all occasions
When purchasing furniture, namely sofas and armchairs with foam rubber inside, you need to be prepared and be able to provide the necessary care if necessary.
Based on this, the question often arises: is it possible to wash foam rubber yourself and how to do it? In this article we will talk about the main rules for washing and caring for foam rubber products, and also share tips for keeping furniture in excellent condition.
Tips for caring and cleaning foam rubber
But what do professionals advise and how do they answer the question, is it possible to wash foam rubber in a washing machine?
It turns out that washing foam rubber and upholstery fabric is very undesirable. This is due to the fact that when wet, foam rubber loses its properties of elasticity and return density.
Important! For foam rubber in a wet state, any deformation is critical, not to mention overstrain. The porous structure of foam rubber helps to quickly get rid of excess moisture
But despite this, the drying process takes a long period of time.
The porous structure of foam rubber helps to quickly get rid of excess moisture. But despite this, the drying process takes a long period of time.
Important! Foam rubber should be dried exclusively in a natural way, since heating it with various electrical appliances, such as a hair dryer or heater, is prohibited. This can completely ruin the material.
Important! You can try to clean small and shallow stains with a soap solution and a brush, but try to use more foam and less water. This will make the drying process faster, and the cleansing itself will be safer.
material
So, to summarize, we cannot help but note the fact that foam rubber is quite finicky in care and use.
The answer to the main question, is it possible to wash foam rubber in a washing machine, explains that, in principle, washing this material is acceptable, but it may entail some difficulties and unpleasant consequences.
If the years have made the filling of your sofa or other furniture unpresentable and completely exhausted its reserves, we advise you to completely replace it.
Choosing detergents
When choosing a cleaning product, it is recommended to give preference to formulations that are easy to rinse off, foam well and effectively remove dirt. Laundry or liquid soap, as well as dishwashing gel, are used as powder. Each option has its own characteristics.
Soap is one of the best means for cleaning synthetic material such as polyurethane foam. The composition is applied to the moistened material, but do not aggressively rub soap on the product - it will be enough to apply a soap solution with foam and lightly rinse the dirty area. After this, the soaked product is left for ten minutes to make it easier to wash off the stains.
Washing powder
If powder is used for cleaning, then you must follow these instructions: in a separate container, you need to dissolve the powder in liquid to prepare foam and soap solution. Next, using a brush or manually, all contaminated areas are cleaned and then washed off with clean water. After washing, the item must be thoroughly dried to prevent the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms.
Dishwashing gel
To clean using a gel intended for washing dishes, use any brand of product. Next, the composition is diluted in liquid and foamed. The resulting soap solution is used to treat the contaminated areas with a sponge or brush. Lightly whisking movements remove grease stains and other contaminants. Finally, the cleaned areas are washed off the gel, rinsed several times and sent to dry. Dish gel better cleans the surface of the product from sebum.
Traditional cleaning using powder
Cleaning the foam should be done by straightening it out as best as possible. When washing by hand, it is most convenient to do it in a bathtub or large basin. You need to collect the required amount of warm water and add washing powder. It is important that the granules are completely dissolved. You can also use gel for delicate fabrics or dishwashing liquid. The last remedy is relevant if there are greasy stains on the product.
Before immersing in water, it is recommended to beat out the foam outside - this will allow you to achieve maximum washing results.
Foam rubber is immersed in the resulting soap solution. Next, you need to press with your palms over the entire surface of the product, forcing the porous material to absorb water and get rid of it.
Afterwards you will have to rinse the item many times in clean water. Due to its structure, the material quickly absorbs soapy liquid. To remove detergent residue from the foam rubber, approximately 5-7 rinses are needed.
How to wash properly
A foam item can be cleaned either using a washing machine or by hand. Regardless of the chosen method, each of them has its own characteristics and rules.
Failure to follow the rules will result in damage to the foam product.
Manually
Lay out the foam rubber product on a flat surface, thoroughly moisten it with water and begin to knead it slightly with your hands so that it looks like kneading dough. After rinsing the item from soapy water, you need to wait until most of the water has drained.
Automatic in the washing machine
The foam item must be placed in the drum of the washing machine. Next, use washing gel or liquid soap. Set to delicate mode at a temperature of no more than 40 degrees. The number of revolutions is set to the minimum (600 or 800) or the spin is turned off altogether. In addition, you will need to turn off the drying mode in the machine.
Comparison of methods
You can successfully clean foam rubber either in a washing machine or by hand. It is recommended to wash bulk items by hand, since this way you can clean contaminated areas selectively, soaping only these areas.
A small pillow can be machine washed. In addition, children's toys and decorative items with foam filling are suitable for machine washing. It is recommended to wash mattresses and sofa covers by hand.
Let's use an automatic machine
If you need to wash, for example, small sofa cushions or baby bumpers, you can use an automatic washing machine. It is also possible to load a small thin mattress into the washing machine, which can be rolled up freely and fits into the drum.
When machine washing, it is important to follow several rules:
- run the gentle mode to clean delicate fabrics, such as wool;
- The water heating temperature should be 30-40°C. High-temperature washing will cause uneven expansion of the material and lead to loss of shape of the product;
- start the "Extra rinse" program. When using dry washing powder, you will have to do this twice, so to save time, it is advisable to pour gel into the machine;
- turn off automatic spin. It is better to take the wet product out of the machine, brush off excess water and leave it to dry naturally.
Before placing any items in the washing machine, carefully read the label. If the manufacturer does not prohibit machine washing, you can experiment.
Features of washing a bra
A bra is a delicate item, washing which requires certain skills. Considering that the main function of the bodice is to support the breasts, it is extremely important to maintain the elasticity and shape of the product.
It is worth noting that these recommendations apply to products that have foam inserts.
- To prevent the bra from losing its quality, it must be washed in a gentle cycle and at a temperature of no more than 40 degrees. In addition, you should not place a large number of things in the washing machine, since the bodice may lose its shape under the heavy weight of other clothes.
- When choosing a cleaning product, it is recommended to choose liquid gel or soap.
- If you wash the bodice by hand, do not twist it or wring it hard - this will prevent the foam rubber from deforming.
- Immediately after washing, place the bra on a flat surface and dry it.
It is not recommended to dry it on a radiator or in an open space under the sun. If possible, the foam inserts are removed before washing.
What is neoprene?
Neoprene is a synthetic rubber. This is a foam material, it has a porous structure. On the front side, neoprene items are covered with polymer; on the reverse side, to make the neoprene pleasant to wear on the body, it is sheathed with one of the types of fabrics (it can be cotton, viscose, polyester).
The material is used in various fields: in medicine, in sports, in industry, for the production of consumer goods. The washing process and care recommendations will depend on the area in which the neoprene item is used and what it is intended for. Thus, neoprene can be used to make both scuba diving suits and everyday dresses, skirts, and coats.
Neoprene is divided by type of density (from 0.5 to 10 mm), which also affects the washing method:
- LS – very soft, extremely elastic, stretchable in all directions;
- S – denser;
- HS – characterized by greater resistance to compression and dense structure;
- HHS – its features: low flexibility and high density;
- NF – the same density as S, but fire resistant;
- W – medical type, it is white in color and characterized by high elasticity.
How to wash a foam pillow
After prolonged use, soft items made of polyurethane foam accumulate large amounts of dust and other particles. If you do not clean your products from time to time, you may be harming your health.
How to clean:
- Pillows with foam filling can be machine washed.
- As a rule, powder in liquid form is used for cleansing - it does not create a lot of foam and is washed out better.
- Like other things made of polyurethane foam, pillows are washed at the lowest possible temperatures - 40 degrees. In addition, a gentle delicate wash mode is set.
- The number of revolutions during cleaning is 600 or 800 - if possible, this function is disabled.
- Small stains and dirt can be cleaned with a brush and soap solution. The product is crushed and “squeezed” until completely cleansed.
For cleaning in a washing machine, it is recommended to use special covers that are first placed on the pillows. Immediately after washing, the product is placed on a towel and left until the moisture has completely evaporated.
Proven method with soap
You can clean products with foam rubber with regular laundry soap. It effectively fights most stains and has a whitening effect. The hand washing algorithm in this case will be slightly different:
- Fill a bathtub or basin with warm water and immerse the item inside;
- press the product several times. If the liquid turns gray, the foam is too dirty. Drain and refill with clean water;
- Apply soap to a damp pillow, mattress or other product. To do this, take a bar, soap your palms and apply the resulting abundant foam with your hands to the item;
- leave the foam to “sour” for 15-30 minutes. The “soaking” time is determined based on the degree of contamination of the material;
- clean the product using gentle pressing movements;
- drain dirty water;
- Rinse the item several times.
This method is suitable for cleaning not only large products - mattresses and pillows, but also for push-up bras, children's toys, crib bumpers, etc. If you need to wash a sofa or armchairs, you can also prepare a soap solution and use a brush to refresh upholstery
Care tips and advice
The service life and appearance of foam rubber items directly depends on proper and careful use, as well as compliance with rules and regulations.
To ensure that products with foam rubber become less deformed over time, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- the temperature in the rooms where foam furniture is located should be from 10 to 25 degrees;
- the humidity level should not exceed 70 percent;
- after prolonged use, it is recommended to wash items with foam filling exclusively by hand;
- for washing, it is recommended to use products that do not produce a lot of foam and are quickly washed off;
- It is better to dry wet foam rubber on a terry towel - this way the fabric will absorb excess liquid;
- It is not recommended to place heating devices and other heating devices close to foam rubber products.
The main care tip is not to subject wet polyurethane foam items to stress or pressure. If possible, it is recommended to entrust such a product to professionals - have it dry cleaned. If the hand washing method has been chosen, it should be as gentle and careful as possible.
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Nuances of the procedure for natural fillers
There are two subtypes of natural filler:
- vegetable origin (buckwheat husk, bamboo);
- animal origin (wool, fluff, feathers).
Each of them dictates its own conditions, compliance with which will not only allow for high-quality cleaning of the product, but also maintain its integrity.
Made from camel hair
This type of filler is obtained from the soft undercoat of camels. The product is lightweight and elastic. The service life is about seven years.
For this type of filler, hand washing with soaking for up to twenty minutes is preferable. If washing in a machine, it is better to disable the spin function.
When squeezing the product with your hands, under no circumstances should you twist it. This will cause deformation of the wool fibers.
Made from sheep's wool
The filler is made from a special breed of sheep – merino. The material is soft and hygroscopic. The price is quite affordable. The pillow can be used for five years.
It is recommended to wash this filler by hand; the soaking time is about ten minutes; you should squeeze it out, gently pressing on the product. When drying, be sure to shake, straightening the wool.
From buckwheat husk
It would seem that this is a non-standard filler option, but it has found its adherents. Products made from buckwheat husks have a massage effect and improve blood circulation.
The disadvantages include the considerable weight for such an attribute - up to five kilograms, the rustling of the husk at the slightest movement, and a useful life of less than three years.
This natural filler cannot be washed categorically. The husks swell under the influence of water, dry poorly, and leave brown stains on the bedsheet.
The optimal way to care for such filler is to periodically sift the husks and dry cleaning with a vacuum cleaner.
Made from fluff
The filling of such a pillow consists of down and small feathers in equal proportions. This makes the product weightless and very soft.
Bedding made from waterfowl down is renowned for its long service life. So goose down can last up to twenty years, and duck down up to ten.
Such products can be washed either by machine or by hand. Due to the large volume of the filler, it is distributed into bags and carefully sewn up. When washing by hand, it is allowed to pour the filler directly into the water, without using covers.
In this case, special attention should be paid to the absence of drafts in the room
Read more detailed recommendations for caring for such bedding attributes here.
Feather
The main difference from down feathers is the percentage of feather to down. Most often it is eighty to twenty percent.
Chicken feather pillows are not washable. They are cleaned using the dry method. But products made from waterfowl feathers easily withstand the effects of water.
As is the case with down bedding, the filling can be washed both in a machine and by hand. Machine washable requires the use of covers. When washing by hand, you can use bags, or you can rip the diaper and place the contents in a container with water.
You can learn a variety of secrets and tips on this topic by reading this article.
Made from swan's down
A pillow made of swan down is quite an expensive pleasure. However, the costs will be offset by the undoubted advantages of such a natural filler:
- durability,
- comfort,
- ability to quickly restore shape.
The washing procedure for this type of down is practically no different from the conditions for feather products.
Accurate and complete information on the issue of care is presented here.
Bamboo
The name sounds incredible, but behind it lies a delicate fiber obtained from durable bamboo stems. This is an environmentally friendly, hypoallergenic, antibacterial filler.
You can wash it once every six months in a machine or by hand. When choosing a cleaning mechanism, you should consider size. Bulk items will not fit into the drum of the washing machine.
When machine washing, use special balls. You need to squeeze it out carefully so as not to damage the fibers of the filler. Dry on a lattice horizontal surface, shaking occasionally.
This is interesting: How to remove a coffee stain from a carpet: we cover it in detail
General rules and preparation for washing
The choice of washing method for the bumpers is significantly influenced by their filler. It can be made of padding polyester or foam rubber. In any case, the item must be prepared for water procedures:
- Remove stains from the surface of the covers.
- The fastenings of the sides (Velcro, rope, ribbons) are either removed or carefully tied together. During the washing process, these elements may come off or damage the washing machine.
- Remove all removable parts (toys, decor, etc.). They are washed by hand and separately from large parts.
The sides with padding polyester should be quilted (stitched) a little before washing so that the filling does not bunch up in clumps during the procedure. If this is not possible, then only delicate hand washing will do. As for the foam rubber contents, many housewives are tormented by doubts: is it possible to wash the foam rubber. It is considered an unpretentious material and tolerates all types of washing at a decent level.
General washing conditions:
- 40°C degrees is the maximum temperature for washing.
- It is preferable to use liquid detergents (shampoos, gels).
- It is not recommended to use fragrances, softeners and conditioners.
- Spinning is not prohibited.
Features of hand washing
Hand washing is considered delicate and most suitable for products with permanent covers. It is permissible to wash all types of bumper fillers by hand. You can’t just actively rub things. It is advisable to place your palm on the underside of the dirt and carry out cleaning activities with the other hand.
However, the disadvantage of this method is the possibility of insufficiently high-quality rinsing of the packing. This in turn will expose the child to chemical laundry detergents. But it can be corrected by using liquid laundry components and carrying out additional rinses in the basin and under running water.
Features of automatic washing
When choosing a machine washing method, you first need to familiarize yourself with the manufacturer’s advice on how best to carry out the procedure. Washing in a machine is qualitatively better than washing by hand, both at the cleansing stage and during rinsing. You should choose gentle programs with low water heating temperatures. In this case, the appearance of the product will not be damaged and will be thoroughly cleaned.
It is preferable to dry products in the fresh air. Drying indoors is carried out away from heating and heating devices. Ironing is not required.
That's all the secrets for caring for the sides of a children's bed. By following them, you can be sure that this item will always be clean and safe for the baby.
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Should I go to dry cleaning?
Anyone who intends to clean a mattress is faced with a choice: take it to a dry cleaner or do it on their own at home.
The first option is preferable if there are strongly ingrained stains and a persistent unpleasant odor that cannot be dealt with using improvised means.
It is not recommended to try to remove particularly persistent traces with chemicals , which include urine, rust and other stains of biological origin.
This can lead to large stains on the fabric and increased odor. It is better to immediately contact the services of professionals, then there is a better chance of returning the mattress to its original cleanliness.
When the area of contamination is too large, and the lifespan of the mattress exceeds 5-6 years, then it is wiser to replace it with a new one. In such a situation, even professional help may not help; it will only waste time and money.
This multi-layering causes the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms inside. Dry cleaning will deal with this problem more efficiently.
The need for primary cleaning
First of all, you should understand the need to clean and wash the sides. They can be new or used, inherited from older comrades or presented as a gift. In any of these cases, it is necessary to wash or at least clean the product (disinfect it from germs) before using it at home.
There is no need to use powders during the first treatment. A simple wash in the maximum permissible water, based on the outer fabric and type of filling, is sufficient. All removable elements (strings, Velcro, decorative parts) are processed separately. They are soaked in hot water.
If you don’t want or have the opportunity to wash, you can get by with steam treatment using a steam generator or a high-power iron with this function. Actions are carried out through a layer of fabric or gauze.
After any treatment, the sides should be given time to dry completely. After all, pathogenic bacteria and mold multiply well in a humid environment.
If this is a completely new item, a visual inspection reveals no obvious contamination, no foreign odors, then the mother herself must decide whether to wash it or not. It is permissible to wash the entire structure or, if possible, just refresh the covers. It is possible to simply iron them if they are removable.
It is not advisable to chemically clean a new product. Newborn babies and the sides of the crib have virtually no contact. Even with possible contact, there is no access to the vulnerable navel. Slightly older, actively moving children are no longer so susceptible to products that may remain on the covers.
When purchasing bumpers with a strong chemical smell, you should at least ventilate the product thoroughly and then wash it. It is convenient to do this in an automatic washing machine.
If soft inserts were inherited from friends or relatives, then washing is required. Even if the previous owner took very good care of them and washed them thoroughly before handing them over. It is unknown how long they waited for the opportunity to fall into new hands. Therefore, it is wise not to be lazy and wash them again.
When sewing yourself, there are continuous positive aspects: a unique design of the item is ensured, it is possible to disinfect the filler under a quartz lamp, and you can wash the covers at the maximum permissible temperature.
Regularity of washing
Inserts in a baby crib should not be considered bed linen. They do not come into contact with the skin of babies so often, but serve only as a shield from impacts on the slats. It is also not recommended to completely ignore washing, because bumpers accumulate dust, various liquids can get on them, and they can get dirty from other things.
The optimal frequency for washing is once a quarter. It is possible that more frequent washing will be required; do not neglect it and wait for the next water procedures. Small stains can be removed locally. However, too frequent washing is also not recommended. They provoke rapid wear of functional parts and fading of fabrics.
In case of allergic manifestations in a child, it is necessary to think about the advisability of sides that accumulate dust. Perhaps without them there will be better air circulation and increased visibility for the child.
Today, manufacturers offer various options for sides: solid and consisting of several sections. The second option is more convenient, because it is easier to wash a separate part than to process the entire product. In such models, fasteners and their ability to securely hold parts in place are important.
There are children who are so active that their movements lead to the filling being knocked down in certain favorite places. This state of affairs can be considered an indicator for washing. Only with its help will it be possible to return the filling of the sides to its original state.
Oilcloth covers can also be a salvation from frequent contamination. They are put on top of the fabric and are attached perfectly without interfering with the baby. But they cannot be used constantly. For example, it is recommended to remove them while the child sleeps and rests.