Can you wash foam rubber in a washing machine?

Foam-filled items require timely and careful care. Housewives often wonder if it's even safe to machine wash foam. Let's explore how to properly clean the material without damaging its structure or shape.

Basic cleaning rules

The unique porous structure of foam rubber makes the filling very sensitive to external influences. Therefore, housewives are concerned about how to properly wash such items to prevent them from becoming misshapen and to preserve their properties.

If not properly cared for, the foam rubber may tear and lose its original shape.

The following tips will help you avoid damage to items with foam padding:

• Foam rubber can only be immersed in cool water, not hotter than 40°C. Higher temperatures are detrimental to the material;
  
• Do not bend or twist the item too much. Therefore, only small foam rubber items that fit comfortably in the drum can be washed in a washing machine.
• The foam is wrung out using gentle "sweeping" motions. You can simply leave the item on a grate over the bathtub to allow the water to drain on its own;
• If the product still has a factory label with care instructions, it is best to follow the manufacturer's recommendations;
• It's not recommended to use powders, as the granules are difficult to wash out of the material. Preference should be given to washing gels for delicate fabrics.

If you follow the recommendations, you will be able to clean the foam rubber without any losses. Small items with foam filling can be washed in an automatic washing machine. It is important that the item fits freely into the drum and does not have to be twisted or compacted inside the washing machine.

Let's use an automatic machine

If you need to wash, for example, small sofa cushions or crib bumpers, you can easily use an automatic washing machine. You can also load a small, thin mattress into the washing machine; it can be easily rolled up and placed in the drum.

When machine washing, it is important to follow several rules:

• Use a gentle cycle 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 the product losing its shape;
• Run the "Extra Rinse" program. If you use dry detergent, you'll have to do this twice, so to save time, it's a good idea to add gel to the machine;
• Turn off the automatic spin cycle. It's best to remove the wet item from the machine, shake off excess water, and let it dry naturally.

Before putting any items in the washing machine, carefully read the care label. If the manufacturer allows machine washing, you can experiment.

Traditional cleaning using powder

When cleaning foam rubber, straighten it out as much as possible. When hand washing, it's easiest to do this in a bathtub or large basin. Fill the tub with warm water and add laundry detergent. It's important that the granules dissolve completely. You can also use a gel for delicate fabrics or dishwashing liquid. The latter is especially effective for greasy stains.

Before immersing in water, it is recommended to beat out the foam outside - this will ensure maximum washing results.

Immerse the foam rubber in the resulting soapy solution. Next, press your palms across the entire surface of the item, forcing the porous material to absorb and release the water.

Afterwards, you'll need to rinse the item several times in clean water. Due to its structure, the material quickly absorbs soapy water. To remove detergent residue from the foam rubber, approximately 5-7 rinses are required.

A proven method with soap

You can clean items with foam rubber using regular laundry soap. It effectively removes most stains and has a bleaching effect. The hand washing procedure will be slightly different in this case:

• Fill a bathtub or basin with warm water and place the item inside;
• Press the product several times. If the liquid turns gray, the foam is too dirty. Drain and refill with clean water;
• Treat a damp pillow, mattress, or other item with soap. To do this, take a soap bar, lather your palms with soap, and apply the resulting rich lather to the item with your hands;
• Let the foam "soak" for 15-30 minutes. The soaking time is determined by the degree of contamination of the material;
• clean the product with gentle pressing movements;
• drain the dirty water;
• Rinse the item several times.

This method is suitable for cleaning not only large items like mattresses and pillows, but also push-up bras, children's toys, crib bumpers, and more. If you need to wash a sofa or armchairs, you can also prepare a soapy solution and brush the upholstery.

Quickly remove moisture

In fact, the most difficult step in cleaning foam rubber isn't washing it, but drying it. Before beginning the process, it's important to prepare the drying area. When organizing the space, consider the following:

• Even if the foam rubber isn't completely dry, you risk developing mold. Pathogenic microorganisms multiply quickly in a humid environment. Therefore, it's crucial to ensure the item is completely dry.
• It is prohibited to twist the product when wringing;
• You cannot fold the foam rubber when drying – it must dry strictly in a straightened form;
• It is not permissible to hang foam products vertically on a clothesline;
• Ultraviolet radiation is harmful to the material, so you should not dry the foam rubber under the scorching rays of the sun;
• It is prohibited to dry such things on heating batteries.

Foam rubber can only be dried in a horizontal position.

When it comes to a mattress, it's important that none of its edges rest against anything. Otherwise, deformation is inevitable.

So how do you dry your item properly? Follow these steps:

• After rinsing and ensuring there's no detergent left in the foam, leave the garment in the bathtub to drain. The larger the item, the longer it will take to remove excess moisture.
• to reduce the waiting time, you can lightly press your palms on the material;
• Lay the product flat on a horizontal surface. It's important to dry the foam in a dry, warm, and well-ventilated area;
• Turn your pillow or mattress over every few hours to ensure it dries evenly.

You can speed up the drying process by laying the item out on a drying rack, ensuring the foam doesn't bend. Then, place the structure on the balcony. This will allow air to reach the material from all sides, promoting faster drying.

   

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