Last updated on August 29th, 2025 at 03:31 pm

Traveling in an RV is a great way to explore different regions, camp in style, and experience adventures on the road. However, sleeping while traveling can cause problems for your RV’s mattress, including stains and foul odors. Regular RV mattress maintenance is essential to preserve the integrity of your vehicle’s sleeping area.

We know all about RV mattresses here at Slumber Ease Mattress Factory, Inc. Review our comprehensive guide below for essential tips on stain removal, moisture prevention, and more for your RV’s luxury mattress.

Can You Clean All Mattresses the Same Way?

Any mattress will collect dust, sweat, and dead skin cells over time. However, in addition to those stains, RV mattresses often get dirty from food, spilled drinks, and pet urine.

Do all recreational vehicles have the same kind of mattress? They don’t, so you wouldn’t necessarily use the same deep cleaning practices across the board. The most common types are memory foam, innerspring, and a combination of the two.

For instance, you could scrub hybrid and innerspring mattresses vigorously without damaging them. However, memory foam units require a more gentle level of care to preserve their shape and outer coverings.

Essential Memory Foam Care Tips for Your RV Mattress

Do you have a memory foam mattress in your RV and need help with maintaining it? Consider the following tips to keep it clean and fresh-smelling.

Don’t Use a New Foam Mattress Immediately

A common mistake people make when getting a new mattress is not giving it time to breathe. Gases collect under the plastic wrapping that the product comes in. The gases aren’t harmful, but the smell isn’t pleasant, which could impact your sleep quality.

Instead of using the mattress immediately, leave it uncovered for at least one day. Letting memory foam air out is essential for odor control.

Lay the Mattress on a Sturdy Base

If you want to maximize your space in your recreational vehicle, you may consider using an extendable slatted bed frame or one that you can fold up during the day. These kinds of frames can give you more space to move around the vehicle when you’re awake. Yet, they’re not suitable for memory foam mattresses that contain a layer of cooling gel for temperature regulation.

Gel foam mattresses will conform to the shape of your body as well as the slats of an extendable bed frame. Prevent your luxury product from bending out of shape prematurely by laying it on a solid, sturdy base.

Avoid Making Your Bed First Thing in the Morning

Do you have a habit of making your bed as soon as you wake up in the morning, even while on the road? Making your bed too quickly doesn’t give the foam enough time to air out, which can lead to moisture retention and bad smells.

The trick to keeping your mattress smelling great? Wait about an hour after you wake up to make your bed.

Clean Your Mattress Regularly

Since memory foam requires a more delicate cleaning approach, it’s often best to sprinkle it with baking soda. Let it rest for about 15 minutes before vacuuming everything up with an upholstery attachment. The baking soda absorbs moisture and bad smells.

For stain removal, mix a mild detergent with water. Put a little of the mixture on the stain and gently blot it with a clean cloth.

You can follow the same practices with a hybrid or innerspring mattress. These products can also benefit from steam cleaning to eliminate microbes and vigorous scrubbing to remove stubborn stains.

Invest in Mattress Protection

RV mattress maintenance isn’t only about cleaning up spills and removing stains. It’s also about taking proactive steps, like using a waterproof or dust mite-resistant cover, to protect your investment. Using a cover will minimize how much cleaning you’ll need to do and ensure you can enjoy your luxury mattress for as long as possible.

Ready for a New RV Mattress? Turn to Slumber Ease Mattress Factory, Inc.

Knowing the right RV mattress maintenance steps will ensure you have a comfortable, cozy bed free of unsightly stains and nasty smells. Using a mattress protector can shield the unit from spills, dust, and pet accidents, but even that will need periodic cleaning.

Are you looking for more tips on RV mattress maintenance or need to order a custom unit for your vehicle? Turn to Slumber Ease Mattress Factory, Inc. As a reputable manufacturer that produces made-to-order, handcrafted mattresses, we know how to keep our products in excellent condition. Contact us today at (425) 312-6482 to get started!