A mattress is one of the most important items in your bedroom, as it can affect your sleep quality and health. However, many people neglect to clean their mattresses regularly, which can lead to the accumulation of dust, dirt, dead skin, sweat, oil, stains, odors, and even mold and bacteria. These can not only make your mattress look and smell unpleasant, but also trigger allergies, asthma, and infections.
Therefore, it is essential to learn how to clean a mattress properly and maintain it in good condition. In this post, we will show you how to clean a mattress in different situations, such as routine cleaning, fresh spills, stubborn stains, and more. We will also provide you with some tips and tricks on how to prevent your mattress from getting dirty and extend its lifespan.
How Often Should You Clean Your Mattress?
According to experts, you should clean your mattress at least twice a year, or every three to four months if you have allergies or pets. However, this may vary depending on your personal habits and preferences. For example, if you sweat a lot at night, spill something on your mattress, or notice any signs of mold or bugs, you may want to clean your mattress more frequently.
What Do You Need to Clean Your Mattress?
To clean your mattress effectively, you will need some basic tools and supplies that you can easily find at home or in a local store. Here are some of the items that you will need:
- A vacuum cleaner with attachments
- A spot cleaner or stain remover
- Baking soda
- A spray bottle
- Distilled white vinegar
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Liquid dish soap
- Laundry detergent
- A soft cloth or sponge
- A fan or hair dryer
How to Clean Your Mattress: Step by Step
Depending on the condition of your mattress and the type of cleaning that you want to do, you may need to follow different steps and methods. Here are some of the most common scenarios and how to deal with them:
How to Clean Your Mattress: Routine Cleaning
Routine cleaning is a simple and easy way to keep your mattress fresh and hygienic. You should do this at least twice a year, or more often if you have allergies or pets. Here are the steps that you need to follow:
- Strip the bed and wash the bedding. Remove all the sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and mattress protectors from your bed and toss them in the washing machine. Use the hottest water and dryer settings possible to kill any dust mites and bacteria that may be hiding in your bedding.
- Vacuum the mattress. Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove any dust, dirt, hair, crumbs, and other debris from the surface of your mattress. Pay special attention to the seams, edges, and corners where dust tends to accumulate. You can also use a crevice tool to get into the cracks and crevices of your mattress.
- Deodorize the mattress. Sprinkle some baking soda over the entire surface of your mattress and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that can absorb any odors and moisture from your mattress. You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the baking soda for a pleasant scent.
- Vacuum again. After letting the baking soda work its magic, vacuum it up with your vacuum cleaner. Make sure to remove all traces of baking soda from your mattress.
- Air out the mattress. If possible, take your mattress outside and expose it to some sunlight and fresh air for a few hours. This can help kill any remaining germs and bacteria, as well as dry out any moisture that may be trapped in your mattress. If you can’t take your mattress outside, you can use a fan or a hair dryer to speed up the drying process.
How to Clean Your Mattress: Fresh Spills
Fresh spills are inevitable accidents that can happen anytime on your mattress. Whether it’s coffee, juice, wine, blood, urine, or vomit, you need to act fast and clean it up as soon as possible before it sets in and stains your mattress. Here are the steps that you need to follow:
- Blot the spill. Use a clean cloth or paper towel to blot as much of the liquid as possible from the affected area. Do not rub or scrub the spill, as this can push it deeper into the mattress fibers and make it harder to remove.
- Spray the stain. Use a spot cleaner or stain remover that is suitable for your type of mattress and stain. You can also make your own natural solution by mixing one part distilled white vinegar with two parts water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution generously over the stain and let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Blot again. Use another clean cloth or paper towel to blot the stain and the solution from the mattress. Repeat this step until the stain is gone or no more liquid is transferred to the cloth.
- Dry the mattress. Use a fan or a hair dryer to dry the wet spot on your mattress. Make sure to dry it completely before putting any bedding back on.
How to Clean Your Mattress: Stubborn Stains
Stubborn stains are those that have been left untreated for a long time or have penetrated deep into the mattress fibers. They can be very difficult to remove and may require some extra effort and patience. Here are some of the most common types of stubborn stains and how to deal with them:
- Blood stains: Blood stains can be very tricky to remove, especially if they have dried up. To remove blood stains from your mattress, you will need hydrogen peroxide, liquid dish soap, and a soft cloth or sponge. Here are the steps that you need to follow:
- Mix one part hydrogen peroxide with two parts liquid dish soap in a small bowl.
- Dip a cloth or sponge in the solution and gently dab it on the blood stain.
- Blot the stain with a dry cloth or paper towel until it is gone or no more blood is transferred to the cloth.
- Rinse the area with a damp cloth and dry it with a fan or a hair dryer.
- Urine stains: Urine stains can be very unpleasant and smelly, especially if they come from pets or children. To remove urine stains from your mattress, you will need distilled white vinegar, baking soda, and a spray bottle. Here are the steps that you need to follow:
- Fill a spray bottle with distilled white vinegar and spray it generously over the urine stain.
- Let it sit for 10 minutes and then blot it with a dry cloth or paper towel.
- Sprinkle some baking soda over the stain and let it sit for another 10 minutes.
- Vacuum up the baking soda and dry the area with a fan or a hair dryer.
- Vomit stains: Vomit stains can be very gross and acidic, which can damage your mattress if not cleaned properly. To remove vomit stains from your mattress, you will need laundry detergent, warm water, and a soft cloth or sponge. Here are the steps that you need to follow:
- Mix one tablespoon of laundry detergent with two cups of warm water in a small bowl.
- Dip a cloth or sponge in the solution and gently scrub the vomit stain.
- Rinse the area with a damp cloth and dry it with a fan or a hair dryer.
How to Prevent Your Mattress from Getting Dirty
Cleaning your mattress regularly is important, but preventing it from getting dirty in the first place is even better. Here are some tips and tricks on how to keep your mattress clean and fresh for longer:
- Use a mattress protector. A mattress protector is a thin layer of fabric that covers your mattress and protects it from spills, stains, dust mites, allergens, and more. It is also easy to wash and replace when needed. You can choose from different types of mattress protectors, such as waterproof, hypoallergenic, or cooling ones.
- Wash your bedding frequently. Your bedding can collect dirt, sweat, oil, and other contaminants that can transfer to your mattress over time. To prevent this, you should wash your sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and mattress protectors at least once every two weeks, or more often if you have allergies or pets.
- Rotate your mattress regularly. Rotating your mattress every three to six months can help prevent sagging, indentations, and uneven wear on your mattress. This can also improve your comfort and support by distributing your body weight more evenly across the surface of your mattress.
- Avoid eating and drinking on your bed. Eating and drinking on your bed can increase the risk of spills and stains on your mattress. It can also attract pests such as ants, cockroaches, or mice that can damage your mattress and cause health problems. If you do eat or drink on your bed, make sure to use a tray or a plate and clean up any crumbs or spills immediately.
- Keep pets off your bed. Pets can bring dirt, hair, dander, fleas, ticks, and other parasites into your bed that can contaminate your mattress and cause allergies or infections. They can also scratch or chew on your mattress and damage its structure and appearance. If you do allow pets on your bed, make sure to wash them regularly and use a pet-friendly mattress protector.
Conclusion
Cleaning your mattress is not only good for its appearance but also for its performance and longevity. By following our simple guide on how to clean a mattress in different situations, you can ensure that your mattress stays fresh and healthy for years to come.
We hope this post has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us or leave them below.
Happy sleeping!