Want to wake up feeling refreshed? A clean mattress helps you sleep better at night. While regular cleaning is vital, deep cleaning your mattress every few months is necessary. This removes built-up dirt, dust mites, stains, and allergens.
Here’s a handy guide on cleaning your mattress for a fresher, healthier night’s sleep.
Why Regular Cleaning is Vital for Your Mattress
Keeping dust mites and allergens away
Do you suffer from allergies or asthma? Dust mites love beds. They live in mattresses. Cleaning gets rid of them. This reduces allergy symptoms. No one wants to wake up sneezing!
Vacuuming weekly can help manage dust mites. But to kick them out, you need to deep clean. This removes layers of accumulated droppings and shells. Yuck!
To check for dust mites, peel back your sheets. See any tiny black dots? Those could be droppings. Time to clean!
Extending the life of your mattress
Spills, sweat, and dead skin cells wear down mattresses. Know the best way to clean them. Clean regularly to keep materials intact longer. Who wants to replace a mattress before its time?
Rotating and airing out your mattress can also help it last. But cleaning is crucial. Dirt and stains break down fabrics, foam and fibers faster. Protect your investment with regular washing!
Maintaining good sleep hygiene
A clean mattress prevents mold, bacteria build-up, and funky odors. This improves sleep quality and health. That’s the dream!
Ever wonder what that smell is when you climb into bed? Yeah...let's not go there, especially without knowing the best way to clean a mattress. Keep sheets and protectors fresh. And deep clean the mattress itself every few months.
How to Remove Those Annoying Mattress Stains
We’ve all been there. You wake up to find a fresh stain. Before you panic, check out these tips for removing mattress stains.
Identifying different stain types
Figure out what caused it. Blood, sweat, oils, food, or fluids? New vs old stains need different techniques. Inspect carefully.
Take a good look at any stain on your mattress before treating, understanding the type of mattress and the best way to clean it. Is it greasy or colored? How long has it been there? What probably caused it? Answering these helps pick the best removal method.
Using the right stain solutions
For oil, rub in dish soap. Let sit, then dab with vinegar. For food or drinks, spray hydrogen peroxide or enzymatic cleaner. Avoid bleach.
Dish soap breaks up oil and grease. The key is letting it soak in for a few minutes before dabbing. This gives it time to remove the stain from the fibers before removing it.
Use an enzymatic cleaner to break down organic matter for new food, drinks, or bodily fluid stains. This works better than DIY mixes.
Tackling stubborn stains
For blood or urine, sprinkle on salt or baking soda first. Let sit to draw out stain. Use vacuum attachments to rub out ground-in gunk.
Try blotting the area firmly with paper towels after treating for really set-in stains. This helps lift it out of the padding. Flip and repeat across the stain to get all the gunk out.
If stains remain after cleaning, try spot treating again, focusing on the edges. Set-in stains often hold on around the perimeter the most.
How to Deep Clean Your Mattress
While regular top-cleaning helps, every 2-3 months it’s wise to deep clean. This removes layers of built-up grunge, an essential step to deep clean a mattress.
Knowing when to deep clean
Do it every 2-3 months to give your mattress a deep clean. Also inspect for heavy staining, funky smells or visible dirt/dust buildup. Then it's time to deep clean!
Take a close look at all sides and layers of your mattress. Pull back any bedding too. Do you see dark stains or dirt inside seams or crevices? Learn how to clean them effectively. Give the surface a sniff test too. Funky smells also indicate a deep clean is needed.
Step-by-step deep cleaning guide
Strip bedding and wash on hot
Vacuum the entire mattress surface
Spot clean stains
Sprinkle baking soda, let sit, vacuum up
Vacuum crevices and tufts
Allow to fully dry
Make the bed with fresh sheets
When vacuuming, use upward overlapping strokes across the entire mattress surface. This picks up the most debris. Give extra attention to tufts, seams and edges. Those collect the most gunk.
After sprinkling baking soda, let it sit for a few hours minimum. Overnight is best for maximum odor relief. The longer it sits, the more time it has to neutralize funky smells.
How often to deep clean
Every 2-3 months for most people. Adjust if you have kids, pets, allergies, or heavy mattress use. Rotate too to wear evenly and deep clean a mattress.
Kids and pets can make a dent in mattress cleanliness. Food crumbs, accidents, etc really add up! If you have either, inspecting monthly is wise. Then, you can deep clean whenever needed.
Using Baking Soda to Freshen Up Your Mattress
Baking soda cleans gently, deodorizes and absorbs odors. It’s a handy mattress freshener.
Why use baking soda?
It’s all-natural, non-toxic and chemical-free. Baking soda also discourages dust mites without harsh cleaners.
Many commercial mattress cleaners contain scary chemicals. Baking soda offers odor and stain-fighting power without the health risks. Going the non-toxic route is wise for where you spend a third of your life!
How to use baking soda on mattresses
Sprinkle baking soda over the entire surface. Let sit for a few hours or overnight. Then vacuum up. Repeat monthly.
Shake baking soda over all sides of the mattress, including the sides and end. Take advantage of every spot so it can work its magic everywhere. This prevents any funky odors from collecting on the surface of the mattress.
Things to avoid with baking soda
Don’t oversaturate baking soda. This can damage materials if left too long. Also, could you keep it away from crevices and seams?
Use a fine dusting of baking soda rather than clumping it. Too much can be abrasive over time. And keep it off stitches and piping which can get irritated.
Vacuuming: The First Defense Against Mattress Grunge
Vacuuming often is key. This removes surface dirt, dust mites, pet dander, dead skin and debris.
Why vacuum the mattress?
It promotes cleanliness and better air quality. All that stuff builds up! Go ahead, take a peek under your sheets. Ick! Regular vacuuming keeps it cleaner.
Allergens and asthma triggers hide in mattresses. By regularly vacuuming all sides you remove layers of nasties so you can breathe easier!
How to vacuum a mattress
Use upward and horizontal motions across the entire mattress surface, including the sides. Use attachments to reach crevices and tufts. Flip and repeat.
When maneuvering around tufts and piping, angle the vacuum to pick up debris on all sides. Repeat twice over these spots, focusing on the edges to get everything out.
Choosing the best vacuum
Look for strong suction power to pull up debris. Make sure it has a HEPA filter too. Canister vacuums are easiest to maneuver on beds.
Stick vacuums are also great for mattress cleaning between deep cleans. They are lightweight and fit right into crevices. Just empty the canister soon after since they only hold so much debris, a key step in how to clean a mattress.
Using A Mattress Protector
Mattress protectors provide an impermeable layer to keep spills and stains from seeping in.
Picking the right mattress protector
Look for breathable, waterproof protectors made for your mattress type. Maintain a snug fit.
Check your mattress type and size before buying a protector. Measure thickness too. Then, look for a mattress cover specifically made to fit. This prevents bunching, shifting and tears.
Why use a protector?
Guards against accidents, dust mites, pet dander, etc. This keeps your mattress cleaner longer, showcasing the importance of learning how to clean a mattress. Who doesn’t want that?
Mattress protectors give you a full barrier against all kinds of yuckiness. From middle-of-the-night accidents to crumbs from midnight snacks, it keeps grunge away from your mattress itself. Worth the investment!
Caring for your mattress protector
Wash every 2-3 months according to manufacturer instructions. Inspect for rips or thinning. Replace as needed.
Check the elasticity of your protector every few months. If it's getting loose or saggy, replace it. You want it to stay snug to prevent buildup underneath. Also, check for thinning fabric or flaws.
So there you have it! Now you’re armed with all the right tools to keep your mattress sparkling clean for a healthier, comfier night’s sleep. What are you waiting for? Go get cleaning!
Frequently Asked Question
Q: How often should I clean my mattress to keep it fresh and clean?
A: Experts recommend cleaning your mattress every 6 months to ensure it stays fresh and clean. However, if you have allergies or pets, you might want to clean your mattress more frequently.
Q: What are the best mattress cleaning tips for a memory foam mattress?
A: For a memory foam mattress, it's best to clean with gentle products and avoid soaking it. Vacuum your mattress regularly, spot-clean stains with a mild detergent solution, and let it air dry completely to maintain its condition.
Q: Can I use a vacuum to clean my mattress, and how often should I do it?
A: Yes, you can vacuum your mattress to remove dust and allergens. It's a good practice to vacuum your mattress every time you change your bedding, or at least once a month.
Q: What is the best way to remove stains from your mattress?
A: The best way to remove mattress stains depends on the type of stain. For protein-based stains, like blood or sweat, use a cold water and enzyme-based cleaning solution. For other stains, a mixture of dish soap and water can be effective. Always blot gently and avoid soaking the mattress.
Q: How can I protect the mattress and keep my mattress clean for longer?
A: Using a waterproof mattress protector is the most effective way to protect your mattress from spills, stains, and wear. It also makes cleaning easier, as you can simply remove and wash the protector regularly.
