How to Clean a Mattress in Easy Steps
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Updated
December 15, 2022
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While it might not always feel so, your mattress is a secret partner in crime that you always had but were absolutely unaware of. From helping you fall into deep, cozy sleep to helping you spend intimate moments with your partner, a mattress is always there by your side. So, it becomes imperative that you take care of this major investment to ensure it lasts long and always gives its best.
Your mattress becomes home to dust mites, debris, sweat, and dead skin cells with time. So, keeping it clean will aid the mattress’s durability, but it will also keep away any allergies! Now, the good news is cleaning a mattress is super easy. Follow this guide to learn how to clean a mattress in a few easy steps.
Why To Clean A Mattress
- A dirty mattress is one of the major reasons why the air inside your room is polluted. You already know that your mattress harbors sweat, dead skin, dust, etc. So, when it is not cleaned on time, it can deteriorate the quality of air in the room. Therefore cleaning a mattress regularly is essential.
- If you have been sneezing a lot suddenly, it can be due to the allergies caused by the dust and debris accumulated in your mattress. It can also lead to itching due to bacterial infestation. So, mattress cleaning is vital and must be done once every six months.
- Another reason why mattress cleaning is important is that it enhances the durability of your mattress.
- Finally, a clean mattress will instantly make you feel good. It gives you the same feeling you get when you declutter your home and offers peace of mind.
Now that you know why you must clean your mattress let’s move on to how to wash a mattress.
How to Clean Your Mattress
Don’t be overwhelmed. If you wonder how to deep clean a mattress, we bring you simple, easy steps that will make the whole process feel like a piece of cake. Read ahead!
Step 1: Make a list of washing essential for the mattress
Before you start, keep all the essential mattress cleaner supplies near you, so you don’t have to go back and forth looking for things. Some of the things you will need include;
- A vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment
- A mild dish soap or enzyme cleaner
- Laundry detergent
- Cleaning cloths or clean rags
- Coldwater
Step 2: Wash The Sheets And Covers
The first step to cleaning your mattress is to start with your sheets. Remove the bedsheets, pillow covers, and mattress covers, and let your machine do the needful. It is important to wash your bedding in hot water to flush out all the dust mites. However, make sure you read the care instructions for your bedding once to see if you can use hot water.
Otherwise, use lukewarm or cold water. If your sheets are stained, now is the time for spot cleaning. If you want to know how to wash a mattress protector, you can put it in the machine until the care label says otherwise.
Step 3: Give Your Mattress A Good Vacuum
Clean your mattress thoroughly with the help of a vacuum cleaner. Vacuum mattress using the upholstery attachment. Go over all the nooks and corners and clean the entire surface. You can also use other attachments to remove any other hidden dirt or debris.
Step 4: Spot Clean Your Mattress
When it comes to cleaning your mattress, it is important that you never let it get wet. For example, a foam mattress should always remain dry. This is one thing you must know about how to clean a memory foam mattress. Therefore, never apply any cleaning solution or water directly to the mattress. Now that’s clear. It is time to check for any stains and spots. Choosing the spot cleaner depends entirely on the type of stain. For anything biological, opt for an enzyme cleaner.
Take a clean cloth or rag and spray the stain remover on it. Next, slowly blot the stain with a wet cloth. Then, using a different cloth, soak it in cold water, wring the liquid, and blot the stain until it vanishes. Make sure you use very little product and ensure you keep the mattress as dry as possible. This is how to get stains out of a mattress.
Step 5: It’s Baking Soda Time
One way to clean your mattress is to place it under the sun and let it air dry for the day. But that’s not always a possibility. So, the next best thing you can do is use baking soda. This is a simple method for disinfecting mattresses. Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda all over the mattress. It is better to let it sit at least for 6-7 hours or more. Why baking soda? Because it absorbs moisture and any lingering bad odor by breaking down the acid.
The thumb rule here is the longer you leave the baking soda, the better. A pro tip you can use here is to mix a few drops of essential oil with the baking soda before you sprinkle it onto the mattress. This ensures your mattress smells fantastic.
Once you sprinkle the soda, open all the windows and maintain proper ventilation. It’s great if the sun rays can fall on the mattress as any mold or bacteria will be eliminated.
Step 6: Another Round of Vacuuming
Vacuum the mattress again and remove all the baking soda. If you have a headboard made of fabric, make sure you vacuum it too. This is the process of how to clean a dirty mattress! Also, if you think steam cleaning is a good idea and wonder how to steam clean a mattress? Simply use your steam cleaner after this step, and you are good to go.
Step 7: Give It A Flip
Unless your mattress is not supposed to be flipped, you need to do it once every three months. After that, they tend to get compressed. Once you flip the mattress, repeat all the above steps to ensure your mattress is immaculate. Voila! You are all done. This was the easiest and the best way to clean a mattress!
Another tip you can use to make sure your mattress remains clean is to use a mattress protector. This way, you will be able to protect your mattress from any spills and stains. And to keep your mattress protected from any dust, use fitted sheets, which you can easily wash every week. This will maintain your mattress hygiene and make cleaning extremely easier. If mattress stains and spills are something that bothers you, below we bring you how to remove stains from the mattress.
How to Clean Stains from Mattress
Pesky stains can make your mattress look unclean and feel extremely unhealthy. So, with these easy steps, you will be able to clean any sort of mattress stains.
Pee Stains
How to clean urine out of a mattress? Well, it’s very simple. You will need baking soda, clean cloths, cold water, laundry detergent, white vinegar, and a vacuum cleaner.
First, as soon as you notice pee, remove the bedding and quickly put it to wash. Take a dry cloth and blot the area until all the moisture is absorbed. Now, mix two parts of cold water and one part of white vinegar. It is important to clean the mattress with vinegar. Add a teaspoon of laundry detergent and mix it well. Spray this mix onto the stain. Make sure you soak the stain with this liquid mixture. This is how to clean a mattress after bedwetting.
Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, and blot the moisture using a clean rag. Now, cover the area with baking soda and let it sit for at least 8 hours. Finally, once the area is dry, vacuum it completely. If the stains are still there, repeat the process. This is how to clean pee out of a mattress.
Sweat Stains
If you wonder how to clean a mattress from sweat stains, it is best to follow this method for sweat stains on a mattress. But, what causes yellow stains on a mattress? The sweat and oils that your body releases seeps through the sheets and onto your mattress, causing the stain. Mix baking soda and water and turn it into a paste-like consistency. Then, pour it over the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes. Once the time is up, remove it with a clean damp cloth. Then, how to dry a mattress? Let it air dry or switch on the fan to ensure your mattress dries.
Blood Stains
Bloodstains can be quite pesky, and you need something strong to get rid of them. Here, it is not possible to clean the mattress with baking soda. Instead, you will need salt, cornstarch, and hydrogen peroxide. Mix all three in equal parts to form a paste-like consistency. Next, pour the mixture all over the stain. Let it completely dry out. Then, remove the mix with a damp cloth.
Yellow stains
Yellow stains are usually due to sweat or urine. Therefore, you can just follow the above-mentioned methods to get rid of them.
Homemade Mattress Stain Removers
If you want to create your own homemade mattress stain remover, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Pour about 8 ounces of hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle using a measuring cup.
Step 2: Add three tablespoons of baking soda to the same bottle.
Step 3: Add about half a teaspoon of dish soap.
Step 4: Mix it well.
Your mixture is ready to use.
How Often Should You Clean Your Mattress?
The rule here is to clean your mattress once every 6 months. However, if there are any spills or stains or you think your mattress gets dirty very quickly, you can clean it before the six months are up. Now, when it comes to not frequently used mattresses, for instance, guest room mattresses, you can push the boundaries a little. Here, make sure you clean the sheets regularly.
6 Useful Tips to Keep Your Mattress Clean
Some of the tips to keep your mattress clean include;
Tip 1: Always remove any stains and spills immediately
Tip 2: Wash your bedding every week
Tip 3: If possible, use a mattress protector
Tip 4: Try not to eat on your bed to avoid spills or crumbs
Tip 5: You can keep the room cooler as mites and bacteria prefer warmer temperatures
Tip 6: Vacuum mattress regularly
Conclusion
Now you know how to clean your mattress in a few easy steps. Do it once every six months, and you are good to go. But, remember, your mattress is a major investment, and it too needs some TLC to last long!
FAQs
To clean your mattress without a vacuum, lightly sprinkle a layer of baking soda and let it sit for two hours. After that, take a clean rag or a brush with soft bristles and remove all the baking soda.
Yes, you can steam clean a mattress.
If the care label permits, you can easily wash it in your washing machine.
Follow the above-mentioned steps to clean your pillowtop mattress.
Yes, you can use a carpet cleaner on the mattress, and it can even work well on the mattress.
You should flip your mattress every three months.
If you go for professional cleaning, it may cost anywhere from $80-$200. However, if you do it at home, you can do it for under $25.
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