A mattress is an expensive and serious investment, so you want it to last as long as possible. But to do that, you need to learn how to clean a mattress properly.
Mattresses can harbor dust mites, dead skin, body fluids, and other contaminants, which is why they need to be cleaned frequently - especially if you have allergies or pets.
These may sound pretty bad, but the good news is that cleaning your mattress is much easier than you might think. Let's take a look!
1. Tools needed to clean your mattress
To deep clean your mattress, you will need several tools, including:
- a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment,
- enzymatic cleaner or stain remover detergent,
- for detergent,
- baking soda,
- cleaning cloths,
- and cold water.
2. Wash the duvet cover and bed linen
Remove the sheets, pillowcases, and mattress covers and let the washing machine do its thing while you clean the mattress.
Let's stop here for a moment and clear up some misunderstandings about washing at 60 degrees vs. 40 degrees. Many people simply wash at 60 degrees, saying that it kills bacteria.
However, in today's modern washing machines, washing at 40 degrees is enough to kill bacteria. What poses a bigger problem are dust mites: these clingy little creatures only die at 60 degrees.
It's worth relying on this rule: if it says 60 degrees, wash it at 60 degrees, but if it's 40, don't force it to 60 degrees, wash it at this temperature every 2-3 months at most, that's more than enough.
3. Vacuum the mattress
This part will be easy and straightforward: simply grab your vacuum cleaner and upholstery attachment and go over the entire surface of your mattress, including the sides. Pay special attention to the seams so that the vacuum can pick up any deep-seated dirt and dust.
4. Clean the mattress with stain remover
Now is the time to remove stains. Be sure to never soak your mattress or apply water or cleaning agents directly to it. Memory foam, for example, should never be wet at all, as this can damage the material.
The exact type of stain remover you should use depends on the type of mattress and the dirt.
For biological stains (such as saliva, sweat, etc.), it is recommended to use an enzymatic cleaner. Never spray the cleaner directly onto the mattress, but onto a clean rag, and then gently and slowly remove the stain.
Then, dip another clean cloth into the bowl of cold water, wring it out thoroughly, and then wipe away the detergent.
The point is to try to remove stains with as little detergent and water as possible.
Instead of using enzyme-based cleaners, you can make an effective stain removal solution at home.
For example, a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda can make an excellent cleaning agent: to do this, mix 2.5 dl of hydrogen peroxide (available at pharmacies) and 3 tbsp of baking soda in a spray bottle.
If you don't have hydrogen peroxide at home, you can also use a mixture of dishwashing liquid and cold water, but diluted 20% vinegar is also a good idea.
5. If you can't expose your mattress to the sun and fresh air...
...because if it's snowing or raining, baking soda is the best solution.
Sprinkle baking soda over the entire surface of the mattress in a thin layer and leave it there for a few hours. The baking soda will break down the acid and absorb any remaining moisture or odor.
The longer you leave the baking soda on the mattress, the better it works.
6. Vacuum again
After the baking soda has taken effect, vacuum thoroughly.
7. Turn the mattress over
Now that the first side is spotless, flip the mattress over and repeat steps 1-5 to ensure both sides are equally fresh and clean.
Of course, rotation should be done at regular intervals, whether you deep clean the mattress or not.
As a rule of thumb, you should turn your mattress around every three months, but this only applies to innerspring mattresses, as they tend to compress over time. As mattresses become more and more specialized, it's best to check with the manufacturer of your model.
Then all you have to do is put the freshly dried cover on the mattress and you can enjoy it.
Summary
As you can see, cleaning your mattress is not a big deal at all, which is why it is worth doing it regularly, for example every 2-3 months. This will prevent the growth of various bacteria and remove stains such as blood, vomit or any other stains.
And if you just If you are about to buy a mattress , it is worth reading our detailed guide!
