A mattress is a long-term investment and cleaning it regularly will help keep it in good condition. Your mattress collects dead skin cells, dust mites that feed off of skin particles, sweat, and bodily fluids. Other allergens like pet dander and dust also accumulate on your mattress, making it vital that you regularly clean your mattress. Especially if food or drink is spilled onto your mattress, it should be cleaned right away before it stains or starts to smell, otherwise it’s best to clean your mattress at least once a year. Cleaning a mattress is not as difficult as you may think, you only need a bit of time in your lifestyle to get done to it. Here are cleaning tips in eight simple steps for a fresh and clean mattress.
Cleaning Supplies you will need:
- A vacuum with upholstery attachments
- An enzyme cleaning product for stains
- Laundry detergent
- Baking Soda
- Microfiber cloths
- Water
Step 1 – Remove All Bedding
Start by stripping the bedding, and removing the sheets, pillowcases, and duvet cover, you can chuck all of these in the washing machine while cleaning the mattress. Washing the bedding will get rid of dust mites. Check the label on your pillows, they should be washed too. Read more on how to read laundry symbols.
Step 2 – Vacuum Your Mattress
This step is crucial to perform thoroughly if you’re cleaning a dusty mattress. Vacuum the entire mattress using the upholstery or brush attachment, to remove dust, dust mites, and pet dander from your mattress. Make sure to pay attention to the sides, corners, and seams. If your vacuum has a crevice attachment, you should use it too.
Step 3 – Spot-Clean The Mattress
Spot-cleaning your mattress is important for removing stains, you should never soak or directly apply water or liquid solutions to your mattress. Some types of mattresses should not get wet at all, keep in mind a little goes a long way. Use the enzyme cleaner for getting rid of stains by applying the product to a microfiber cloth, then dab the stained area with the cloth. Next, use another clean cloth with water and continue dabbing until the stain is gone. Then go on to the next stain, this technique is useful for sweat, blood, urine and other such stains. The key here is to use as little cleaning product and liquid on your mattress.
Alternatively, you can make a DIY-stain remover by mixing dish soap with water, using the foam created and applying just some foam to the stain. You can also make a cleaning solution with an equal mix of water and hydrogen peroxide.
Step 4 – Apply Baking Soda
Your mattress needs to be sprinkled with a layer of baking soda to draw out any extra moisture or dirt particles. Once you have sprinkled a liberal amount of baking soda over the surface of your mattress, leave it to sit for at least 20 minutes. Try to leave the baking soda on for as long as possible for the best results. When your mattress is covered with baking soda, open the doors and windows and let a little light inside, the sun’s UV rays will also help by killing off bacteria on your mattress.
Step 5 – Vacuum Your Mattress Again
After roughly 2 hours, grab your vacuum cleaner. Be sure to thoroughly vacuum your mattress free of baking soda. If you have a fabric headboard you can take this chance to also give it a vacuum.
Step 6 – Flip The Mattress Over
Now that one side of your mattress is completely clean, proceed to repeat steps 1-5 for both sides of the mattress to be clean. Your mattress should be flipped regularly, whether it’s cleaned or not. Especially spring mattresses, they compress over time so it’s best to flip the mattress every few months or more frequently if you see your mattress starting to sag. Flipping the mattress will help it to last longer and wear more equally.
Step 7 – Protect Your Mattress
Once the other side of the mattress is also dried, fresh and clean, you can protect your mattress by covering it with a protector, this will make it easier to clean next time and shield your mattress from spillages and dust.
Step 8 – Cover Your Mattress
Lastly, put a fitted sheet over your mattress, a washed fitted sheet will help keep your mattress from collecting dust, and is unfavourable for dust mites. Wrapping your mattress in a fitted sheet is ideal for those who suffer from asthma and other allergies.
Now you know how to clean a mattress, your mattress will have an extended lifetime and be noticeably more comfortable to sleep on. You should still buy a new mattress after 8 years, give or take, look out for impressions and sagging, this will indicate it’s time for you to invest in a new mattress. Additionally you can have the rest of your bedroom cleaned professionally when you book with SweepSouth
