In this article we will discuss how to clean a mattress. One should be aware about how to clean a mattress considering just how much stuff (dirt, dust mites, stains, germs) builds up in and on this comfy surface where we spend one of our precious and essential time. Apart from dust mites and other critters in your mattress, it has sweat, urine, blood, and other fluids stain and smell on it. It also has mold and mildew growing on it. Plus, if you don’t shower before going to bed every night, your mattress might even suffer oils, dirt and trace chemicals from different toiletries, and pollen as well.
Now, you might consider keeping your mattress cleaned regularly. In order to do this, just follow this guide and you’ll learn how to clean a mattress.
Steps to Clean a Mattress:
When you start cleaning your mattress:
- Strip the bed and wash your linens.
- Wash and dry the mattress pad first, then the sheets, and then finally your bedspread/comforter/duvet.
- Do check the manufacturer’s labels first.
- Use the hottest water and dryer heat setting as heat will help eliminate dust mites in your bedding. Let the washer and dryer do their job, while you shift your focus to the mattress.
1.) Vacuum to Clean a Mattress
Using vacuum cleaner is an ideal way to clean a mattress. If you have a vacuum cleaner, there must be an upholstery attachment with it. Use it to make your mattress dirt and dust free.
Directions:
- Vacuum by starting at the top of the mattress and then moving down in overlapping, narrow paths.
- After that, clean the sides of your mattress in the same manner.
2.) Deodorize Your Mattress
Although you may not notice the bodily smells, but over time, sweat build up on your mattress and result in an annoying aroma. To rid your mattress of stinky smell, follow these steps.
Directions:
- Sprinkle an adequate amount of baking soda on your mattress.
- Rub the sprinkled baking soda with a scrub brush so that it gets into the fabric of mattress from where it stink.
- To make your mattress scented, simply mix baking soda with a few drops of essential oil.
- You can use Lavender as it is reputed to be a sleep aid. You can also use sandalwood. Let the baking soda sit for 10 minutes.
3.) Vacuum Again After Deodorizing
Scrubbing baking soda into your mattress will help soak moisture and body oils in the mattress material. After leaving baking soda for 10 minutes vacuuming your mattress again will pull out baking soda with moisture. This will eliminate any odor from your mattress.
4.) Get Rid of Stains
Generally mattress suffer three types of stains: urine, blood and “other bodily fluids”. Though it’s best to treat such stains as fast as possible using cold water and a little dish soap or hydrogen peroxide, but one would hardly give up his sleep in the middle of night for cleaning stains. Therefore, to clean stains on your mattress after they’ve set in, follow below mentioned methods.
Directions:
For Blood Stains:
- You can get rid of dried blood spots by making a paste of ¼ cup of hydrogen peroxide mixed with 1 tbsp liquid dish soap and 1 tbsp table salt.
- Rub the paste into the stain and let it get dry before scraping the residue out.
- Dab any remaining spots with a clean white cloth soaked in hydrogen peroxide.
- Use white cloth only as white cloth will prevent dye transfer from the cloth to the mattress.
- If you don’t have hydrogen peroxide, make a paste of meat tenderizer and water.
- The enzymes present in tenderizer will help dissolve the blood’s protein bonds.
For Urine Stains:
Urine stains are extremely hard to get rid of once they’re dry. However, this method can help treat such stains.
- First, mix 3 tbsp of baking soda in 8 oz. hydrogen peroxide.
- Then add 1 or 2 drops of liquid dish soap.
- Dab this mixture on the spot. Remember not to drench the mattress.
- If the stain doesn’t go away, wait til the mattress gets dry.
- Then whisk 3 tbsp of dry laundry detergent powder (do not use oxygenated bleach) and 1 tbsp of water to make a dry lather.
- Spread this lightly on the stain and leave it to sit for about half an hour.
- Scrape away any remaining and vacuum it well.
For Other Bodily Fluids:
To treat other bodily fluids like vomit, etc. follow these steps:
- First open the windows, then using a white cloth, blot the spot with unscented, undiluted household ammonia. Remember, not to drench your mattress!
- Now, wipe the surface with a damp, clean cloth.
- After that, sprinkle the area with baking soda to counteract the ammonia odor. Pull out any remaining moisture.
- Let it dry before you vacuum the area thoroughly.
5.) Flipping Your Mattress
If you have a coil or interspersing mattresses, you should flip it side to side and top to bottom weekly for the first 3 months after buying. After that, do this in every three months.
Suggestions:
- To remember the side and end, you can use a permanent marker.
- Write “winter/summer” on one end of the mattress, and “spring/fall” on the other side.
6.) Repeat Process to Clean a Mattress
After flipping your mattress, repeat the cleaning process in the same steps. While you’ve got the required things handy, it will be easier to do all the cleaning. You hardly have to get rid of any spots as this side won’t have one.
7.) Wrap it Up to Keep Your Mattress Clean
As cleaning mattresses is such a time-consuming task, it is recommended to use a washable mattress cover.
Suggestions:
- Buy a mattress covers that are made from fabric with a waterproof layer that also prevents liquids from touching your mattress.
- It’s very easy to wash the covers if you have a spill.
