If you own a mattress and sleep on it every night, chances are, you’re going to spill something at some point. As hard as you try to prevent the inevitable, there will come a time when you find yourself with stains on your mattress that you’re not sure how to clean up without damaging your bedding beyond repair. The good news is that cleaning a mattress doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive—in fact, it can be fairly easy if you follow this handy checklist for how to clean a mattress effectively and safely.
The Only Mattress Cleaning Checklist You Need for a Restful Sleep
Remove any stains from the mattress
The first step in mattress cleaning is getting rid of any stains. If you notice stains that don’t seem to be coming out with soap and water, pre-treat them with your favorite stain remover and let them sit overnight. The next day, apply a mixture of one part bleach to 10 parts water to kill germs, wipe away any excess residue, and allow your mattress to dry completely before putting sheets back on it.
Vacuum the mattress
To get rid of dust mites and other allergens, you’ll need to vacuum your mattress at least once a week with a Mattress Vacuum Cleaner Machine. This will also remove any liquids that may have spilled on your mattress and ensure you won’t get stains or mildew. Just be sure to use a low suction setting; otherwise, you could damage your mattress. For best results, work from one side of your bed to another you don’t want all of that dust flying into your face.
Cleaning the Mattress Using Baking Soda
With its all-natural, non-toxic nature, baking soda makes for an excellent natural mattress cleaner. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on your mattress. Wait about 10 minutes and use your hands to work it into every corner of your mattress. Then, scrub gently with a soft-bristled brush to loosen any dirt or stains. After you’ve given it time to sit and work its magic (about 20 minutes), vacuum up all remaining traces of baking soda before tossing it on some fresh sheets.
Deodorize and disinfect the mattress
The smell of an unclean mattress can ruin your sleep. The best way to avoid getting out of bed with a headache every morning is to keep it clean and odor-free by regularly cleaning and disinfecting it. Dust mites, mold, and dead skin cells are some of the main culprits for causing bad odors in your mattress. It’s highly recommended that you use an enzyme spray cleaner to wash down your mattress.
Remove Dust Mites (optional) Use dust-mite-proof encasements
Dust mites are microscopic bugs that feed on your dead skin cells. These bugs tend to build up in bedding and mattresses, leaving behind allergens that can trigger asthma, allergies and worsen respiratory conditions like colds or flu. If you’re not able to replace your mattress just yet, adding mattress covers and dust-mite-proof encasements can prevent dust mites from making themselves at home inside your bedding.
Add Fresh Linens to the Mattress
Without replacing your sheets, pillowcases, and blankets every once in a while, it’s going to be tough to have fresh bedding. Dust and dead skin cells can build up on sheets, which can cause allergic reactions or make you uncomfortable.
To have fresh bedding that you’ll love sleeping in every night, add new linens every few months. That way, you can keep dust and dander at bay without having to worry about someone getting sick from not changing their sheets often enough. If you want your linens even fresher than that, there are also options for washing them at home rather than taking them back to a laundry service or dry cleaner.
Steam Clean the Mattress
Before going to bed, consider steaming your mattress to get rid of dust mites and allergens. A great option is steam cleaning: Steam cleaners are affordable and work by using high-pressure hot water to blast out dirt and other unwanted particles.
For an extra boost, throw in some disinfectant sheets they’ll sanitize your mattress and help keep it smelling fresh. Consider switching up your sheets every week or so, as well washing them regularly can help prevent dust from settling back into them.
Put your mattress in the open air
Exposure to sunlight and the air is recommended because it kills dust mites that can cause allergic reactions. Just open the doors and windows near your mattress. You can leave it in the open air for a few hours or even days.
Remove all fluids from the mattress
First, remove any liquid that has seeped into your mattress. Because of its porous nature, it’s easy for fluids to seep into your mattress and cause issues. If you can get rid of those fluids, you can prevent mold from taking hold in other areas of your mattress. Once you have eliminated those liquids, use an upholstery cleaner to wipe down your mattress. It should be dry within 15 minutes.
Protect your mattress
Having a clean mattress is important, but it’s also vital to have one that’s protected from stains and dust mites. Invest in good quality encasements and dust protectors, which will help keep your mattress as clean as possible over time. Replace or wash these covers every few months (sooner if you notice any stains). Dust your mattress daily to ensure a restful sleep.
Watch this complete video on cleaning a mattress.
The Bottom Line
Follow these tips and steps to get them clean, fresh, and ready for a night of sweet dreams. And as always, don’t forget that keeping up with these regularly scheduled cleanings will help extend their life.
