How to Clean a Mattress
Making sure your mattress stays clean throughout the year is essential to keeping your bed in good shape. Failing to clean your mattress regularly can cause dust mites and mold to grow on the surface of your mattress, and you may need a replacement sooner than you think.
In this article, we’ll teach you how to clean your mattress correctly. We’ll also offer some tips to help you maintain the cleanliness of your bed.
Strip the Mattress
Before you begin cleaning your mattress, take all sheets, blankets, and mattress pads off your bed. Place any decorative pillows or throw blankets out of the way while you’re cleaning.
Make sure to fold up any blankets that don’t need to be washed and remove pillowcases if they’re washable.
If you have a mattress protector, you’ll want to remove it too. However, you do not need to remove your mattress cover as it protects its material. Some mattress brands even ask that you never take off the mattress cover even if it’s technically removable.
Wash Bedding and Pillowcase
While you’re cleaning your mattress, it’s probably a good idea to place your sheets in the washing machine while you work on cleaning the mattress. It’s best to wash your sheets every one to two weeks to keep dirt and allergens from building up on your bed. If you have a duvet, remove the duvet cover since the duvet only needs to be cleaned a few times a year.
Wash your bed sheets, blankets, and pillowcases according to the care instructions. We recommend washing your bedding in hot water and drying it on the highest setting possible to kill any dust mites or bacteria.
Clean and Deodorize the Bed
Cleaning and deodorizing your bed keeps your bed smelling fresh and clean.
We recommend cleaning your mattress every six months to maintain the quality of your mattress. Regular cleanings will prevent odors, bed bugs, and debris from ruining your mattress. Be sure to pay special attention to the crevices and crack of your mattress when dirt and debris may hide.
Vacuum Your Mattress
Vacuuming your mattress will help remove pet hair, dead skin cells, dust, and other excess debris. Use an upholstery attachment to vacuum the surface of your mattress for the best results. You can use an upholstery nozzle to vacuum up any dirt around the edge of your bed.
Be sure to vacuum both sides of your mattress to maintain cleanliness. It’s also best to clean under your bed to keep debris from gathering on the bottom of your mattress.
Spot Clean Stains
If you accidentally spill something on your mattress, you should spot clean it as soon as possible to prevent stains. We recommend using a homemade cleaning solution with hydrogen peroxide, liquid dish soap, and baking soda. Combine these products and mix them thoroughly before treating a stained area.
Spray the mixture onto a cloth and then blot with a clean rag. For fresh stains, take a clean cloth and wet it with cold water, just enough to dampen. Then, blot the stain with the damp cloth. Use a clean towel to dry the area when you are finished.
If your mattress is penetrated with stains from bodily fluids, you may need an enzyme cleaner. Stains such as sweat, urine, or blood will be more difficult to remove than everyday stains caused by drinks or food. Enzyme cleaners contain beneficial bacteria that break down molecules found in organic materials.
Plus, if you have young children prone to bedwetting, an enzyme cleaner makes it easier to get urine stains out. We also suggest using a water-resistant mattress pad as it can be helpful for nighttime accidents.
When using a stain remover or enzyme cleaner, you’ll want to spray the cleaner onto a cloth rather than directly on your mattress. Use as little liquid as possible. Pouring too much liquid on your bed can facilitate mold and mildew growth.
It’s not always the best idea to clean mattress stains with harsh chemicals on a memory foam bed. You want harsh products that could damage the materials.
We recommend spot treating your bed with a simple solution of half dish soap and half water or a spray bottle filled with diluted white vinegar. You can also try using laundry detergent and water to remove stains. Laundry detergent is formulated to break up tough stains from urine, blood, and other bodily fluids.
Deodorize your Mattress with Baking Soda
Next, you need to deodorize your mattress to get rid of any funky odors. Baking soda is a great solution to freshen up your bed. Sprinkle a light layer of baking soda over the entire surface of your mattress, then let it sit for 2 to 3 hours or longer.
The more time you let the baking soda sit on your bed, the more it will absorb the odors from your mattress. Once the baking soda sits to your liking, vacuum it up with an upholstery attachment. Be sure to vacuum both sides of your mattress for the best results.
If you are a fan of essential oils, you can add a few drops of your favorite scent to keep your bed smelling nice. Some essential oils like lavender, chamomile can even help induce sleep for a better night of rest. However, essential oils can also make it easier for dirt to linger on your mattress, so you may want to simply keep a diffuser by your bed.
Air Out Your Mattress
Once you have cleaned your mattress thoroughly, make sure it is completely dry before placing it back on your bed. Placing your bed sheets on a wet mattress will cause moisture to build up.
If you can, leave your mattress outside for a few hours and let it sit in the sun. The UV rays will help kill off any bacteria or mold that is present in your mattress. If you can’t put your bed out in the sun and fresh air, simply open a window to help your mattress dry out.
Use a Mattress Protector
One of the best ways to keep your mattress clean is by using a mattress protector. Protecting your mattress from stains and spills can help extend the lifespan of your bed. You can even use a hypoallergenic to prevent allergens and other irritants from disrupting your rest.
A water-resistant mattress protector may also help insulate your mattress against spills, moisture, and bed bugs.
Lastly, if you’re not sure if you have a mattress without fiberglass, a protector can make it harder for stray fiberglass particles to leak through.
Conclusion
It’s best to clean your mattress every six months to keep it in the best condition. While cleaning your mattress, be sure to vacuum under your mattress foundation to keep dust from accumulating on the bottom of your bed.
It may also be a good idea to go the extra mile and purchase a mattress protector to keep stains and spills from ruining your mattress. Using a mattress protector may help extend the lifespan of your mattress and will also keep your bed smelling fresh for weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your mattress has yellow coloring, it’s likely from built-up sweat and body oils. It’s never a good idea to saturate an entire mattress in water because it can damage the mattress materials and cause mildew to build up.
Instead, you can try to whiten up your bed with a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water plus 1/4 teaspoon of mild dish liquid. Pour this mixture into a spray bottle and spritz it across the surface.
We recommend cleaning your mattress every six months. If you notice dust mites, dirt and allergens are gathering on your bed; it’s time for a deep clean. Cleaning your mattress at least twice a year will help maintain the cleanliness of your mattress and prolong its lifespan.
Most modern mattresses do not need to be flipped. Therefore, unless the manufacturer specifically recommends otherwise, you should not flip your mattress.
Most mattresses are designed to be one-sided, so their design is not conducive to flipping. Instead, it’s better to rotate your mattress every 3 to 6 months. Rotating your bed can help protect your mattress from premature damage.
One of the best ways to keep your mattress fresh and clean is by deodorizing it with baking. First, you’ll want to vacuum the surface of your mattress. Then, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on top of the bed. Let the baking soda sit for at least 2 to 3 hours. Remember, the longer you let the baking soda sit, the more of the odor it will absorb.
Once your mattress is penetrated with mildew, it is pretty much impossible to remove. You’ll want to clean your mattress regularly to prevent mold and mildew growth.
We also recommend making sure your bed is dry before you cover it with sheets and linen. If your mattress is too damp, it can facilitate the growth of mildew and mold.
Most mattresses can be steamed and cleaned with no problems. However, it’s best to steer clear of steam cleaning a memory foam mattress because too much liquid can damage the materials. Plus, memory foam beds absorb moisture, which can cause mold to develop.
Steam cleaning helps remove pesky dust mites and other allergens from your mattress, and you won’t have to turn to harsh chemicals to keep your bed clean.
Mold is a type of fungus that thrives in warm, dark, and damp environments. With that being said, a mattress can easily become an environment for mold growth if your bedroom is too humid or you have a liquid spill on your bed. If your bedroom is too damp, try using a dehumidifier or tweaking the A/C levels in your room.
It’s also worth mentioning, your chances of seeing mold on a memory foam mattress are a bit higher compared to other mattress types. Memory foam beds have a porous structure that absorbs moisture, making them a hot spot for mold on your bed.