How to Clean a Mattress Like a Professional
Do you know how to clean a mattress? The mattresses buying process has changed a lot over the past decade. Gone are the days of going to major retailers, flipping your mattress every few months, and then purchasing a new mattress after just 10 years.
With innovations in mattress technology and boxed mattress companies such as DreamCloud, offering guarantees and extended warranties on their mattresses, the challenge these days is simply keeping your mattress clean, odor free, and in good shape.
If you didn’t know, dust mites can build up in your mattress. Mattresses can also hold sweat, blood, urine, and other bodily fluids in addition to mold, mildew, pollen, dirt, oils, and so much more. Gross! Thus, it’s imperative to know how to clean a mattress and have an established routine. Many people do it seasonally, cleaning their mattresses four times a year, while others do it just once or twice a year.
Best Mattresses to Buy Online
How to Clean a Mattress
Cleaning a mattress really isn’t that complicated. If you have a spill, you’ll need to go the extra mile, but if you simply need to freshen it, you can do so in less than 30 minutes. If you’re lazy, even just a quick vacuum job will go a long way.
Step One: Vacuum It
If you have a traditional vacuum, it should have an upholstery attachment. Some vacuum companies such as Dyson actually have mattress cleaning attachments. This is your best tool for how to clean a mattress. Start at the top, work your way down to the bottom in overlapping paths (much like you would vacuum your carpet), and then clean the sides at the end.
Step Two: Deodorize It
When it comes to odor removal, baking soda is your best friend. While you may not notice an odor to your mattress, chances are you’ve gone to be enough without showering that sweat has collected and may be producing a slight odor. To rid your mattress of odor, sprinkle it with baking soda, gently rub with a scrub brush, and let sit for ten minutes. The baking soda will bond with moisture and body oils in the top layer of the mattress fabric.
Next, get your vacuum out once more and vacuum up the baking soda. This will pull the moisture and odors out.
Step Three: Remove Stains
Blood, urine, and “other bodily fluids” such as vomit and more are the most common mattress stains. While it’s best to treat them immediately, they’re not incurable should you decide to wait.
To treat dried blood, simply make a paste of 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide, 1 tbsp. liquid dish soap, and 1tbsp of table salt. Spread mixture onto the stain, allow to dry, and then scrape off residue. Once you have scraped off all that you can, dab any remaining with a white rag dipped in hydrogen peroxide. Next,vacuum the area.
Urine stains are a bit trickier, but not impossible. To treat urine stains, create a solution of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and liquid dish soap. Dissolve 3 tbsp. baking soda into 8 oz. of hydrogen peroxide, and then add two drops of liquid dish soap. Dab this solution onto the spot and scrape away paste with a spoon. Next, use a white cloth dipped into hydrogen peroxide and remove any bits of paste that remained. Lastly, vacuum the area.
“Other bodily fluids” are best treated with ammonia. Keep in mind this has a very strong smell, so ensure to open the windows before beginning treatment. Using a white rag, blot stain with undiluted, unscented household ammonia. Wipe the area with a clean, damp white cloth and then sprinkle with baking soda to try and neutralize the ammonia smell and extract any remaining moisture. Let this dry, and then vacuum. If the ammonia scent remains, treat with baking soda once more
Step Four: Flip & Repeat
If you have a pillowtop mattress, you won’t need to flip it, but it may be worthwhile to still vacuum it should dust mites or even dust bunnies have arisen under your bed. Thus, flip the mattress, vacuum from top to bottom similar to how you did before, and then flip back.
Cleaning your mattress is a pain, but something that should be done at a minimum of twice a year. To help mitigate “emergency” cleanings, make sure your mattress is protected. Washable mattress covers are best, and many are made from fabric bonded with a waterproof layer that adds extra protection. Whenever you wash your sheets, make sure to throw your mattress cover in as well. Need a bit of extra wash? Just bleach it.
Mattress Coupons, See Our Promo Codes and Deals
Did you know how to clean a mattress before reading this post, or have any other tips and tricks outside of what we recommended? Tell us in the comments!
