The recommended frequency with which you have your mattress clean is at least twice a year. In this way, you are ensuring that it is fresh and hygienic. Your mattress is the place that you realistically spend at least a third of your time at home. So making sure the mattress you are sleeping on provides a healthy environment for your good night’s sleep is a must.
A waterproof mattress protector is an essential barrier that not only keeps your mattress clean but also protects against spills and accidents. Additionally, most waterproof mattress protectors can be machine-washed and tumble-dried, making them both practical and hygienic. Unfortunately, they are not enough. Have no fear, though, because you don’t need specialized equipment, nor expensive detergents, let alone some secret tips and tricks to tidy up and sanitize your mattress in a timely fashion. You will only need to follow the simple steps countless experts tested over time that will remove dust mites, dirt and stains from the depth of your mattress’s fabrics.
What to prepare
Getting the right tools at hand is a must. Before you embark on your mattress-cleaning journey, make sure that you have the following at hand:
- A vacuum cleaner
- Store-bought cleaning products to remove stains and bad smells from your mattress
- A cleaning solution, which can be store-bought or homemade, to effectively remove stains
- Dry cloths
- Baking soda and white vinegar if you prefer homemade cleaning solutions
- A few hours at hand at least
What is the best thing to clean a mattress with baking soda?
Dust mites thrive in environments rich in dead skin and moisture, making mattresses a prime habitat due to the warmth and constant supply of skin cells. Dust mites created by regular household dust are the number one enemy of healthy and clean mattress areas.
Don’t forget to open the bedroom windows for a few hours every day to remove as many dust mites from the air as possible. Thus you will prevent dust mite build-ups in your mattress. The next logical step toward a really healthy, sanitized bed, would be regular mattress cleaning. Two times a year is the golden rule. The best pro cleaners in the business will tell you, however, that doing it at the start of each season will yield optimal results.
How do you deep clean a dirty mattress with a vacuum cleaner?
- The first step you will need to take is to get any removable covers away from your mattress. Most mattress covers can be washed in a washing machine, so it would be a good idea to toss them there. Thus, while you are deep cleaning your dirty mattresses, they will be cleaned, dried, and ready to put them in their right place once done.
- To commence deep cleaning your mattress, vacuum the entire surface thoroughly. Most commercially available vacuum cleaners will be powerful enough to remove all dust mites that have gotten into your mattress over time. Open the windows while vacuuming to keep the bedroom windows open to let fresh air in. You will also prevent household dust mites from getting right back into the sheets and mattress. Flip the mattress if it is two-sided. Vacuum the other side well too. Letting the mattress air out regularly is crucial to prevent moisture buildup and maintain freshness.
- The next step is to inspect the entire surface of the mattress for stains. Those can be blood stains, dead skin buildups, sweat stains, and anything else. Dead skin buildups are just dust mites that are particularly stubborn to remove. Like all stains, you can use a steam cleaning machine to loosen them up and then remove them. If you don’t have one at hand, you can hot wash them with warm water and a detergent. Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away excess cleaning solution. Follow the instructions on the label. Some products require cold water, instead of warm water, so be particularly careful on that front.
- For those of you who prefer the natural approach to mattress cleaning, a solution of white vinegar and warm water will produce optimal results. In case you detect a bad odor emanating from your mattress, baking soda will help. Sprinkle baking soda on the surface of the mattress and leave it for at least one hour. Then remove the soda with the vacuum cleaner. You will notice that your mattress smells noticeably fresher this time. If the weather outside allows it, you can take your mattress and leave it in the sun for a couple of hours. This will help manage excess moisture and allow the mattress to air out, preventing moisture buildup and further removing any lingering bad smells that you do not want associated with your bedroom.
Can you fully clean a mattress to remove dust mites?
Many will tell you that you can never completely clean a mattress. However, they don’t know modern memory foam mattresses are designed “breathe” better than the old materials. When cleaning a memory foam mattress, follow the manufacturer guidelines and consider using removable covers for easier maintenance. If you invest enough time and energy, you should be able to clean your mattress up to the highest industry standard. Just don’t forget to use the upholstery attachment of your vacuum cleaner. Remove the dirt from your mattress every time you change the covers. Treat every stain as soon as it occurs and you won’t have to worry about dust mites and allergens making your mattress fabrics their home. Of course, deep clean your mattresses as often as possible.
How do you deodorize a mattress?
Naturally, you don’t aim at just removing bad odor from your mattress. You want to keep your mattress fresh and smelling pleasantly. And you can do that. Mattress deodorants that you can buy in supermarkets come with anti-sweat stain qualities. That additional protection should be all the more reason to use them. To improve the way your mattress smells, vacuum dead skin and wash the covers with detergents. Keeping the air in the bedroom fresh by opening the windows will have further positive effect. The more serious you are about your household chores overall, the better the hygiene of your mattress is going to be.
