How to Clean a Mattress?

Most people don’t think about the age of their mattress, and especially about whether it’s too old and when it’s time to buy a new one. But like other products, mattresses have their lifetime and it is good to think about how to extend their use.

How do I make a mattress fresher?

Mattresses should be cleaned every 3 to 6 months. It is important to clean the mattress of sweat, dead skin cells, dust particles, and parasites that settle in it.

The room you are cleaning the mattress in should be well ventilated. Open all windows and doors. You should also open the windows of other parts of your home and turn on the air conditioner to encourage cross-ventilation.

Make sure that not much moisture has accumulated in the room. Ventilation will make the mattress dry after applying cleansers and will allow bad odors and chemical odors to disappear.

Remove the bedding. Before you follow any mattress cleaning step, you need to remove everything that covers it and is not part of the mattress. This will be important because dirt, dust, and odors can accumulate on the sheets, linings, and protectors. Carefully fold the sheets while removing them to prevent more dust or dirt from falling on the mattress.

You are not even aware of how much dirt and dangerous bacteria can be found on a mattress. One mattress contains an average of ten thousand to ten million mites, and that’s certainly something you’d rather avoid.

No sheet can retain the dirt that accumulates on the mattress during its use, whether it is human secretions, liquids spilled on the mattress, hair, or dust. All this potentiates the accumulation of mites, which can cause allergic reactions in healthy people, the accumulation of mold, and various bacteria.

Before any cleaning, washing, and treatment of the mattress, it is necessary to vacuum it well. After removing all bedding from the mattress, vacuum it well to remove all dust, hair, and peeling skin as much as possible. Move the mattress off the bed and wipe the frame. You may not see it but the framing has a lot of dust.

Vacuum the mattress thoroughly to remove the baking soda, and with it the dirt. In case the spots are still damp from cleaning, leave the mattress to dry in the fresh air. Never use a mattress that is not completely dry.

You can use baking soda mixed with essential oils to refresh the mattress. Mix a small tablespoon of baking soda with four to five drops of essential oil, for example, lavender. Sprinkle on the mattress and leave it on for at least an hour. Baking soda draws moisture from the mattress and removes unpleasant odors, as well as stubborn stains, while lavender is the one that has a positive effect on sleep and promotes quality sleep.

A homemade preparation made from water, baking soda, and detergent will neutralize unpleasant odors on the mattress and remove ugly stains. You will need 250 ml of water, 3 tablespoons of baking soda, and a few drops of liquid soap or dishwashing detergent.

First mix water and baking soda, and when you get a smooth mixture, pour a drop of soap or dishwashing detergent. Stir well and pour into a spray bottle. Spray on the mattress and watch as the foam will appear. Wait for the surface to dry (you can speed this up with a hairdryer), then brush with a dry brush or vacuum.

Kill the mites. This will be important because dust mites are known to worsen allergies and can cause asthma and rashes. You should mix two cups of distilled water and two teaspoons of essential oils. Lightly spray the mixture on the mattress. Allow the mixture to dry before proceeding.

To complete a thorough cleaning, you also need to disinfect the mattress. This will be important because it can accumulate bacteria and other contaminants over time. Mix one-quarter cup of bleach and 4 liters of fresh or cold water.

If you are going to clean with bleach, wear protective equipment, such as gloves, safety goggles, or even a mask. Also, you should be in a well-ventilated area. You can also use other products for disinfection (such as Lysol spray).

Perhaps the best thing for your mattress is fresh air and UV rays. If you have the opportunity, take it outside and thus naturally eliminate bacteria.

How do I remove different kinds of stains from a mattress?

Stains can also be removed using salt and lemon juice. Mix the two ingredients to create a paste and spread it onto the mattress. Leave it for one hour and then wipe it off with a clean cloth. Lemon juice will dissolve the dirt and its particles, while the salt will soak it up.

The brush should not be too hard, otherwise, you will damage the mattress. You can also use an old toothbrush if the stains are smaller. After you are done, soak up the excess foam and moisture well in the places you cleaned with a clean, dry cloth. Be careful with memory foam mattresses, because they should not get wet at all. This type of cleaning is best for food and beverage stains.

Stains from sweat, feces, stomach contents, fat are best cleaned with an enzyme-based cleaner. They can be purchased at drugstores or medical equipment stores. Soak a cloth and rub the surface where the stain is with it well. Never put the cleaner directly on the mattress, because it would get too wet, and that is not desirable. An enzyme-based cleaner will act on stains and break down dirt molecules after half an hour.

Urine is one of the most common stains on mattresses, especially with children. Urine will not only stain them but will also leave an unpleasant odor that is difficult to remove.

Eliminate urine stains by mixing 3 tablespoons of baking soda, 240 ml of hydrogen peroxide, and half a teaspoon of dishwashing detergent. Apply a little solution to the urine stain. Do not soak the mattress with this solution. Allow the area to dry.

If the stain can still be seen, mix 3 tablespoons of laundry detergent and one tablespoon of water. Spread the mixture on the stain and let it work for half an hour. Then remove it with a knife or a piece of flat thin plastic and try to remove all the remains.

You can treat bloodstains with a mixture of a quarter cup of hydrogen peroxide, a tablespoon of dishwashing detergent, and one tablespoon of table salt. Spread the mixture on the stain and let it sit.

Bloodstains are not as common as urine, but they do occur occasionally. Although they do not have a bad urine odor, they are usually more difficult to remove. If the stain can still be seen, rub it gently with a clean white cloth dampened with hydrogen peroxide.

Spilled drinks are also one of the most common stains to appear on the mattress. Red wine and liquor are removed by sprinkling salt or soda. After a few minutes, the powder is carefully collected, and the stained spot is wiped off with a damp cloth.

Remove coffee spilled on the bed using the mixture of 1 cup of water and 1 teaspoon of liquid ammonia. You can also remove coffee stains with saline, a mixture of alcohol and vinegar, or mild soap. Tea and beer stains are removed with vinegar.

If you have permanent dirt stains or stains of unknown origin, dilute the detergent in water and pour it into a spray bottle. Apply the composition to the stain and cover with an absorbent cloth. Remove after a while.

How do I clean the mattress to keep it fresh afterward?

The durability of a mattress depends on several factors. The quality of the mattress is one of the decisive factors in its durability. In other words, the higher the quality mattress you choose, the longer you will enjoy it.

The weight of a person sleeping on a mattress affects his strain. If a person of heavier weight sleeps on it, the durability of the mattress will be shorter. Generally speaking, good-quality bed mattresses can last up to 10 years. But a good indicator can be the feeling you wake up in the morning.

Protect the mattress with a mattress topper. Its role is to remove some of the pressure with which the body loads the mattress itself. Thus, mattress toppers greatly affect the longevity of the mattress. Also, the highest quality variants of mattress toppers are enriched with revitalizing treatment with antibacterial, antimicrobial, and odor-absorbing properties.

Proper maintenance and cleaning of the mattress include turning it regularly. This is especially important with foam and latex mattresses, but do not neglect the rotation of the mattress made of springs.

Turn the mattress to the other side at least twice a year. By turning the mattress, you will avoid the formation of bumps and hollows, but also, even out the traces of lying down. Turn the mattress by turning the lower side up, but also by changing the side of the head – legs.

Mattresses must not be folded so that the core is not damaged, this is especially true for spring mattresses. Also, for the mattress to last for many years, it needs to be provided with optimal humidity. Do not keep the mattress in a humid place, especially do not store the mattress in a room that is full of moisture.

It is advisable to vacuum the mattress well every 3 months. Of course, use a good vacuum cleaner and a proper extension to vacuum the bed and mattress thoroughly. Allow yourself enough time to vacuum and pay attention to the edge of the mattress because that’s where most of the dust collects.

The important thing when maintaining a mattress is to always keep it in a dry place. If a small child sleeps on the mattress, just in case, put a waterproof mat over the mattress so that any “night accident” would not wet the mattress.

Try to remove stains as soon as you notice them. Pour lukewarm water into a bowl, add a little detergent to the water, and then gently wipe the stain with a sponge. You can get rid of stains and unpleasant odors with baking soda, which will sprinkle the bed.

If your mattress has a cover that can be removed and washed, use that. Read the label. The covers are generally washable at 30°C and 40°C. We recommend that you dry the covers in the fresh air because in the dryer the cover can crumple, which will result in problems in placing it back on the mattress.

Think about buying and using mattress cover protectors. Sweating will not be a problem as the protection absorbs any type of liquid. The mattress cover is very easy to wash and should be washed at least six times a year, and sometimes even more if you are allergic to dust. Change the mattress protection for at least two to three years.

While a bed cover is a nice decoration for your bedroom, don’t spread it out right after getting up. Also, it would be a good idea to allow time for the moisture to evaporate from your mattress before covering it with a quilt or blanket.

Consider a less traditional approach to making the bed, especially if you are bothered by excessive sweating during the night. Wrap or fold the quilt into the base of the bed and let the mattress dry and air out completely during the day.

Vacuuming mattresses is a useful habit. Do this every time you change the bedding to help remove mites and prevent dirt from penetrating the mattress structure and cover.

Provide free space under your bed so that the mattress has enough ventilation and moisture can evaporate from below. Poor ventilation of the mattress in the worst-case scenario can also cause the formation of fungus or cause mold on the mattress.

If you have a bed platform, regularly check the slats for cracks or damage to the frame. A mattress without proper support will very quickly lose its shape and bend under your body weight, which means that you are not properly supported either.

Blankets and sheets should be washed at least once a week. Discourage mites from moving into your mattress by changing sheets and blankets at least once a week. Wash them in the washing machine at a minimum temperature of 60 degrees.

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