People seldom seem to realize the importance of learning how to clean a mattress. However, this is one of those tasks that you will have to get down to sooner or later. If you are confused about how to tackle the chore and start with it and need some help, this guide will tell you everything you need to do.
Importance of cleaning the mattress
It is crucial to maintain hygiene at all times. On the outlook, your mattress might not appear dirty. However, you need to keep in mind that bacteria, dust mites, and similar other debris tends to accumulate with time.
Dust mites refer to tiny pests whose diet is the skin cells you shed during the night. Humans shed millions of skin cells weekly. Thus, your mattress is a hub of dust mites looking for food to thrive.
As you toss and turn in the bed, dust particles accumulated in the bed are stirred up and released into the bedroom. This can pave the way for problems like throat irritation, watery eyes, and nasal congestion since you will be breathing in these allergens all night.
It is common to sweat while sleeping. This sweat is absorbed by the surface of the mattress, which can make it the perfect ground for bacteria.
Therefore, if you want to ensure that your health is not compromised, cleaning the mattress is not a choice but a necessity.
Furthermore, a clean and fresh mattress will also make your sleeping environment more comfortable and will make it easier for you to fall into a deep slumber. Cleanliness will enhance your sleep quality, and you will find yourself waking up fresh as ever.
It is advisable to deep clean the mattress every six months to make sure that bacteria do not build-up, and there is no accumulation of allergens.
Cleaning the mattress
You will come across plenty of cleaning solutions on the market .However, that might seem like a costly option. If that is the case, let us provide you with a non-toxic and effective method of cleaning the mattress, which would not put a strain on your budget.
The supplies
The first thing that you need to do is to get all the items required for deep cleaning. Baking soda is among the first products. The amount of baking soda you will need depends on the size of the bed, but it is safe to get at least two to three boxes of it, so you do not run out.
Clear dish soap, hydrogen peroxide, and white distilled vinegar are some other things you will need. Apart from these, you have to get supplies like a spray bottle, a toothbrush, a few rags, and a vacuum cleaner.
All the items used in cleaning are safe and non-toxic, ensuring that you do not have a reason to worry. Once all the supplies are ready, it is time to get down to cleaning.
The cleaning process
The first step is to strip the mattress of all the bedding, including the sheets and pillows. Once the mattress is entirely bare, vacuum its top so that all the first layers of dust, dander and other particles are removed. You will find a hand-held vacuum to be a better option since maneuvering it will be easier and convenient.
The next step is sprinkling an even coat of baking soda throughout the mattress. It does not matter if you use too much baking soda. The only thing you need to ensure is that it is evenly distributed. You can use a sifter for the purpose.
Rub the baking soda into the mattress using a toothbrush. You can also use a vacuum brush for the purpose as it has thicker bristles and will allow you to scrub harder. Now let the baking soda work its magic for around ten minutes. By letting the baking soda sit on the mattress for this period, you will allow it to pull moisture and bad odor away.
After 10 minutes have elapsed, vacuum your mattress again. The vacuum will likely fill with baking soda following this step, so make sure you empty it before proceeding.
The time has now come to make your own cleaning solution if you do not want to use a cleaning solution from the market. Add a cup of hydrogen peroxide, and two generous squirts of dish soap in a spray bottle along with a cup of cold water and shake it well. Spray this solution all over the mattress.
Ensure that the whole surface of the mattress is covered, with no dry spots left behind. The cleaning solution is non-toxic, so you do not have to be concerned about touching it with bare hands.
Cover the damp bed with baking soda and rub the baking soda in using a white rag. If the mattress has some darker stains , you can put more amount of baking soda on it. The mattress will now be covered with a firm paste. If your mattress has some tough stains, you might have to add an extra layer of cleaning solution or baking soda.
Let the cleaning solution and baking soda do its job overnight or at least eight to ten hours. After the duration, the mattress has to be adequately scrubbed via a brush so that the baking soda residue can be broken. A vacuum brush will get the job done better.
Now vacuum the mattress thoroughly. You might have to vacuum multiple times to get rid of all the residue. If you want to ensure that no residue remains, beat the mattress using a rag after vacuuming it once and then vacuum again.
Your work is now done, and you will find a clean and fresh mattress to sleep on.
For some tough stains
Sometimes, some tough stains remain even after this cleaning process. If that is the case, vinegar is what you need. Add a few tablespoons of baking soda in distilled white vinegar and mix it properly till a paste is made. Spread this paste on the stain and let it sit for around one hour.
The paste will assume a hard texture during this period, which you can break and peel off from the mattress. The stain will also be removed as you peel off the paste. Once done, vacuum the mattress to remove the debris.
Making the process as effective as possible
This cleaning method is quite practical and safe. However, if you want to increase its effectiveness, there are some measures that you can take.
For one thing, use a vacuum brush instead of a toothbrush while scrubbing the baking soda into the mattress. A toothbrush works well to break up the baking soda residue in concentrated and limited areas. However, the brush is too small to be used on the whole mattress. Furthermore, the vacuum brush has stiff and robust bristles, and you do not have to worry about them falling off as you scrub hard.
While cleaning, you will be working with a lot of baking soda. You will find yourself practically covered in it. Therefore, it might be a good idea to manage it properly. It is advisable to avoid wearing black since the color would be affected.
It is also a good idea to empty baking soda from the vacuum after each use. This will make sure that the mess does not get out of hands. Make sure that you buy baking soda in abundance so that you do not have to be concerned about running out of it in the middle of your cleaning.
There is no denying that the cleaning solution is non-toxic and safe. However, you will have to deal with some baking soda odor that can be quite unpleasant. Therefore, keep the windows open for adequate ventilation as you clean. If the weather does not allow you to open it completely, you can always leave a crack.
A point to remember
The thing you need to keep in mind is that cleaning the mattress will not make it look new again. Therefore, you have to be clear about the expected results, so you do not end up being disappointed. Furthermore, results would vary, depending on the stain and the mattress material. Some factors that can influence the results include
The nature of stains
Some dark stains do not get erased entirely. This is particularly the case if your mattress is white. Therefore, do not worry if some dark stains are still slightly visible after you are done cleaning.
The duration
How old the stain is, influences its cleaning significantly. If you have just made a stain on your mattress, it will likely disappear entirely via cleaning. However, stains that have been there for a long time will probably leave some evidence.
Protecting the mattress
Once the mattress is cleaned thoroughly, you would want to make sure that it remains so for a long time. Thus, you might have to take some measures to keep it protected against dust and debris.
Getting a mattress protector can make a world of difference. They are not really expensive and are readily available everywhere. They will play a pivotal role in keeping your mattress clean.
These protectors are often waterproof and will make sure that your mattress is protected even if you spill something on it. You will not have to think about stains and spills as much if you have a mattress protector in place.
Furthermore, the protector will also not allow allergens and dust mites to accumulate on your mattress. It will serve as a barrier between the mattress and dust particles. Therefore, if you are prone to allergies or are particular about hygiene, a mattress protector is just the thing for you.
Apart from this, it is also imperative to wash the bedding weekly; bed sheets can become a hub of bacteria. Therefore, it is necessary to clean them once a week. If the sheets and pillows are cleaned, the germs and dust living in the bedding will not find their way to the mattress. If you often find yourself itching as soon as you lie on the bed, it could be a sign that the bedding needs cleaning promptly.
It is advisable to refrain from eating food in bed. As difficult as it might be, letting pets sleep with you should also be avoided. This will prevent the build-up of bacteria and dust mites in your mattress and will also limit incidences of spills and stains on the mattress.
Final words
We have provided you with a detailed guide on how you can clean your mattress and keep it protected. However, there are some things you need to keep in mind. For one thing, this cleaning process will take up a lot of your time and require ample patience.
Therefore, before you get down to it, make sure that you have the whole day to manage things. There is so much to do, including the application of paste, spraying, and vacuuming. If you do not have adequate time on your hands, you will not be able to do the task properly.
Also, remember that you will not be able to use the mattress for a night, so make sure that you have some other sleeping arrangements for the night in mind.
The cleaning process will make sure that your mattress is devoid of all dust, particles, and stains. However, if you find mold on your mattress while cleaning, take it as a red herring. This should tell you that the time has come to replace the mattress.
Sleeping on a moldy mattress can be quite bad for your health, and no matter how hard you try to remove mold, some after-effects would remain. Therefore, do not take such a risk and avoid using the mattress if it has developed mold.
All in all, cleaning your mattress timely can save you from a lot of trouble. Therefore, do not waste any more time and get down to it. You will be surprised by the results.
You clean your clothes, your car and nearly everything else around you, but you probably aren’t cleaning your mattress. It’s large size and awkward shape makes conventional cleaning seem difficult, but the truth is that getting your mattress squeaky clean isn’t as hard as you think. In just a few simple steps, your bed can be clean and free of all the skin, sweat and dust mites it has accumulated.