If the idea of having pounds of sweat on your mattress freaks you out, its time you refresh it. Maybe cleaning your bedroom is your normal routine but you forget the most important part – your mattress. Did you know that you can refresh your mattress with simple household products? You’ll need baking soda, warm water, upholstery detergent, spray bottle, fan, and a vacuum. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to refresh mattress.
Table Of Content:
- Remove and clean the sheets
- Deodorize and vacuum the mattress
- Remove the stains
- Add a fresh scent
- Drying the mattress
- Seal the deal with a mattress protector
- Can you refresh the mattress by allowing fresh air to enter the room?
- Final words
Guide of how to refresh mattress.
01. Remove and clean the sheets
Before you refresh the mattress, you should focus on the obvious – the sheets and beddings. After all, this is what your skin is exposed to when you sleep. As a general rule of thumb, you should clean the sheets every 1-2 weeks.
When we sleep, the sweat gets absorbed by the sheets and mattress. This provides the perfect environment for dust mites to thrive. If you don’t want them to fade or get wrinkles, you should buy high-quality sheets.
02. Deodorize and vacuum the mattress
If the mattress is stale, it will have an unpleasant smell even if the sheets are clean. You should pour some baking soda at the top and allow it to sit for a few hours. Once this is done, vacuum the mattress to get rid of dust mites and any other things that could be hiding on the crevices. This only takes a few minutes. After vacuuming, you should empty the bag outside to prevent the spores from flying back into the mattress.
You should never combine vinegar and baking soda to balance the PH of fibers. Baking soda is alkaline while vinegar is acidic. If you use both of them, this could be an exercise in futility. They will simply cancel each other out. Use one at a time to create a neutral environment for odor-causing organisms.
First, you should fill the spray bottle with vinegar. Spray on the entire mattress and flip on the other side. Allow it to dry up and then dust some baking soda. Turn over the mattress and repeat the process on the other side. Once it dries, you should vacuum it thoroughly. Don’t forget to dislodge any stubborn dirt- pay attention to the seams. For the best results, you may want to vacuum your mattress every three months.
Still, you can substitute baking soda with white vinegar. The only trick when using it is that it requires the right timing. It should only be used during the rinsing cycle to get rid of those offending smells.
03. Remove the stains
Even if the mattress has tough stains, a simple solution of liquid detergent, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide will do the trick. Once you mix these components, you should apply to the problem area. Blot the mattress gently – if you overdo it, the stain will get deeper into the foam.
Another suggestion is to mix salt and lemon juice to make a paste. Apply on the stain and let it sit for 1-2 hours. Use a clean rag to remove the crystals that remain behind. After that, you can top off the mattress with a thin layer of baking soda and then vacuum it after an hour.
If the mattress is musty, you should clean it with a simple household cleaner. Just add half teaspoon of detergent to two cups of water and then apply a thin mist on the mattress. Be careful not to soak it.
04. Add a fresh scent
If you’re the kind of a person who enjoys a particular scent to sleep, you add a light of fragrance in your bed with essential oils. You can use two methods here. The first option is adding essential oil to baking soda. Just take one cup of baking soda, add a few drops of essential oils, and then sprinkle on the mattress. Another simple recipe that you can try is mixing one cup of vinegar with 20 drops of essential oil and one cup of distilled water. Put all the ingredients in a spray bottle and apply lightly on the mattress.
When it comes to the choice of essential oils, you should the ones with the best scent. Most people go for lavender, chamomile, lemon, tea tree, and orange. You can also mix a few to create a blend of wonderful aromas.
05. Drying the mattress
To ensure there’s no dampness on the mattress, you should dry it outside. You should stand it up and give it some kind of support so that the sun can hit both sides. That way, the mattress will be odor-free and you can put it back on the bed. What if you can’t take the mattress outside? You can use a fan. The best way to test if the mattress is dry is to use your nose. If you’re still bothered with the smell, you should give it more time to air out.
Your bedroom temperature and humidity should be at the recommended levels. This will prevent the growth of dust mites in the future. It’s worth mentioning that refreshing your mattress only removes mold and mildew on the surface. If the mattress emits a strong odor after drying, then the mold is growing inside. In such a case, you should consider buying a new one.
06. Seal the deal with a mattress protector
Now that you’ve taken the right steps to refresh your mattress, its time you ensure it stays clean as possible. A mattress protector will prevent spills, allergens, and stains.
07. Can you refresh the mattress by allowing fresh air to enter the room?
While the idea of opening the windows to allow fresh air to enter the room may seem like a feasible solution, it may not be enough. The old air will remain, especially if it’s in the middle of winter. Avoid wrapping your mattress in plastic as it can cause condensation.
Should you refresh a new mattress? Yes. Once a new mattress arrives in your home, there could be some odors remains from the manufacturing process. Plus, there’s additional odor from the plastic the mattress was wrapped in.
08. Final words
We routinely strip our beds to make sure the sheets are fresh. But how often do we clean the mattress underneath? When you refresh your mattress, you’ll keep dust mites and odors at bay for a good night’s sleep. Plus, this will prolong the life of the mattress. As you refresh your mattress, be careful with any form of liquid you use because too much moisture may encourage mold. Now you know how to refresh mattress.