How to clean a mattress
SINCE you spend a good chunk of your life in bed, it's probably not surprising your mattress can get pretty dirty and needs to be cleaned regularly.
Sweat, stains, dirt, and grime build up on your mattress, so making sure it's fresh and clean is a must for a good snooze.
How to clean a mattress
Although cleaning your mattress might feel like a huge chore, it's actually loads easier than you think.
In fact, you probably already have everything you need to clean your mattress at home.
According to the pros at Architectural Digest: "Mattresses can harbor dust mites, dead skin, dirt, and other debris, which means they need to be cleaned regularly—particularly if you suffer from allergies, have pets, or are just an avid midnight snacker."
Below, we've broken down the steps for you to get the perfect clean.
1. Wash the bedding set
The first step is to strip your bedding off.
Put this in the washing machine to clean while you work on the mattress.
You should wash your bedding once a week if possible, but once every two weeks will do the trick.
2. Grab your cleaning supplies
You won't need any unusual cleaning tools unless you have some heavy stains to get rid of.
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All you need is the following:
- a vacuum cleaner (with an upholstery attachment if possible)
- baking soda
- laundry detergent or dish soap
- a sponge
- a bucket of lukewarm or cold water
3. Open a window
Ventilation is key when doing any major cleaning because chemicals can build to become unsafe in the home.
An open window will also help when it comes to airing out your mattress.
4. Vacuum your mattress
Vacuum the mattress in small circular motions to pick up any dirt on the surface.
Try to get into any crevices on the surface and if possible, use an upholstery attachment for better cleaning.
" If someone does have allergies in your home, you may need to vacuum more frequently and/or make purchasing a mattress cover a necessity," the cleaning pros at The Spruce advise.
5. Spot clean stains
This is where your laundry detergent mixed with lukewarm water comes in.
Dab the mixture onto any stains to lift the dirt, but ensure you don't rub, as this can push stains further into the material.
If you already have one, you could use a steam cleaner for this step.
Let this air dry completely before continuing with the next steps.
6. Cover with baking soda
Baking soda is not just an ingredient, it can also be a powerful cleaning agent.
Sprinkle a layer of baking soda over your mattress and leave it to air for at least a few hours; if possible, leave it overnight.
This is a deodorizing agent to remove any lingering smells from the mattress.
7. Vacuum again
Once your mattress smells fresh, vacuum the remaining dirt and baking soda.
This will lift anything you missed in your first pass and other lifted dirt.
Take the time to vacuum your headboard if it's fabric, or wipe it down if it's made from metal or wood.
8. Flip the mattress
This can be a good time to flip your mattress and repeat the cleaning process on the other side.
You should flip your mattress every three months to keep it in good condition and prevent any lumps and bumps from forming in one place.
If you don't want to do this, you can just put your bedding back onto your bed.
Can I clean a memory foam mattress?
You can clean a memory foam mattress in the same way you do any other mattress.
Unfortunately, if you have stubborn stains, you cannot use a steam cleaner on a memory foam mattress since the heat and moisture from a steam cleaner can damage the structure of the memory foam.
If you have a tough stain, you might need to up the elbow grease and consider using a mattress protector to keep from getting it dirty again in the future.
How often should I clean my mattress?
This may be a shock, but you should clean your mattress every few months.
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If this doesn't fit into your busy schedule, try and do it at least three times a year.
Even if you vacuum the mattress every few times that you change your bedding, this should help keep it clean.
Cleaning hacks and tips
Here are some tips to help you clean your home like a pro:
- How to clean your washing machine in a few easy steps
- Keep on top of cleaning your oven regularly
- Clean your shower to ensure it's always sparkling
- How to clean your microwave using cheap household items
- Here's how to get rid of that nasty limescale in your kettle
- You're cleaning your carpet all wrong - here's how to get it spotless again in no time
- Unblock a toilet without a plunger
- Clean your fabric or leather sofa in a few easy steps
- If you haven't cleaned your mattress in ages, here's how
- Steps to cleaning your dishwasher to leave it looking brand new
- This is how to clean mirrors and windows without streaking
- Keep your toilet clean in four easy steps
- Give your TV screen a once-over
- Did you know your Venetian, Roman, vertical, or roller blinds also need cleaning?
- Deep-clean your fridge in five simple steps