Your mattress is bound to get dirty over time. Even if you use a protector and sheets, sweat and dust mites can seep into the mattress fibre. Eventually, these may cause stains on the mattress and produce unpleasant odours. However, following the right mattress cleaning tips can help in keeping it fresh for longer.

How Often Should You Clean Your Mattress?

The mattress is often one of the most overlooked items when it comes to cleaning. However, it is a good idea to clean it regularly, even if you do not suffer from any allergies. On average, you need to clean your mattress at least once in 3 to 6 months. This may include vacuuming it to clear dust and dust mites from the surface. It is also important to wash your sheets at least once a week to get rid of any dust mites or dead skin cells.

Top 6 Tips for Deep Cleaning Your Mattress

Deep cleaning your mattress often is beneficial to your health, even if you do not have any allergies or sensitive skin. The following 6 tips are the easiest ways you can clean your mattress at home.

1. Wash the Bedding

Start by stripping off all your bedding, including the blankets, pillowcases, mattress protectors, and pads. Pre-treat any visible stains and then wash the sheets on a cleaning cycle with warm water. Make sure to check tags for the specific temperature, but the hotter the water, the more effective it is in killing germs.

2. Vacuum the Mattress

The upholstery tool of your vacuum cleaner allows you to effectively remove dust from the mattress. Doing this at least once every few months will help keep the mattress off any dust, especially if you have someone in the family who suffers from allergies.

As you vacuum the mattress, go over the top and sides, pressing down firmly on the tool. You can also tap on the fabric to vacuum or draw out dust beneath it. You can then use the crevice tool along the edge welting, into the quilting, and pillow attachments.

3. Steam Clean

With a garment steamer, you can easily kill all the dust mites in the mattress. Go over the mattress holding the nozzle of the steamer to the fabric, making sure the steamer does not drip., Allow the steam to penetrate the mattress to kill any dust mites that may be lurking on or near the surface. You can do the same with a clothing iron if you do not have a steamer.

4. Spot Clean Any Visible Stains

Your mattress may have some stains, especially if you have a pet that sleeps with you or occasionally likes to snack in bed. You can remove these using carpet and upholstery cleaners, which are specially formulated to remove pet and other types of stubborn stains.

Lightly spray the cleaner on the stain or a cloth and then dab the stain. Work from the outside edge of the matter towards the centre to prevent the stain from spreading. You also want to avoid using a lot of formula so as not to over-wet the mattress. Once the stain is gone, you can sponge the area with a damp cloth to remove all traces of the cleaner. Allow the mattress to dry before making the bed.

5. Deep Clean Any Yellow Stains

You may notice yellow stains on the mattress, which are usually caused by body oil and sweat buildup. These could be a bit stubborn, especially because you may not want to fully saturate your mattress with a cleaning formula. An easy way to deep clean the stains is to combine equal parts of hydrogen peroxide and warm water and add 1.4 teaspoons of mild dish liquid. Then, follow the same steps we used in spot-cleaning stains.

6. Deodorize the Clean Mattress

After cleaning, the mattress may smell stale. To remove the smell and quickly freshen it, deodorize it with baking soda or a sanitizing spray. These will keep the odor-causing bacteria, leaving the mattress smelling fresh.  

Make Cleaning Your Mattress a Habit

Contrary to what people think, cleaning a mattress is easier and does not require a lot of effort. However, you get some amazing benefits such as extending its life and having to sleep on a clean surface every night. By making cleaning your mattress a habit, you can be sure of a fresh mattress that is free of dust and germs at all times.