How to Clean a Mattress?
Have you ever thought about the kind of dirt and dust that can build up in your mattress over the years?
Most people haven’t, but they probably should. It’s a good way to ensure that your home stays clean and that you stay healthy.
After all, you spend about a third of your life lying on your mattress.
You wouldn’t want to spend that time breathing in dirty, dusty air that’s going to make you sick, stimulate allergies, or make you sleep less soundly over time.
Just because your mattress is dirty, however, doesn’t mean that you simply need to throw it away and buy a new one. Many people don’t realize, but it’s possible to clean a dirty mattress and restore it to its former glory – and level of cleanliness.
Why Should I Clean My Mattress?
While it may not seem like a big deal that you’ve been sleeping on the same mattress for several years without cleaning it – everyone does it, after all – you are doing yourself a real disservice by not cleaning it.
Think about all the things you expose your mattress to every night. They are constantly building up with things like dead skin cells, stains, sweat, dust mites, and all other sorts of bits that you likely don’t want to think about.
Aside from just being gross, all these unclean particles being introduced to your mattress night after night can actually cause health problems. Mattresses have been known to trap allergens and bacteria, and the buildup of such things can really wreak havoc on your body when you are exposed to them for 8 hours every night.
Here are some benefits of giving your mattress a little TLC and deep cleaning it regularly:
- Helps the mattress last longer.
- Prevents pest infestations.
- Aids in avoiding allergies.
- Provides a deeper, more restful sleep.
How Often Should I Clean My Mattress?
Once upon a time, most mattresses could simply be flipped over to lengthen their lifetime. Doing so would prevent the mattress from getting an indent in the middle or becoming too worn out over time and make it last much longer.
During this time, the usual thing to do was to turn the mattress twice a year and use that as the ideal opportunity to give the mattress a deep cleaning as well. Today, most mattresses cannot be flipped, because they have a specified top and bottom sides.
However, just because you no longer need to flip your mattress does not mean you no longer need to be cleaning it. Every six months is a good general rule of thumb to increase your mattress’s lifespan, to stay healthy, and to preserve the quality of your sleep.
Let’s Get Cleaning
As you can see, there are plenty of reasons to clean your mattress – but there’s unfortunately not a lot of guidance on how to do so. But that’s why we’re here!
Step #1 – Begin by stripping the mattress of sheets and bedding. Throw these into the wash with hot water and dry on high heat to show any surviving critters who’s boss.
Step #2 – Drag your vacuum out of its hiding place and vacuum the mattress’s entire surface using the upholstery attachment. Give crevices and seams particular attention, as this is where the gross stuff goes to hide.
Step #3 – Check the mattress for stains and treat any you find with the appropriate cleaner. Some options for this step include an upholstery cleaner, an enzyme-based pet odor remover, or a teaspoon of mild dish detergent mixed with a cup of warm water.
Step #4 – Sprinkle baking soda over the entire mattress to deodorize it. Leave this out for as long as you can, with a full 24 hours being ideal if you can sleep elsewhere in your home for a night. Placing the mattress near a window where it can be exposed to sunlight also adds additional sanitizing power.
Step #5 – Once you’ve left the baking soda to do its work for an ample amount of time, vacuum it off the mattress. If you don’t already have one, now that your mattress is sparkling clean, it’s a good idea to purchase a mattress cover to keep your mattress clean for as long as possible!
By following these steps you can ensure a cleaner, healthier, and better sleep.