As much as we all love our mattresses, they are on the receiving end of dead skin cells, sweat, stains, dust mites, and all types of lovely things. Despite linens and mattress pads, it’s still important to periodically clean your mattress. Why not make sure that the thing we lay on every night gets the care it deserves?
Follow these simple steps to learn how to clean your mattress, and rest easy knowing that your bed isn’t covered in ick.
1. Vacuum
Before anything else, it’s better to start with a quick run with the vacuum cleaner after removing your mattress cover. It’ll get rid of those pesky crumbs from late night snacking, along with any dirt, pet hair, and dust that’s built up over time.
2. Spot Clean
When it comes to how to clean your mattress, what you use and how you use it depends on the type of stain. Unless you spilled coffee or red wine, chances are good that they’re protein-based stains or bodily fluids (that means sweat, urine, blood. How fun!). They’re also probably not new, which means they’ll be tougher to remove.
Here are some options you can use to help beat those stains:
- Treat stains with a combination of hydrogen peroxide, liquid dish soap, and baking soda. Mix these into a spray bottle and treat the stained area. Blot with a clean rag.
- Use non-toxic, natural enzyme cleaners that chemically break down stains and odors.
- Use lemon juice and salt to make a paste. Apply the mixture to the stain and let it sit for 30-60 minutes. Wipe off with a clean towel.
3. Deoderize
When it comes to how to clean your mattress, I think we can all agree we want to make sure it smells fresh. Sprinkle a light layer of baking soda over the entire surface. Let it sit for a long time – at least a couple of hours. It’ll absorb any excess liquid from the stain removal process, and leave your mattress smelling fresh and new. Vacuum off the baking soda, and make sure to get into the crevices to remove all the powder.
4. Air It Out
Probably the best thing your mattress needs is fresh air and good ol’ UV sunlight. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to haul their mattress down the stairs and into the backyard. If you can though, it’s a great way to naturally eliminate bacteria.
5. Cover & Protect
If you don’t have a mattress cover, hopefully after reading this article you’ll pick one up. They’re an important line of defense against future dirt and stains. They can even be thrown into the washing machine regularly. Now that’s easy cleaning.
