How To Deep Clean A Mattress

Ways To Deep Clean Your Mattress

Your relationship with your mattress is probably the one you put the least thought into. It’s easy to forget, but our bed is the ‘first goodbye, last hello’ of the day. A relationship this important is certainly worth some extra time invested in it, right?

In some ways, a clean mattress is the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. Though it may be difficult to comprehend, mattresses collect a lot of dirt through time and usage. Everything from body oils to dust mites. In fact, the best mattress will serve almost like a Lifebook for your sleeping habits.

They are not designed like carpets. You’re unlikely to vacuum your mattress every week!  Since a mattress is designed to be covered for extended periods of time by a sheet, the material is not constructed to be stain resistant. This, oddly enough, is a good way to track the age of your mattress. By keeping an eye on this, you can be better informed of how to take care of your mattress and keep it – and yourself – healthy for years to come. Generally, a good rotation would be to clean and sterilized every six months, as needed.

Let’s take a look at some other common questions relating to the issue of mattress cleanliness.

What causes yellow stains on a mattress?

The most common cause of yellowing for mattresses, or any material for that matter, is age. Just like wrinkles or grey hairs, mattresses do show signs of wear and tear. This is nothing to be concerned about, it’s not some toxic fungus nor is it a sign that you need to go to the doctor. It is just a sign that your mattress is feeling the effects of time. A good mattress will last at least twenty years, although this can be extended by adding a mattress topper, a spare sheet, and regular cleaning.

Yellow rings or patches on a mattress are also the result of material oxidization.  The ‘cure’ for which is to keep the mattress out of sunlight. Another factor to consider is that mattresses absorb a lot of moisture while you sleep, mostly in the form of sweat but sometimes other bodily fluids. So, when left in a warm patch of sun, a residue (or yellow ring) is likely to form. A solution here is to either move your bed or air mattress to a less exposed part of the room or to draw the curtains during the day.

How do you sterilize a mattress?

There are so many different methods for this. Some require an added bit of elbow grease, while others are surprisingly fun.  One method is to rent a steam cleaner from your local supermarket, or you can hire a carpet or clothes steamer. Anything which produces a hot blast of steam will do the trick. The heat from steam cleaning helps kill bacteria and leaves your mattress refreshed.

Another, more conventional method is to purchase a stain remover spray and use it as directed. Most of these sprays contain peroxide, which is a powerful bleach that cuts through everything from urine to bloodstains. These are recommended for larger, older stains, as the baking soda method is not ideal in these situations. Always be sure to thoroughly read the instructions and handle them with care.

Does baking soda take stains out of a mattress?

Put simply, yes! Baking soda is regarded as a panacea of cleaning for good reason. The baking soda method is best for getting rid of odors and smaller stains, although using a solution over smaller stains will have your mattress looking almost new. It can help in the fight against discoloration as well as leave your mattress smelling a little better.

Mix a few spoons of baking soda with some water, apply it to the affected areas of the mattress, then vacuum it off once it is dried. The difference is immediately noticeable, and if you want to add that ‘fresh laundry’ smell to your mattress, we recommend adding a few drops of your favorite oil, like lavender or eucalyptus.

Final Thoughts on How to Deep Clean Your Mattress

Your relationship with your mattress is probably going to be the longest one, in terms of hours. It’s important to keep it clean and healthy as you would yourself. By applying baking soda treatments every few months, you can prevent stains from accruing, and vacuuming after the fact will help get rid of residues such as dead skin cells and dust mites.

Although, your safest bet is to sterilize with a steam cleaner. Baking soda will help against discoloration, but sterilization – be it through steam or stain remover – will kill bacteria and leave your mattress as fresh as the day you bought it.

Source:

1. How to Clean a Mattress Topper – Sleep Foundation