How to Clean Your Mattress in 7 Simple Steps (Without Ruining It)
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Washing your sheets may top your weekly bedroom cleaning checklist, but did you know that cleaning your mattress regularly should also be a top priority?
Cleaning your mattress properly is essential to improve your sleep quality but and help preserve the lifespan of your mattress. Unfortunately, dust mites, allergens, and dirt build up over time on your mattress, even if you wash your sheets regularly (gross).
Thankfully, cleaning your mattress is simple, and one of the easiest ways to do so is with a handful of supplies, including baking soda and a vacuum.
Here’s everything you need to know about cleaning your mattress, from treating stains to how often you should clean it.
Meet the Expert
Marla Mock is the president of the professional home cleaning service company Molly Maid, a Neighborly company.
How Often to Clean a Mattress
A mattress should be regularly cleaned at least once or twice a year to remove dirt, dust mites, skin cells, allergens, and more. Deep cleanings can be done less frequently, unless you have to clean spills or stains.
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Tools and Supplies
Vacuum with an upholstery attachment
Baking soda
Liquid dish soap
Water
Sponge or cloth
How to Clean Your Mattress
The Spruce / Meg MacDonald
There are four different kinds of mattresses—hybrid, innerspring, foam, and latex—that can all be cleaned similarly.
Remove bedding. Strip the mattress of pillows, sheets, bedding, and the mattress protector.
Vacuum the top of the mattress. Vacuum the mattress thoroughly to remove any dirt, dust mites, allergens, and debris.
Bring in baking soda to lift odors. Sprinkle baking soda on the mattress to remove odors and let it sit for 20 minutes or a few hours, depending on time and how deep of a clean is needed.
Revacuum the mattress. After the baking soda has settled, vacuum the mattress again to remove it.
Use a stain solution on tough spots. Grab a damp sponge or cloth and mix a cleaning solution of water and liquid dish soap. Then, you can gently wipe down spots on your mattress that need a bit of extra love.
Dry. Let the mattress dry completely.
Flip and repeat. Once one side is done, flip the mattress over to repeat the process on the other side. Make sure both sides are dry before adding a fresh set of clean bedding.
Cleaning Tip
Be extra cautious when cleaning foam mattresses—these should not get excessively wet during the cleaning process and be spot-cleaned to avoid damage, according to Marla Mock, president of Molly Maid.
How to Remove Stains From a Mattress
The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska
Stains on a mattress are inevitable, but thankfully, cleaning them up is easy, whether you’re dealing with light or deep stains.
Light Stains
If you want to remove a light, surface stain, you can spot clean it with water, liquid dish soap, and a cloth. Gently wipe down the stain with a damp cloth.
Deep Stains
To remove deep stains, or more stubborn stains like urine, blood, or vomit, all you need is hydrogen peroxide, dish soap, water, and a sponge or cloth.
Mix two cups of hydrogen with one tablespoon of dish soap and apply the cleaning solution to the stain with a sponge or cloth. Let the solution sit, then blot the stain with a clean, damp cloth. Wipe down the area with another clean, damp cloth, then allow the area to air dry.
How to Clean a Mattress Protector
The Spruce / Sarah Lee
Cleaning your mattress protector is just as important as cleaning your mattress. Most mattress protectors are made from machine-washable materials, like cotton, polyester, or blended fabrics.
To clean a mattress protector, remove it, then pretreat any stains with stain remover or a small amount of detergent. Then, wash the mattress protector according to the label.
To dry a mattress protector, also be sure to follow the instructions on the label, but typically, you can air dry or tumble dry on low.
Tips to Keep Your Mattress Clean Longer
If you want to keep your mattress clean longer and increase its overall lifespan, one of the easiest and most effective ways to do so is by using a mattress protector. Mattress protectors can help keep stains, dirt, dust mites, and more at bay.
Make sure to wash your sheets and bedding regularly. Keeping your bedding clean can minimize dirt transfer to the mattress, according to Mock.
Rotating and flipping your mattress can also help keep your mattress clean and in good shape. It helps prevent wear and can reduce buildup of dirt and dust mites in one area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does baking soda really clean a mattress?
Baking soda is a multipurpose household essential that can be used as a homemade cleaner for all areas of the home, including cleaning your mattress. Baking soda absorbs moisture and odors from the surface of a mattress that’s then removed once it’s vacuumed away.
What happens if you leave baking soda on a mattress too long?
Leaving baking soda on your mattress for an extended period (more than a few hours or a day) is generally safe but unnecessary, according to Mock. It could potentially draw too much moisture into the mattress, which might encourage mold growth.
How do you deep clean a mattress without a machine?
It’s possible to deep clean a mattress without using a mattress cleaner. First, vacuum the mattress. Spot treat any stains using a cloth vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. Lightly blot any stains and allow them to sit for a few minutes, then blot them dry. Sprinkle baking soda on the mattress and let it sit for a few hours, then vacuum. Allow the air mattress to dry before putting on sheets and bedding.
Read Next: How to Steam Clean a Mattress
Read the original article on The Spruce.
