Your mattress might not seem like it needs cleaning but if you look closely you will notice unwanted dirt and gunk. Cleaning your mattress may seem like a mammoth task. However, there are some simple ways that you can follow to clean your bed on a regular basis.
How to clean a mattress at home
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Regular cleaning of your bedding
The cleanliness of your mattress can be maintained with neat and clean bedding. If your sheets blankets or pillowcases are dirty, they are more likely to transfer this to your mattress. To begin the process of cleaning, start with removing your bedsheets, comforters, pillowcases, and cushion covers from the bed. Carefully read the instructions on the label before washing your bedding. Make sure to wash and dry your white linens separately. It is important to clean your bedding regularly to avoid dirt and dust on your bed.
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Examine your mattress carefully
Assess your bed from time to time. Look for any stains, tears, or spillage. Different areas of concern need to be tackled differently. Check your mattress carefully for any stains, discolouration, odours, or other indications that a particular area needs additional care.
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Dust your bed
The best and simplest way to clean your mattress is to remove all the dust on it. This can be easily done using a vacuum cleaner. If someone in the family has allergies, it’s wise to do this every few months or even more frequently. Go over the top and sides as well as all the exposed portions. To remove surface dust, tap the bed or press down forcefully on it against the fabric. Vacuum thoroughly, especially over the quilted area and seams to take off the debris.
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Spot-clean stains
In case of any stains or discolouration on the mattress’s outer cover, you can spot-clean the area. Follow these steps to clean the stain marks:
- Take a small amount of cleaning solution on a clean cloth
- Gently dab on the stained area to blur it out
- Dip another clean cloth into the cold water
- Clean the area with the wet cloth
- Repeat the steps, if the stain is not removed
The idea is to take very little cleaning solution to clean the stained area. You don’t want to soak the entire mattress. A clean cloth should be preferred to avoid any further staining. It is best to avoid pouring the cleaning solution or water directly on the surface.
Although a cleaning solution works best on stains such as blood, urine, sweat, and other biological stains. You can choose a commercial cleaning solution with enzymes. Even dish soap and water solutions work well in removing stains from the top fabric cover.
Different stains required different cleaning solutions. 1:1 of water and hydrogen peroxide is ideally suited for tougher stains. Use the solution in the same way over the stain. Sometimes. You can even follow two different solutions to get the stain out.
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Use baking soda
This is common practice when it comes to cleaning your mattresses. Once the visible stains are removed and you have allowed the mattress to dry completely for a few hours, you can follow this step. Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda on top of your mattress. Leave the mattress to be in an open space with enough airflow and natural light. This process will allow it to dry completely. Baking soda has properties that absorb moisture and prevents bad odour. This process can also be done during the monsoon season when the air is moist. The moisture in the air can affect the mattress and make it prone to bacteria and fungus. Using baking soda once in a while will ensure the moisture is removed and the odour gets neutralized.
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Give it stream
Stream is great to clean your mattress. What it does is it helps kills the dust mites and bacteria that could possibly be breading inside your mattress. So, if you have a garment stream at your disposal. Feel free to free go over on your mattress with a streamer for a thorough cleaning. Even stream iron works just as well for this process. The next you want to do is keep your mattress out to dry properly. Vacuum the bed to draw the moisture droplets. You can even follow up with the baking soda method.
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Flip the mattress
It’s uncommon to find any stains on the backside of your mattress. However, that side can collect a lot of dust and dirt. Therefore, it is important to repeat all the processes of cleaning to ensure the side of the mattress is clean. Also, it is recommended to flip the mattress once in a while. This helps in preventing the build-up on only one side of the bed.
How to keep your mattress clean longer
- Clean your mattress every six months to avoid the dirt and dust build-up on the bed. If you have the time, then thoroughly clean your mattress every 3 months. Always be gentle with the cleaning process.
- In case, there’s any spillage or stain immediately tackle that. Avoid letting it sit for longer.
- Change the sheets regularly once a week to prevent the accumulation of dead skin, sweat, and dust.
- Invest in a mattress protector: This way your mattress won’t get stains and you can easily clean the protector whenever needed.
- Rotate the mattress every three months for hygiene reasons.
If your mattress is too old and ragged. It is advisable to look for a new one. You can start your search for the best mattresses here.
