What you need to know now! How to clean and maintain your mattress
Regularly washing your sheets isn't the only way to keep your mattress clean. Here are some helpful tips for caring for your mattress to ensure continued comfort and a good night's sleep. If you have allergies, sleep with pets, or snack in bed, it might be time to clean your mattress. If you've never cleaned your mattress before, it's accumulated all sorts of dirt, dust mites, and old skin cells. Here are some helpful tips for maintaining a clean mattress and enjoying comfortable, restful sleep.
Here are 6 steps to keep your mattress clean.
1. Vacuum Your Mattress
Regularly vacuuming your mattress is very effective. Once you’ve removed all sheets and pillowcases, use a furniture attachment to thoroughly vacuum not just the top, but also the sides. Dust and debris can hide in the seams and crevices on the surface of the mattress, so use a crevice tool if necessary. This can help prevent allergens from accumulating.
2. Use Baking Soda
Baking soda prevents the growth of bacteria and mold, similar to airing out futons in the sun. Simply sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on the surface of your mattress and leave it for several hours. It's best to do this before a trip or when you'll be out of the house. The longer you leave it, the more effective it will be.
Baking soda breaks down and absorbs moisture and odors left in the mattress. Afterward, simply vacuum up the baking soda to remove not only dust but also unpleasant smells. If you like essential oils, it's even more effective to mix about 10 drops of your preferred essential oil, such as lavender, lemon, sandalwood, or chamomile, with 1 to 3 cups of baking soda before sprinkling it. A gentle, refreshing, and soothing aroma from the essential oil will remain.
3. Clean Spills Immediately
If you spill something on your mattress, wipe it up as soon as possible before the stain sets. To keep your mattress clean, it's crucial to prevent spills from becoming stains. First, blot with a clean cloth, then gently dab the soiled area with a dry cloth dampened with a small amount of cleaner, rather than scrubbing, to make it easier to remove the stain.
4. Air Out Your Mattress
In nature, sunlight is a very effective disinfectant. While moving a mattress can be a bit challenging, if you leave it out in the sun for a few hours, the UV rays will eliminate bacteria, leaving a refreshing scent of sunshine. It also helps evaporate any moisture remaining in the mattress, preventing mold growth. If you can't carry it outside due to its size, slide it off the bed frame or prop it against a wall and open your windows to let natural light into the room.
5. Flip Your Mattress Regularly
Some mattresses can be flipped and used on both sides. Flipping your mattress allows for more even wear over time. The timing for flipping is an excellent opportunity to clean your mattress thoroughly. If you follow the process of washing bed linens, vacuuming the mattress, sprinkling baking soda, and then vacuuming again, both before and after flipping, you can keep both sides clean.
The recommended frequency for flipping your mattress is approximately every three months. Note that some types of mattresses cannot be flipped, so if you are unsure, please check with your mattress manufacturer.
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6. Protect Your Mattress from Sweat
Sweat is one of the main causes of mattress odors and stains. To protect your mattress from sweat, it’s important to create a comfortable sleeping environment. Adjust the room temperature and use breathable sheets and mattresses to ensure you can sleep at a comfortable temperature. This will help prevent sweat stains.
If you regularly change your sheets and are mindful of stains, cleaning your mattress every three to four months, perhaps with the change of seasons, should suffice.
Furthermore, in households with small children or pets, accidents like bedwetting or pet messes are not uncommon. Urine can cause powerful stains and odors, but fortunately, there are ways to remove urine from a mattress.
If urine stains have already occurred, since urine is a biological compound, an enzyme cleaner like OxiClean is recommended. Alternatively, you can mix hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and liquid dish soap in a spray bottle, spray a small amount onto a clean, dry cloth, and dab the stain without scrubbing. This combination can remove both odor and stain. You might also consider steam cleaning the mattress afterward. However, be careful to thoroughly dry the mattress after steam cleaning, as residual moisture can lead to mold growth.
On the other hand, if the urine is fresh and hasn't stained yet, remove all bedding for washing and blot as much urine as possible from the mattress with a dry towel. Be careful not to rub, as this can push the urine deeper into the mattress. Spray a mixture of half white vinegar and half water onto the affected area, cover it with baking soda, and let it sit. After 8 to 10 hours, vacuum up the baking soda, which will have drawn out the urine from the mattress. If discoloration is still visible on the mattress, repeat this process.
Summary
To sleep soundly on a mattress in good condition, it's essential to care for it as much as possible. Regular mattress cleaning helps free your mattress from dirt, dust, allergens, and pests like dust mites and lice, leading to better sleep. With proper care, not only will your mattress itself last longer, but it will also be an investment in the one-third of your life spent sleeping, allowing you to dream comfortably for years to come.
