How to Clean a Mattress in 9 Easy Steps

You might be wondering why a mattress needs to be cleaned? It’s already wrapped in numerous layers of bedding. But, ever wondered where our dead skin cells, sweat, dust mites, and stains go? It sifts through those mattress layers, making it all dirty and smelly. Interested to know how to clean a mattress?  Your mattress needs to be cleaned every six months or so. Vacuuming, using baking soda, rubbing off the stains, and air drying are a few simple mattress cleaning steps implemented to turn it into the all-new crispy mattress that you purchased years back. 

If you wish to be an efficient mattress cleaner, know how to spot clean, and deep clean a mattress – let us get going. 

Why to Clean a Mattress 

Have you ever experienced serenity after cleaning your home? Now imagine the comfort level when you sleep on a clean and crisp mattress after a tiring day at work. That is an unmatchable feeling of comfort. Therefore, it is necessary to know why cleaning a mattress is mandatory.

• Cleaning a mattress is necessary to remove the accumulated dust mites, bacteria, and dead skin cells
• Knowing how to clean a mattress is necessary to remove the foul smell present in it
• A clean mattress reduced allergies and asthma health conditions

How to Clean Your Mattress 

Whenever you feel laidback on the very thought of cleaning a mattress, make yourself remember the hefty price that you paid to purchase the mattress. A mattress is undoubtedly a huge investment, and you can provide attention through 9 steps of cleaning. 

Step 1:  Look for all Mattress Cleaning Supplies

The very first step of how to clean a  mattress requires you to run around your house and find all the cleaning supplies listed below.

1. A vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment
2. Dish soap or enzyme cleaner for cleaning out all the tough stains
3. Laundry detergent
4. Baking soda
5. Cleaning cloths
6. Cold water

Step 2: Strip Off your Beddings and Put them to Wash

Before cleaning the mattress, you need to strip off all the bedsheets, pillowcases, and mattress covers and put them into a spinning washing machine. Remember to wash with warm water to bid the dust mites a goodbye. On another note, you might be able to wash your pillows depending on the type and instructions provided in the manual.

Step 3: Vacuum the Mattress

It’s time to vacuum your favourite mattress! Start vacuuming by grabbing the upholstery attachment and moving it all over the surface and the sides. Don’t miss out on the crevices and the hidden dust. 

Step 4: Time to Get Stains Out of a Mattress or Spot Cleaning

Are you embarrassed by all the mattress stains caused by late-night snacking or your pet? Then, it‘s time to spot clean those stains. But before starting, remember that mattresses should be kept miles away from water, and memory foam tops that. Therefore, no soaking or applying water to the mattress.

You need to proceed by using a stain remover, depending on the type of stain. For biological stains like urine, blood, and similar ones, get an enzyme cleaner, and follow the below steps,

• Keep the white cloth handy, and spray the cleaner on it, thereby blotting the area
• Grab another white cloth, spray cold water, and continue blotting the stained area
• Continue blotting till you notice the stain disappearing

Not getting an enzyme cleaner delivered to your area? Make one of your DIY solutions by blending dish soap with water and putting the resulting foam onto the stain. Another DIY solution is mixing an equal amount of cold water and hydrogen peroxide. 

Step 5: Baking Soda to the Rescue

Not everyone has those huge balconies for putting their mattress out in the sun and fresh air. For those, sprinkling baking soda all over the mattress will do the same work. Baking soda works like magic by breaking down the acid and absorbing any remaining moisture or odour. While this magic wand is at work, wide open the windows and door to let the sunlight into the room.

Step 6: It’s Time to Vacuum Again

Once the baking soda is done showing all its magic, vacuum the mattress again. In this stage, you can also vacuum the headboard if you have one.

Step 7: Flip the Mattress

After successfully cleaning one side of the mattress, flip it over and start repeating the process from 1 to 6.

Step 8: Guard the Mattress

The 8th step of cleaning a mattress is essential as it prevents future damage. Guard your newly washed mattress by wrapping it with a mattress protector. A mattress protector prevents future spills, dirt, and additional unpleasantries like bed bugs. 

Step 9: Spend Money on Fitted Sheets

Fitted sheets work wonders in guarding the mattress against unwanted dust. Just keep the fitted sheets clean, and keep washing them regularly. 

And, congratulations! You have learned all the steps of how to clean a mattress. Now it is time to implement the same. 

How to Clean Stains from Mattress 

Stains can be frustrating, and you might need to put all your power into rubbing them off if not the correct stain remover. From pee stain to blood stain, yellow stain to sweat stain, the count is vast. So let us tell you how to end every kind of stain problem. 

Pee Stains 

Are you a parent? Then you might already be distressed by the thought of how to clean urine out of a mattress. So let us show you the steps in removing urine or pee stains. 

• Blend 3 tablespoons of baking soda, 8 ounces of hydrogen peroxide, and a tiny amount of liquid soap 
• Dab the mixture onto the stain without drenching it
• Grab a clean cloth and blot the moisture
• Keep turning the rags to use a fresh one till you lift the stain
• After completion, rub the area with a cloth dampened in cold water
• Air dry

Sweat Stains 

The majority of people get sweaty during their sleep, and the mattress soaks in all of it resulting in yellowed sweat stains. 

• Lightly spray those yellowed stains with 3% hydrogen peroxide till it’s damp
• The stain will fade when the peroxide dries

Blood Stains 

Periods can be painful, but waking up to blood stains on a white mattress might be even more heartbreaking. Learn how to clean a mattress from blood stains.

• Mix 2 ounces of hydrogen peroxide, 1 tablespoon of salt and liquid dish soap
• Spread it on the bloodstain for 10 minutes, scrape it with a spoon
• Clean the residue with a rag dipped in hydrogen peroxide
• Let it dry

Yellow Stains 

Yellow stains can be from food, vomit, or any other substance. Let us learn how to remove it.

• Add hydrogen peroxide to a spray bottle and spray on the stained surface
• In a gloved hand or damp cloth, gently rub the stain in circular motions
• Wipe the hydrogen peroxide and the leftover liquid with a dry cloth

Homemade Mattress Stain Removers 

Not every good thing needs to be purchased, many things can be made at home as well. Some of them are homemade mattress stain removers. So let us check out how to get stains out of a mattress naturally.

Baking Soda and Lavender Oil

Mix a cup of baking soda with a few drops of lavender essential oil in a bowl, move it to a strainer and sprinkle it thoroughly over the mattress, let it settle, then take it off.

Vinegar and Water

The next one is mixing a cup of vinegar with 1-2 cups of water, applying it directly to the spot, and you will notice wonder. 

Just Baking Soda

If vinegar and water weren’t enough, sprinkle with baking soda to see positive results.

Multi-Purpose Mattress Stain Remover

This one is an all-purpose mattress stain remover that includes 2 tablespoons of baking soda, 2 tablespoons of borax, 4 tablespoons of white vinegar, and water. Blend it all in a 32-ounce bottle and fill the remaining with water. 

How Often Should You Clean Your Mattress? 

If you have a mattress protector on, you can simply air dry the mattress while the protector is in the washing machine. Apart from that, vacuuming the mattress once a year will be sufficient. But, if you don’t have a mattress protector, you need to vacuum the mattress once a month, treat the stains immediately, and also deep clean once a year. 

Tips to Keep Your Mattress Clean 

There are numerous best ways to clean a mattress, but you know how you can tactfully avert the challenge of incorporating the steps of cleaning a mattress? By simply following certain tips to keep it clean. 

1. Invest in a waterproof mattress protector as it will safeguard the mattress from many things liquid like urine, sweat, and many biological stains
   
2. Another useful investment is a fitted sheet that guards against dust, mites, bed bugs, etc
   
3. Spend time washing the mattress protector and fitted sheets once a month, and air dry the mattress at that time
   
4. Vacuum the mattress once a year
   
5. Always remember, sunlight and fresh air are two best friends of your mattress. Let them meet often. 

To become an efficient mattress cleaner, religiously following the aforementioned 9 steps is of paramount importance. But, what can be done to dial down your hard work is attempting to follow the tips to keep your mattress clean by regularly cleaning the mattress protector and fitted sheets, vacuuming the mattress, and more. Remember, a mattress has a longevity of 7 to 8 years – put all effort into preserving its freshness.

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