How to Clean a Mattress
Yurii Brown
on
A smelly mattress can make sleeping uncomfortable and the bedroom unconducive. Unless you have a professional laundry staff at your beck and call, you might find it beneficial to save costs by knowing how to clean a mattress.
Cleaning a mattress is a simple, DIY process that even spoiled princes can learn in a single day, and in this case, a single read.
Here, you'll learn the various problems that arise from using a mattress and everything to do and not do when cleaning a mattress.
Here we go.
How to Fight Mattress Odor
Unless you're living in the arctic, where extreme cold tightens up your skin pores and prevents you from sweating at night, you'd have to confront a smelly mattress sooner or later.
But that's okay; we’ve got an anti-odor spell you can use to banish mattress smell.
Are you ready?
- Make a Vinegar-salt solution. Mix vinegar and baking soda in a 2:1 ratio. Preferably, you can add a small amount of detergent.
- Spritz the Bed. Turn the composition into a spray bottle and spritz the entire bed and wipe it down.
- Sprinkle Soda. Next, spread baking soda across the mattress's surface and leave it to dry for 12 hours.
- Vacuum Your Bed. After leaving for half a day, use a vacuum cleaner to suck up all soda residue.
Pros
- Completely stops smells
- Easy to execute
- Cheaply available ingredients
Cons
- It doesn’t disinfect a mattress.
- Long procedure
Also read: Best Mattress in a Box in Canada.
How to Clean a Blood-stained Mattress
Let's face it.
It does happen. Your monthly flow could catch you unaware. Or maybe you stained the sheet on the night of your nuptial.
You're not alone.
Blood stains on a mattress are more common than you think. And if you detect you've soiled the bed, it's best to begin the cleaning process right away.
- Get a Soaked Towel. Once you see any smears, dash for a bowl, fetch some water into it. Get the towel soaked. Then wring well until it's damp.
- Wipe with Care. Start wiping the fresh blood with the damp towel to dab at the stain with a faint touch. If the bloodstain is much and the towel gets all red, rinse it in the bowl, squeeze out all the water, all the water, and continue dabbing.
- Make a Soda-salt Paste. We hope you can cook. This is where your kitchen ingredients can save your sheets. Put small amounts of baking soda and salt in a bowl and mix to form a paste-like consistency.
- Apply the Paste. With your paste ready, smear it over the blood stains and leave it to dry for half an hour before using a damp towel to wipe off any residue. Now, if you're dealing with scars from a blood-stained mattress, those could be difficult to get rid of. You'd need an even tougher stain removal formula. Relax, we've got you covered.
- Mix Peroxide and Dish Soap. Using a 2:1 mixture ratio, pour hydrogen peroxide and dish soap in a bowl.
- Brush Away. Get an abandoned toothbrush, dip it in the mixture and use it to brush off the blotches in light, smooth strokes. Leave for some minutes to allow for absorption.
- Dab with a Towel. Afterward, get a damp towel and clean off the mark. The components in the mixture will dissolve the stain bonds, making it easy for you to clean.
Pros
- Erases blood stains
- Simple procedure
- Cheap, available components
Cons
- It doesn’t stop the smell
Also Read: Best Mattresses for Back Pain in Canada
How to Clean Urine Stains
Pets and kids are notorious culprits when it comes to repeated urine stains on mattresses.
If you have children or are a pet lover, knowing how to clean a mattress will save you loads of hassles.
Here are steps to deal with a urine-soaked bed.
- Remove beddings. Anything that's got wee on it will produce an acrid smell. You want to make sure that all bedding is stripped and washed immediately.
- Apply Vinegar and Soda. Combine small amounts of water and vinegar in a bottle and make a vigorous shake. Next, spurt the mixture onto the urine stain so much that it soaks.
- Sprinkle Soda. Sprinkle baking soda atop the urine stain and leave to dry for 12 hours.
- Dust Your Mattress. Once the 12-hour waiting period is over, dust all baking soda off the bed, you may spray the room with a deodorant to scent it with a pleasant fragrance.
Pros
- Neutralizes odor
- Adds fragrance
Cons
- Requires repetition
If you've got to this point, then you've mastered how to clean mattress stains.
Now let's see how to handle an insect infestation.
Quote Box
If you notice the urine hasn't soaked the bed's fabric, use a towel to dab the fresh liquid without pressure to avoid causing further urine seepage into the mattress.
Also Read: Best Memory Foam Mattress in Canada
How to Get Rid of Dust Mites
Dust mites are teeny-weeny spider-like insects that like living in people's mattresses.
Like all insects, dust mites exist in colonies, meaning there could be thousands of them in a given mattress.
But, that's not all
The chances are that you might have them in your bed. And no, that doesn't mean your mattress is dirty. Mites feed on dead human skin and can be found in most US homes. the (1)
Did you say, 'yuck'!?
That's the more reason you need to know the best way to clean a mattress and exterminate dust mites.
So here's how to go about it:
- Wash Your Bedding. The simple act of washing can cause a significant reduction of dust mites in your mattress. Make sure to wash in the washer and turn the heat dial-up.
- Use a Vacuum Cleaner . Once your bedding is tumbling in the machine, use a vacuum cleaner to suck off all dead skin, bits, and dust mites.
- Use Sunlight. A damp place is a congenial breeding spot for insects, and dust mites will more than thrive if your mattress doesn't see the sun once in a while.
Pros
- Dust mite reduction
- Odor remover
Cons
- Requires additional cleaning methods.
How to Clean a Mattress with Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are crawling insects on a mission to suck blood and inflict painful welts on their host.
Combating bed bugs calls for the most detailed bug removal process.
The method for combating bed bugs is quite similar to that of dust mites.
- Isolate Bedding. First, you need to isolate any infested bedding for a hot wash.
- Vacuum your Bed. Do a thorough vacuuming of unique bug-hiding spots. Raise your bed, inspect your wardrobe, check under the carpet and rugs.
- Use a Steamer. Bed bugs and other insects can't withstand heat, so the best way to clean a bed with bugs is to steam clean it.
One thing, though.
Bed bugs have a frustrating unwillingness to die. They can survive high temperatures, so you'll need to get a steamer that can eject steam at a temperature of 130°F. (2)
Once you're sure the steamer is hot enough, turn it on full blast and let the blood-sucking vermin have it.
Pros
- The effective odor removal process;
- Complete mattress disinfection.
Cons
- Requires a powerful steamer.
FAQs
How Do I Clean a Mattress with Bleach?
If you're wondering how to clean mattress stains with bleach, simply follow the steps on spot cleaning blood stains above.
Are Dust Mites Dangerous?
Although mites only feed on dead human skin, they are dangerous to people who suffer allergies. They could cause lung problems, skin irritations, and a host of other illnesses. Steam clean mattresses regularly to combat dust mites.
Conclusion
Mattress longevity is dependent on the maintenance and cleaning frequency. Knowing how to clean a mattress is a sure way to fight off odor and extend your bed's lifespan.
What do you think is the best way to clean a mattress?
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section.
References:
National Library of Medicine, (2003). National Center for Biotechnology. House dust mite allergen in US beds: results from the First National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing. Retrieved from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12589364/
The United States Environmental Protection Agency. Environmental Topics. Do-it-Yourself Bed Bug Control. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/bedbugs/do-it-yourself-bed-bug-control
Yurii Brown
Yurii Brown is the Founder and Sleep Content Writer at SleepingNorth. Within his first year running the website, he has published over 50 articles that educate readers on sleep and help them find the most suitable sleep products. He pays more attention to analyzing each mattress construction, the different materials used within it, the feel each material contributes, and the best sleeping position they would work for. Having properly examined each product, he provides in-depth reviews that cut to the chase and provide readers with the value they need for more restorative sleep hygiene.