It’s likely that you’ve never cleaned a mattress – don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many people believe that washing their sheets and bedding every week or two is sufficient.
However, once you learn what may be in your mattress, you will most likely rethink. While it’s a misconception that mattresses double their weight in dust and dead skin cells every ten years, they certainly acquire a lot of material over time.
Humans lose millions of skin cells per hour (yes, millions — an hour), and not all of them remain on the surface of your bed. On top of that, there are germs, dust, hair, and dust mites in the mix, as well as dead mites and mite feces.
This is not only disgusting, but it can also aggravate symptoms in those who have allergies, asthma, or other respiratory problems. As a result, it’s ideal to clean your mattress twice a year, or once every six months (and replace it every six to eight years).
Are you ready to clean that filthy mattress yet? Follow the steps and tips below to get the job done right, using tools you probably already have around the house that can also be used to clean the bed.
1. Why is it necessary to clean a mattress?
No matter how frequently you change your bed linens, you should still go the additional mile every now and again and thoroughly clean your mattress.
While you may believe your mattress is clean, especially if you typically wash before going to bed and the mattress is stain-free, this is doubtful.
According to The Sleep Council:
- Every night, the average adult loses 285ml of fluid.
- A typical bed includes 10,000 dust mites, which produce over two million droppings, which can worsen allergies.
- Over the course of a year, we lose around 454g of dead skin, much of which ends up tucked in your bed.
- A person spends around one-third of their lives in bed.
It’s no surprise that The Sleep Council claims that an unclean mattress can harbor dangerous amounts of staphylococcus, enterococcus, norovirus, and even MRSA.
2. How often should a mattress be cleaned?
There is no clear and fast rule for how frequently a mattress should be washed. It all depends on the mattress and the person sleeping on it, but it’s best to replace it every six months.
If you’re in the habit of flipping or rotating your mattress every three to six months (as you should be), it’s worthwhile to spend a little additional time cleaning it while you’re at it.
If you have allergies, you should clean your mattress if your symptoms of a runny nose, itchy throat, and dry eyes develop.
It also depends on how well the mattress breathes.
Every mattress we examine is evaluated based on how effectively moisture flows through it — the more breathable a mattress is, the less likely it is to accumulate perspiration.
3. Top hints: how to care for your mattress
Use The Sleep Council’s professional advice to extend the life of your mattress.
- Unwrap your mattress right now. Don’t leave any plastic wrappers on it, and don’t keep it in your garage for a week because the moisture might cause decomposition.
- Allow some air to enter the mattress. In addition to airing your mattress while it is new, you should air it on a daily basis. In the morning, replace your duvet and pillows (keep the mattress cover on) and allow the bed to air for 20 minutes. This will allow the body’s fluids to evaporate.
- Regularly turn your mattress. However, only if the manufacturer recommends it. Turn your mattress over and rotate it from end to end once a week for the first three months, then once every three or four months after that. This will aid in the uniform distribution of the upholstery fills. Some mattresses, notably memory foam or mattresses with built-in toppers, should not be turned over, but they should be rotated on a regular basis.
- Avoid bouncing on the mattress (as enjoyable as it is) and try not to sit too close to the edge of the bed. Both can put too much strain on the mattress, causing it to lose support sooner.
- A mattress protector will keep your mattress safe. A washable cover can protect your mattress from stains, and if you have a dust allergy, you may also buy coverings made of specially designed ‘barrier’ fabric.
- Make use of your mattress warranty. Do you believe your mattress has sagged sooner than expected? Consider getting in touch with the store or manufacturer. Mattresses frequently come with a guarantee that covers defective materials or poor craftsmanship. Unfortunately, most mattress warranties do not cover the progressive wear and tear that all mattresses experience, resulting in a loss of support.
- Think about using a mattress topper. You can add an extra layer of memory foam or padding to the top of your mattress for as low as £10 – but some may cost more than £100. However, quality can vary substantially, so before you buy, read our entire analysis of the best mattress topper companies.
4. How to clean a mattress thoroughly
Using ordinary home items, follow this simple instructions to thoroughly clean your mattress and eliminate allergies, smells, and stains.
- Step 1: Make the bed
Before you begin cleaning your mattress, remove all sheets and blankets from your bed. This is an excellent time to wash them. To destroy dust mites, use the highest washing temps specified on the manufacturer’s labeling. Wash your pillows and fabric mattress toppers as well. Electric blankets can even be washed.
- Step 2: Deodorize it
Baking soda is a fantastic natural deodorizer. Unlike carpet fresheners or fabric sprays, it does not include scents that trigger allergies or have an overbearing odor. So, sprinkle a generous coating of it on your mattress and gently work it in to help it connect with surface moisture and destroy smells. But don’t scrape too hard; you don’t want to snag the cloth. The longer you keep baking soda on your mattress, the more effective it becomes. Allow at least 15 minutes, and preferably many hours.
- Step 3: Vacuum it
You’ll need to vacuum your mattress once you’ve deodorized it. If you have an upholstery attachment, use it for this. Avoid using a rolling brush attachment since it may snag or harm the mattress surface. In overlapping, tiny trails, clean the top and sides of your mattress. If you press too hard, your machine’s suction will be reduced. Make careful to wipe around the seams and edges as well, since these areas accumulate a lot of dead skin cells and dust. You may use the crevice attachment for this area if you like.
- Step 4: Mattress stains must be removed
Using the DIY stain removers listed below, you can get rid of practically any mattress stain. Before you begin, consider the following:
Use the mattress stain remover recipes as directed. To avoid discoloration, utilize the measurements specified.
Never use a carpet shampooer or pour anything straight over your mattress. Mattresses aren’t supposed to get wet, and if they do, mold will develop within, especially memory foam mattresses, which are effectively big sponges.
Treat all mattress stains of one type before moving on to the next. For example, before dealing with blood stains or rusty brown spots, remove any yellowed pee stains from your mattress.
- Step 5: Reverse and repeat
Once the top of your mattress is clean and dry, you may wish to flip it over and clean the bottom. If one side of your mattress has a pillow-top and the other does not, the flat side is unlikely to require stain treatment. However, you should still vacuum it, especially if you have allergies or cats that like to burrow beneath your bed.
- Step 6: Protect your mattress
It takes more than a fitted sheet to protect your mattress from stains, mold, and allergies. You’ll also need a mattress cover that’s hypoallergenic and waterproof. This is the one I use. Cover your mattress with the mattress cover and a fitted sheet. If you use a foam topper or pad to soften your mattress, it should be placed between the mattress cover and the fitted sheet. Wash your mattress cover once a month to keep it fresh, and you’ll never have to deep clean or remove stains from your mattress again.
5. Homemade mattress stain removers
If your mattress has been yellowed due to perspiration stains or if it appears dirty, use this technique to restore its whiteness.
5.1 Remover of sweat stains
Spray the yellowed region of your mattress lightly with 3 percent hydrogen peroxide until it’s moist but not soaked. (In most cases, the sprayer nozzle may be placed directly on the peroxide container.) Allow the area to dry naturally. As the peroxide dries, the stain diminishes, but you can reapply as required.
5.2 Remover of blood stains
You can remove blood stains from your mattress and other materials as long as you haven’t used any heat-based treatments, which might cause them to set permanently. This method removes both new and old blood stains from your mattress.
2 ounces hydrogen peroxide, 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap, and 1 tablespoon salt Spread this over the bloodstain and leave it for 10 minutes before scraping it away with a spoon. Remove any residue with a clean cloth soaked in hydrogen peroxide. Allow the area to dry. If a dark stain lingers after drying, softly spritz it with hydrogen peroxide. As the peroxide dries, the stain will vanish.
5.3 Remove urine stains
Potty accidents and pet urine are two of the most typical stains on beds. But there’s no reason to panic. The urine stain remover listed below can remove both old and fresh urine stains as well as the odor of urine.
In a mixing basin, combine 3 tablespoons baking soda, 8 ounces hydrogen peroxide, and a trace of liquid dish soap. Dab the liquid onto the stain with a cloth, but don’t soak it. Blot the wetness with a clean cloth. Turn your cloth as you work to ensure that you’re always utilizing a new place to remove the stain. Allow it to dry naturally.
5.4 Mattress stain remover foam for difficult stains
Use this DIY stain removal foam for really tenacious mattress stains, particularly those involving body fluids not mentioned above. Allow the foam to rest for no more than 10 minutes, but add more if necessary.
Use this to get rid of wine stains, vomit stains, other body fluids, and mysterious mattress stains. To make a dry foam, use 2 teaspoons powdered white laundry detergent (no blue crystals, no oxygenated bleach) and 1 tablespoon water. Spread the foam on the stain, let it sit for 10 minutes, and then scrape it away. Wipe away any residue with a moist towel, then air dry.
6. How to get rid of smelly mattresses
Regardless matter how comfy your mattress is, you’re unlikely to enjoy a decent night’s sleep if you can’t get rid of an unpleasant odor when you lay down.
There are two possibilities for why your mattress smells. The first reason is that it is new. When you initially unpack a mattress built with synthetic materials, such as memory foam, it’s not uncommon for it to have a distinct chemical odor. Even if your mattress isn’t synthetic, it may have a little odor when new due to the flame-retardant chemicals that manufacturers are required by law to use.
The odor should dissipate gradually, but you may hasten the process by placing it near an open window to air out. Learn more about ways to enhance your home’s indoor air quality.
If the odor is really strong, try airing the mattress outside if you have a patio and the weather is nice.
The second cause of odor in a mattress is if anything has leaked into the material. Body fluids are obvious examples, but liquids like tea and coffee may be easily spilt if you’re eating breakfast in bed. Even spilled water might leave a musty odor on the mattress if the cloth hasn’t been completely dried.
After removing any stains (as described above), air the mattress for as long as possible to allow the odor to disappear. However, if the odor is really strong or unpleasant, you will need to take more drastic actions. Sprinkle baking soda over the whole surface of the mattress and leave it for as long as possible, preferably overnight. After that, vacuum up the baking soda and let the mattress air out via an open window – the stench should be gone.
If the odor persists and you’ve owned your mattress for a while, it’s time to replace it.
7. Is it time to invest in a new mattress?
According to our most recent poll, three out of ten members anticipate a mattress to last between eight and ten years. And one-quarter of you believe it will stay longer.
There are a few things you can do to extend the life of your mattress (see above), but it will not endure indefinitely. When you sleep on it every night, it’s all too easy to convince yourself that your mattress is still as excellent as it was when you first bought it. However, just because a mattress is comfy does not mean that it will provide enough back support.
We examined mattresses that will remain supportive for up to ten years without drooping or softening. However, if you’ve owned your mattress for longer than that, you should think about replacing it.
8. Frequently asked questions about mattress cleaning
The following are some frequently asked questions concerning mattress cleaning.
- How often should I rotate or flip my mattress?
Flipping your mattress entails totally flipping it over. If your mattress is the same on both sides, you should flip it over every three months to ensure even wear. This also prevents it from becoming lumpy or producing “valleys” where you sleep.
Rotating your mattress from head to foot promotes even wear. It is possible to accomplish this with any mattress. It’s easier to do when your bedding is clean and the mattress is bare. Rotate your mattress every three months or whenever it begins to feel sagging. If it feels sagging more frequently than that, it’s probably time for a replacement.
- How often do I need to clean my mattress?
If you use a nice mattress protector and cover your clean mattress, you may never need to deep clean it again. To eliminate smells and allergies, remove the protection and wash it once a month. If you don’t use a mattress protector, you should vacuum it once a month to eliminate dust mites, dead skin cells, and surface allergies. Then, at least twice a year, deep clean it.
- Can I clean my mattress with a carpet shampooer or a steam cleaner?
Water is pushed deep into your mattress by a steam cleaner, where air and light cannot reach. Your mattress is essentially a large, dense sponge. Consider the odor of a damp sponge placed in a dark, warm place for a few days. Moisture inside your mattress can contribute to mold and mildew growth. You’ll eventually need a new mattress.
- Can I freshen my mattress with essential oils?
Although essential oils have a pleasant aroma, they are still oils. Rubbing oil into cloth draws dirt, which may stain it permanently. You won’t be able to smell the essential oil once you’ve cleaned and covered your mattress to protect it. So, why squander your time and energy? If your mattress begins to smell stale, skip the aromatic oils and instead use baking soda to refresh it.
