Deep cleaning a mattress might be a challenging task but it is undoubtedly an important one. With constant usage, a mattress can accumulate a lot of dirt, sweat, and moisture, leading to the growth of bacteria and other allergens. Fortunately, there are several ways to deep clean mattresses to keep away allergies and impurities in one’s own home. Some things are either available at home or can be easily purchased.
Different ways to clean mattresses
Remove the bedding
Along with the mattress, its covers, which have been left on for too long, also accumulate a lot of dirt, sweat, and allergens over a period of time. So, before proceeding to begin cleaning the mattress, it is better to strip the bed of its linen and covers and launder them. Unless the labels on the linen mention otherwise, it is always a good idea to wash the fabrics with warm or hot water to strip off all the germs.
Carefully read the mattress care guide
When moving on to clean the mattress, first check the label or go through the care guide provided by the manufacturer. This should be an important step because most brands mention the best way to clean the mattress in the care guide. If not for the details, they might have mentioned products or methods to avoid using in the process. Plus, each mattress is designed differently. For instance, some mattresses are made for single-sided usage, while some can be used on both sides. So, to make sure the mattress is maintained for its durability, it’s best to read the instructions carefully before proceeding with the cleaning process.
Vacuum the mattress
Even though a mattress may appear clean, in reality, it may not seem to be. Dust particles, due to being immensely minute, may settle within the fibers of the mattress. If not cleaned properly, the collected dust can lead to several issues, like allergic reactions. To avoid such instances, the best way to remove dust from the mattress is to simply vacuum it. This process will also remove other particles and allergens.
After vacuuming, one can proceed to focus on removing stains from their mattress.
DIY mattress cleaning solutions for stains
Over time, a mattress can fall victim to a lot of stains – the most common ones being those from sweat and spillage of food or beverages. Removing the stains that have settled might not seem easy. Fortunately, one can make an effective mattress cleaning solution at home with ingredients that are easily available. All one would need is some baking soda, dish soap, and some hydrogen peroxide. To make the solution, mix some hydrogen peroxide with a few spoons of baking soda and only a couple of drops of dish soap. Swirl the liquid to mix the ingredients and transfer the solution to a spray bottle.
Once done, spritz the solution onto the stains and other affected areas of the mattress. After around 10 to 12 minutes, absorb the access solution from the mattress using a paper towel and then let the mattress dry.
How to remove fresh stains?
Wet stains from urine are fairly simple to remove from a mattress. All one needs is some vinegar, and one will be able to clean the mattress naturally without using any additional chemicals. To remove the stains and clean the mattress, one can spray the affected area with undiluted white vinegar. Leave it for a few minutes. Absorb the access vinegar from the mattress with a paper towel or other absorbent material. Let the mattress dry completely.
How to sanitize a mattress?
There are several simple yet effective ways in which one can sanitize a mattress. Among those, arguably, the simplest way is by steaming the mattress. For this, one would need a handheld steamer – like the one that is used for clothes. The steam from this device will penetrate the mattress properly to remove all the accumulated bacteria, thus effectively sanitizing it.
Apart from this, one can also use baking soda and vinegar to sanitize the mattress. For this, one would need to first spray the mattress with white vinegar and then blot it after 10 minutes. After this, sprinkle some baking soda on the mattress. Make sure to focus on the areas that have been affected by spills or stains. Let the mattress sit for about an hour, and then vacuum the mattress to clean off the baking soda. Along with sanitizing, this method has also proven effective in removing unpleasant odors.
How to remove dust mites from a mattress?
Dust mites are tiny little creatures that thrive in warm areas and feed on the dead skin cells of humans. When the mattress accumulates dust and sweat, it creates the perfect climate for these pests to grow. Getting rid of these creatures from the mattress is crucial since they can cause severe health-related issues. One can vacuum the mattress first and then let it sit in an airy, sunlit area. When exposed to direct sunlight, dust mites dehydrate and eventually perish. Regularly deep cleaning the mattress and washing the bedding is an effective way of preventing dust mites.
