On many days, it seems easier to skip cleaning the mattress and head on to work or have fun. But, not doing it periodically can cause a lot of problems for you.
It will not feel as cozy as before. Also, dust mites and bed bugs will start to call it home, leave red, itchy marks on your body, and cause your allergies (if you have them) to get worse.
The good news is that it’s easy to deep-clean your mattress. You just need some time and willingness to do it and we will show you exactly how in our step-by-step guide here.
So, let’s start!
1) Prepare your cleaning supplies
A thorough deep-cleaning of your mattress will usually involve using these cleaning agents, materials, or equipment:
- Baking soda
- Laundry detergent
- Cleaning mixtures for stain removal
- Soft cloths
- Cold water
- Handheld vacuums
2) Strip and wash all your bedding
Clean out the covers of your mattress and pillows. Strip them and carry them to your washer and set them to hot to kill the lingering bacteria, dust mites, and other allergens.
But first, be sure to read what’s indicated on the fabrics’ care tags to protect them from damage and make them last.
3) Vacuum the mattress
It’s time to do some vacuuming. Use your handheld vacuum or equip your standard vacuum cleaner with the upholstery attachment and vacuum away.
Direct the suction across the entire surface of the bed. Also, don’t miss the seams and crevices to catch the dirt, debris, and dead skin.
4) Remove the mattress stains
This is where the mattress deep-cleaning process gets tricky. Removing stains should be approached with care and caution as doing it wrong may worsen the existing stains.
As a general rule, don’t apply water or chemicals directly onto the spot or stain on your mattress. The reason is that some kinds of mattresses like memory foam ones aren’t water-resistant.
If you’re dealing with a protein-based stain such as vomit, blood, or wine, use an enzyme cleaner. Simply spray a bit onto a dry cloth, dab it onto the spot; subsequently, apply some water to another cloth to press on the stain until it lifts out of the mattress.
However, if you don’t have an enzyme cleaner, you can just create your DIY cleaner. Put together dish soap and water or equal parts of cold water and hydrogen peroxide in a container, the latter of which is effective for bathrooms as it kills bacteria, fungi, spores, and viruses.
5) Deodorize the bed using baking soda
Sprinkle baking soda on the entire surface of the mattress and leave it like that for several hours. This will eliminate mold, mildew, and bacteria, along with any unpleasant odor that has developed.
If possible, slide open the curtains and open the windows to let in the sun and fresh air. The baking soda should evaporate faster as a result, otherwise, vacuum up the remaining particles.
6) Flip the mattress
You’ve now cleaned the top of your mattress, but then there’s also the other side. So flip the mattress and do some vacuuming, pre-treating, and baking soda sprinkling once again—after all, you can’t flip the side with the baking soda yet until it dries.
Flipping is not only done when you deep-clean your mattress, but also when you notice a sagging side. The standard for doing this is every three months for most mattresses, which helps them to be used on the sides evenly and last longer.
7) Cover your mattress with a mattress protector
Well done, your mattress is now clean on both sides! But don’t stop there, cover your mattress with a mattress protector to keep it cleaner for longer by protecting it from dust, dirt, or spills, especially if you have children and pets at home.
8) Dress your mattress with a fitted sheet
Finally, you have to use the newly washed bedding and put it back on your pillows, blankets, and mattress.
A fitted or zippered sheet is important because they provide an extra second layer to your mattress, after the mattress protector, to keep parasites, smudges, and stains at bay. By the way, don’t forget to clean the surrounding bedside area too.
And now, your mattress should look pristine, smell wonderful, and feel comfortable to sleep on later at night. Go ahead and enjoy the reward of your efforts—you deserve it!
