A Quick Guide to “Washing” a Mattress
Sleeping is perhaps the most rewarding thing you can do after a long day. But did you know that having a dirty bed can cause interrupted sleep and even serious conditions too?
To avoid those things, this guide will help you with the basics of “washing” a mattress. If you’re ready, let’s start!
Why is it important to clean your mattress?
First things first, your mattress matters because you spend most of your time sleeping on it. In order to have a good night’s rest, you should have a clean bed too.
The main reason you need to clean your mattress is to eliminate dirt, as simple as that. At the same time, your mattress is a significant investment that you need to take care of, and keeping it clean ensures it lasts longer.
Technically, your mattress affects your sleep too. So, it affects almost every aspect of your life and health as well.
How often should you clean your mattress?
Generally, it’s recommended to clean your mattress once every 6 months. In this way, you can avoid intense dirt build-up and maintain the quality of your mattress.
In case you spill something, it’s advisable to wash your mattress immediately before the stain seeps into its deepest layers. To lessen your worries, you can purchase a mattress topper for additional protection of your bed.
It’s important to practise regular cleaning to extend the lifespan of your mattress. By doing this, you’ll also avoid getting allergies and other skin conditions.
What are the steps in washing or cleaning a mattress?
When it comes to cleaning a mattress, it’s best to clean it first thing in the morning to ensure that it has enough time to completely dry off.
For those who have a busy schedule, you can opt for professional home cleaning services instead. They offer one-time cleaning for $15 to $50 per hour and routine cleaning for $260 to $560 per month.
But for those who have a more flexible schedule, you can follow these simple steps to give your mattress its much needed cleaning.
Step 1
Start the process by stripping the bed sheets off your mattress. Then, vacuum the entire area of the mattress to collect accumulated dust, dead skin, and dust mites.
You can use the crevice tool of the vacuum to get into the folds of the mattress and around its seams. Make sure to vacuum it for a good 20 minutes or more, depending on how dirty it is.
Step 2
After vacuuming, assess if there’s damage by checking for discoloration, stains, or any pungent odour. In cases where there are dry stains, you should spot treat the area by using an appropriate solution like an upholstery cleaner.
If you have a pet that sleeps on your bed, you can use an enzyme-based pet odour remover. For other stains such as dirt or grass, you can try a mixture containing 1 teaspoon of dish soap and 1 cup of warm water to remove it.
Step 3
The next thing you need to do is to deodorise your mattress by sprinkling baking soda all over it. Spread the baking soda evenly onto the mattress and leave it there for at least an hour.
Baking soda helps by neutralising the odour absorbed by your mattress. You can also place the mattress near an open window where sunlight can easily reach it, sanitising it as well.
Step 4
Once the baking soda has set, you can vacuum the mattress by using its upholstery attachment. Vacuum the entire area thoroughly to ensure that there will be no baking soda residue.
Keep in mind that the material of your mattress also matters. So you need to ensure that you’re using the proper cleaning materials to avoid damaging its quality.
Step 5 (Optional)
If you’re still not satisfied, you can actually take the cleaning to the next level by giving your mattress a steam bath. However, it’s generally best to let the professionals do this, as you can hurt yourself with the steam.