Finding the right mattress can be a lengthy process, so naturally, when you find the one, you’ll want to extend its useful life as much as possible.
Dead skin, dust mites, bacteria and stains can all build up and worsen over time, requiring routine mattress cleaning. Beyond the obvious and immediate health benefits, a clean mattress also typically means better sleep, which in turn leads to a better quality of life.
DIY mattress cleaning is a great solution for cost-savvy homeowners; however, severe stains may require a deep clean by professional cleaners like Stain Busters Toowoomba.
In this blog, we’ll cover an effective mattress cleaning process designed to keep your entire mattress in good condition and preserve its long-term value.
TL;DR
- Cleaning your mattress regularly has many health benefits, and you can do it with ingredients and tools you probably already have around the house.
- You can give your mattress a thorough DIY clean in just five steps.
- A professional mattress clean is the best way to protect your health.
Why You Need to Clean Your Mattress Regularly
Health benefits
Thorough cleaning methods remove dust mites, bacteria, and allergens, eliminating the need for an overnight trip to the medicine cabinet.
Longer mattress life
Regular cleaning prevents stains from setting and causing damage to the fabric.
Fresher sleeping environment
Without regular cleaning, hidden dirt, sweat stains and other debris can cause unpleasant odours and make it harder to sleep.
What You Need to Clean Your Mattress at Home
Unless there has been a major spill, a light cleaning solution may be the perfect solution for your mattress – and even if you’ve never learned how to clean a mattress, you’ll be pleased to know that you can often remove stains and kill bacteria with everyday household items.
To keep your mattress clean, you’ll need the following pieces of equipment:
- Vacuum cleaner with upholstery attachment
- Baking soda for deodorising
- Hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar for spot cleaning
- Dish soap or laundry detergent
- Clean, soft-bristle brush
- Microfibre cloths and towels
For your health and safety, always opt for safe, gentle products free from harsh chemicals and other allergens that could irritate your skin.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Your Mattress
No idea how to deep clean a mattress at home? Maybe you’ve heard that all you need is bicarb soda, a spray bottle and a damp cloth, but you’re not sure where to go from there. Don’t fret – just follow these steps.
Step one: Vacuuming the Mattress
Vacuuming regularly helps maintain cleanliness and minimises dust mites.
First remove bedding, including fitted sheets, pillows, and mattress protectors from the bed, and then vacuum the entire surface of the mattress using the vacuum cleaner’s upholstery attachment.
Pay extra attention to the seams, edges, and crevices of the bed where dust and debris may accumulate.
Step two: Spot Cleaning Stains
The best cleaning solution for your mattress depends on the type of stain, whether it’s sweat, blood, urine, food, or something else. Once you have determined this, you can create a mild cleaning solution to suit.
In case you’re wondering how to clean a mattress with baking soda, you’ll find that it’s most effective when used on urine stains in combination with white vinegar and baking soda. Gently blot the stain with the baking soda solution using a clean cloth, but avoid rubbing, as this could damage the fabric.
For other stains, a combination of hydrogen peroxide, dishwashing liquid, and water is effective. Then again, if you’re low on ingredients, simply mixing dish soap with equal parts cold and hot water will do the trick.
Once the spot cleaning is complete and the stain lifts, let the area dry thoroughly before moving on to the next step.
For deeply set stains that don’t come out with home cleaning, it’s best to call a team of pros like Stain Busters Toowoomba for a complete cleaning solution.
Step three: Deodorising the Mattress
To remove any unpleasant smells from the mattress (hello, pet dander!), first sprinkle baking soda generously across the entire surface.
Then, for the best results, let the baking soda sit on the mattress for several hours, or overnight – the longer, the better – and then give the mattress a thorough once-over with a vacuum cleaner.
Deodorising helps freshen the mattress and prevent odours from developing.
Step four: Flip and Repeat (if applicable)
If the mattress is a double-sided model, flip it over and repeat the vacuuming, spot treatment, and deodorising process.
Step five: Air Dry the Mattress
Even a few drops of moisture on a mattress can create potential health hazards like mould and mildew growth, so be sure to allow the mattress to air dry completely before replacing the bedding. If weather permits, opening windows to let fresh air in can speed up the drying process.
When to Call in a Professional
Deep-set Stains
Even if you’re confident that you know how to clean a mattress properly, some stains are too much for a standard spot clean. Sometimes, even the baking soda may not do the trick – in cases of pet accidents, heavy spills, blood stains or water damage, for example.
Mattress Odours
If solutions such as baking soda, enzyme cleaner and DIY steam cleaning don’t eliminate mattress odours, it might be time to call in professionals, Stain Busters’ founder Patrick Sweeney said. “A bad smell is a sure sign that basic cleaning isn’t cutting it, and it’s time to give the team at Stain Busters Toowoomba a call,” he said.
Allergies
If you or a family member suffer from severe allergies, professional mattress cleaning is a great way to protect more thoroughly against allergens.
Time Constraints
Properly cleaning your mattress, from stain removal to drying, can take a few hours. If your busy schedule doesn’t leave much time to worry about bed hygiene, a professional service can restore your mattress faster and more effectively.
DIY vs Professional Cleaning
So, which approach is better for you and your mattress?
DIY Cleaning Advantages
The DIY mattress cleaning approach is generally more cost-effective, convenient, and simple, suitable for light cleaning.
Professional Mattress Cleaning
It may be worth calling in a professional when you notice stubborn stains or recurring odours that require deep cleaning and sanitisation – processes that are much easier with professional-grade steam cleaning tools than with a spray bottle and a household vacuum.
Also, if you have a health condition, steam cleaning will give you additional peace of mind.
Tips to Maintain a Clean Mattress
Use a Mattress Protector
Using a mattress protector is a simple, effective way to prevent a build-up of stains and dust. For extra protection against stains, invest in a waterproof mattress protector.
Rotate your Mattress Regularly
If you sleep in the same position every night, body impressions will likely form on your mattress. This kind of usage may not be an issue for a memory foam mattress, but it can shorten the lifespan of spring mattresses. Rotating the mattress every few months is important to get the best value out of your investment.
Vacuum and Deodorise
The best cleaning solutions are simple, and sometimes all your mattress needs is a simple vacuum cleaner and a clean cloth. If you’re vacuuming the mattress regularly, you’ll also notice any biological stains sooner and have a better chance of restoring a stained area with a stain remover.
Wash Bedding Regularly
Pillowcases, sheets, and blankets can hold onto dust and allergens, so be sure to wash them regularly. If you’re already using a mattress cover to keep your mattress clean, be sure to wash it, too – like all the bedding in layers above, mattress toppers can accumulate a surprising amount of surface dirt over time.
Air the Mattress Out
Completely removing bed covers is leaving it uncovered for a few hours – ideally in direct sunlight. While they won’t help with stain removal, the sun’s UV rays are a natural remedy for germs and a simple way to soak up any remaining moisture from the deep cleaning process.
Conclusion
Given the amount of time you’ll spend in bed throughout your life, a good mattress cleaner could make a big difference to your health and happiness.
DIY methods are great for general upkeep, but when baking soda just won’t cut it, you’ll be glad to have a team of professionals on your side.
When your mattress is in disrepair, reach out to Stain Busters Toowoomba for expert support – we’re here to help.