How to Clean a Mattress

Source:www.steamatic.com

One of the most important tasks that are often overlooked is cleaning the mattress to keep the sleeping area healthy and fresh. Regular cleaning of the mattress helps remove bacteria, dust, allergens and stops serious mattress problems such as odors and mold from occurring. In order to keep the mattress clean, healthy and safe, one needs to manage routine cleaning and address larger problems like dust mites, bed bugs, odors, stains and spots.

Now, washing the pillows and sheets is a good place to start, but it is not the only thing that needs to be done. Routine cleaning allows the bed to be a more comfortable place to sleep and takes care of those dirty stains, infestations, and odors right away to protect the mattress from any serious issues.

Although, keeping the mattress clean is vital, it is not that difficult. Normally, what one needs to do is regularly wash the bedding, vacuum every other month and add a mattress protector. However, even more intensive cleaning such as removing of odors and spot removal is normally just as simple as spraying the mattress down and giving it a decent scrub. This post will help you learn how to clean the mattress and manage regular cleanings.

Before one starts cleaning their mattress, they need to strip the bed and launder the linens. Make use of the latest settings allowed as heat kills dust mites. Now that you are ready, let’s dive right in.

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1. Vacuum the Mattress

Firstly, the vacuum cleaner upholstery attachment is the ultimate tool for mattress cleaning. Make sure to start right at the top of your mattress and work all the way down in narrow overlapping paths. The sides should be vacuumed the same way and do not worry about the other side just yet.

2. Use Baking Soda to Deodorize Mattresses

Even though we do not notice our personal bodily smells, sweat ca build up over time and lead to a strange aroma. An excellent mattress cleaning will help the bed smell fresh. In order to do this, simply sprinkle enough baking soda on the mattress and gently rub it using a scrub brush. This will help it get into the fabric where the stink is located. Allow the baking soda to sit there for about 10 minutes before moving on to the next step.

3. Vacuum Once Again

The first round of vacuuming only removed hair and dust. This allows the baking soda to get to work on the mattress surface. When the mattress is vacuumed a second time, it pulls out moisture and the case of the odors. The upholstery attachment should be used for this step.

4. Get Rif of Mattress Stains

Three types of stains are typically acquired by the mattress. These are urine, blood and other bodily fluids such as seminal fluids. Although, it is best to treat the stains immediately, in certain cases, it is fine to sleep. The good thing is that the stains on the mattress can still be cleaned even after they have been there for a while.

Dried Blood Stains

The following will help remove dried blood stains from the mattress.

• 1 tbsp, table salt
• 1 tbsp, liquid dish soap
• ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide or more would be needed

1. Combine all of these ingredients so as to form a paste.
2. Spread the paste lightly onto the mattress stain and leave it there to dry.
3. Now, scrape off the residue.
4. Use a white rag to dab away any remaining stain or paste. Rotate the cloth to lift the stains.

Urine Stains

Kids and pets can leave a mattress messy. Once dry, urine stains can be tough but not impossible to get rid of. The following two-step method helps keep the mattress clean.

Pre-Treatment of Urine Stain

• A small amount of liquid dish soap.
• 8 oz of hydrogen peroxide 3 percent.
• 3 tbsp of baking soda.

1. The abovementioned ingredients should be combined and dabbed on the stain with a white rag.
2. Keep in mind not to drench the mattress.

Urine Stain Remover

Sometimes, the pre-treatment just isn’t enough to get rid of urine stains. In case the stain persists, the second step would need to be used.

• 1 tbsp of water.
• 3 tbsp of dry laundry detergent.

1. Whisk the water and detergent together to create dry foam.
2. Spread the paste lightly onto the stain and leave it for 30 minutes.
3. Have the dried paste scraped away using a spoon.
4. Make use of a white cloth that has been dipped into hydrogen peroxide to remove any stubborn bits.
5. Leave the area to dry before vacuuming.

Vomit

Before working on this mattress stain, open the windows. The following items will be required.

• Baking soda.
• Unscented plain household ammonia.

1. Dampen the corner lightly of the white rag with ammonia.
2. Blot the stain with the damp corner/ Make sure not to drench the mattress.
3. A separate cloth would need to be used and dampened with fresh water to lift the stain.
4. Wipe the entire area using a clean dampened cloth in fresh water once the mattress stain is gone.
5. Sprinkle baking soda on the damp area to neutralize the ammonia and pull away remaining moisture.

5. Prevent Mattress Stains

Cleaning a mattress can be a time-consuming task which is why it is recommended to use a washable mattress cover. Many fabric bonded mattress covers can be found which have a waterproof layer that prevents liquids and allergens from reaching into the mattress, make sure to get one.

After any illness or spill, launder the mattress cover immediately. Otherwise, have it washed at least once every month to keep it fresh.

When to Remove the Mattress

In certain cases, the mattress should be removed.

• Mold: Mold can be tough to get rid of. Besides, even if the mattress is cleaned thoroughly, one can never know if the mold has actually been eliminated. In such a case, it would be better to get rid of the mattress and start fresh.
• Extensive Bed Bugs: Bed bug infestations can get deadly and it can be difficult to picture comfortable sleeping when them around. In case of an extensive bed bug infestation, think about getting a new mattress.
• Old Mattress: Normally, it is advised to clean the mattress in case of a small stain or odor. Most mattresses have a usable life of 7 to 10 years. If you have used it for that period, then it is time to get a new mattress.