Give The Cleaning Solution Time To Work
And finally, a little bit of patience goes a long way when it comes to cleaning your mattress! After applying your cleaning solution of choice, let it sit for a few minutes before you blot or do anything else.
A lot of cleaners work best when you give them a little while to work their magic, and thats especially true of stains. Stain removers need time to help get the stain out, and it can make removing the stain much quicker and easier than it would be otherwise!
Patience is also important after removing a stain, because you need to allow your mattress to dry completely before putting anything back on it. Covering up a wet mattress can trap moisture inside of it, and potentially lead to the growth of mildew or bacteria. So be patient and resist the urge to replace your mattress protector, sheets, and other bedding items until youre confident that your mattress is totally dry.
Gather Your Mattress Cleaning Supplies
Now that you have an idea of how stained the mattress is, you can gather what youll need. If the mattress is lightly stained, all you may need is a vacuum and wipe-down with a damp rag. Tougher odors or stains may need some extra TLC. Gather the following supplies as needed:
- A vacuum fitted with an upholstery attachment
- Enzyme cleaner or mild dish soap for stains
- Baking soda to sprinkle on the bed to absorb odors before vacuuming out or to create a paste to spot clean with
- Absorbent cleaning cloths that can soak up moisture
- Water, preferably in a spray bottle to control how much you wet the mattress
What not to use on your mattress
Avoid harsh chemicals such as bleach or ammonia. Do not over-saturate the mattress, or it may not properly dry, causing bigger problems with mildew or mold later. Artificial perfumes and fragrance sprays may seem like a good idea to hide odors but could affect air quality.
Did We Help Freshen Up Your Mattress
Mattresses, even the best mattresses, can get quite stinky, thanks to all the sweat and debris they tend to collect. Freshening up and deodorizing your mattress isnt much of a chore. Often, its as simple as sprinkling baking soda over the mattress cover and leaving it alone for a few hours.
Doing this just once a month can help your mattress provide years of comfortable rest and keep you from having to replace your mattress before youre ready to.
This article is for informational purposes and should not replace advice from your doctor or other medical professional.
Sarah Anderson, Certified Sleep Science Coach
Sarah Anderson is a sleep, health, and wellness writer and product reviewer. She has written articles on changing and improving your sleep schedule, choosing the right mattress for chronic pain conditions, and finding the best pillow for you. Sarah Anderson has her Bachelor of Arts degree from Arizona State University in Journalism and Mass Communications. Prior to working for Zoma, she wrote for a variety of news publications. Sarah’s work has been featured on Bustle, PureWow, and other publications.
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Remove And Clean The Sheets
Before you refresh the mattress, you should focus on the obvious the sheets and beddings. After all, this is what your skin is exposed to when you sleep. As a general rule of thumb, you should clean the sheets every 1-2 weeks.
When we sleep, the sweat gets absorbed by the sheets and mattress. This provides the perfect environment for dust mites to thrive. If you dont want them to fade or get wrinkles, you should buy high-quality sheets.
Time To Spring Clean Your Mattress
After months of keeping the house sealed shut to hold heat in and keep the winter chill out, springtime always gives us a chance to open things up and let the fresh air in. But this year, since you’re spending so much time at home right now you might be getting that itch a little more. And, since we spend almost 1/3 of our lifetimes asleep, it’s a great idea to refresh your mattresses as part of your spring-cleaning routine.
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S To Cleaning A Mattress
Step 1: Strip the bed and toss everything in the washer
Use the hottest water setting possible when washing your bedding and always dry on high heat.
Step 2: Vacuum the entire surface with the upholstery tool
Vacuum the mattress using your vacuum cleaner’s upholstery tool. Just removing the sheets and giving the mattress a good vacuuming gets rid of a good amount of dust, pet hairs and other dirt that has accumulated over time.
Pay special attention to seams and crevices. That is where icky stuff tends to accumulate.
Tip: A HEPA-rated vacuum will provide the best suction.
Spot Clean Your Mattress And Treat Any Stains
You’re likely dealing with old protein stains i.e. urine, menstrual blood, sweat, and the likes. Either use an enzyme treatment with as little water as possible. Damp can damage a mattress’ fibers and if you have a memory foam mattress, water could completely ruin it so be careful day to day with liquids and when cleaning too.
There are so many different approaches using chemical and eco-friendly approaches. What you use to clean a stain depends on the stain itself. The golden rules whatever youre removing are to never scrub, but to dab, and not to get the mattress wetter than you need to.
For an all-over mattress spring clean, post-vacuuming you can spray the mattress with anti-bacterial white vinegar and then sprinkle it with baking soda .
When cleaning with vinegar, let it bubble and place a towel over it for a couple of hours. Vacuum up any residual baking soda and allow to air dry. The smell of vinegar will disappear as the mattress dries.
You can also mix 2oz of powdered detergent with 300ml of warm water, mix well until soap suds form. Apply a thin layer onto the mattress and rub it in with a sponge. Keep rubbing until any visible stains start to fade otherwise, just work up a good lather. Remove any remaining detergent with a clean sponge. Leave to dry completely or use a hairdryer, holding 50cm above the stain, to help speed up this process.
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How To Clean A Mattress: Sweat Stains
Anyone who sleeps hot will also be prone to sweating more in the night, which, over time, could seep into the mattress and turn it yellow. However, if you can stay on top of regularly maintaining your mattress this staining can be avoided simply sprinkle baking soda onto any staining that you see appearing, give it a gentle rub and leave for half an hour, before vacuuming it up.
If the sweat stains are more stubborn, then try spraying on a solution made with equal parts water, liquid soap, and hydrogen peroxide. Spray lightly onto the stain, so as not to soak the mattress, and let it sit for 20 minutes.
Blot the solution with a paper towel. You can then sprinkle over some baking soda, leaving it on for several hours to dry thoroughly before vacuuming it up. Air the mattress near an open window, in direct sunlight if you can.
Using a mattress protector will provide an extra barrier to help prevent sweat reaching your mattress. If you sleep hot regularly, then try sleeping on a cooling mattress, or investing in a mattress topper that has a cooling surface to help keep your temperature regulated.
Its worth mentioning that mattresses can also become yellow naturally with age, and this discoloration cannot be removed. In most cases its usually a sign that you need to buy a new mattress, especially if you have had it for more than eight years.
How To Clean Your Mattress: Remove Odors And Oils
The kitchen staple baking soda will be your friend when it comes to removing odors from your mattress. Corn starch is another tool that will absorb body oil, which could be another reason why your mattress smells.
Essential oils
1. Deodorize with baking sodaThe simplest way to deodorize a mattress is to sprinkle baking soda over it and let the powder sit for at least 30 minutes – preferably for a few hours – before vacuuming the mattress with a upholstery attachment.
2. Remove body oils with corn starchAttack body oils by mixing a few tablespoons of corn starch, such as Clabber Girl, with one cup of baking soda before sprinkling it on the mattress. You could also add five to 10 drops of a favorite essential oil, such as Artizen Essential Oils, to the mixture before shaking it on your bed for a pleasing scent that should last a few days.
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How To Remove Stains From A Mattress
As briefly mentioned above, the one exception to the no-liquid rule is if stains are at play. For fresh liquid stains, Mayer says to immediately absorb as much of the liquid as possible with paper towels or a cloth towel, making sure to dab not rub, as rubbing can set a stain further .
Once the towels cant absorb any more liquid, she says to use a spray bottle filled with vinegar to gently mist the affected area. Next, use more towels to absorb the vinegar, then dust the area with baking soda and let it sit for a few hours, she instructs, noting to let it sit for up to eight hours for dark stains.
If youre working with an old stain, however, Mayer recommends adding detergent to the mix. Combine one part gentle detergent with two parts water in a spray bottle, she says. Shake the contents until thoroughly mixed, then lightly spray the affected area. Next, take a clean cloth and move it in gentle circles over the stain to scrub at it.
Once youre satisfied that the stain is removed, Mayer says to dampen another clean towel and move it circularly on the stain to sop up the cleaning solution and any remnants of the stain. Then, press a dry cloth to the area to absorb as much excess moisture as possible and leave it to air dry, she instructs.
Tip #: Use A Mattress Protector
There are a lot of nasty things that can get into your mattress, from bodily fluids to dust mites and beyond! But you can keep these and other unsavory substances at bay simply by encasing your mattress in a quality mattress protector.
Using a mattress protector is the single most affordable and effective way to keep your mattress clean. Choose a mattress cover thats machine-washable so you can clean it in your washing machine as needed, or every three to six months.
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Sprinkle Baking Soda On Your Mattress
Baking soda is your friend when you are cleaning a mattress.
Baking soda is truly a miracle ingredient. Its not just good for making cookies, it also works to remove odors.
Baking soda is an amphoteric oxide, Chan explains. This means it reacts with strong acids and alkaineswhich produce some of the strongest odors, sapping them of their potency.
Sprinkle baking soda on your mattress and leave it for 30 minutes, then vacuum your mattress again.
If youre just doing a general freshen-up, feel free to put your bedding back on and be done. You might even consider rotating your mattress after cleaning to help with even wear. Consult your mattress manufacturer for specific guidelines.
How To Clean Sweat Stains From A Mattress
Youll Need:
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How To Clean A Mattress: Urine And Spillages
Whether its spilled coffee, or urine or blood that has seeped into the mattress, you need to tackle these as soon as they happen. This will reduce the chances of staining and they’ll be easier to clean too, as they wont have a chance to get deeper into the mattress.
You can use a simple cleaning solution of detergent or white vinegar with water to spray it onto the stain. If the spillage is biological for example, blood or urine then make sure the solution contains an enzyme-based detergent to dissolve the stain.
Remember, mattresses can develop mold if they get too wet, so never pour water directly onto them. Heres how to clear up a recent spill:
- Strip the bed and wash the sheets in the washing machine.
- Using a cloth or paper towels, blot as much liquid as you can from the mattress. Try to do this fairly gently, without rubbing it, as it will spread the spillage around and deeper into the mattress.
- Clean the stain with a 50:50 solution of white vinegar and water. Use a spray bottle and try not to soak the mattress. If the stain is stubborn, you can leave the solution on for ten minutes or slightly longer. Now blot the solution with clean paper towels or a cloth.
- Take some baking soda and sprinkle it over the stain. You should leave this on for at least 7-8 hours. Once its dry you can vacuum it up.
- Air your mattress near an open window, and in direct sunlight if you can.
Cleaning A Foam Mattress
We spend about one third of our lives sleeping on our mattress. Over time, our dead skin cells, sweat, hair, body odors, and pet dander sneak through our sheets and accumulate on our beds. While we keep our sheets clean, its still important to clean your mattress every now and then, as well. We recommend once or twice a year, or whenever anyone gets sick or has an accident.
Keep in mind that different foam bed types have different cleaning processes. But no worries, weve detailed each one for you in our guide on how to clean a foam mattress. These are also instructions for the foam of the mattress, so you will need to remove the mattress cover. If thats not possible, sorry, but youll just have to stick with spot cleaning the cover.
Read these steps to learn how to freshen up your bed, so you can sleep right, sleep tight, sleep clean.
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How To Remove Sweat Stains From A Mattress
You sweat while you sleep, and over time all that body oil can leave its mark on your beloved mattress. Luckily, there are a number of ways to clean a yellow-stained mattress.
WaterClean rags
In the first instance, try just adding baking soda to the stain – gently rub it in, leave for 15 minutes, and then vacuum.
If that doesn’t work, you’ll need a stronger solution. As with the technique we covered for treating urine stains above, this method uses hydrogen peroxide, which is very effective but can bleach some materials, so use it sparingly, and consider testing it on a small area of the mattress before using it on larger stains.
Alternatively, use an enzyme-based spot-cleaning product, such as Woolite Pet Stain and Odor Remover – again, test it on a small area first. Here’s what to do…
1. Create a cleaning solutionMix one cup of hydrogen peroxide with one cup of warm water, and between one quarter and one third of a cup of liquid dish soap. Add the solution to a spray bottle.
2. Spray the stainSpritz the stain and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes. You may need to work the mixture in with a cloth or brush.
3. Blot with waterThis will remove the cleaning solution, being careful not to soak the mattress. Then let the stain air dry. After this assess the area – if any stain remains, repeat steps one to three.
Clean Using Baking Soda
Another method of cleaning your mattress is by using baking soda. This multifaceted compound will easily remove stains and odors, essentially deodorizing the mattress.
In order to begin the stain removal process, sprinkle baking soda over the entirety of the mattress. Then, let the baking soda sit for, at minimum, an hour. The baking soda will then start to absorb excess liquids and odors.
Once youve let it do its job, vacuum up the baking soda. Youre another step closer to making your mattress cleaner.
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How Do I Sanitize A Memory Foam Mattress
For memory foam, youll want to avoid getting the mattress wet. Also, avoid using harsh products such as ammonia and bleach.
The best way to sanitize a memory foam mattress is by mixing 1/2 cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of water in a spray bottle and lightly misting it onto the mattress. Take special care not to soak the surface.
Allow the vinegar mixture to sit for 30 minutes. Then gently dab the mattress with a clean, dry rag or paper towels, and let it air dry naturally.
To clean a liquid stain, sprinkle baking soda on the spot after misting the mattress and let it sit for up to 10 hours before vacuuming. This will absorb the stain while avoiding damage to your memory foam mattress.
Bonus Tips For Keeping Your Mattress Clean
Youve cleaned your mattress and removed any unsightly stains now what? Here are a couple of useful tips that will help keep your mattress clean, and also help prevent future stains and odors!
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