When was the last time you cleaned your mattress? Or more importantly, have you ever cleaned your mattress? Sure, you may wash your sheets once a week, but that's not enough for your bed to stay clean and hygienic.
The dead skin flakes, sweat, and oil from your body are absorbed by your mattress every night. It’s also home to dust mites, bacteria and fungi, which can be very harmful to your health.
Experts tell us we should deep-clean our mattresses once or twice every year. By doing this, you'll prolong its lifespan and keep it in top condition. Not only does deep-cleaning remove odours from the mattress and protect your health, but it can also improve your sleep. Cleaning reduces allergens so that you can breathe cleaner air and feel better at night.
Deep-cleaning might sound like a daunting task, but it doesn’t need to be. We’ll show you the best way to clean a mattress so you can start sleeping better today.
We should often clean mattresses to remove dust, heightened allergy symptoms
If your mattress has noticeable spots or stains or a funny smell, it’s a sign that it’s long overdue for a clean. Alternatively, if you’ve been experiencing heightened allergy symptoms such as itchy eyes, coughing or sneezing, and washing your sheets has proven ineffective, the mattress may be the cause. Remember: it won’t always be obvious if your mattress needs a clean, so if it’s been a year (or more!), consider it time now.
If cleaning fails to remove stains or odours, or if there is an excessive build-up of mould, your mattress is due to be replaced.
You don't need much to clean the mattress. In fact, most of the supplies are most likely already sitting in your cleaning cupboard.
A vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment
Baking soda
Your choice of essential oils
Antibacterial spray.
If you’re targeting a particular stain, it’s important to remember stains can either be protein-, tannin-, or grease-based, and they require different cleaning methods to remove. Try to tend to any stain as soon as possible before it has a chance to soak in.
Before commencing, make sure the room is well-ventilated with the windows and doors all open. Also check the air isn’t too humid or moist, as this can cause mould or mildew to grow.
Strip bedding is the first step
Remove all pillows, blankets, sheets, mattress protectors, or lining from the bed until the mattress is bare. It’s a good idea to wash everything and remake the bed with fresh bedding once the mattress has been cleaned.
To remove any lingering dust and debris, vacuum your mattress completely. A powerhead vacuum cleaner will achieve the best results as it can effectively reach deeply embedded dust. Cleaning mattress by using an upholstery brush and work systematically up and down until you’ve covered everything – including the underside.
Use vacuum to clean the mattress
Use baking soda with essential oils
Sprinkle baking soda liberally across the entire mattress surface and leave for at least 1 hour. To leave a pleasant lingering scent for the next few nights, mix in a few drops of essential oils with the baking soda prior to application. You could use oils such as rosemary, lavender, or eucalyptus.
Once you’ve let the baking soda sit for a decent amount of time, vacuum the mattress again (using the upholstery tool once more), working methodically to ensure no baking soda remains.
Disinfect bacteria from your mattress using a high-quality antibacterial cleaner. Be sure to choose a brand that doesn’t have bleach as one of the ingredients as it will harm the mattress fibres. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to mix the solution with the correct amount of water and place it in a spray bottle. Spray the solution lightly across the mattress surfaces including the sides.
Use a clean cloth dipped in warm water and thoroughly wrung out to wipe down the mattress after it’s been sprayed. It’s important to use as little water as possible as this can lead to mould build-up. Ensure the mattress is completely dry before remaking the bed.
A fully-encased mattress protector will help protect you from further dirt and dust
If you aren’t already using one, a fully-encased mattress protector will help protect you from further dirt and dust from getting it in, keeping your mattress cleaner for longer. There are many different types of mattress protectors available, including hypoallergenic designs that prevent dust mites, and waterproof designs that protect from moisture.
Once you’ve completed the deep-clean procedure, remake your bed with clean sheets. Enjoy better and healthier sleeping in your ultra-fresh bed, free of all the nasties.
*Please contact us for more information to obtain a copy of our certificate.
