Most of us spend about a third of our lives in bed. But if you were to think about all the germs, bacteria and even critters (yuck!) that make themselves at home in your mattress, chances are you wouldn't get much sleep. We wash our sheets faithfully every week (mom would be so proud), and we know that we should turn and flip our mattresses every few months to make them last longer ("should" is the operative word here), but is it possible to disinfect your mattress? The short answer: Kind of. The longer version: With a little effort, you can disinfect the surface of your mattress. The insides are a different story, unless you happen to have access to an industrial-style steam cleaner and a sterile containment unit. But we've all survived sleeping on them this long, right? If at all possible, clean your mattress outside on a warm, sunny, not-too-humid day. (There's a reason we have spring cleaning and fall cleaning instead of winter cleaning and summer cleaning!) The sunlight will help your mattress dry as you clean it;
better yet, it acts as a natural disinfectant, helping you kill bacteria with a good dose of UV rays. If you can't get outside, the next best option is to clear some space in your room and lean your mattress against the wall in front of a sunny window. Start by removing as much dust as possible (and maybe a few dust mites, if you're lucky) by going over the entire surface of the mattress with your vacuum cleaner's upholstery attachment and crevice tool. If your mattress-cleaning spree has been inspired by a fresh spill, pet accident or bedwetting event, use clean towels to soak up as much liquid as possible before you vacuum. Once you've removed the dust, there are a few different methods you can use to disinfect your mattress. Running a garment steamer or other hand-held steam cleaner across the surface will help to kill germs and dust mites, and a sprinkling of baking soda will help to freshen the upholstery and remove mild odors (let it sit a few minutes, then vacuum). But to kill more bacteria, you'll need to use a disinfectant solution of some kind.
Choose an antibacterial spray or solution with a scent you like, and avoid using bleach -- it's great at killing germs, but it's too harsh for the fabric covering on most mattresses. If you use a liquid cleaner, dilute it with warm water according to the directions on the label, dip a clean rag into the solution, and then -- this part is key -- wring the rag out thoroughly so that it's just barely damp. The goal is to clean the surface of the mattress without letting it get saturated with moisture, which can lead to mold or mildew. For disinfectant sprays, spritz lightly across the surface of the mattress, then wipe with a clean rag that's been dipped in warm water and thoroughly wrung out. Be sure to give your mattress plenty of time to dry -- a few hours on each side is best. Then cover it with a freshly cleaned mattress pad, sheets and bedding and enjoy a good night's sleep!Edit ArticleHow to Clean a Mattress Eight Methods:Regular CleaningUnidentified Mattress StainsBlood StainsCigarette Odor RemovalMold and Mildew RemovalUrine Stains and OdorAnother Urine Stain/Odor RemoverRemoving Stains Caused By Colored DrinksCommunity Q&A
Does your mattress need to be cleaned? There are several techniques which can be used to remove stains and keep your mattress fresh. Try using an upholstery cleaner. Since they are made for surfaces that touch your skin (e.g. your couch), it should work unless you are extremely sensitive to cleaners in general. It also has the advantage of removing dust mites[1] and their refuse. Spray it with a citrus type cleaner and let it set for about five minutes. Rinse with cold water (hot cooks the proteins). Rub in meat tenderizer from the pantry which removes the proteins. Rinse and follow up as per rust removal to remove the iron found in the blood. You can also add in salt to plain water and pour the solution into a spray bottle. This is particularly effective in removing fresh blood stains. Create a baking soda solution. Using the same processes as above, apply it to the entire mattress, one section at a time. Launder[2] your linens frequently. If you smoke, you should do this even more often than you would on an ordinary basis.
This will help keep the odor from being so pervasive. Spray the odor out. Give your mattresses a 'suntan'. Vacuum your mattress on both sides. Mix equal parts of isopropyl alcohol and warm water. Use a common disinfectant. Blot the excess fluid as much as possible. Use an enzyme based cleaning product. Once dry, shake baking soda over it. Let it set overnight and vacuum it the next day. You can also create a mixture using 8 ounces of hydrogen peroxide and 3 tablespoons of baking soda. This works best as a spray. Make the stain remover: Mix teaspoon of water in a mixing bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar, a teaspoon of laundry detergent your choice or dishwasher detergent. Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda and about 1 drop of disinfecting cleaner such as Lysol or Mr Clean. Mix it all together. Have a dry cloth handy and one to dip in solution. Sponge or blot the solution into the mattress. When done, wipe the surface with water.
Apply a thin layer of baking soda on the mattress for several hours. Vacuum up the baking soda when it has dried. Apply a proprietary anti-odor product, such as Febreze. Check if completely dry. Use a citrus cleaner or vinegar. Talk to your mattress manufacturer or local dry cleaner. Show more unanswered questions Vinegar also kills mold spores. Vacuum your mattress every month or so. This reduces the dustiness of the mattress. A dust barrier covering the mattress will reduce dust and dust mites as well. Washing bedding in hot water every week also kills dust mites. Whenever possible, blot out the extra moisture if you can. Flip your mattress once a week to allow each side time to air. This can prevent mold growth. At the very least, do this every month or so. Be careful to check if your mattress can be flipped. Some have a designated topside and won't be as comfortable upside down. Get a good mattress cover. Don't let your mattress get dirty in the first place!
It's a lot easier to throw a mattress protector or mattress cover in the wash than it is to clean a mattress, so using one of these is a great time saver. If you happen to have a Tempurpedic™ mattress with the Tempurpedic™ liquid-proof mattress cover, be advised that although this mattress cover is of very high quality, it is not highly durable and should not be washed in a machine with the sheets. Such treatment will eventually lead to tiny rips and tears, resulting in leaks and a dramatic loss in effectiveness. Instead, this mattress cover should be spot cleaned by hand or carefully inspected for leaks. It can lose effectiveness in as little as two years if not cared for properly. The two main types of waterproof mattress covers are vinyl and urethane. Both are equally good at protecting your mattress from liquids. Vinyl has the advantage of being cheaper, but it isn't breathable and can get warm at night. Urethane tends to cost more, but it breathes well allowing it to stay cool in the summer.
Plus, urethane is more durable. Make sure the mattress is completely dry before remaking the bed. Rushing this step will only result in a lingering smell and possible mold, mildew and fungus. Sometimes drying a mattress can take all day If the mold persists, it might be worth looking into a dehumidifier. This reduces moisture in the air,and inhibits mold growth. Dust mites also prefer damp climates So a dehumidifier is very good if you have dust mite allergies or asthma. Most importantly, do not lay a mattress directly on the floor in a basement room or anywhere for any length of time. If you must use a mattress on the floor, stand it up during the day to air out. Make sure you use a boxspring under the mattress or a breathable support system (similar to IKEA's slat system). Flip kids foam mattresses regular and use a waterproof cover if you have pets on your bed regularly. Note that mold will accumulate under the mattress if it is left on the floor, along with easier bug infestations.