You spend about a third of your life on your mattress. When was the last time you gave it a good, deep clean? The seldom-used living room sofa probably feels the bristle of a vacuum brush more often than your trusty mattress. It’s time to change that. Besides promoting a more pleasant and productive night's sleep, a clean, cared for mattress can last longer—and it might even help prevent nasty, not to mention costly, pest infestations. Back when most mattresses could be flipped over, the conventional wisdom was that you should turn it twice a year, and take that opportunity to clean it as well. These days, a lot of mattresses, including the pillow-top variety, can’t be turned because they have a proper top and bottom. But cleaning your mattress two times a year remains a good rule of thumb. (Check the mattress label for instructions since the manufacturer might recommend rotating the mattress head to foot to ensure even wear.) Start the cleaning process by stripping the mattress of all sheets and bedding and tossing the items in the wash.
To remove tough stains, always use a Consumer Reports top-rated laundry detergent and the hottest water setting on your washing machine; dry on high heat as well to zap any surviving critters. Next, vacuum the entire mattress surface with the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Pay attention to seams and crevices, where dirt, dust, dead skin, and other icky stuff collect; switching to your vacuum’s crevice attachment can help get in deep. Our tests have found that a normal vacuum cleaner provides capable cleaning, but if you’re fastidious, consider investing in the Dyson V6 Mattress Handheld Vacuum, a $250 device designed specifically for the job. In a Consumer Reports at-home mattress test, we cleaned half of a foam Tempur-Pedic mattress with a top-rated canister vacuum and half with the Dyson handheld. The Dyson sucked up 3 grams of material, including dead skin cells that dust mites like to nosh on, compared with the 1 gram that our regular vacuum removed. Once you’re finished vacuuming, check for stains and spot treat them with an appropriate cleaner.
An upholstery cleaner or enzyme-based pet-odor remover can do the job on many bodily fluids. You can also try a simple solution of 1 teaspoon mild dish detergent and 1 cup of warm water. Next, deodorize the mattress by sprinkling baking soda over the entire surface. Especially if this is your first cleaning, don't be afraid to empty an entire 1-pound box onto the mattress. For best results, leave the baking soda there for 24 hours. That means you might need to plan the project around an overnight trip—or be willing to sleep elsewhere in your home. If you can place the mattress near a window, the sunlight will add its sanitizing power. After the baking soda has had a chance to tackle odors, go back over the mattress with your vacuum’s upholstery attachment. If you don't already own a mattress cover, we recommend buying one. And adding a mattress pad between the cover and bottom sheet will help absorb moisture. Along with the periodic deep cleaning described here, these extra layers of protection will help prevent mites, fleas, and other pests from sharing your bed.
That should really help you sleep tight. Once upon a mattress How often do you clean your mattress? Getting a Good Night's Sleep Why Americans Can't Sleep How to Fall Asleep the Natural Way The Problem With Sleeping Pills Does Melatonin Really Help You Sleep? What Is a Sleep Coach, and Do You Need One? The Dangers of Drowsy Driving What Can Happen When You Drive Drugged Can the Sleep Shepherd Sleeping Cap Lull You Into Sweet Slumber? Sleep Tracker: Gimmick or Great Gadget? 3 Blue Blockers Put to the Test Smartphone Apps Can Sound as Good as a White-Noise Machine Should My Pillow Become Your Pillow? Mattress Buying Guide and RatingsEdit 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.