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. Lift all mattresses off the floor (including boxspring) a height that will allow easy vacuuming under the bed, or put it on a rolling frame to allow easy bed moving. Mold spores are bad for your lungs and contribute towards asthma. If you see these, remove with a vacuum or brush, and leave the mattress in the sun for a few hours. This should kill the mold rendering it harmless (if not invisible) Keep in mind that mold can cause health problems[4]. If you think that you have more than a little mold, seriously consider replacing your mattressWhich is the Best Mattress of 2017?#1 in Sleep Product Research Millions Served Since 2008 Sleep Like The Dead has so far spent 6,000 hours gathering 25,500 mattress reviews from 900+ sources. Here is a brief summary of our unbiased research findings.
– 12 Key Mattress Research Findings 3. Buying a mattress online 5. Longevity / lifespan 9. Mattresses and sex 10. Mattresses for large, small people 12. Returning a mattress – How Best To Use This Site – About Our Mattress Research – Why Trust Us Do not assume that you will be satisfied with a top-rated mattress type or brand. Learn about a bed's characteristics, pros & cons before buying to ensure that it is right for you personally. Select a mattress type for detailed analysis and ratings. MORE INFO: See the mattress types compared in 20 additional ways. The chart below includes many of the more popular and / or widely available brands (in alphabetical order). Select a brand for detailed ratings. COMPARE THE ABOVE MATTRESSES AND MANY MORE in our side-by-side mattress comparison. DON'T SEE WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR? Search our mattress ratings using box below. Mattresses of various price points have some important differences.
GET THE FULL STORY AND ANALYSIS at our mattress price comparison. Buying a mattress online has important similarities and differences to buying in a store. GET THE FULL STORY AND ANALYSIS at buying a mattress online: what to know as well as the mattress manufacturer / brand comparison. The following shows the firmness level that tends to be suitable for average-sized people depending on their body type; your own personal preference may differ. GET THE FULL STORY AND ANALYSIS as well as firmness suggestions for people of above- and below-average size at our mattress firmness guide. Mattress longevity or lifespan can vary especially by mattress type. GET THE FULL STORY AND ANALYSIS at the mattress longevity comparison. About 8% of people report that their mattress retains heat and sleeps hot to an extent that undermines sleep quantity / quality. Some mattress types have more of a problem on this issue than others. GET THE FULL STORY AND ANALYSIS at mattress heat retention.
A mattress with good motion isolation localizes or absorbs a person's movement, such as their getting in / out of bed and their changing of positions. A mattress with poor motion isolation sends a person's movement across the bed to possible disturb another person. GET THE FULL STORY AND ANALYSIS at the mattress motion isolation comparison. Off gassing is an odor that a mattress may release when unpackaged due to its chemical composition. Some mattress types are more likely than others to have a problem. GET THE FULL STORY AND ANALYSIS at mattress off gassing odor. The different mattress types have various pros and cons in regard to suitability on this issue. GET THE FULL STORY AND ANALYSIS at mattresses and sex. Among several other factors, mattress thickness is a key attribute that small and especially large people should consider. GET THE FULL STORY AND ANALYSIS at the mattress guide for large & small people. The life of a mattress tends to be a fraction of its warranty length.
GET THE FULL STORY AND ANALYSIS at mattress warranties: what to know. The top reason people seek to return their mattress is that it has a firmness level unsuitable for one's personal preference, body type, or sleep position. Less common reasons include sleeping hot, persistent off gassing odor, and unsuitability for sex. Chart: Main reasons for seeking a mattress return GET THE FULL STORY AND ANALYSIS at returning a mattress: what to know. Adjustable bed bases / foundations often provide a variety of health and comfort benefits. Available are value-priced models ($600-$1100), middle-priced models ($1101-$1500) and luxury-level models ($1501-$3500+). GET THE FULL STORY, RATINGS, AND ANALYSIS at adjustable bed reviews. Do you really need a new mattress? Oftentimes, a mattress topper can effectively soften an overly firm mattress or revitalize an aging mattress. GET THE FULL STORY, RATINGS, AND ANALYSIS at mattress topper reviews. The best place to start your research is the page you are on right now or the mattress comparisons page – specifically the mattress type comparison.