Edit ArticleHow to Restore a Musty Mattress A mattress that has been in storage for a while can gain an unpleasant musty odour that seems to linger. For a better night's sleep uninterrupted by mustiness, here are some suggestions. Assess the state of the mattress carefully. Air the mattress outside.Make up a solution of 5 drops of tea tree oil (ti-tree oil) to one bucket of warm water. Sponge this mixture over the entire mattress. Then place out into the fresh air to dry thoroughly before use. Tea tree oil has the benefit of anti-bacterial and anti-mould activity. Use baking soda or bicarbonate of soda. Use a strong wood odour to mask the mustiness. It might seem logical but avoid spraying perfume or strong smells onto the mattress. Not only might this stain the mattress but you might end up with a much worse odour to contend with!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! If you’ve had your mattress in storage for an extended period of time, you may have been thoroughly disappointed to find that it’s no longer in the condition it used to be. A common mistake when storing a bed is to wrap it in a plastic bag to keep it dry. What many people fail to realise is that the average adult can sweat as much as 400ml in one night.
So the moisture is already in the mattress and all you have done is trap it in there. This greats an ideal environment for mould and bacteria to grow, leaving you with a very unhealthy sleeping environment upon your return. If you’re reading this because it’s too late, then you best have CleanBed come and deep clean and sanitise your bed to make it safe and healthy again. We recommend the following for best practise of storing your bed: Have the bed cleaned by CleanBed prior to putting it into storage You may use a plastic wrap while transporting the bed but transfer it into a breathable encasement prior to putting it away Store the bed on it base in a horizontal position if possible without putting additional weight on top of the mattress If it is necessary to store the bed vertically, ensure it is placed on a clean even surface which holds it directly upright. If the bed is leaning against something and not being held straight you may cause permanent damage to the springs.
Have the bed cleaned by CleanBed again when removing it from storage After years of suffering from dust allergies and waking up congested every morning, I'd had enough! The CleanBed deep clean system as made a significant difference, and after only one night I'm the best I've ever been.Old mattresses can be hazardous to your health in several ways. In storage, mattresses can develop mold and mildew and a large number of dust mites. Even mattresses left sitting out in a room will accumulate of dust mites. If you're planning on using an old mattress or if your current mattress hasn't been cleaned in a while, there are some tips that you should follow in order to clean it properly. Soak a washcloth in water and apply dish/hand soap to it liberally, and then scrub the affected areas of the mattress down thoroughly. If the mattress has been sitting unused for a while, it is a good idea to scrub the whole surface down to sanitize it completely. Spray the mattress with a citrus cleaner or soak a washcloth in a detergent/water mix (1/8 cup detergent per gallon of water) or vinegar/water mix (8 cups vinegar per gallon of water).
Dab at the affected areas of the mattress, and then scrub it down thoroughly. When you are done scrubbing the mattress, open a window or set it outside for several hours to allow it to dry. Give the odorous areas of the mattress a thorough dusting in baking soda and allow it to sit, undisturbed, for approximately 8 to 10 hours, then take the mattress outside and shake it off completely to remove the baking soda. Move the mattress to a sunny area and leave it there for several days (a sun porch with large windows is perfect). After it has had at least a day of total sun exposure (24 hours), vacuum the entire surface thoroughly. This will remove the now dried out mold/mildew spores as well as any dust mites. Follow steps 1 and 3 or 2 and 3 to finish sanitizing your mattress. Consider using a mattress cover for added protection. This will help keep you from breathing in any mold, mildew or dust mites that you may have missed during the cleaning. Bar Area Carpet Cleaners: How to Clean a Mattress