Due to the heat, sweat and frequent usage – our mattresses can become a haven for bacteria. Most modern mattresses have protective elements in their design, but even then, a good clean now and then is a good idea:
How often you should clean your mattress?
Ways to clean your mattress
How to maintain bed hygiene?
Keep reading to find out how to get your mattress clean in just a few easy steps so you can sleep soundly at night without the worry…
How often should you clean your mattress?
There’s a good reason why it’s recommended to change your bedsheet every week, and that is down to the amount of sweat absorbed during a night’s sleep. Some people may need to change sheets more often if they don’t shower before bed or spend more time there during the day.
Even if you have a mattress protector and change the bedding regularly, sweat and dirt will still get slip down to mattress level, so you should give it a clean at least once every couple of months.
Ways to clean your mattress
There are a variety of ways to give your mattress a clean, so here are a few easy ones to try:
How to clean your mattress with baking soda at home
Remove all your bedding and mattress covers, then carefully inspect the mattress for areas of staining or dirt. If there are no stains, only some discolouration or smells, move on to step 2. If there are stains, scroll down to find some solutions to deal with those first.
Use a (recently cleaned) upholstery attachment to carefully vacuum all over the mattress. Pay particular attention to creases, crevices, and seams.
Now put 1-2 cups of baking soda into a sieve. You could add a couple of drops of essential oil (such as lavender) to this step to help banish any smells and give off a pleasant scent come bedtime, but it is optional. Shaking the sieve gently, thoroughly spread the baking soda over the entire mattress surface.
If the mattress you are cleaning is a guest bed, aim to leave the baking soda on for 24hrs. If it’s your bed, leave it on as long as possible – maybe before going away for a weekend? Or apply the treatment in the morning and leave it on until just before bedtime. Ensure the room has good airflow and let as much sunlight in as possible – heat and light can help the baking soda be more effective.
Once the baking soda has been on the mattress for enough time, use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum to lift it all off the mattress. If you use both sides of your mattress, make sure to flip it and treat the other side the same way.
How to clean a memory foam mattress
Most memory foam mattresses are constructed differently from regular spring mattresses, so the first thing you should do is refer to the care instructions label. However, the baking soda method should be safe to use on them. Be sure to vacuum your memory foam mattress regularly and try to not let any stains dry. If you do need to do stain cleaning, it’s important to avoid harsh cleaners containing peroxide or bleach as they can damage the structure of the memory foam.
How to remove mattress stains
Most human-made stains are protein-based, so they should be easy to remove with household products, although you can go for a specialist upholstery cleaner if you are unsure.
For sweat, urine, vomit, etc – simply add a teaspoon of washing-up liquid to a cup of cool water and pour it into a spray bottle if you have one. Spray or apply this mixture on the stained areas and carefully dab it up with a wet cloth. Leave everything to fully dry and then vacuum over the areas one final time. Mixing cool water 50/50 with white vinegar works too.
Top Tip: Avoid using hot or warm water on stains – heat can set-in stains, so they’ll be much harder to remove.
How to remove blood stains from a mattress
If you have a stain that is a little more stubborn such as blood, don’t panic. You can still use natural solutions to get it all out.
If the blood is still wet, gently dabbing with cold water can be surprisingly effective. However, removing dried blood will require a little more effort:
1. Mix one part baking soda with two parts cold water.
2. Apply the mixture to the stain – do not rub as this may spread the stain even further.
3. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes to an hour.
4. Dab the area with a damp cloth and clean cold water.
5. Allow the mattress to thoroughly air dry and then vacuum the area well.
If the stain remains, you can repeat this process or purchase some stain remover from your local supermarket.
How to maintain good bed hygiene
Sleep hygiene and bed hygiene are not the same thing. Sleep hygiene is making sure the condition of the room is right for you to sleep well in. Bed hygiene is as it sounds – how hygienic your bed is. So here are some ways you can ensure everything is good and healthy:
Purchase a mattress protector. These are easy to clean alongside regular laundry and help prevent major mattress staining.
Clean your sheets as regularly as possible to prevent sweat, dirt, and dust transfer to the mattress and/or protector.
Take showers or baths before bed so that you don’t transfer a day’s worth of dirt to your sheets.
Instead of putting clean sheets straight back on the mattress after removing them, air the mattress out with the windows open while they wash.
Check the mattress manufacturers recommendation for tailored cleaning advice.
Flip your mattress every three to six months.
Replace your mattress at least every eight years.
It’s easy to clean your mattress and maintain freshness thanks to the use of a few simple tricks. So, why not get going and give your mattress a fresh new feel?
