Handheld steam cleaner<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n2. Strip the bed and wash all the bedding<\/h2>\n
Remove sheets, pillowcases, and mattress covers and let them take a spin in the washing machine while you work on cleaning the mattress. Washing all the bedding in hot water will help get rid of any dust mites. Depending on the type of bed pillows you have, you may be able to wash them as well. (If you\u2019re uncertain, make sure to double-check the care label and study up on how to wash pillows.)<\/p>\n
3. Vacuum the mattress<\/h2>\n
Grab your vacuum cleaner\u2019s upholstery attachment and go over the entire surface of the mattress, including the sides. Pay special attention to seams and break out the crevice attachment to get any hidden dirt or dust. You should incorporate vacuuming your mattress monthly into your routine, according to Balanzat: \u201cA quick vacuuming session also helps maintain cleanliness between deep cleans,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
4. Spot-clean your mattress with a stain remover<\/h2>\n
Now it\u2019s time to focus on the proper care instructions to get stains out of the mattress, and that means spot-cleaning. Never soak your mattress or apply water or cleaning solution directly to it. Memory foam, for example, isn\u2019t supposed to get wet at all. For that reason, it\u2019s important to proceed with caution and operate on the principle that less is more.<\/p>\n
So spot-cleaning with a stain remover it is. The stain remover you choose will depend on the type of stain and the type of mattress. For biological stains, reach for an enzyme cleaner. Spray the cleaner onto a clean white cloth, and then blot the stained area with the damp cloth. After that, you can apply cold water to a different clean cloth and continue blotting until the stain lifts. The goal here is to use as little product and moisture as possible. This method is ideal for blood, sweat, vomit, urine, and other related stains.<\/p>\n
As an alternative to an enzyme-based cleaner, you can make your own DIY solution by mixing dish soap with water and applying just the resulting foam to the stain. You can also make a DIY solution of equal parts cold water and hydrogen peroxide, or use a vinegar-baking-soda solution to remove stains.<\/p>\n
5. Sprinkle baking soda all over the entire mattress<\/h2>\n
If you can\u2019t put your mattress out in the sun and fresh air, baking soda is the next best thing. Sprinkle a layer over the entire top of the mattress and leave for several hours (or better yet, apply before an overnight trip). Baking soda will break down acid and absorb any remaining moisture or odor. The longer you can leave baking soda on the mattress, the better it will work! As the mattress sits with the baking soda, open any windows in the room to let the light and sunshine in. The sun\u2019s UV rays will actually help kill any mold or bacteria on the mattress.<\/p>\n
6. Vacuum again<\/h2>\n
Once the baking soda has worked its magic, thoroughly vacuum it up. (If you have a fabric headboard, now\u2019s a good time to vacuum that as well! Might as well get a fresh start with everything bed-related.) One optional step? \u201cA handheld steam cleaner can help sanitize and remove deep-seated grime,\u201d Balanzat says.<\/p>\n
7. Flip the mattress<\/h2>\n
Now that side one is spotless, flip the mattress and repeat steps 1 through 5 so both sides are equally fresh and clean. Flipping, of course, should be done at regular intervals, whether you\u2019re deep-cleaning the mattress or not. The conventional wisdom has been that people should flip their mattress every three to six months to prevent uneven wear, but that rule of thumb only applies to spring mattresses because they compress over time. As mattresses get more specialized, like with hybrid mattress designs, your best bet is to check with the model manufacturer. The foam Casper mattress, for instance, only needs to be rotated 180 degrees every few months, while only the top pad of Duxiana\u2019s Dux mattress needs to be flipped and turned.<\/p>\n
As a general rule of thumb, even the best mattresses should be flipped or rotated every three months\u2014or more often if you start to notice any sagging. And for those who share a bed, a mattress for couples can really benefit from these regular adjustments to make sure both sides of the bed wear evenly and extend the overall lifespan of the mattress.<\/p>\n
There are some mattress styles that don\u2019t require the heavy lifting required to flip a mattress. Casper mattresses, for instance, only need to be rotated 180 degrees every few months\u2014a.k.a., move the mattress around so your head goes where your feet were before.<\/p>\n
8. Protect the mattress<\/h2>\n
Now that you know how to clean a mattress, it\u2019s time to protect it. Once it\u2019s fully dry, cover your fresh, clean mattress with a waterproof mattress protector, which will make cleaning easier in the future and protect from spills, dirt, allergens, and other unpleasantries (i.e. bed bugs).<\/p>\n
Most brands sell mattress protectors, and if you buy a mattress on Amazon, you can usually snag a deal on a mattress protector in the related products section.<\/p>\n
Balanzat also recommends supporting your mattress with a solid bed frame or box spring, and keeping your mattress as dry as possible. \u201cAvoid excess moisture by ensuring proper ventilation and addressing spills immediately,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
9. Keep out dust with a fitted sheet<\/h2>\n
\u201cUsing fitted sheets that are regularly washed and keeping the area around the mattress clean should protect it from any dust,\u201d Parikh says. That said, wrapping mattresses and box springs in mattress encasements ensures that dust mites don\u2019t take up residence, Curry says\u2014an especially good idea for those who suffer from allergies or asthma.<\/p>\n
Along with your bed sheets, Balanzat says your regular mattress maintenance should include cleaning pillowcases and blankets weekly in hot water to reduce dirt and bacteria.<\/p>\n
Just make sure the encasement is flexible enough to stretch as your body sinks into the bed, which is especially important for side sleepers. (Back sleepers and stomach sleepers don\u2019t need as much cushioning, so this isn\u2019t an issue for them.)<\/p>\n
Cleaning a mattress will no doubt extend its life and make it a treat to sleep on, but all good things must come to an end. There are different \u201clifespans\u201d for a clean mattress, and depending on the type of mattress, Balanzat says to look for a new mattress once you\u2019ve reached the following timeframes:<\/p>\n
\n- Memory foam and latex mattresses:<\/strong> 7 to 10 years<\/li>\n
- Innerspring and hybrid mattresses:<\/strong> 5 to 8 years<\/li>\n
- Waterbed and airbed mattresses:<\/strong> 7 to 9 years<\/li>\n
- Adjustable bed mattresses:<\/strong> 8 to 12 years (Warning: Some components may wear out sooner with these types of mattresses)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
On average, you should consider investing in a new mattress every eight years or so. Body impressions and sagging indicate that it\u2019s no longer providing adequate support, Curry says. \u201cIt\u2019s also important to listen to your body,\u201d Parikh says. \u201cWaking up in pain or sleeping poorly every night are signs that it\u2019s time to move on.\u201d<\/p>\n
How to know when it\u2019s time to clean your mattress<\/h2>\n
Before you complete the steps above, you should look for warning signs that it\u2019s time to give your mattress a good cleaning. Balanzat says there\u2019s one general hygiene note: If you haven\u2019t cleaned your mattress in over six months, you\u2019re officially overdue for a cleaning. Before then, these are a few other signals:<\/p>\n
\n- There are visible stains or discoloration on your mattress<\/li>\n
- You can smell odors, especially musty or sour smells<\/li>\n
- Your allergy symptoms are worsening (due to dust mites, pet dander, or mold)<\/li>\n
- You\u2019ve noticed an increase in dust or debris on your bedding<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A mattress is a serious investment, so you want to make sure it lasts\u2014and that means learning how to clean a mattress. Luxury and affordable mattresses alike can harbor dust mites, dead skin, dirt, and other debris, which means they need to be cleaned regularly\u2014particularly if you suffer from allergies, have pets, or are just...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2272,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-102","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home-life-cleaning"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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<\/p>\n