We all sleep roughly a third of our lives on average. Why are you taking so long? Well, if we don’t get enough sleep, our brains won’t operate as efficiently as they should.
Sleep has several advantages: it increases our productivity, regulates our metabolism, and decreases our chance of getting unwell. On that issue, you won’t be able to get the full advantages of a good night’s sleep unless you have a clean and comfy mattress to sleep on. But, if you haven’t been paying attention to yours, there’s no better time than now to give it the attention it deserves.
How do you determine whether your mattress needs to be cleaned?
Mattresses have a high absorption rate. Liquids, on the other hand, may readily destroy their substance. Furthermore, dust, dead skin, and other allergens can become trapped, producing not only pain, but also health issues in children and those who are more susceptible.
As a result, comprehensive mattress cleaning should be done on a regular basis to maintain your health and extend the life of your bed. However, what are the telltale signs that it’s time for mattress cleaning?
- Visible Stains – You either discovered a stain on your mattress when changing the bedding or you spilled something on it by mistake. That’s a clear indicator that you need to clean that specific spot. Even if the stain is tiny, you may still do mattress cleaning completely to freshen it up.
- Disappointing odor – If your mattress produces an unpleasant odor, it’s a significant signal that it has to be cleansed.
- Allergy symptoms – Do you suffer allergy symptoms more frequently than usual? Check the mattress first. The buildup of dust, as well as other factors, might be to blame. Keep in mind that even if your mattress is hypoallergenic, you will need to clean it completely.
How to do mattress cleaning correctly
Many people fear this pastime, yet it’s actually not that tough. It will simply take a few hours of your time, a few basic materials that you most likely have on hand, and a little elbow grease, much like automobile upholstery cleaning. Are you all set? Let’s get this celebration started!
Prepare your supplies.
Tools:
- Vacuum machine (ideally with upholstery or mattress attachment, as well as a crevice tool for extra flexibility, if available) (preferably with upholstery or mattress attachment, as well as a crevice tool for more flexibility, if available)
- Gloves
- A small serving dish
- Bottle for spraying
- Sponge and clean cloths
Ingredients:
- Baking soda may be used to clean automobile upholstery.
- Peroxide (H2O2) (3 percent) (3 percent)
- Vinegar, white
- Salt
- Laundry detergent or liquid soap
- Essential oils of your choice
Remove all objects from the mattress.
Remove any pillows, sheets, coverings, mattress toppers, and protectors from the mattress. Now is the best moment to wash them properly so that you can later place fresh-smelling, clean sheets on your freshly cleaned mattress.
Check the label for instructions before putting anything in the washing machine. Some pillows may not take dampness, in which case you may just leave them in a sunny spot outside for a few hours. Some mattress toppers and protectors may be washed in the washing machine if only the gentle cycle and cold water are used. To be on the safe side, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Vacuum
Start mattress cleaning the surface with your vacuum cleaner’s upholstery or mattress attachment. Work your way down from top to bottom, making sure you’ve covered everything. Pay special care to the seams and any other hard-to-reach places where dust, dirt, and dangerous microorganisms. You may employ the crevice tool to fix these difficulties.
Remove any obvious stains from your mattress.
Now comes the hard part. Years of usage leave their imprint on the cloth, and accidents happen all the time, leaving us with little time to respond. Still, it’s futile to guess about when the cat peed on the bed or what that brown stain on the floor you’ve never seen before is. Put on your gloves and try some of the stain removal techniques listed below!
Urine
Urine stains on beds are a frequent occurrence. There are several natural DIY cleansers that have been tested and verified to work, whether it’s for human or animal urine. Keep in mind that the longer the urine sits on your mattress, the more difficult it will be to fully remove it.
Mattress cleaning for urine spots in steps:
- Blot excess moisture with a dry cloth or paper towel if you’re dealing with a new stain.
- Combine the hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of soap or laundry detergent in a small mixing dish.
- Use a spray bottle to cover the whole stain.
- Saturate the stain with baking soda and mix until a white paste is produced.
- Allow for a couple hours of drying time.
- Using a vacuum, remove the dried paste.
Both dry and fresh urine stains may be removed with this formula. Hydrogen peroxide, on the other hand, may disinfect while also bleaching the material. As a result, it’s not a good idea to use it on colored mattresses. When eliminating fresh urine stains, white vinegar can be used instead.
Blood
On a clean white surface, blood is impossible to miss, and it is one of the most difficult stains to remove. It’s important, nevertheless, to employ the right remedies depending on whether you’re trying to remove a new or old blood stain from your mattress.
Here are a few ideas to start with:
- Cold water – When it comes to fresh blood stains, cold water is the best treatment. You don’t need to use any chemicals or other types of cleansers to pre-treat the stain. Simply soak a clean towel or sponge in water. After that, blot the stain carefully. But don’t scrape, because it’ll spread farther and deeper into the mattress. Repeat with a clean cloth/sponge until the stain is totally gone.
- Baking soda – While we’re talking about mattress cleaning new blood stains, baking soda comes in useful in a pinch. Its absorbing and whitening characteristics will work in your favor, preventing the liquid from entering further into the fabric and causing color change. Sprinkle generously over the stain to fully cover, then leave it dry before washing with cold water.
- Salt and hydrogen peroxide – If you have a blood stain on your mattress that is a few days or weeks old, you may try using these two items to remove it. First, re-wet the discoloration with cold water, then sprinkle some salt over it. Scrub the stain carefully with an old toothbrush to agitate it. Allow it to rest for an hour or two on the stain before washing with cold water. If there is any leftover blood, repeat the operation or dab with a little hydrogen peroxide to restore the material’s pristine white look.
Bleach is useful in treating blood stains because of its efficacy. It does, however, cause some fading of certain materials and has a pungent stench that is impossible to ignore. If you still want to use bleach for mattress cleaning, we recommend choosing the non-chlorine type.
Vomit
This isn’t the most fun thing to clean, but it can leave a lasting stain on your mattress if you don’t act fast. White vinegar and warm water cleaning are a simple and straightforward remedy. However, you must scrape as much vomit as possible before applying it. Then, either in a spray bottle or in a dish, mix the two chemicals and begin applying. After that, blot with a towel and repeat until the area looks to be clean. Opening a window can speed up the drying process while also eliminating the vinegar odor.
Sprinkle baking soda generously.
Baking soda offers a lengthy range of mattress cleaning advantages, including whitening, disinfecting, and odor elimination. Even if your mattress is quite new and has no stains, putting some bicarb soda on top can freshen it up quickly. If you want to deodorize your mattress, you may use simply baking soda or mix it with your preferred essential oil.
Distribute the baking soda evenly into the mattress.
Then keep it there for as long as possible, if possible overnight. The white powder will absorb any liquid left over from treating the stains which will also eliminate any unpleasant aromas.
If you’re going to mix bicarb soda with essential oils, make sure you just use a few drops of the latter. Pure goods have a strong lasting stench that some individuals can’t bear, especially when they’re sleeping.
Vacuum one final time.
With the aid of the vacuum cleaner, you may remove the baking soda once it has done its work. Go over the entire mattress without placing too much pressure on it.
Repeat on the opposite side.
Now is a perfect time to turn your mattress because it’s good to do it at least twice a year. Giving both sides a thorough mattress cleaning will guarantee that will last longer.
Make your bed.
Allow ample time for the mattress to dry fully before making the bed, as dampness is a known mold grower. If feasible, leave it to air dry outside, although a fan or blow dryer will also assist.