Your mattress is one of the most used pieces of furniture in your home, yet it often goes overlooked in the cleaning routine. Over time, mattresses accumulate dust mites, dead skin cells, sweat, and allergens, impacting your sleep quality and indoor air. A deep clean and deodorization twice a year can significantly improve hygiene and extend your mattress’s life. Here’s how to give your mattress a thorough refresh.
Strip bedding & machine-wash linens
Start by completely stripping your bed.
- Remove All Bedding: Take off sheets, pillowcases, mattress protectors, and any other bedding.
- Machine-Wash: Wash all your bedding according to their care instructions, ideally in hot water to kill dust mites and allergens. This is a good time to deep clean your pillows as well, if they are washable.
Vacuum entire mattress (sides + surface)
Vacuuming is your first line of defense against dust and debris.
- Use Upholstery Attachment: Attach the upholstery tool to your vacuum cleaner.
- Vacuum Top Surface: Systematically vacuum the entire top surface of the mattress, working in overlapping rows. Apply firm pressure to pull out dust mites and allergens that might be embedded deeper.
- Vacuum Sides and Crevices: Pay extra attention to the sides of the mattress and any seams or crevices where dust tends to accumulate.
- Flip Mattress: If your mattress is flippable, flip it over and repeat the vacuuming process on the other side. If it’s not flippable, rotate it instead (see below).
Spot-treat stains using mild detergent or enzyme cleaner
Address any visible stains next.
- Identify Stain Type: Different stains respond to different treatments.
- General Stains (Sweat, Dirt): Mix a small amount of mild laundry detergent or dish soap with cold water to create a sudsy solution.
- Biological Stains (Urine, Blood, Vomit): Use an enzyme-based cleaner, specifically designed to break down organic matter. These are often found in pet stores or cleaning supply aisles.
- Apply Sparingly: Dampen a clean white cloth (never directly spray the mattress) with your chosen cleaning solution.
- Blot, Don’t Rub: Gently blot the stain from the outside in. Rubbing can spread the stain and push it deeper.
- Rinse (Blot with Clean Water): After treating, dampen another clean cloth with plain cold water and blot the area to “rinse” away any cleaner residue.
- Dry: Blot the area with a dry cloth to absorb as much moisture as possible.
Important: Avoid oversaturating the mattress, as excess moisture can lead to mold and mildew growth.
Deodorize with baking soda, let sit for several hours
Baking soda is a natural, effective deodorizer.
- Sprinkle Generously: Evenly sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda over the entire top surface of the mattress.
- Let It Sit: Leave the baking soda on for at least several hours – ideally 6-8 hours, or even overnight. The longer it sits, the more odors it will absorb. For stubborn odors, you can even leave it for 24 hours.
- Sunlight (Optional): If possible and practical, open windows or move the mattress to a sunny spot for a few hours while the baking soda is on it. Sunlight is a natural disinfectant and helps with deodorization.
Vacuum again & air-dry thoroughly
Your final vacuuming step is critical.
- Vacuum Baking Soda: Use your vacuum’s upholstery attachment again to thoroughly vacuum up all the baking soda. Ensure no white residue remains.
- Air-Dry Completely: Allow the mattress to air-dry completely before putting clean bedding back on. You can speed up drying by opening windows, using a fan, or running a dehumidifier in the room. This step is crucial to prevent mold and mildew.
Rotate mattress regularly & use waterproof protector
Preventative measures are key to mattress longevity and cleanliness.
- Rotate Mattress: Rotate your mattress head-to-foot every 3-6 months (and flip if it’s a flippable model) to ensure even wear and tear, which extends its lifespan.
- Use a Waterproof Mattress Protector: This is your best defense against spills, sweat, and allergens. It creates a barrier that keeps your mattress clean and dry. Wash the protector regularly.
Cleaning frequency: Twice a year (more with pets/allergies)
- General Recommendation: Aim for a deep clean of your mattress twice a year, typically every six months. This aligns well with seasonal changes or when you change your bedding from winter to summer.
- Increased Frequency:
- Pets: If you have pets that sleep on your bed, consider cleaning every 3-4 months.
- Allergies/Asthma: For allergy or asthma sufferers, cleaning every 3-4 months, along with more frequent vacuuming, can significantly reduce allergen buildup.
- Excessive Sweating/Spills: Clean more frequently if you experience regular spills or excessive night sweating.
Give your mattress the refresh it deserves for better sleep and a healthier home! For professional deep cleaning services that include mattress care, contact Quality Cleaning today!