Why Deep Cleaning Your Mattress Matters
A clean and hygienic mattress is crucial for getting a good night’s sleep and maintaining overall health. Here’s why deep cleaning your mattress on a regular basis is so important:
Promotes Better Sleep
Dust, dirt, dead skin cells, and other contaminants can accumulate in a mattress over time. These allergens and irritants can reduce the comfort and supportiveness of the mattress, leading to disrupted sleep. Deep cleaning helps remove these impurities so you can sleep better.
Prevents Allergies & Asthma
For those with allergies or asthma, the allergens hiding in your mattress could trigger reactions and breathing issues. Thoroughly cleaning your mattress helps reduce allergens like dust mites, mold, and pet dander that can cause flare-ups.
Removes Odors
Spills, sweat, and other moisture can cause odors to form in your mattress. Regular deep cleaning keeps your mattress fresh and odor-free.
Extends Mattress Lifespan
Allowing dirt, grime, and moisture to build up in a mattress can encourage mold/mildew growth and deterioration of the materials. Deep cleaning helps remove contaminants that can shorten the useful life of your mattress.
Improves Hygiene
We shed skin cells, sweat, and other fluids in bed all night. Without regular cleaning, these fluids and excretions get trapped in the mattress. Deep cleaning helps remove impurities and improve mattress hygiene.
How Often Should You Deep Clean Your Mattress?
Most mattress manufacturers recommend deep cleaning your mattress every 6 months to keep it hygienic and extending its lifespan. However, you may need to deep clean more frequently if:
- You sweat a lot at night
- You have kids or pets that sleep in the bed
- Someone has been ill in the bed
- You notice odors or visible stains
Listen to your body and nose – if you’re waking up with allergy symptoms or detecting odors, it’s a sign your mattress needs a deep clean.
What’s The Best Way To Deep Clean A Mattress?
Vacuum Thoroughly
Use the upholstery attachment of your vacuum cleaner to suck up loose dirt, dust mites, dead skin cells, and other debris. Vacuum all sides of the mattress, including crevices and seams.
Spot-Clean Stains
Pre-treat any visible stains on the mattress with an enzyme-based cleaner or gentle detergent. Let it soak in for 15-30 minutes before blotting and air drying. This helps break down organic matter like sweat, urine, etc.
Disinfect with Baking Soda
Sprinkle baking soda liberally over the entire mattress surface and let sit for a few hours to naturally deodorize and absorb moisture. The baking soda also has antibacterial properties to disinfect.
Deep Clean with Hydrogen Peroxide
For a deeper cleaning, combine 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 4 parts water in a spray bottle. Lightly mist over the mattress, let sit for 30 minutes, then blot dry with a towel. Hydrogen peroxide is a strong but safe disinfectant.
Air Out in Sunlight
If possible, carry your mattress outside and let it air out in direct sunlight for a few hours. The UV rays from sunlight naturally sanitize and freshen.
Consider Steam Cleaning
For a very thorough deep cleaning, use a handheld steam cleaner to penetrate the mattress fibers and kill germs and dust mites. Take care not to soak the mattress too much.
Use a Mattress Protector
To safeguard your mattress between deep cleans, use a waterproof mattress protector. This will shield the mattress from spills, sweat, and other stains.
What Should You Avoid When Cleaning A Mattress?
- Bleach – too harsh, could damage fabric
- Soaking – avoid over-saturating the mattress
- Harsh chemicals – stick to gentle cleaners like peroxide, baking soda
- Heavy scrubbing – can damage the materials
- Steam cleaning too often – allow mattress to fully dry between cleans
- Laundering – don’t put a whole mattress in the washing machine!
Take care when cleaning a mattress to avoid causing any damage or mold issues. Focus on light surface cleaning and spot treatments.
How To Dry A Mattress After Cleaning
After deep cleaning your mattress, it’s important to fully dry it to prevent mold growth:
- Remove all bedding and allow good airflow
- Point a fan directly at mattress to speed drying
- Sprinkle on some baking soda to absorb excess moisture
- Alternate between vacuum and fan until completely dry
- Let air out in sunlight to kill mold spores
- Use a dehumidifier to pull moisture from the room
It could take 12-24 hours for a mattress to completely dry after cleaning. Patience prevents mold!
A clean, hygienic mattress means better sleep and better health. Follow these tips to deep clean your mattress every 6 months or as needed. Rest assured on a fresher, allergen-free bed!
