The Dirty Truth About Your Mattress

Pro Tips for Deep Cleaning your Mattress

Did you know that we spend about a third of our lives on our mattresses? So it’s no coincidence that mattresses harbor the highest number of allergens in our homes, including bacteria, viruses, mold, and more. Ew! If that isn’t bad enough, now think about the last time you gave your mattress a serious, deep clean. Been a while? Let’s change that. 

Not only is a clean mattress extremely important for your health, especially if you suffer from asthma or allergies, you can also extend the life of your mattress by regularly maintaining it. A good rule of thumb is to do a deep clean every three to six months. Here’s how!

Start with a bare bed. Strip off all the covers, sheets, and pillow cases and give them a good wash on the hottest washer setting to kill bacteria and dust mites. Dry them on high to really finish the job.

Vacuum all parts of the mattress, top and sides. This will remove dust, dust mites, dead skin, lint, hair, and all the other debris you’d rather not share a bed with. Be sure to get deep into the cracks and seams.

Baking soda can help remove lingering mattress odors. Generously sprinkle the surface of your mattress and lightly scrub the baking soda around to help it sink into the fabric. Let it set for half an hour, then vacuum it all up. If you can place the mattress in the sunlight, that is also an effective way to aid in sanitizing.

Treat stains with an upholstery cleaner or a solution of one cup of warm water to one teaspoon of liquid detergent. Lightly spray it on the mattress (don’t soak it!) and gently scrub with a damp sponge or towel. Let the mattress air dry.

• For blood, mix lemon juice and salt. Apply it to the stain and let it rest for 30-60 minutes. Vacuum off the excess and use a damp sponge to rinse this solution. Old stains may be stubborn, so repeat if needed. For fresh stains, use soap and water. Dab any moist areas with a towel and let air dry. 

• For urine, be sure to first blot any excess urine with a clean towel. Create a cleaning solution by mixing two tablespoons of baking soda, one teaspoon of dish soap, and one cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Apply this mixture to the stain using a spray bottle or a cloth soaked in the solution. Let it sit and soak for 24 hours if possible, then vacuum up the excess baking soda. This should remove all traces of the stain and odor.

Keep going! Now that your mattress is so fresh and so clean, keep it up. There are several ways to maintain your mattress. Invest in a mattress vacuum that will make it easy to quickly deep-clean the surface of your bed every time you change your sheets. The IRIS mattress vacuum is specially designed for the job, and regular vacuuming has been shown to be the most effective way to reduce dust, dust mites, and more. 

Also, consider a washable mattress pad that can provide a barrier between you and your mattress. This will add comfort to your bed, absorb moisture, and add an extra layer of protection for your mattress.

When you know your mattress is clean, you can’t help but rest easier. Find all our handheld vacuum options on our website now.