Do you know when the last time you cleaned your bedding was? No, we don’t mean just your sheets and comforters – we mean your mattress too!

It might not seem like it, but your mattress is one of the most important pieces of furniture in your home. It affects your sleep, which in turn, affects nearly every aspect of your daily life.

And a high-quality mattress doesn’t come cheap – so you’ll definitely want to ensure it lasts as long as possible. And to do so, you will have to learn how to clean a mattress and maintain it too.

How Often Should I Clean My Mattress?

You should clean and flip your mattress twice a year to keep bacteria and allergens at bay.

If left unchecked, your mattress can accumulate dead skin, dust mites, dirt, and much more. As allergens accumulate on your mattress, it may even adversely affect your and your family’s health too. 

Although a mattress cleaning is recommended twice a year, if you notice sudden spills or stains, you should clean them ASAP.  

How To Clean A Mattress

If you’ve been procrastinating cleaning your mattress because it sounds like a really tough and time consuming job – or if it’s simply because you don’t know how to clean your mattress, follow our simple tips to clean your mattress and get it back in tip-top shape in no time at all!

1. Get All Your Mattress Cleaning Supplies Together

Time: 5 minutes

To deep clean a mattress, first things first, make sure you have everything you need on hand:

  • A vacuum with an upholstery attachment – and an attachment to clean crevices. 
  • A specialised mattress cleaner or gentle dishwashing soap
  • Protective gloves
  • Baking soda
  • Clean and dry cloths
  • Cold water

When it comes to using soaps and cleaning products on your mattress, don’t use anything too harsh that could damage its delicate top fabric.

2. Wash All Your Bed Linens

Time: 10 mins (plus washing cycle and drying time)

  • First and foremost, remove all the sheets, blankets, pillowcases, mattress protectors etc., off your mattress and put them in for a wash. Wash your sheets every week to ensure that you sleep in the most hygienic environment. 
  • Check the labels of your cushions and pillows for their specific cleaning instructions and clean them as directed. 
  • Leave them out to dry in the sunlight if possible – as this will kill any remaining bacteria on its surface. 

3. Vacuum Your Mattress 

Time: 15 minutes

  • First, closely inspect the top and sides of your mattress for stains, discolouration, and foul odours.
  • Then, using your vacuum cleaner (with the upholstery attachment on), clean the top and sides of your mattress to remove dirt, dust, pet fur etc. 
  • Pay special attention to seams and use your vacuum’s crevice attachment to remove any hidden dirt or dust.

4. Eliminate Tough Mattress Stains

Time 15 – 20 mins

  • Identify the areas where your mattress is stained. 
  • Take a clean and dry cloth and apply a little of your chosen cleaning solution to these areas.
  • Blot the stained area with the cloth – ensuring not to rub or press too hard.
  • Using a new cleaning cloth, apply cold water to the area and blot again.
  • Remember to be gentle during this process and repeat, if needed, until the stain disappears.

Remember:

  • Use as little cleaning solution as possible, so you don’t over-soak your mattress – and never directly apply any cleaning solution to your mattress.
  • You can make a DIY cleaning solution by mixing mild dish soap with water and applying only the resulting foam to the stain. 
  • Alternatively, you can make a DIY solution with equal parts cold water and hydrogen peroxide. This cleaning solution is very effective for tough and unhygienic stains like urine, vomit or blood. 

5. Deodorise Your Mattress 

Time: 5 minutes to apply the baking soda, plus as long as you want to leave it on.

The quickest and most effective way to deodorise your mattress is to allow it to sit out in the sunlight and fresh air. 

If this is not possible, you can use some plain baking soda. 

  • Sprinkle a layer of baking soda on your mattress. You can leave the baking soda on your mattress for anywhere between 2 – 12 hours. 
  • The baking soda breaks down any remaining grime and absorbs all the foul odours from the upholstery. 
  • While you’re at it, open up the windows to air out your bedroom too!  
  • Then, use your vacuum cleaner once more and remove all the baking soda from your mattress. 

Tip:

  • You can add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to the baking soda (before applying it on your mattress) to add a special scent to your mattress.

6. Flip And Repeat

Although most mattresses these days do not require this additional step, it’s best to check with the mattress company to see if it is needed for your mattress.

This step evens lumps due to general wear and tear and helps your mattress last longer!

  • Once you are done cleaning one side of your mattress, flip it over and repeat the entire cleaning process. 
  • When this is done, leave the flipped side on top. Mattress flipping reduces the risk of sagging in the centre and extends the lifespan of your mattress. 
  • Check the instruction label on your mattress to see if it needs to be rotated too. 

7. Protect Your Mattress

Now that you know how to clean your mattress thoroughly, you should take the appropriate preventative measures to protect it too. 

  • Always use a mattress protector to prevent and clean stains on your mattress. This makes cleaning a mattress significantly easier in the future. 
  • As a rule of thumb, you should replace your mattress once every seven to nine years – which is around when it will begin to look lumpy and will no longer be comfortable. However, a high-quality mattress can last even longer, so check with the mattress company for their recommendations.

If you find that despite completing these steps, you still cannot get rid of some stains and odours, then your best bet would be to hire a professional mattress cleaning service.