The best way to clean and maintain your mattress

Even with a mattress protector (highly recommended!), mattresses can hold dust mites, allergens, and unpleasant odours. Luckily, cleaning this cushioned part of your bed is easier than you think. Today, we’ll guide you on how to clean a mattress, as well as maintain it.

How often should a mattress be cleaned?

Most mattresses only need a deep clean every 6, as per the Sleep Foundation. This removes dust, dead skin cells, and keeps your bed fresh. If you battle with allergies or have pets, you may want to consider deep cleaning your mattress more frequently, though.

Unsplash / Angela Davis

What is needed to clean a mattress?

If you’ll be undertaking the deep cleaning of your mattress, the first thing you will need is a vacuum cleaner, with an upholstery attachment. You will also need baking soda, gentle dish soap (we recommend Sunlight), hydrogen peroxide (3%, for stains) and white vinegar.

How to clean a mattress

1. To deep clean a mattress, first you will have to strip the bed. Remove all bedding to expose the entire mattress surface.

2. Then, you will need to plug in the vacuum cleaner, and use the upholstery attachment to thoroughly vacuum the mattress surface, including in between the grooves of the sides and seams. Do a double-take, if you must!

3. Once you’ve vacuumed your mattress surface, sprinkle household baking soda liberally over the mattress and let it sit for 30 minutes to absorb any stinky odours and oils that may be lurking in your mattress.

4. After the baking soda soak, remove the powder with another round of thorough vacuuming.

5. If your mattress has deep stains, mix hydrogen peroxide with dish soap into a paste and apply directly to the stain. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then blot with a damp cloth.

6. For lingering stains, follow with a light vinegar spray and baking soda sprinkle. Let it sit for a few hours, then vacuum the residue.

Unsplash / Nik Lanus

Can I use bleach to clean a mattress?

Whatever you do, avoid using harsh chemicals and bleach to clean a mattress, as this will cause damage. In this scenario, baking soda and a gentle dish soap are your best bet. If you are struggling with stains that won’t clear up, it may be worth hiring professional cleaning services to sort it out.

How often should a mattress protecter be washed?

Wash your mattress protector every 2-3 months to remove the dust mites, sweat, and allergens that it has caught. Check the care label for specific washing instructions, as some materials may need to be washed more frequently than others.

Flip and rotate your mattress

If you’re after bonus points in the art of maintaining a bed for many years, this hack will get you a long way. Every 3 months, rotate and (if possible) flip your mattress to prevent body indentations and extend its lifespan.

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