Deep cleaning your mattress is easier than ever with this step-by-step guide. You’ll get a better sleep (and your room will smell better, too).
You change your sheets regularly, right? But what about the unsung hero of your bedroom, your mattress? It’s where you spend a third of your life, yet it often gets overlooked in our bedroom cleaning routines.
Mattresses can become a hidden haven for dust mites, dead skin cells, sweat, and allergens (gross!), impacting your health and sleep quality. So it’s incredibly important to give it a really deep cleaning at least once a year. This guide will walk you through simple yet effective steps to deep clean your mattress, giving you a fresher, healthier, and more restful night’s sleep.
Why Deep Clean Your Mattress? The Hidden Truths
I get it, why clean your mattress if you’re changing your sheets? Your sheets help protect your mattress a lot, but they aren’t completely effective. Unless you wrap your mattress in plastic (ewww – imagine the heat!), stuff is gonna fall through the sheets.
Here are three essential reasons you need to wash your mattress today.
Unseen Accumulation
This is the gross part….microscopic stuff can build up under your sheets, on top of your mattress. These are just a few of the things you’ll find.
- Dead skin cells (we shed a lot!).
- Sweat and body oils.
- Dust mites and their waste products.
- Pet dander, pollen, and other environmental allergens.
- Bacteria and fungi (especially in humid environments).
Health Impacts
If all that stuff starts to pile on your mattress, it can affect your health. It can lead to any of these things (over a long period of time):
- Triggering allergies, asthma, and respiratory issues.
- Skin irritation and breakouts.
- Unpleasant odors.
- Disrupted sleep due to discomfort or allergic reactions.
Extending Mattress Life
A clean mattress isn’t just healthier; it lasts longer by preventing the breakdown of materials caused by moisture and biological debris. In other words, a clean mattress lasts longer and keeps feeling like new.
Mattress Deep Cleaning Tools
Before you take all the sheets of you bed, make sure you have all your cleaning tools ready. These are the ones I use when I clean our mattresses.
Essential Items:
- Powerful vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment
- Baking soda (a large box or two)
- Clean cloths or rags
- Spray bottle
Optional (but Recommended) Items:
- Mild dish soap or white vinegar
- Hydrogen peroxide (for specific stains)
- Enzyme cleaner (for organic stains like urine)
- Essential oils (e.g., lavender, tea tree) for scent/disinfection (diluted)
- Gloves (for stain treatment)
Step By Step Cleaning Guide
Are you ready to get cleaning? Don’t feel overwhelmed, just take it one step at a time. And the best part is that I have it all written out – every single little step!
Step 1: The Strip Down (Preparation)
Remove all bedding: sheets, pillowcases, mattress protector, duvets, and pillows. Make piles of everything so that they stay out of your way. Then, wash all removable bedding immediately on the hottest recommended temperature setting to kill dust mites and sanitize. Dry it thoroughly and set it aside.
Step 2: The Dust Buster (Thorough Vacuuming)
Next, attach the upholstery attachment to your vacuum cleaner. Systematically vacuum the entire surface of the mattress, pressing down firmly to extract dust and debris from within the fibers. Don’t speed through this step – go slowly and get every inch.
Pay extra attention to seams, crevices, and tufts where dust and dead skin tend to accumulate. Go over the entire mattress twice in different directions.
Step 3: The Baking Soda Bomb (Deodorizing & Moisture Absorption)
Sprinkle a generous, even layer of baking soda over the entire top surface of the mattress. Don’t be shy – it’s your odor and moisture absorber.
Let the baking soda sit for at least 2-4 hours, or ideally, 8-24 hours. The longer it sits, the more effective it will be at absorbing odors and drawing out moisture. Open windows to air out the room during this time.
Step 4: Targeted Attack (Stain Treatment)
Identify any visible stains (urine, blood, sweat, food spills). Then, attack and remove them correctly. But when you do, remember not to saturate the mattress with liquid. Blot, do not rub, to lift the stain.
Here’s how to remove the most common types of stains:
- For urine/sweat: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Lightly spritz the stain and blot with a clean cloth. For tougher urine stains, an enzyme cleaner can be highly effective.
- For blood: Use hydrogen peroxide (dab carefully, it may bleach some fabrics) or a paste of baking soda and cold water. Blot, then rinse with a damp cloth.
- For general spills: A few drops of mild dish soap mixed with water can work.
After treating, blot repeatedly with a clean, damp cloth to “rinse” the area, then blot dry with a fresh, dry cloth.
Step 5: The Flip/Rotate (Even Wear and Airing)
Carefully flip or rotate your mattress (if applicable to your mattress type). This helps ensure even wear over time and allows the underside to air out.
If you flip, repeat the baking soda and vacuuming process on the newly exposed side for a complete deep clean.
Step 6: The Clean Sweep & Fresh Finish (Final Vacuuming & Airing)
Once the baking soda has done its job, vacuum it all up thoroughly. Ensure no white residue remains.
Finally, allow the mattress to air dry completely. This is crucial to prevent mold and mildew. Open windows, use a fan, or even let it sit in a sunny spot if possible. Only once it’s completely dry should you replace your clean mattress protector and bedding.
Maintenance Tips for Long-Term Mattress Health
After you clean your mattress a few times, you’ll have the system down pat. You won’t even have to refer back to this guide. I suggest cleaning the mattress at least once a year. But what do you do in between cleanings? That’s the maintenance stage. And here are some of my best tips that will help your mattress last the entire year without getting gross.
- Regular Vacuuming: Aim to vacuum your mattress every 1-2 months, even if you don’t do a full deep clean.
- Mattress Protector: Invest in a high-quality, washable mattress protector. This acts as a barrier against spills, allergens, and dust mites. Wash it regularly!
- Air It Out Daily: Pull back your sheets for 15-30 minutes each morning to allow moisture to evaporate.
- Spot Clean Immediately: Address spills and accidents as soon as they happen to prevent them from setting into stains.
- Control Humidity: Use a dehumidifier in humid environments to prevent mold and mildew growth.
- No Eating in Bed: Minimize food and drink in bed to avoid crumbs and spills that attract pests and lead to stains.
Deep Cleaning Your Mattress is Essential
Deep cleaning your mattress might seem like a chore, but the benefits – a healthier sleep environment, reduced allergens, and extended mattress life – are invaluable. Make this routine a part of your seasonal cleaning, and you’ll breathe easier and sleep more soundly.
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