Properly Cleaning Your Mattress

You may not have ever thought to clean your mattress, but when you think about how much time is spent on them, it doesn’t seem like such a bad idea. Typically, one third of your day is spent on a mattress, so there is plenty to freshen, sanitize, and remove. By properly cleaning and maintaining your mattress, you may just extend its life and save you some money in the long run.

We’ve broken down a few easy steps to help guide you through a good deep mattress clean. It is recommended you clean it twice a year and if you own a two-sided mattress, be sure to do so each time you flip it.

1. Remove

Once all the bedding has been stripped (and thrown in the washing machine!), take a quick look at the top of your mattress. If you see any pet hair, dirt, or other debris, take out the vacuum to remove it using the attachment hose. Be sure to get in the cracks and crevices, creating an easy to clean surface.

2. Inspect for Stains

Now it’s time to look for any stains. The stains are most likely some sort of bodily secretion (urine, sweat, and maybe even blood) unless you were eating in bed and spilt something. Plus, chances are, they are old stains that have been sitting for a while and really set themselves into the fabric of the mattress.

You need to spot clean the stains with the appropriate cleaner. Non-toxic enzyme-based cleaners are often a good bet as they are great at breaking down stains and odors. Another solution is mixing liquid dish soap, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide, or simply dish soap and warm water if you want to take the mild route. Place the concoction in a spray bottle and blot clean with a towel.

3. Deodorize

After spot cleaning, simply sprinkle baking soda over the entire mattress. If your mattress is quite dirty or you’ve never cleaned it before, feel free to use a good amount as it won’t do any harm. Then leave the baking soda on for several hours to a full day, depending on how much time you can allow. You may need to sleep in the guest room or on the sofa, or use it as an excess to get away for the night!

The baking soda will help absorb any liquid remaining from the spot cleaning process while deodorizing the mattress. When you are ready to remove the baking soda,  pull out the vacuum again, making sure to get every crevice.

P.S. Remember this step for when your kid wets the bed and it seeps through!

4. Freshen Up

This step is optional, but if you are looking to get that extra bit of freshness, give this step a try! Clean air and sunlight will help sanitize and freshen up your mattress beyond the stain removers and baking soda. If you are capable of bringing the mattress outside, go ahead, but if not, try to find an open window you can leave it by for a few hours.

5. Cover Up

Once your mattress is fresh and dry, it’s time to cover it with a mattress pad. If you don’t have one, we recommend purchasing one ASAP! You will thank yourself! Mattress pads help prevent future stains, debris, and can be easily washed.

If your mattress has seen better days and is past the point of a good clean, stop by Shovlin Mattress Factory located in Fanwood, NJ. Our knowledgeable sales team will help you select the right mattress for your lifestyle and budget. All mattresses are made in-house and with the highest quality materials.