-
How to Clean Your Mattress
We spend one-third of our lives in bed, yet our mattresses often get overlooked when it comes to our home’s overall cleanliness—not to mention our personal health. (You’ve heard the statistics regarding dust mites, dead skin cells and other nasties lurking in beds, right? Eeeww!) Here’s the lowdown on how to keep your mattress as clean as possible.
-
1. Commit to twice yearly cleaning.
When it comes to maintaining a clean mattress, once a year simply isn’t enough. Consumer Reports encourages homeowners to tackle this chore twice a year, noting that a well-cared for mattress “can last longer—and it might even help prevent nasty, not to mention costly, pest infestations*.” Plan your mattress care around key holidays (New Year’s Eve and July 4th, for example), Daylight Saving Time, or just put reminders in your calendar every six months.
-
2. Start with the bedding.
Strip your bed down to the mattress and toss everything—sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers—into the wash using the hottest water setting possible. Don’t forget to dry on high heat as well.
-
3. Vacuum.
Vacuum your mattress? Absolutely. Put that upholstery attachment to work and use a sweeping motion to go over every last inch of your mattress, including the top, bottom and four sides.
-
4. Spot clean and deodorize.
See any stains? Tackle them with an enzyme-based pet-odor remover or try dabbing them with a cloth dipped in white vinegar. Let the mattress air dry completely and then sprinkle the entire mattress evenly with baking soda. Don’t be stingy! Let the baking soda work its magic for a full day, and then …
-
5. Vacuum again.
Methodically go over the entire mattress with your vacuum’s upholstery attachment (or use the crevice attachment for nooks and crannies where the baking soda has pooled).
-
6. Make your bed and enjoy some Zzzzs.
Your mattress is clean and deodorized. Your bedding is fresh. Now you can rest easier knowing that your mattress is in tip-top shape!
-
Sources:
-
