Virtually every household contains at least one mattress, yet most people are unsure how to clean a mattress or how often you’re supposed to clean your mattress. Even if you know the proper protocol for cleaning your mattress, you probably don’t think about it until you’re crawling into bed at the end of a long day, and that’s certainly no time to start deep cleaning your mattress.
Most mattress companies recommend cleaning your mattress every six months, or roughly twice a year. If you can’t remember the last time you cleaned your mattress, don’t panic. The mattress experts at Garner Appliance & Mattress created this simple step-by-step guide for cleaning and maintaining your mattress so you can improve your sleep and extend the lifespan of your mattress.
Clean Your Mattress with These Simple Steps
Step 1:
Remove all bedding (blankets, sheets, pillows, pillowcases, and mattress protector*).
*Note: If you do not already have a mattress protector on your mattress, pause the cleaning process and go purchase one right now. A quality mattress protector will help reduce dust mite invasions, prevent unsightly stains and water damage, and keep your mattress cleaner overall.
Step 2:
Read the washing instructions for each item of bedding. Wash and dry everything on the hottest recommended setting.
Step 3:
Consult your mattress manufacturer’s recommendations to see if you need to rotate or flip your mattress. Most modern mattresses feature foam layers with optional pillow tops and should not be flipped, but it’s a good idea to check.
Step 4:
Vacuum your mattress with an upholstery attachment to remove dirt, dust mites, dead skin cells, pet dander, and contaminants that build up over time. Go slowly and thoroughly vacuum every inch of the mattress’s surface.
Step 5:
Look for any stains or discolored places on the mattress. If your mattress looks pristine and doesn’t need any spot treatment, hooray! Your mattress protector did its job and saved you time and energy. Congratulate yourself, and then skip to step 10.
Step 6:
Gather your stain spot treatment supplies:
- Cold water
- Dish soap (Dawn original works best)
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Baking soda
- Towel, cloth, or old t-shirts
Step 7:
Dab cold water on a clean cloth and gently blot each stain with cold water. Try to remove the stain with as little water as possible—do not saturate your mattress! Depending on the stain’s origin, you might be able to remove the stain with a mixture of cold water and patience. Adjust the cloth as needed, and always use a clean part of the cloth for blotting.
Step 8:
Treat biological stains like blood, sweat, and tears with a special solution: Combine 1 Tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide with 1 Tablespoon of water, add a few drops of dish soap, and stir gently. Dip a tiny corner of a clean cloth into the solution and lightly dab the stain. This homemade solution is surprisingly effective at removing stubborn stains, but you’ll have the best results if you use a minimal amount of solution (do not soak the stain!) along with maximum patience. Don’t expect the stain to disappear in an instant; you’ll probably need to re-treat it a few times before it’s truly gone.
Step 9:
Use a fan or an absorbent towel to remove any excess moisture from your spot treatments. If necessary, let the fan circulate until the mattress is completely dry.
Step 10:
Sprinkle baking soda onto the mattress and let it sit for an hour or more to remove odors and absorb moisture.
Step 11:
Vacuum the mattress one last time to remove the baking soda and any other detritus.
Step 12:
Replace your clean, dry mattress protector and make your bed with freshly laundered bedding.
Step 13:
Create a “Clean my mattress” event on your phone, computer, or family calendar and set it to repeat every six months. You’ll never forget again to deep clean your mattress.
For more tips about how to clean and maintain your mattress, stop by and talk to the mattress specialists at your local Garner Appliance & Mattress. Just search for “local mattress store near me” to find the Garner Appliance & Mattress location that’s most convenient for you. We look forward to seeing you!