Each night, you shed dead skin cells that sift through your sheets and wind up on your bed. If you don't know how to clean a mattress, your sleeping area can quickly become a breeding ground for stains, messes, allergens, and more.
There are dust mites that feast on the leftovers, which leads to allergic reactions for anyone with asthma or other respiratory issues. Furthermore, if you live in a humid area, the moisture creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew that make bad smells worse.
An expensive mattress is only as good as the fabric it's made from. Buying a great mattress means nothing if it's ruined by old sweat, mites, stains, and other foul matter that can't be permanently removed. In this guide, you’ll learn the best ways to deep clean a mattress for a safer, more comfortable night's sleep, and a longer-lasting mattress.
Why Do I Need to Clean My Mattress?
You might be tempted to put off cleaning your mattress because it seems like a hassle, but it’s well worth doing. You’ll not only be saving money by extending the life of your mattress, but you’ll also be making your home a healthier place to sleep in.
A clean mattress is the first step to a luxurious night's sleep. Mattress disinfecting may seem like an unnecessary luxury, but it's actually critical for your health. Otherwise, you'll be breathing in dust all night and sleeping on germs that can transfer to your skin, causing breakouts and other ailments.
Since you spend one-third of your life sleeping, it’s only common sense to ensure you’re sleeping on a clean mattress.
6 Steps to Clean Your Entire Mattress
Whether you’re dealing with mattress stains or dust and built-up debris, there are a number of popular methods for mattress cleaning. For your Essentia mattress, make sure to follow the cleaning steps laid out below to keep your mattress surface and fabric fresh and long-lasting for years to come.
Step 1. Remove the Bedding
Start by removing all the bedding from your mattress. This includes a mattress cover or mattress protector you have on there.
Step 2. Wash Your Linens and Bedding
Next, wash all the bedding and linens that were on your mattress with laundry detergent.
Before you toss bedding in the washing machine, make sure that you read the care label. Labels can advise you about the cleaning process, ensuring that you wash your sheets or covers without shrinking it or damaging it in other ways.
If you have an organic cotton mattress cover, make sure to only wash it in cold water and use a mild detergent for the process. Organic cotton can shrink if you put it in the dryer, so air dry these fabrics instead.
Of course, Essentia memory foam mattresses are naturally anti-microbial and will not allow bacterial or dust mite infestations. Many other brands of mattresses are more prone to these issues — especially if they include box springs.
It’s hard to really spot bacteria or dust mites on your mattress — so just assume that the toll of daily living and sleeping makes cleaning all the more important. If the fabrics you use allow it, washing in hot water can help to eliminate bacteria from sweat or urine
Step 3. Vacuum Your Mattress
Vacuuming your mattress at can help keep dust and dirt from building up. This will also help you prepare for any spills in the future by removing anything that could cause stains or odors.
This is a step you can skip if you own an Essentia organic latex mattress, as Essentia's foams are impervious to dust mites as reported by Dr. Robert G. Hamilton of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. This means an Essentia mattress does not collect the dust and dust mite debris that a traditional mattress would.
To vacuum a mattress safely, start by cleaning off the attachment and vacuum unit to ensure that there is no dirt or dust on them. You may need to clean it off multiple times until both are completely free of all debris.
Next, use the vacuum attachment to clean the surface and get into the creases around the edges of your mattress, as well as under it.
Step 4. Deep Clean or Deodorize Your Mattress
To clean a small stain on your mattress, cover the spot liberally with baking soda. When you sprinkle baking soda on stains, it absorbs any excess liquid. This cleaning solution should also help to rid any odors from the area. If you want to deodorize your entire mattress, simply apply a dusting of baking soda across the entire surface.
If you want to freshen up your mattress with a longer-lasting scent, combine baking soda with a bit of the essential oil that smells best in your home. Distribute this across the surface of the mattress. Give it at least 30 minutes to work its way into any breathing pores on the surface of the bedding and absorb any lingering odor.
To fully remove the baking soda from your mattress, vacuum the surface of the bed. As you clean away all residue, you will also be removing any odor attracting liquids that were absorbed into your mattress.
Step 5. Air Dry Your Mattress
Once a mattress has been cleaned you should allow it to fully air dry before redressing it.
Step 6. Protect and Dress Your Bed
After a good cleaning, be sure to rotate your mattress from time-to-time.
Of course, investing in an Essentia Mattress requires no flipping or rotating because natural and organic latex is stronger and more durable than innerspring mattresses. In other words, there’s not much you have to worry about, since our organic latex memory foam mattresses bounce right back.
Also, don't skip out on mattress covers. Investing in a mattress cover will help protect your mattress from spills, stains and dirt. A good quality cover like this one will not only provide protection but also add to the lifespan of your bedding.
Essentia organic mattresses come with a 100% GOLS certified organic cotton cover that protects the foam and doesn't introduce plastics to the room.
The mattress is now all set to be turned back into your bed. Grab your fitted sheets and make the bed as you would normally do. Before you put the fitted sheet on, feel out to see if there are any stains that need attention from the spill. Then, enjoy how fresh and clean your bed feels!
How to Spot Clean Your Mattress Between Deep Cleans
Spot cleaning small stains and dirt between major cleanings helps keep your bedding fresher for longer. Simply strip the bed and mattress covers, and then use one of the at-home cleaning methods discussed above.
Clean Stains Up Right Away
Time is of the essence when you're trying to remove blood stains, sweat, or urine stains from your bed, the first thing you need to do is assess the situation. The type of stain and how new it is will determine your next steps.
Mattresses can easily be damaged when they get wet. Be careful not to use too much liquid, or you may have a difficult time getting the stain out (especially if it is biological). If your mattress needs some deep cleaning, consider using an enzyme cleaner once all of the other cleaning methods fail to remove the stain.
If there are protein stains on your comforter or pillows, concentrate your efforts on the source of the stain. If it's fresh, then you may be able to remove it from your bedding with water and a mild laundry detergent. On the other hand, if the stain is older than a week or two, you should consider calling a professional cleaner to get rid of it.
Three Important Mattress Cleaning Tips and Tricks
Tip #1. Avoid Ammonia or Bleach
Anything wet may damage your memory foam, so if you spill something, you’ll need to wipe it down immediately. Furthermore, harsh products like ammonia and bleach to clean your mattress can also be harmful. Stick to mild soap and water or vinegar and baking soda instead.
Generally, bleach is an effective cleaning product. However, if it’s used on your mattress, it can be very damaging. The best way to clean a mattress is to use a vacuum cleaner with a beater bar attached to it.
Tip #2. Use A Powerful Vacuum
Vacuuming is one of the most critical steps in a mattress deep clean, but if you’re using the wrong vacuum, you won’t be able to clean your mattress thoroughly.
Furthermore, large mattresses can be tough to clean completely if your only implement is a vacuum.
Instead, use a vacuum with a crevice attachment to clean the mattress properly. Plan to target large pieces of debris like dust, hair, and pet hair during your first run.
Tip #3. Clean Where It Counts
The best way to deep clean a mattress is to focus on the areas that get the most human contact. For most people, this includes the head, seat, and foot of the bed.
Use a vacuum with an upholstery attachment to remove the dust mites and debris. Then, use a spray bottle cleaner or a solution of soap and water to wipe down the mattress and bed frame.
Conclusion
There are lots of methods for cleaning and deodorizing mattresses. It is a good idea to clean your mattress at least once a year because it gets stinky, dusty, and wet. You can use many household items as mattress cleaners.
Mattress sanitizing might appear complicated, but, with a bit of time and patience, you can get your mattress clean and cozy again.
Once your mattress deep clean is complete, it's important to take extra steps to protect it from future stains. A vinyl or plastic mattress pad will help prolong your mattress's life, prevent further stains, and add an extra barrier between you and dust mites.
Essentia’s BodyGuard mattress cover is a great way to prolong the life of your mattress. Our mattress cover protects from stains and spills, which can be difficult to remove from fabric. Coupled with a regular mattress cleaning routine, you’ll extend the life and comfort of your mattress for years to come.
