While we’re usually aware of how often we should clean our bedding, cleaning our mattress doesn’t come as intuitively. Our mattresses can be a source of allergens, bacteria, or a relatively innocuous bad odour. Not to mention, they’re much more expensive than the average bedding item, so it’s important to ensure that we’re taking great care of them and preventing any damage. If you’ve ever wondered: “how often should I clean my mattress and how do I clean it?”, then this is the right article for you.
We are about to go over several safe and effective ways in which you can clean your mattress and give you a few tips on how often you should clean your mattress. We’ve also included a section on how to maintain the cleanness of your mattress, as well as an FAQ section where we answer some pressing questions on the topic.
So, if you’d like to find out how to clean your mattress and preserve its quality, just keep reading.
Why You Should Clean Your Mattress Often
Before we discuss how often you should be cleaning your mattress and the best way to go about it, let’s delve into why it’s important to do so regularly.
Get Rid of Layers of Dead Skin Cells, Dust Mites, and Dirt
Our mattresses are like sponges – they soak up our bodily fluids and accumulate lots of germs and allergens over time. Being consistent with your cleaning routine is one of the easiest ways to get rid of some of the unpleasant layers in your mattress that are brimming with dust mites, dead skin cells, and sweat.
Prevent Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are not easy to deal with, and it’s much better to prevent them than find ways to treat them. Your bed is a common target for bed bugs, and maintaining it clean at all times will prevent bed bugs from nesting in. with that said, bed bugs don’t just attack your mattress – they can be seen in any type of furniture. If you suspect that you might have bed bugs in your house, we recommend calling professionals so that you can get rid of them in the safest and easiest way possible.
Help with Bacteria
Just like dust mites, bacteria are often found on the surfaces of our mattresses. Every environment of a mattress, with the dampness from sweat and the different types of materials, is a breeding ground for bacteria. Cleaning your mattress often gets rid of these layers of sweat and moisture and can prevent bacteria from accumulating.
Better Air Quality
An unexpected yet welcome benefit of cleaning your mattress often is a better air quality in your bedroom. All the unpleasant things that get stuck in our mattress such as sweat, oil, and dead skin cells can also contribute to a bad air quality in your bedroom. You can eliminate or minimise the chances of this happening by frequently cleaning your mattress with some of the methods we’ll mention below.
Protects Your Mattress and Increases its Longevity
By cleaning your mattress regularly, you’re directly increasing its lifespan. Not only does it protect the inside of the mattress from some of the things we mentioned above, but it will also protect your cover as well, which contributes to a cleaner sleeping environment. Your mattress will be less prone to damage and it will retain its quality for years to come, allowing you to get a good night’s sleep.
Protects You from Allergens
Apart from keeping dust mites at bay, regularly cleaning your mattress protects it from allergens. If you’re someone who has a history of allergens and you struggle with symptoms such as rashes or a runny nose, regular cleaning will prevent any potential allergens from triggering your allergies and reduce your risk of adverse skin reactions. Those who struggle with asthma will likely notice an improvement as well.
How Often Should I Clean my Mattress?
Now that you’re acquainted with some of the reasons why you should consider cleaning your mattress, it’s time to answer the question of how often should we clean our mattresses.
The answer depends on several factors, such as whether your mattress is hypoallergenic if you’re using a mattress protector, and how well you’re taking care of it.
Assuming your mattress is of good quality and hasn’t suffered any considerable damage due to spillage or wear, you should consider cleaning your mattress every six months or so. If you notice that your mattress has any unusual stains or smells bad, then you should take it to the cleaners or use some of the cleaning tips we’ll provide below as soon as possible.
If you’re someone who suffers from allergies or you have a history of allergies or asthma, it might be a good idea to do it more frequently than that, around every three months.
Unlike our bedding, which requires washing every couple of weeks, mattresses are lower maintenance and will function perfectly well if you clean them a couple of times a year. With that said, they’re harder to clean, especially when it comes to stains, so you might want to consider investing in products that will extend this cleaning period, such as a mattress pad.
How To Clean Your Mattress
There are several ways you can go about cleaning your mattress, some of which require more time and effort. For some of them, you’ll need a couple of cleaning supplies such as baking soda or a laundry detergent, so make sure you’re equipped with those to get the most out of the following cleaning methods.
Spot Cleaning Your Mattress
Just like your sheets, mattresses can be spot cleaned, which in most cases preserves their quality and efficiently gets rid of any stains you might have.
Spot cleaning means you’ll be focusing on only one area of your mattress instead of cleaning the whole thing, usually an area that’s stained from liquid or sweat. To execute spot cleaning as effectively as possible, you’ll need a spot cleaner. There are several types of spot cleaners on the market, some of which are based on natural ingredients like enzymes. If you can find a spot remover specifically designed to get rid of the stain you’re struggling with, we recommend investing in that one to make the process easier for you.
Since spot cleaners involve liquids, it’s important to mention that not all mattresses can be soaked without causing damage – some types of mattresses, like memory foam for instance, can’t be soaked without ruining the mattress, so be careful about what dosage you use.
The best way to go about spot cleaning a mattress that prevents mattress damage is by soaking a cloth in water, putting the spot remover on the cloth, and gently wiping down the stains. You can also do this with cold water, depending on the type of stain you’re struggling with. Not all stains can be removed at once, so you might have to try multiple times until you’re satisfied with your result. Remember, you can always go back and add more liquid but you can’t reverse the damage caused to your mattress, so use liquids with caution.
If you’re in the mood to make a spot remover from home, you can mix a 1:1 solution of water and hydrogen peroxide.
Use a Vacuum
Vacuuming your mattress thoroughly is another easy and relatively inexpensive way to get rid of mattress stains. Don’t forget to go over the seams so that every part is equally taken care of.
You don’t have to wait until your mattress has a big stain in order to vacuum it – doing so on a regular basis is a great way to prevent any dust and liquid build-up. You might need some help lifting the mattress, which is the only downside to this method.
Try Baking Soda
Apart from spot cleaners, baking soda is another amazing and cheap way to handle stains on your mattress. Not to mention, it’s great for absorbing liquids and neutralising unpleasant smells, so you don’t have to spot a big stain in order for this method to be effective.
One of the ways you can use baking soda to get rid of stains or restore the nice smell of your mattress is by putting a layer of baking soda on your mattress and leaving it to rest for a couple of hours. You won’t be able to use your mattress during this time, but the end result will make the whole process worth it. While this process is occurring, we recommend letting some sunshine into your room and opening a bedroom window to allow some fresh air in. This will be of immense help if you’re struggling with bad odour.
Flip the Mattress
If your mattress isn’t one-sided, you should ideally be flipping it every six weeks or so. Always check with your mattress manufacturer to get the correct information. By flipping the mattress regularly, you’ll help preserve is cleanness and quality of the mattress. Flipping also prevents sagging, and sagging greatly impacts your quality of sleep and can result in pain and stiffness.
Flipping the mattress regularly can also prevent bad odours, so, if your mattress isn’t one-sided, make sure you get into the habit of flipping it for the required period of time.
Air Out Your Mattress Regularly
Just like flipping your mattress, regularly airing it out can help you immensely in getting rid of any accumulated odour. The sun and fresh air will do wonders and your mattress will feel as fresh as ever.
Invest in a Waterproof Mattress Protector
Preventing stains and spillage will increase the longevity of your mattress and you won’t have to clean the mattress as regularly. It’s much easier to protect a mattress than it is to clean it and remove annoying stains, so why not invest in a waterproof mattress protector that will protect your mattress from all kinds of liquid, including sweat and drinks. Not to mention, investing in a mattress protector is also more cost-efficient since your mattress will last you for a longer time.
Don’t Forget About the Bed Frame
Whenever you’re dedicating time to deep clean your mattress, it’s always a good idea to dust off and wipe down your bed frame. Our bed frames are a source of bacteria and dust that can easily fall on the mattress or impact the quality of your sleep, so it’s best to clean it regularly.
Consider Investing in Fitted Sheets
Now that you’ve done the cleaning and taken the necessary preventative measures, it’s time to consider investing in fitted sheets. There are various types of sheets on the market, but fitted sheets can help you preserve the cleanness and quality of your mattress – their snug design disallows dust and germs from penetrating deeply into the mattress. Apart from mattress protectors, fitted sheets are the next best thing to invest in for maintaining a clean mattress.
Contact Professionals
If all else fails, you can always resort back to taking your mattress at a professional cleaner and allowing them to deep clean your mattress. While this is the most expensive method of cleaning your mattress by far, it’ll also save you from a lot of trouble and potential headaches if you find the cleaning process tedious.
Professional cleaners will thoroughly clean your mattress, remove any stains and unpleasant odours, and get rid of allergens, so it’s definitely worth the splurge if you have a history of allergies and you want to completely remove all potential triggers.
How Can I Keep My Mattress Clean?
In addition to investing in fitted sheets and a mattress protector, there are a couple of ways you can keep your mattress clean.
Dampness can be really harmful to a mattress, and keeping your bedroom cool will prevent moisture from sinking into your mattress and bacteria from accumulating. Purchasing a breathable mattress can also be of great help in terms of helping you keep your sleeping environment cool and fresh.
Another easy way to keep your mattress clean is by avoiding eating and drinking on your bed. Spillage that’s caused by food and drinks is one of the primary reasons why mattresses need cleaning, so do your best to eat your meals at the table.
Lastly, wash your bedding regularly so that your sleeping environment is always clean and fresh.
FAQs
How to Clean a Mattress with Baking Soda?
Using baking soda to clean a mattress is a tried and tested method. You can do this by adding a thin layer of baking soda on your mattress and allowing it a couple of hours to do its magic before you wipe it down.
How Often Should You Wash Your Sheets?
Ideally, you should wash your sheets every week. If you’re taking exceptional care of them, you could get away with washing them every two weeks.
How Do You Clean a Mattress without Damaging It?
There are several ways to clean a mattress without causing any damage to it such as using the baking soda method, vacuum-cleaning it, or taking it to a professional cleaner.
Conclusion
We hope we successfully answer the question of “how often should I clean my mattress and how do I clean it?”.
There are several reasons why you’ll want to clean your mattress on a regular basis, such as getting rid of dead skin layers, dust mites, allergens, and bacteria. Not to mention, it’s an easy way to prevent bed bugs and improve the air quality of your room. While taking your mattress to a professional cleaner is always an option, there are several methods you could give a try from the comfort of your own home before resorting to more expensive alternatives. Some of these methods include using baking soda, spot cleaning your mattress, and vacuuming your mattress. To prevent your mattress from being damaged or suffering from stains, there are several things we recommend keeping in mind such as airing out your mattress regularly, flipping it (assuming your mattress isn’t one-sided), and investing in fitted sheets and a waterproof mattress protector.
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