Sure, you change your bed sheets and dust your bed frame on a weekly basis. But do you ever give much thought to the mattress itself? Although your bed might be your haven, it can also be home to a whole host of not-so-nice things (like dust mites). That’s why you should learn how to clean your mattress as a part of your overall cleaning regimen.
After a long day at work or chasing the kids around, you look forward to lying down in your comfy bed. What you might not realize, though, is that you’re not sleeping alone. There’s a good chance your mattress is filled with hundreds of mites. Mites thrive in warm moist conditions, and feast on dead skin cells. If that’s not enough, mites also leave behind allergens. Other than mites, your mattress is probably filled with dirt, dust, sweat, and other bodily fluids. In short, your mattress needs a scrubbing—now. Moral of the story: commit to cleaning your mattress at least twice a year. Here’s how to do it.
Strip Your Bed & Wash It
If you thought that you could just dust your way to a clean mattress, think again. You’ll need to take everything off your bed (and we mean everything) and wash it all. That goes for the mattress pad as well as the cover. Use bleach for white cottons and use hot temperatures to dry, since that can help kill the dust mites. If your sheets are made from a finer fabric (say, silk), be sure to always check the care tag to avoid damage.
Vacuum Your Bed
Next, it’s time to break out the vacuum. Use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum and vacuum the entire bed. To ensure that you get the most out of your cleaning session, make sure the vacuum is set to the highest setting. Be sure to get in all the nooks and crannies of the bed.
Spot Clean Your Mattress
If your mattress is sporting stains (like red wine, for example), you’ll need to spot clean it. This works best by mixing hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, and then applying the mixture to the stain. Make sure these areas are dry before putting your sheets back on the bed.
Use Baking Soda
Once your mattress is dry, cover it completely with a fine layer of baking soda. Not only will the baking soda eliminate odors, but it can also help remove moisture and residual dirt on the mattress. Let the baking soda sit for at least 30 minutes. After the baking soda has had time to sit, vacuum the entire mattress again to get it all up.
Practice Prevention
The last step is preventing mites and other particles from getting into your mattress in the first place. You may want to invest in an allergy protection mattress cover. This way, there is a lot less of a chance of these nasty critters coming back.
Cleaning your mattress should become part of your deep cleaning routine. It can help extend the life of your mattress, reduce your potential exposure to allergens, and keep your bed beautiful — and bug-free, too.
