Cleaning a mattress is quite straightforward. However, a lot of people don’t know how to do it. We’ve all had accidental spills on our mattresses, especially if you have children. Keeping a mattress clean is important, otherwise, it can be bad for your skin and it won’t last as long as it should.
In this article, I’ll tell you how to keep a mattress protected and clean most of the time. After this, I’ll take you through the products needed for a proper deep clean. Then, I’ll tell you what to do with these products. It really is very simple, so read on to find out how to clean a mattress!
Keeping A Mattress Clean
You need to look after your mattress all the time, not just when there’s a spill or accident. There are a few easy ways to ensure your mattress stays fresh and hygienic between deeper cleans.
Purchase A Mattress Protector
Mattress protectors are one of the best ways to ensure your bed stays clean and usable. They stop the mattress from getting dirt and dead skin and other things on it when it’s in use.
You can pick these up at a relatively inexpensive price, or splash out on something more special. Mattress protectors come in lots of sizes and types, including waterproof, quilted, or with extra foam to make your bed comfier. You can get hypoallergenic protectors too, which are great if you have allergies. We recommend something waterproof if it’s going on a children’s bed, but these can be ideal for all ages.
Change Sheets Regularly
Changing sheets regularly is one of the best ways to ensure your mattress is clean. You should wash your pillowcases, sheets, and comforter or comforter cover every week. Use vinegar to kill bacteria and make the sheets fresh and soft. Castile soap is another great laundry detergent that is easy on your skin, so is ideal for washing sheets.
Regularly Vacuuming Can Clean A Mattress
Between sheet changes, air and vacuum your mattress every couple of weeks. Letting some air get to your mattress can remove any lingering smells. Additionally, running a vacuum over it every so often picks up any dead skin, hair, and dust to make your mattress fresh and hygienic. This can also help if you have a dust mite allergy, as vacuuming can get rid of those too.
Easy Cleaning Steps
Whilst you may keep your mattress clean as we’ve suggested, sometimes spills and accidents happen. That’s why you’ll also need to know how to do a deeper mattress clean. There are a few essential tips that will make this very easy.
What Products Are Needed To Clean A Mattress?
A few basic products are needed to wash your mattress properly. They are:
- Mild dish soap or upholstry detergent
- A vacuum cleaner, preferably with an upholstry attachment
- A sponge
- A fan
- A bowl or bucket of water
You likely only need one type of cleaning product for your mattress, depending on the spill or stain. The dish soap or upholstery detergent can be swapped out for vinegar and bicarbonate of soda, or castile soap if you prefer.
How Do You Do It?
To begin a mattress clean, first, take off any sheets and protectors covering the surface. Wash these according to manufacturer instructions. If you’ve got a stain, apply upholstery detergent immediately based on the manufacturer’s instructions. Alternatively, apply dish soap or your choice of product with water and a sponge to the affected area. Wring out a fresh sponge with warm water, and dab the area until it looks like the stain has come out. Allow this to dry thoroughly, either outside, with windows open, or with a fan. It’s that simple!
How Long Does A Mattress Last?
Now you know how to look after your mattress, you might be wondering how long it will last. The good news is that although mattresses are expensive, most have a lifespan of 8 to 10 years. Some very high-quality ones can last up to 25 years. However, it can vary depending on how often you clean it. One tip for extending the life of a mattress is to flip it every 6 months. This makes sure any wear is even, allowing it to be firm and comfortable for longer. If you clean a mattress often and look after it, it will be very durable!
Check out our other articles on how to fix your bed, or even how to build a bed, for more bedroom DIY tips!
