How to deep clean a mattress
by Janine, Feb 2021A decent mattress doesn’t come cheap, so it makes sense that if you’re going to make the investment, you want it to last. With this in mind, you need to know how to clean your mattress properly! And regular cleaning doesn’t just ensure your mattress lasts, it can also keep you healthier as mattresses can harbour dust mites, dead skin, dirt, and other debris – and this can be made worse if you have pets on the bed or a sneaky midnight snacker!
Fear not – whilst it might seem like a tricky task, cleaning your mattress is actually super simple! Here’s our step by step guide that will help you keep your mattress clean and ready for years of snoozing.
1. First things first, let’s gather your toolkit.
You will need the following:
- a vacuum with an upholstery attachment (if you’re not sure if you have one, check out our article on vacuum attachments by clicking here)
- an enzyme cleaner or dish soap to get stains out
- laundry detergent
- baking soda
- cleaning cloths
- cold water
2. Next, let’s strip the bed.
It’s probably common sense, but it’s counter productive to put dirty sheets back onto your clean mattress. So whilst you’re tackling the mattress, put all your sheets and pillow cases on a hot wash.
3. Time to start cleaning.
The first step in cleaning your mattress is to grab your vacuum cleaner’s upholstery attachment and go over the entire surface of the mattress, including the sides. Pay special attention to seams and break out the crevice attachment (again, check out our previous article!) to get any hidden dirt or dust.
4. Now it’s time to focus on getting stains out of the mattress, and that means spot-cleaning.
Never soak your mattress or apply water or cleaning solution directly to it. Memory foam, for example, isn’t supposed to get wet at all. Mattresses have a large surface area and would take a long time to dry if you soaked in too much water!
So spot cleaning it is – this is where you grab your enzyme cleaner. An enzyme cleaner is better known as a stain remover – enzymatic cleaners are basically just any cleaning products that use enzymes in their formulas to help break down stains. Spray the cleaner onto a clean white cloth, and then blot the stained area with the cloth. After that, you can apply cold water to a different clean cloth and continue blotting until the stain lifts.
5. Next step – sprinkle baking soda all over the surface of the mattress.
If you can’t put your mattress out in the sun and fresh air, baking soda is the next best thing. The longer you can leave the baking soda on the mattress the better, so if you can plan ahead and do this before you leave for an overnight trip – that would be ideal. Baking soda will break down acid and absorb any remaining moisture or odour.
Top tip: Open any windows in the room to let the light and sunshine in. The sun’s UV rays will actually help kill any mould or bacteria on the mattress.
6. Once the baking soda has worked its magic, it’s time to vacuum again.
If you have a fabric headboard, now’s a good time to vacuum that, as well! Might as well get a fresh start with everything bed-related.
Now that one side of your mattress is sparkling clean, it’s a good idea to flip your mattress and repeat steps 1-6 on the other side. However, check with your mattress manufacturer as some newer mattresses may not need flipping or it may not be advised.
To avoid another strenuous cleaning session in a few months time, investing in a mattress protector is recommended. They’re not too expensive and can really help avoid any further stains, and can also be a deterrent for bedbugs.
And the last step? Enjoy!
