Has it been a while since you thought about cleaning your mattress? Let’s be real. Probably most of us did not even know a mattress could be cleaned, at least inexpensively. But it really is a necessity. Let’s think about it. You probably spend six, seven or eight hours (or more for those of us who need our precious beauty sleep) in our comfy beds every night. What’s the result? Overtime, dead skin cells, dust, sweat and oil from our bodies shed and build up into our mattresses. That’s what those ugly yellow stains are. Allowing your mattress to continue building in this state also makes it more susceptible to becoming a magnet for dust mites. Factor in issues with allergies if you have them and one of these days you could wake up in a cleaning nightmare. So it’s a good idea to give your mattress a little extra attention when you deep clean or do a regular home cleaning.
Step 1 – Vacuum the Mattress
It’s important to remove the layer of dust on and right below the surface of the mattress. Make sure to use the upholstery tool on your vacuum cleaner when performing this task. This should be completed every couple of months or more often if someone in the family suffers with allergies. Go over the top and sides of the mattress and as much of the box spring as you can access. Press down firmly on the tool or tap it on the fabric to draw out dust beneath the surface. Then, use the crevice tool to get into the quilting, along the edge welting and where any pillow top is attached. Some newer vacuums now come with tools that vibrate against mattress and upholstery fabrics to better draw out dust.
Step 2 – Steam Clean
I know what you’re thinking, “I don’t have a steam cleaner and they’re really expensive”. You’re not wrong. A little industry secret is to simply to use a garment steamer on your mattress in-between professional cleanings. They range from $25 to well over $100 on Amazon. Use the steamer by holding it as close to the fabric as possible without causing the steamer to drip. The steam will penetrate the mattresses top layer and kill bacteria as well as dust mites lurking near the surface. Vacuum the mattress again to remove them. If you can’t get a steamer at the moment, give the mattress bursts of steam from your iron but please keep the temperature at a lower setting.
Step 3 -Remove Strains
The easiest way to remove stains is with a reputable carpet and upholstery cleaner. The best and most aggressive formula’s that will not damage your mattress are tried and true pet strain/odor eliminators like Bissell Pet Stain and Odor Remover. It not only removes the harshest stains but eliminates pet and other odors. That’s because it contains enzymes that tackle odors. To use it, spray lightly on the stain or onto a cloth. Then dab the stain beginning from the outside edge. Work inward toward the center of the stain. This prevents the stain from spreading elsewhere onto the mattress. The goal here is to avoid over-wetting the mattress. When the stain is removed, sponge the area to remove excess cleaner. Dry the area with a clean cloth. Then allow the mattress to dry. Tip: flowing air and raising the the temperate of the room will help it dry more quickly.