Dust, dirt, and bedbugs: three things you definitely don’t want in your bed. After all, you’ve invested in a quality mattress, so you want to keep it at its best.
Keeping your mattress clean can help minimize the risk of a bedbug infestation, and minimizing dust and dirt buildup helps prevent allergic reactions. Plus, a clean sleeping environment is more comfortable so you can sleep better and wake up refreshed. But how do you clean a mattress thoroughly without causing damage?
The Best Way to Clean a Mattress
Here’s our complete guide to the best way to clean a mattress. Simply follow these steps to get a clean, fresh-smelling bed.
Some of the steps take a little longer, so it’s a good idea to start this process in the morning so you have plenty of time to clean your mattress and let it dry thoroughly before it’s time to go to bed.
Remove and Wash Your Sheets
First, strip your mattress. Remove the sheets and mattress protector, and put them in the wash. Once your mattress is clean, you’ll want to make your bed with fresh sheets.
Remove the Mattress Topper
If you’ve added a mattress topper to give your older mattress a little more life, or add extra comfort to your bed, now’s the time to remove it. Dust and bedbugs can accumulate between the mattress and the topper, so this is an important step.
You’ll want to thoroughly clean your mattress topper as well, but that’s a separate process. Put it aside for now and plan to take care of it before you make your bed again.
Find a Good Cleaning Location
Think about the best place to clean your mattress. You’ll want it to be convenient to clean both sides, so it might be easiest to take it off your bed frame and use a larger space, like a living room.
To keep your mattress clean as you go, make sure to put some clean fabric or a clean tarp on the floor.
Use a Vacuum Cleaner
The best way to clean dirt and dust off your mattress is to vacuum it. Give the entire mattress a good once-over. Make sure to run the vacuum over every surface of the mattress, paying special attention to folds and creases, as dirt can collect in these small spaces.
Once you’ve vacuumed one side of your mattress, make sure to flip it over and do the other side, as well as all the edges.
If you have a mattress topper, this is a good time to thoroughly vacuum it as well.
Remove Spots and Stains From Your Mattress
Does your mattress have small spots or stains? Now that you’ve removed the dirt and dust, it’s time to target these tougher challenges.
However, before you remove these stains, it’s crucial to consider which cleaning products to use on your mattress. If you have a foam mattress, you should use an enzyme-based cleaner. If you have an innerspring mattress, you can use an enzyme-based cleaner or certain upholstery cleaning products.
Another good option for cleaning your mattress is a bit of water with a small amount of dish soap. But don’t apply the mixture directly on the mattress! Instead, take some of the foam that develops as you combine the two and dab it on any stains you see.
Put Your Mattress in the Sun
Now that you’ve cleaned your mattress well, you’ll need to thoroughly dry it.
To dry your mattress, find a clean spot outside in the sun and put down a tarp or a clean piece of plywood to protect it. Letting your mattress dry in the sun helps make sure it’s 100% dry before you bring it back inside, and it also helps air it out so you’ll smell the fresh air while you sleep.
Aim to leave your mattress out in the sun for at least a couple of hours. Before you bring it back inside, make sure it’s completely dry.
Remove Odors With Baking Soda
The fresh air will have helped, but if your mattress has picked up a bit of a funky odor, you’ll want to try something a bit stronger.
Sprinkle a bit of baking soda all over your mattress, focusing on the side you usually sleep on. Let the baking soda sit for several hours, and it will neutralize any odors.
Vacuum Your Mattress Again
The next step in this process might seem repetitive, but it’s really the best way to clean your mattress. Run your vacuum all over your mattress again, making sure to suck up all of the baking soda. Again, vacuum both sides of the mattress, as well as all the little folds and creases.
Make Your Bed
Voila — your mattress is now clean and good as new. It’s time to put it back on your bed frame and replace your mattress topper if you use one. This is a great time to put on a mattress protector, which can help keep your mattress clean for longer so you don’t have to deep-clean your mattress as often.
Then add your comfortable sheets, and enjoy your nice, clean bed.
Keeping your mattress clean doesn’t have to be a tedious task. Following these steps to the best way to clean a mattress every few months will keep your bed fresh and help you sleep better.
