How to Clean a Mattress

Mattress Cleaning In 6 Easy Steps

Mattress cleaning can be somewhat difficult but contrary to popular belief, you don't have to hire a professional - you can get the job done yourself.

And having a nice clean mattress can give you peace of mind and a better night's sleep.

After all, who knows what kind of gunk you might be sleeping on or even breathing in?

It's much better to spend the time to make sure your mattress is completely hygienic before you spend hours sleeping face down on it.

Here are 6 steps for not only getting mattresses clean, but also keeping them that way...

How To Clean A Mattress In 6 Easy Steps

1. Flip the mattress over every six months.
Your body slowly dents the mattress surface and grime can accumulate in well-worn places. Turn the mattress over so that the top is now the bottom, but also rotate it so that the head and foot change places.

You'll probably need someone else to help you get this job done, but it's worth it because by turning and rotating your mattress you are ensuring that wear and tear are applied evenly. This will prevent bumps or dents that could cause back problems.

2. Use a protective mattress cover.
There are various types available, but a good mattress cover will go a long way toward keeping your mattress clean. If you need a waterproof one, that's fine, but be sure to wipe it clean (preferably using a disinfectant) on a regular basis. This is especially true for baby crib mattresses.

A clean mattress will stay clean even longer if you can just remove the cover and throw it in the washing machine every now and then instead of having to resort to deeper cleaning methods. Certain mattress toppers have even been designed so that they reduce dust mites and other allergens.

3. Vacuum the mattress surface.
Another important aspect of how to clean a mattress is the vacuuming. It goes hand in hand with rotating and flipping your mattress, since the more often you do so, the more surface area will be exposed for vacuuming over time.

Typically you'll want to use the upholstery brush attachment and sweep the surface and sides of your mattress several times to remove built-up dust, dirt, and allergens that may have accumulated. Try vacuuming once every month as a good rule of thumb.

And of course if you have allergy sufferers in your home, you may want to vacuum more often. Online mattress reviews will help you find the best models which provide hypoallergenic materials like latex and memory foam.

4. Use upholstery shampoo for big jobs.
Here's where keeping mattresses clean gets tricky: if the stain or dirt won't come out when you vacuum it or gently wipe a damp cloth across the area, you'll have to resort to using an upholstery shampoo. Apply the shampoo and wait 15 minutes, then vacuum it off.

5. If you have children who wet the bed, you can still have a clean mattress.
You can use laundry detergent mixed with a small amount of water to form dry suds; leave them on the stain for a few minutes before wiping clean with a warm, damp cloth. Afterwards, use a waterproof mattress cover. Follow to link ehow.com for more info on how to remove mattress stains.

6. Be careful about letting the mattress dry.
Some good ideas include putting the mattress outside to dry or using a fan to help speed up the process. Try to make sure that the interior padding of the mattress doesn't get wet or your newly clean mattress will start to mold.

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