How to Clean a Mattress

Cleaning your mattress can seem like a huge undertaking, due to its vast size and thickness. The mattress can be a magnet for dirt, allergens, and stains because of this, and removing these isn't as simple as throwing them on to wash asd you would with your other bedding. 

That does not mean you have to despair, however - cleaning your mattress can be simple, as long as you understand its materials and how they need to be washed to avoid damage or permanent staining.

Experts at The Sleep Foundation recommend cleaning your mattress about once every six months - and more often if you suffer from allergies or your mattress comes into frequent contact with dirt, pet hair, and other elements.

Of course, if you spill something onto your mattress, it is best to clean it up as soon as possible to prevent the stain from setting and causing permanent damage. To prevent this, investing in a mattress protector or mattress topper is paramount to going as long as possible between washes.

Like all bedding, there is a certain point of expiry where your mattress no longer functions as it should, meaning it will lack the essential support during sleep, as well as being a dangerous vessel for dirt and germs.

Consider whether the following factors apply to your mattress before deciding to throw it away for good:

• increased allergy symptoms
• waking up with sore muscles
• noises from damaged springs
• decreased sleep quality
• odours from uncleanly mattress
• increased, uncomfortable changes in bed temperature 
• greater awareness of springs and foam than before
• indentations that do not spring back into place
• mattress is no longer supportive or is beginning to sag

Generally, mattresses last for around 8 years, or a decade with good care, such as using a mattress topper to create a protective buffer directly between you and the mattress.

Before beginning to clean your mattress, consider whether it needs to be spot-cleaned or cleaned thoroughly. Spot-cleaning, as the name suggests, is for cleaning a specific spot where the stain has occurred, such as where a drink has been spilled.

Spot-cleaning your mattress is rather simple, with few steps required if the stain is light and acted on quickly.

• Apply a small volume of cleaning solution - such as baking soda, vinegar, steam cleaner, or a branded enzymatic cleaner to a clean cloth.
• Ensure not to soak the mattress with the solution or cleaning will be more difficult and may cause odours or further damage.
• Blot the stained area with the cloth, pressing repeatedly, applying small amounts of extra cleaning fluid if necessary
• Apply a small volume of cold water to another clean cloth
• Gently blot the stained area with the new cloth, as stated above
• Repeat the cycle until the stain is removed

There are a number of ways to clean your mattress, depending on what needs to be cleaned - such as dust, stains, or general wear. Courtesy of The Sleep Foundation, these are the best ways to clean your whole mattress effectively:

• Machine washing: this method can only be used by mattresses that support machine washes. Check the attached label of your mattress to see if is machine washable.
• Vacuuming: this is the most effective method of removing dust from the mattress. Stretching the seams will allow the vacuum to penetrate dust that is deeply embedded in the mattress.
• Applying baking soda: similarly to spot cleaning, applying baking soda is an effective method of removing stains from the mattress. However, instead of soaking the whole mattress, sprinkle dry baking soda over the mattress and leave it for a few hours with open windows for fresh air if possible. Be sure to flip over to clean both sides.