Most people spend a third of their life in bed. Because of this, mattresses are often a nest of dust, dirt, and stains. Over time, your mattress will turn ugly or even pose a health threat to you and your family. In addition, it can smell bad. Fortunately, by tidying up your mattress, cleaning it, and removing stubborn stains, you can clean your mattress thoroughly.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Removing Dust on the Mattress
Step 1. Adjust the ventilation of the room
Make sure your room is well ventilated. Open all windows and doors in the room. In addition, open all the windows in the house and turn on the air conditioner to keep air flowing in all rooms.
- Make sure the room is not damp.
- By multiplying the air into the room, the mattress will dry easily after being given a cleaning liquid so that unpleasant odors and chemical smells are gone.
Step 2. Remove the sheets and blankets
Before cleaning the mattress, you must remove all objects covering the mattress. This is very important because dust, dirt, and unpleasant odors can accumulate on sheets, mattress pads, mattress protectors, and other objects that are usually placed on top of the mattress.
- Fold the sheets carefully when removing them so that no dust or dirt falls on the mattress.
- Remove the mattress protector you are using.
- Remove any removable layers of fabric.
Step 3. Use a vacuum cleaner to clean the mattress
One of the most important parts of tidying a mattress is cleaning it with a vacuum cleaner. Without proper cleaning, there will be a lot of dirt and dust left on the mattress – so your efforts to clean it will be in vain.
- Put a protective sheath on your vacuum cleaner.
- Move the tool systematically, back and forth and spread over the mattress until the entire surface is clean.
- Use the crevice cleaner attachment to vacuum hard-to-reach areas, such as crevices, grooves, and seams in mattresses.
- Turn the mattress over and clean the other side.
Method 2 of 3: Deodorizing and Disinfecting
Step 1. Eliminate bad odors with baking soda
Sprinkle baking soda or other deodorizing agent evenly over the mattress. Allow the baking soda to soak for 24 hours. Without this process, the mattress will still smell bad because it is not cleaned thoroughly.
- You can use the entire package of baking soda or even more.
- The longer the baking soda is allowed to soak in, the more liquid and odors are absorbed from the mattress.
- There are various mattress deodorizing products that you can use when cleaning your mattress. Be sure to follow the instructions for use on the packaging box.
- If you live in a dry climate, leave the bedroom windows open.
- If you can, dry the mattress in the sun.
Step 2. Use the vacuum cleaner one more time
After letting the deodorizing agent sit on the mattress for some time, you'll need to use the vacuum cleaner again. Wear a protective sheath and crevice cleaner attachment to suck out the deodorizing powder. Once you've removed all the deodorizing agents, clean the mattress one more time.
By using a vacuum cleaner, you suck up not only the deodorizing powder, but also the source of bad odors and residual dust
Step 3. Kill dust mites
This is important because mites are known to trigger allergies, can cause asthma, and cause a red rash. You can get rid of mites by spraying a thin layer of essential oil on the mattress. Mix:
- 470 ml of purified water.
- 2 teaspoons of essential oil. Some of the oils that can be used are: clove, rosemary, eucalyptus, cumin, or tea tree oil.
- Spray the mixture thinly over the entire surface of the mattress.
- Allow the mixture to dry before continuing with the cleaning process.
Step 4. Get rid of germs on the mattress
To complete the total cleaning process for your mattress, get rid of germs on the mattress. This is important because mattresses can become a breeding ground for bacteria and other debris over time. This becomes especially important if you are cleaning the mattress for someone else to use.
- Mix 60 ml of bleach and 4 liters of cold or tap water.
- Do not add any substance to the mixture.
- Spray the mixture lightly over the mattress, then wipe with a clean, slightly damp cloth.
- Use safety equipment, such as gloves, protective eyewear, or even a mask when working with bleach, and make sure you are in a well-ventilated area. If the day is hot and the air feels dry, take the mattress outside to dry.
- You can also use other products, such as lysol spray or vodka, to disinfect the mattress.
Step 5. Protect a clean mattress with a mattress protector
When you're done cleaning your mattress, you may want to protect it from dust and dirt by placing a mattress protector on it. This will keep the mattress clean longer.
You can purchase a waterproof mattress protector to protect the mattress from fluids, such as sweat and urine
Method 3 of 3: Getting Rid of Stains
Step 1. Check for stains regularly
Check your mattress regularly for stains and clean as soon as they appear. This will help prevent the stain from becoming permanent and keep the mattress clean. Whenever you notice a stain, check the underside of the sheets and clean it as soon as possible.
Step 2. Remove any dust or stains on the mattress
Spray a thin layer of vinegar on the mattress and sprinkle a little baking soda on the stain. Let the mixture soak for a few hours. Scrape the baking soda with a butter knife or a flat piece of plastic. Remove any dried baking soda residue with a vacuum cleaner.
- Dust stains not only disturb the view, but also become a hotbed for bacteria and other health problems.
- To clean stubborn stains, use a bed linen cleaner or other product that is sold to clean the mattress. Make sure you follow the directions for use and don't overdo it.
Step 3. Clean the urine stain
Mix 3 tablespoons of baking soda with 240 ml of hydrogen peroxide and half a teaspoon of dish soap. Apply the liquid to the area affected by the urine stain. Don't put it on too much until the mattress is wet. Leave the area to dry.
- Urine is one of the main causes of stains on mattresses – especially on mattresses that children sleep on. Urine not only stains the mattress, it also produces an unpleasant odor that is difficult to remove.
- If the stain is still visible, mix 3 tablespoons of powdered detergent and 15 ml of water. Spread this mixture over the stain and let it sit for half an hour. After that, scrape the pasta with a knife or flat plastic. Remove the remaining powder with a vacuum cleaner.
Step 4. Clean the bloodstains
Mix 60 ml of hydrogen peroxide with 15 ml of dish soap and 15 ml of table salt. Apply this mixture over the stain and let it sit. Scrape off any residue with a butter knife or flat plastic.
- While they are no more common than urine stains, bloodstains on mattresses are not uncommon. However, even if blood stains don't smell like urine, they are more difficult to remove.
- If the stain is still visible, simply pat a piece of white cloth moistened with hydrogen peroxide.
Step 5. Cover the vomit stains
Moisten a piece of white cloth with cleaning ammonia, then gently pat it onto the stained area. Wipe the area again with a clean white cloth.
- Adjust the ventilation of the room.
- Do not apply too much ammonia or cleaning fluid to your mattress.
- The most difficult stains to remove are probably vomit stains because the stomach acids and food mix create an unexpected combination that makes them difficult to remove with specific cleaning products.
