After a hectic day, your bedroom is the only place you seek to get relaxed. But how you will feel if you get to know that the mattresses are uncleaned and can spread allergies or infections to you and to your family members. 

The dust mites, body oils, sweat, dead skin, and another residue from pets and children get through to the mattress and result in the formation of germs and bacteria. Clean bedding doesn’t mean that your mattress is clean too.                               

Cleaning the mattresses

Cleaning the mattresses is not only limited to cleaning the mattresses but it has a broad area to deal with. Apart from cleaning the mattress, it needs to be dust-free, germ-free, and also stain-free. Overall, your mattress should be hygienic in order to provide you with healthy sleep. 

Even though your mattress might look clean but still could consist of many invisible mites, germs, bacteria, and tough stains. These germs live in mattresses, pillows, and cushions and cause various kinds of skin allergies, and respiratory problems.

A mattress should not be more than 10 years old because it will result in deformity in its structure and also issues in sleeping well. Proper hygiene of your mattress makes the proper quality of life. A well-shaped mattress helps in improving your back and overall health.

Some of the great benefits of cleaning the mattresses:

• Fresh indoor air quality
• Allergy reduction
• Peace of mind

How often a mattress should be cleaned

One should professionally clean mattresses in every six months, depending on the season. Also, you can make your mattresses to turn it over, one side for the summer season and then turning another side for the winter season.

Ways to perform annual mattress cleaning

Step1) The visible stains should be cleaned first

The very first thing you have to do is thoroughly clean the most visible stains. 

Here are the methods to perform the action step by step:

Step 1. Pour around three tablespoons of liquid detergent into half liters of cold water. This will help in forming enough foam.

Step 2. With the help of a sponge, spread the foam over the stains.

Step 3. Rub over the stains in circular motions until you see the stain disappear. To do this, use the foam and then, with a dry and clean cloth, remove it. In order to avoid getting the mattress too wet, use a hairdryer in the area to dry it.

STEP 2. Disinfect and remove mites

Once all the stains are removed and when the mattress is dry, follow these steps to disinfect the mattresses and remove the dust mites.

Step 1. With the help of a sifter, spread the baking soda over the entire mattress.

Step 2. Then, pour the hydrogen peroxide into a sprayer or atomizer. You can even take vinegar.

Step 3. Now, spray hydrogen peroxide or vinegar again using the sprayer, but this time in areas that you have rubbed first with the clean sponge. Do it systematically until you have gracefully rubbed the entire mattress. You will see how the baking soda turns brown and this will mean that it is removing the dirt.

Step 4. Clean the remains of the baking soda using a vacuum cleaner. After this process, leave your wet mattress in the sun for an hour, however, if it is not possible and it is damp, pass the dryer again.

A tip: If the odors of your mattresses are very deep and persistent, try sprinkling the bicarbonate, covering it with plastic, and leaving it to act overnight. The next morning vacuum the mattress and then spray some disinfectant.

How to keep mattress cleaned for longer

The mattress should be changed every week. Shake the pillows and sheets well to remove the dirt. 

Thoroughly cleaning the mattress at least twice a year will make your bed free of mites, bacteria, and organic debris such as accumulated skin or sweat.

A good mattress protector will keep your mattress protected and clean. It will act as a protective barrier against dirt and bad odors. 

Clean your mattress with:

• Lemon and water: The mixture of lemon and water is ideal for cleaning tough mattress stains like urine, sweat, and vomit. Its mixture with water is quite effective in abolishing the odors from the mattress.
• Baking soda: Make a paste of warm water and baking soda to remove stains from the mattress.
• Vinegar: One of the most potent approaches for cleaning mattress stains is white vinegar. It helps greatly both for removing urine as well as sweat stains. Use a damp cloth with vinegar and rub the affected area.
• Hydrogen peroxide: Although it may not seem like, it is the most effective remedy against tough stains. It can be applied directly to the mattress stain with the help of cotton.
• Detergent: Rub the stained area with a cloth moistened with a paste of detergent and water, and let it react. After removing the stains, let the mattress be dried.

Ways to clean the mattress according to the type of stain

The root cause of stains on mattresses is accrued dust, dirt, and sweat. However, there are other types of stains that are more frequent than we imagine.

Steps to clean a mattress with urine stains

They are especially common in children's mattresses. Wash out the sheets, underpads, and protectors in the washing machine. 

To clean urine stains from the mattress, follow this step by step:

• Prepare a mixture of water with white vinegar.

• Sprinkle the mattress with baking soda, let it settle down overnight.

• The next morning, vacuum the mixture.

• If this does not work, try spraying a solution of 235 ml of hydrogen peroxide and three tablespoons of bicarbonate.

Steps to clean sweat stains from a mattress 

Some more and some less, but everyone sweats. And these types of stains are the ones that accumulate the most on the mattress. The most effective way to remove sweat from the mattress is to use a mixture of one tablespoon of ammonia in one liter of water with three tablespoons of liquid soap. Do not soak the mattress, just rub the surface a little with a sponge.

Steps to clean a mattress with bloodstains

Bloodstains must be removed from the mattress immediately or as soon as possible because they have the property of penetrating the fabric very easily.

• For the case, if the stain is fresh apply a little hydrogen peroxide, wait for the bubbles to come out, and remove it with a clean white cloth. Rubbing with a little cold water or milk helps keep it from penetrating the fabric. To avoid spreading the stain, rub it from the outside in, making circular movements.
• When the bloodstain is dry or has already penetrated the fabrics, a mixture of one part baking soda and two parts cold water should be used. Extend it with a damp cloth and leave it to act for 30 minutes. Then, remove the solution with a cloth dampened with water and let it dry well.

Steps to clean a mattress with damp stains

When sweat stains get accumulated on mattresses and are not allowed to get dried, dampness appears.

• Make the dampness get dried in the air. It is also referred to as placing the mattress in the sun, to dry out the moisture. 
• Then vacuum to remove mold.
• Apply solvent.
• And finally, rinse the mattress well with warm water and apply a disinfectant.

If the humidity persists or the mold reappears, change the mattress.

Steps to clean a mattress with vomit stains

If you have children at home, it is likely that you have had to face vomit stains on the mattress. 

Here are the tips to clean those vomit stains:

• Spray vinegar over the stains and let it act for about 10 minutes.

• Then sprinkle some baking soda.

• At last, vacuum the mattress.

Conclusion 

Mattress cleaning and disinfecting may seem like an onerous task but it’s easier than you think. It will only take some preparedness and a little time. Always put on a mattress protector to ensure the cleanliness of the mattress. It will also help to elongate your mattress lifespan.