How to clean a mattress at home?

On average, each person spends nearly a third of their life in bed. This is a place to relax, sleep, and recharge, even someone prefers to have breakfast without leaving a cozy bed. Children play and sometimes draw on the bed, and pets often jump onto it. Due to such active use, stains inevitably appear on the mattress, it wears out and darkens, even despite the presence of a mattress cover and bedding. To prevent the mattress from becoming a source of unpleasant odors, allergies, and other problems, it must be kept clean regularly. However, unfortunately, the wrong approach to cleaning the mattress can only damage and ruin its appearance or filling. Read about how to clean a mattress quickly and effectively at home in our article!

Cleaning mattresses with different fillings.

Mattress fillings react differently to the amount of water used for cleaning. Some mattresses are categorically contraindicated with moisture, while others are not recommended to be placed vertically. Before starting to clean, one should find out how to properly handle their mattress.

Wool or cotton mattress

Upholstered mattresses are the simplest in design, belong to the budget segment, but require no less care than their expensive counterparts. At the heart of such a mattress is cotton, packed in a durable cover made of percale or teak.

Cotton has the ability to absorb and retain odors for a long time. Therefore, to keep the cotton mattress fresh, it should be aired at least once a month.

Despite the dense cover, the cotton mattress deforms easily. To avoid the formation of dents and, as a result, back pain after sleeping, the mattress should be flipped every 2 weeks.

The cotton-filled mattress is resistant to moisture and can be cleaned deeply. But keep in mind that the cotton inside can take a long time to dry. Therefore, the less water used for cleaning, the faster the mattress can be reused.

Coconut fiber mattress

The coconut mattress is a sturdy construction made from hypoallergenic materials that ensure the correct position of the body during sleep. These mattresses are often used in cribs.

Coconut mattresses do not like abundant moisture. Manufacturers of such products recommend exclusively dry cleaning. Use a mattress cover to prevent dirt from penetrating into the deep layers of the filling. Wash the coconut mattress cover, but only at minimal temperatures gently and no more than once every 2 months.

The best care for this type of mattress is to vacuum it regularly on all sides and air it out. At the same time, the mattress can only be cleaned and aired in a horizontal position.

Latex mattresses with spring structure

Orthopedic spring mattresses are the most durable in terms of lifespan and the most demanding in terms of operational requirements.

A mattress of a similar design should be flipped at least once every 2 weeks, changing not only the top-bottom position but also the foot-head.

It is necessary to air and vacuum the orthopedic mattress each time the bedding is changed. Do not expose the mattress to sunlight for long periods. Light wet cleaning without deep penetration of water inside is acceptable.

The removable mattress cover can be washed in a washing machine. And the non-removable: clean in place without soaking it with large amounts of water.

Regardless of the general features, each manufacturer may give their own recommendations for mattress care, related to the peculiarities of their production. Generally, a label with basic care rules is sewn into the seam of each product; never cut it and strictly follow the instructions described on it!

Cleaning the mattress with improvised means

Popular recipes, tested by generations of housewives, have proven to be a good way to remove stains from a mattress at home. Moreover, this is an excellent way to achieve cleanliness without using chemicals and save on buying special products. Find all the ingredients for homemade cleaning products in your kitchen or medicine cabinet.

Before use, any recipe should be checked in a discreet place, treating a small area with it! If the product does not corrode the mattress cover, does not leave streaks or stains, you can safely start cleaning the entire product.

Cleaning the mattress with vinegar

Vinegar is a quite powerful stain remover. With its help, you can eliminate:

• food and drink stains;
• fresh urine stains;
• tea traces.

Use vinegar to remove stains in the following way:

1. Prepare a solution based on the proportions: ½ teaspoon of vinegar per 0.5 liters of warm water.
2. Pour the resulting composition into a spray bottle, prepare a clean, dry sponge or cloth beforehand.
3. Spray a fine layer of vinegar solution over the stain to avoid puddles.
4. Use a clean, dry sponge to rub the stain without pressing on the mattress; otherwise, you will push the liquid and dirt deeper. You can let the vinegar act for 10-15 minutes.
5. Apply a clean paper towel to the treated area and dry the remaining moisture, change the towel and repeat the procedure. Change the towels until they stop getting wet.
6. Let the treated area dry for 30-40 minutes, only then cover the mattress with bedding.

By the way, vinegar is ideal for preventive cleaning of the entire mattress. But for these purposes, it is better to use a less concentrated composition: ½ teaspoon of vinegar per 1 liter of water. If used correctly, this amount of solution is sufficient to process a double mattress on all sides.

Preventive cleaning of the mattress with vinegar should be done as follows:

1. Vacuum the mattress, paying special attention to the sides, crevices, and depressions; the special nozzle for crevices of the vacuum cleaner is perfect for this.
2. Spray the compound over the entire surface of the mattress and gently rub with a hard sponge or brush.
3. Clean the sides in the same way. If the mattress has thick seams on the edges, turn it over and clean thoroughly behind it.
4. Let the mattress dry for 40-60 minutes and only then turn it over to clean the other side.
5. After processing, it is best to place the mattress closer to the balcony or an open window. This way, it dries faster and the sour smell of vinegar will dissipate.
6. Cover the mattress with a mattress cover and bedding only after it is completely dry. Otherwise, moisture will lead to mold or fungi.

Wet cleaning with baking soda and vinegar.

Together, soda and vinegar are stronger. Often, with their help, it is possible to remove even difficult stains, such as:

• blood stains;
• urine traces;
• grease traces;
• coffee stains;
• juice, berry stains.

You will need a spray bottle to make a baking soda/vinegar cleaning solution. By the way, it is better to prepare this composition over a sink or basin, as it foams a lot.

1. Pour 1/3 cup of vinegar and 0.5 liters of water into a spray bottle, add 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Close the bottle and gently roll the liquid to mix the ingredients a little.
2. Spray the stain with a thin, even layer, avoiding puddles. Let the solution sit for 10-15 minutes.
3. Rub the stain with a stiff brush or sponge.
4. Wipe the treated area with a clean, damp cloth and absorb the remaining moisture with a dry paper towel.
5. Let the mattress dry completely before covering it with bedding.

Hydrogen peroxide and soda for stubborn stains

If there is no vinegar in the kitchen, use a home first aid kit. You are almost certain to find hydrogen peroxide in it. Together with baking soda, it will serve as a powerful stain control agent for:

• blood;
• urine;
• coffee;
• berries;
• markers and pens.

To remove stains from the mattress with baking soda and peroxide:

1. Sprinkle baking soda over the stain.
2. Dilute 100 ml of peroxide with a little water (about 200 ml) and stir well or mix with a spoon.
3. With a spray bottle or sponge, apply the solution directly onto the baking soda stain.
4. Leave the thick foam that appears for 1.5-2 hours.
5. Dry the area to be cleaned with a dry paper towel and let the mattress dry completely.

Dry cleaning the mattress with baking soda or salt. If moisture is contraindicated for your mattress, try cleaning it dry using only baking soda or salt.

Note! This way, only a recent stain can be removed. If the contamination has already dried and time has passed since its appearance, soda and salt will be powerless.

To clean the mattress with baking soda or salt, you must follow three simple steps:

1. Generously cover the stain with baking soda/salt and leave it for 30-40 minutes.
2. Rub the dirty area with a stiff brush.
3. Thoroughly vacuum the mattress, especially in small cracks and cavities.

Cleaning the mattress with alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol will help remove small grease stains and makeup marks.

1. Dampen (but do not soak too much!) a cotton ball with alcohol.
2. Rub it on the dirty area. You can apply a cotton ball on the stain and leave it for 10 minutes.
3. Let the mattress dry completely before covering it.

Household chemicals

Modern manufacturers offer a complete range of chemicals: gels, foams, sprays, and powders. The product may be ready to use or may require preliminary preparation. Among the most popular brands: Vanish, Dr. Beckmann, Amway, supermarket product lines.

As a rule, no special mattress cleaner is manufactured. For this, compositions for the care of upholstered furniture are used. Manufacturers position their products as universal and equally effective against all types of contamination. Depending on the form of release, household products are prepared and applied in different ways, but there are a number of general rules:

Only the foam generated by the product should be used to clean the mattress.

The composition should be applied with a spray bottle or sponge, but under no circumstances pressing the mattress; otherwise, you will only push the stain deeper or make it larger.

It is also not worth soaking the mattress abundantly. This will also push dirt into the mattress. To avoid streaks, it is best to clean the entire mattress, even if you initially only wanted to remove a small stain. After cleaning, the mattress should dry properly, preferably on the balcony or near the window. When the mattress is completely dry, vacuum it thoroughly to collect the cleaning agent.

Before using any cleaning agent, carefully read the manufacturer's instructions and test the product on a less visible area. At first glance, it seems: what could be easier than buying a ready-to-use product and cleaning it? But practice shows that household chemicals can only cope with simple and fresh dirt. Old and dried stains are beyond the power of household products.

How to get rid of unpleasant odors from the mattress?

Even if there is no visible dirt on the mattress, it may emit an unpleasant odor. It could be a musty smell, remnants of stains that have not been cleaned deep within the filling. In short, the mattress may not feel fresh. Sleeping on it is not very pleasant in every way. But there are some simple ways to eliminate bad odors from your mattress.

The simplest option is to ventilate the mattress well. The best way is to take it out to the balcony or place it next to an open window. Ventilating will help eliminate odors from food that have fallen on the mattress, acidic liquids spilled, such as wine and coffee.

A mild vinegar solution will help refresh the mattress. Dissolve ½ teaspoon of vinegar in 1 liter of water and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray the mattress all over and let it dry. Vinegar neutralizes unpleasant odors and disappears by itself in a couple of hours.

You can eliminate the odor and give the mattress a fresh scent by generously sprinkling fragrant powdered detergent on it. Leave it on for 1-2 hours, then vacuum the mattress.

A laundry soap solution can help neutralize the smell of urine when sprayed all over the mattress.

Professional mattress cleaning.

The leader in all aspects is a professional water cleaner. Unlike any other method, it allows you to remove the most stubborn and old stains without the risk of damaging the mattress. Deep wet cleaning not only removes the visible part of the stains but also breaks them down deeply into the mattress filling and removes dirt particles along with the water. A water cleaning specialist, with special equipment and professional cleaning agents, will remove dirt and eliminate odors from the mattress. If desired, the mattress can also be treated with perfumes to obtain a pleasant aroma.

Professional cleaning guarantees 100% cleanliness of your mattress, provided you have not attempted to clean the mattress yourself with household products. Therefore, we sincerely recommend: do not test the resilience of the mattress! If stains appear, request professional deep cleaning services for mattresses. This will save you time, effort, and prevent the mattress from deforming and losing the appeal of its appearance.