A good night's sleep is indispensable for the recovery of your body and mind, and there are several factors that contribute to you sleep with the angels, without disturbances and without interruptions. We need a relaxing, quiet environment, with a pleasant temperature and adequate lighting so that we can close our eyes and relax properly at night. In this article, you will learn how to clean mattress properly.
And in addition to all this, you also need comfort, the correct density of the mattress, softness and pleasant textures on the sheets and pillows and, of course, a minimum of hygiene in your bed.
Why is it important to clean the mattress?
It may seem unnecessary to include mattresses in the regular cleaning of the house and many people really neglect the hygiene of this item, which can bring risks to the health of all residents.
The life of a mattress is approximately 10 years, depending on how you keep it, so we spend a third of our lives on it. Thinking this way, I think it becomes clearer why it is necessary to pay attention to cleaning this article.
Another piece of information that you may not know is that the foam on your mattress is home to more than 1 million mites, animals invisible to the naked eye and responsible for causing various allergic diseases in humans such as rhinitis, asthma, conjunctivitis and even even dermatitis.
Mites love damp places and it is estimated that after 2 years of use, about 10% of the weight of a mattress is made up of mites and their residues. Can you imagine? In addition to the mattress, the pillows are also the focus of mites, which makes it important to clean these items frequently as well.
How to clean mattress: materials needed for cleaning
Know now the materials needed to do to clean the mattress:
- Vacuum Cleaner;
- Powdered soap diluted in water;
- Upholstery cleaner;
- Sponge or soft brush;
- White vinegar;
- Sodium bicarbonate;
- Stain remover;
- Dry cloths;
- Fan;
How to clean mattress: cleaning step by step
Learn now the complete step by step to clean the mattress:
- Remove the sheets, bedspreads and, if your bed is a box model and has a skirt, remove the skirt as well.
- Put the bedding to wash.
- Vacuum your mattress over its entire length and on the sides also with a good vacuum cleaner. Don't forget the seams, corners and buds.
- Apply a product to clean the mattress and to help eliminate dust mites. You can use a specific upholstery product or a powdered soap solution diluted in water.
- With the help of a sponge, rub the dirty areas of the mattress in a circular motion.
- Before applying any product, test on a hidden area of the mattress to make sure that the product will not damage the fabric.
- Let the mattress dry completely, remember that humidity favors the appearance of more mites. To speed up the process, place it in the sun or turn on a fan near the mattress.
- Once it is dry, vacuum it again to ensure that all waste has been removed.
- Now is the time to put clean and fragrant bedding, even the pillowcases must be changed periodically.
How to remove stains from the mattress
As time passes, it becomes inevitable that some stains will appear on your mattress, after all this is an item that we use for many hours throughout our lives and accidents happen. Check out the tips to eliminate stains:
- Moisten a soft sponge with white vinegar and rub the stain. Let stand for five minutes.
- Cover the stain with baking soda and when it is completely dry, remove the dust using a vacuum cleaner.
- If the stain persists, apply hydrogen peroxide, always moistening the sponge and rubbing in a circular motion until it disappears.
- Another interesting and effective product for removing stains on mattresses are stain removers sold in pet stores. Apply the product, let it act for 15 minutes and wipe with a damp cloth.
- Urine stains can also be removed with white vinegar or 1 tablespoon of baking soda mixed in 20ml of water.
- The important thing is to dry the application area well before using the mattress.
How to remove unwanted odors from the mattress
Sometimes the mattress has no apparent stains or impregnated dirt, but it gets unpleasant odors as time goes by and it is being used. There are ways to neutralize these odors, take a look:
- Spread baking soda all over the mattress and let it sit overnight. The next day, remove the product with a vacuum cleaner.
- Apply some cleaning product based on citrus (lemon, for example), let it dry well and finish with the vacuum cleaner.
- White vinegar is also very efficient, apply a mixture of half a liter of water with half a liter of vinegar with a spray bottle and wait to dry. The mattress will have a slight vinegar smell for a few days, but the unpleasant odors will be gone.
- Smokers end up passing the cigarette odor to the bedding and the mattress. It is important to wash the bedding more frequently (at least once a week) and clean the mattress with a mixture of 1 tablespoon of liquid detergent and two cups of cold water. Wait for the solution to be fully absorbed and dry the mattress. Alcohol vinegar also helps.
Box cleaning
Box model beds, those with a wooden base covered with fabric that works as a support for the mattress, also need special attention in cleaning. In that case it is not enough to clean your mattress well if the base remains dirty.
Use the same materials, products and homemade solutions used to clean the mattress at the base of the box bed and dry thoroughly before putting the mattress back in place. Take care when vacuuming, as this part usually adds a lot of dust as it is very close to the floor.
Important Tips
- When cleaning with specific products for upholstery or with homemade solutions, avoid soaking the mattress or making it very humid. Remember that dust mites love moisture and its excess can also favor the appearance of fungi.
- Clean the stains as soon as you notice them or as soon as the accident happens so that the liquid or dirt is not impregnated.
- Try to use a protective cover for the mattress and also for the pillows. Currently there are covers made with antiallergic material, but do not neglect the cleaning of these materials, wash the covers every 15 days.
- Try to leave your mattress in the sun whenever possible.
- To ensure greater durability to your mattress, turn it over periodically, so that you avoid deformation caused by the weight of the body and also make it evenly ventilated.
Finally, it is important to look at your mattress label and the manufacturer's tips to find more precise guidelines on how to properly clean your mattress. So you will keep your mattress always clean and suitable for a great night's sleep.
