How to Clean Mattresses

But what does this have to do with cleaning the mattress? Only that, when you flip it, you may get a gander at how dirty the top side really is. This is especially true if you’re a professional mud wrestler who uses no sheets and doesn’t shower very often.

Tools:

• Vacuum cleaner with brush attachments
• Commercial upholstery cleaning product, preferably citrus-based (optional)
• Two clean sponges
• Clean white absorbent cloths (cloth diapers are perfect)
• Broom
• White vinegar
• Pet clean-up product (optional; carried at any pet supply store)
• Hydrogen peroxide (only if there are blood stains).

Instructions: 

1. Remove dust from the mattress surface. You’ve been breathing dust, dander, and dust mites that build up in and on your mattress, and that’s pretty tough if you’ve got allergies. Vacuum them off your mattress using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner. (Are you allergic? Vacuum more frequently and purchase mattress covers.)
2. If the surface is dirty or soiled, use a commercial upholstery shampoo, or…
3. Mix a mild detergent with water and stir it up to form suds. Apply the suds only to the soiled area using a sponge. Soak another sponge with warm water, wring it out, and wipe down the mattress.
4. Remove any stains. Allow the mattress to dry thoroughly. This may take one whole day.
5. For stains of unknown source, spray a citrus based cleaning product on the soiled area and let it stand for approximately five minutes to penetrate the stain. Using a clean white absorbent cloth, blot the area, pressing down firmly without rubbing for 30 seconds. Repeat this blotting process until the area is dry and odor free. Citrus based cleaning products may be used on almost any type of mattress stain.

Molds, mildew, and smoke odors are all difficult to remove because they penetrate the mattress. Combine using the citrus-based cleaning solution with repeatedly sprinkling the mattress with baking soda (make sure the mattress is dry first) and leaving it there until the next change of sheets. This may cut back on smoke stench. Vacuum the baking soda off and replace it with fresh product before putting clean sheets on the bed.

Clean mattress stains caused by mold or mildew by taking the mattress outside on a sunny day. (Definitely avoid doing this during downpours.) Broom off all visible mold and mildew. Run the vacuum cleaner across the mattress. Allow the sun to shine on the mattress for several hours. You may have to repeat this treatment if the mold or mildew is on both sides.

Cleaning urine from a mattress is difficult if it has penetrated deep into the cloth materials. Try to catch the problem while it’s wet. Blot up all you can with an absorbent cloth. Blotting up the liquid will make it easier to clean the area, but even if the urine has dried, it can still be cleaned.

You Will Need:

• Paper towels
• White vinegar or water
• Enzyme digester
• A fan
• Baking soda
• A plastic trash bag

Steps to Remove the Urine:

1. Dribble white vinegar on the stain to cover it and blot it up until no more of the urine can be removed. This works particularly well if the urine has dried as it can help to remove more of it. If you don’t have white vinegar, blotting with water can work as well. Do not pour water onto the mattress or attempt to rinse it out as this will take longer to dry and could lead to mold growth within the mattress.
2. Once you have blotted up as much urine as possible, the best option is to use a product known as an enzyme digester, which is sold for cleaning up areas where pets have had accidents. Some good choices are Kids ‘N’ Pets or Nature’s Miracle Stain and Odor Remover. Pour as much of the product onto the area as there was urine so that it soaks in equally as deep. Point a fan on the area if possible to help it dry more quickly. Follow any additional instructions on the label of your selected product.
3. If using an enzyme digester isn’t possible, cover the area with baking soda to neutralize the odor, leaving it on for several hours or overnight. In the morning, brush off or vacuum up the powder. This option works well when you don’t want the area to be wet from the cleaner, such as if someone still needs to sleep there. Cover the area with a plastic trash bag in case the baking soda soaks up any liquid and becomes wet.
4. If this is a regular problem, consider investing in a plastic mattress cover or laying out a painter’s drop cloth under the bedding.

Remove blood stains by spraying the area with hydrogen peroxide, waiting a minute, blotting, and repeating until the stain is gone.

It’s impossible to completely remove stains left by brightly colored drink mixes. Try vinegar or professional cleaning products. These may dull the stain. Nothing will remove it.

After any stain removal, place a dryer sheet on the spot before covering it with the bottom sheet to neutralize any odors and keep it smelling fresh. (This, however, is a terrible idea if you are allergic to those things, as many people are.)

Extend time between cleanings and protect the mattress by using a mattress pad or cover. Select a washable cover that is easy to remove for cleaning. You might consider a cover designed to reduce dust mite allergies, but be careful of any chemicals that could cause other allergy problems.

If staining is a continuing problem, consider using a heavy, plastic, waterproof pad or cover. It’s noisy to sleep on, but then again, mattresses are not cheap to replace.