Introduction
Most people tend to spend around one-third of their lifetime in bed, considering they’re getting the 7-9 hours of rest as recommended by the physicians. Thus, in a way, our bed mattresses are working more than nearly any other fixture in our houses – literally.
But, whilst it’s pretty common for us to wipe down the kitchen chairs or vacuum the sofa regularly, we usually overlook the task of routine mattress cleaning.
And that’s where the problem lies.
The truth is – a well-cared-for bed mattress can last much, much longer than the one that you’re ignoring. Besides, it will also promote a more productive and pleasant slumber for the sleeper.
In addition, if you don’t clean your mattress at least once a week, it can also attract pollen, dust, loose dirt, and dust mites. On the other hand, sleeping on a well-cleaned bed can prevent each of these triggers and help you get a good night’s sleep.
But how do you clean it?
In this article, I have offered an all-inclusive guide on how you can keep your mattress hygienic and fresh. However, before we discuss that, let’s learn something a bit more fundamental.
Mattress Contaminants – What Are They, Really?
Even if your bed mattress does not look dirty, it is still possible for the contaminants to build up over time. But what do we really mean when we say the word ‘contaminant?’
Let’s find out.
1: Dust Mites
Dust mites are small insect-like bugs that feed from the skin cells we shed during the nighttime. And alarmingly, as your body discards millions of such per week, your bed may contain around ten thousand or more dust mites. Sleeping on a mite-infested mattress can lead to –
- Skin infection,
- Skin irritation, and
- Blisters.
2: Allergens
Most of us toss and turn in bed, whether we are sleeping or just lying around. As a whole, it might look like a pretty harmless action from your point of view.
However, in truth, it’ll stir up the dust particles that reside in your mattress and unleash them in your bedroom. Even if you don’t have a dust allergy, this entire circumstance can –
- Make it difficult for you to breathe properly,
- Cause throat and eye irritation, and
- Lead to incessant coughing and sneezing.
3: Bedbugs
Albeit being a part of the pest community, bedbugs tend to be a little larger in size than dust mites. And they do cause a much bigger commotion than the latter too. For example, they can –
- Bite on your skin and cause irritation or itching
- Cause inflamed skin with a darker spot in the middle
- Lead to minor skin infections
How Do You Clean Your Mattress?
When it comes to cleaning your mattress, you can opt for two different ways entirely. These are – dry cleaning and deep cleaning. However, before you get on with that, there are two things that you need to consider –
- Gathering the Right Cleaning Supplies: There are a few things you might need if you are going full-DIY mode. These may include – a spray bottle, a box of baking soda, dish soaps, a toothbrush, a vacuum cleaner, and hydrogen peroxide. In addition to these, you can also take a bottle of essential oil and a sifter. But they are optional. If there are urine or blood stains, I would also ask you to go for white distilled vinegar.
- Taking Proper Precautions and Safety Measures: You are going to work with a lot of acidic elements and dirt as a whole. So, I’d ask you to have at least one pair of gloves or anything else that can cover your hands properly. Furthermore, you may also use a pair of glasses so that the liquids don’t get into your eyes. Additionally, make sure to do the cleaning outside of your house. This way, you won’t get your home dirty.
How to Dry Clean Your Mattress?
Dry cleaning will be a decent option to go for if you are considering cleaning your mattress in a regular manner. There are two different methods for the same, too, including –
1: Vacuuming
First things first, make sure that your vacuum cleaner is in decent working condition and has a clean filter. If needed, you may empty the dust canister or replace the vacuum bag.
Now, before you get started, strip off all the bedding, including pillowcases, sheets, and all the other covers. This will expose the surface that you have to clean.
Then you can start vacuuming the mattress. Make sure that you are doing it from the upper side of the bed and going down slowly. Move the attachment whilst doing overlapping strokes, as it will apply moderate pressure on the mattress to ensure effective suction.
2: Spot Cleaning
Like vacuuming, you should start this procedure by stripping off the bedding from the mattress too. If there’s some sort of stain, you’ll need to blot the area with a clean paper towel or cloth.
Try not to rub it, as the stain might spread or set a little deeper into the mattress fibers.
Make sure that the cleaning solution you are using is mild and fresh. If needed, you can test the solution on an inconspicuous area of the bed to make sure that it’s not discoloring anything.
The cleaning method should include you removing the bedding and blotting the stain gradually. Also, make sure to use a mild cleaning solution so that it doesn’t affect the mattress. Once you are done with cleaning, air-dry the same before placing it on your bed.
How to Deep Clean Your Mattress?
When it comes to deep cleaning, there are three things that you can do, including –
1: Steam Cleaning: Benefits and Procedure
Steam cleaning might be quite time-consuming, to begin with. However, it will ensure that your mattress is clean and dirt-free once you have completed the entire procedure.
Here’s what you need to do here –
- Firstly, you will need to strip the bedding and vacuum the mattress properly. It can clear out dust, dead skin, and pet dander efficiently.
- Then, you’ll need to spot-treat the stains that are on it. Using a commercial laundry stain remover can be ideal. Keep the product on the bed for at least 15 mins to make it work.
- Prepare the steam cleaner with water and heat it up properly. The water has to reach the temperature of 212 degrees to 250 degrees Fahrenheit at the bare minimum.
- Now, hold the steamer head at least two-inch to three-inch above the mattress and move it slowly. Try to avoid the steam blasts, as they can affect the mattress.
- Once you are done, let the mattress dry properly. It might take around three hours, so do bear with it. Don’t move the mattress from one place to another during this period.
Steam cleaning, unlike any other similar process, can kill germs, molds, and viruses altogether. Also, it’s the truest form of deep cleaning, as it can kill the strongest pathogens too. Therefore, if you know what to do and when to do it, I’d say go for this method.
2: Enzymatic Cleaners: Breaking Down Organic Matter
Unlike the former, using an enzymatic cleaner will be much easier and quicker. In this case, we will need to put the cleaner in a bottle and mix a little bit of water with it.
Now, spray the same on a clean cloth and use it to blot the stains on the mattress. This will allow the bedding to saturate a little and get cleaned. It’ll take around 15 minutes to complete.
So, once it’s done, you can let the mattress air-dry for an hour or so – and voila!
3: Natural Alternatives: DIY Cleaning Solutions
But, if you don’t want to use any chemical product at all, you can also go DIY on the cleaning project. Here is a method that I use for the same purpose –
Mix one cup of hydrogen peroxide (3%), three tablespoons of baking soda, and two or so drops of dishwashing soap in a cup. Now, keep stirring it until the soda dissolves. It can be used to soak the affected place of the mattress for at least 15 minutes before letting it dry.
I generally try to blot it a little before the drying stage begins. But you do you.
Should You Go DIY or Hire a Professional?
When it comes to cleaning your mattress, you may certainly go DIY with the project. After all, whatever I have shared here is something I had done before and succeeded in the process.
However, if you don’t have enough time or aren’t sure how to begin the procedure, I would ask you to hire a professional Mattress Cleaning service in Singapore. Here’s how they can help you –
- They are experts in deep cleaning and, therefore, will use the best product to clean your bedding. Hence, the risk of it getting damaged will be diminished to some extent.
- As they will take care of everything, from stripping the mattress to cleaning, you will be able to save a lot of your time. So you can use it to take care of other priorities.
- Due to their unparalleled expertise and experience, they’ll proffer consistent results, no matter how difficult the stain is. You’ll also get a customized cleaning plan with them.
Furthermore, opting for a cleaning service will also be highly convenient, as you won’t have to look after anything at all. Everything will be taken care of by them without any hitch at all.
Conclusion
So, that will be all for this one.
I hope I could answer whatever question you had regarding our titular topic. However, if there’s something you aren’t aware of, please comment the same below.
I will try to offer an accurate suggestion to you!