How to clean a mattress in 7 simple steps, according to an expert
From pee and blood stains, to a deep clean in time for spring, cleaning your mattress just takes a few common household products — and a little elbow grease.
Cleaning your mattress may seem like a daunting task, but all it takes is a few common household products — some of which you may already have on hand — a little elbow grease, and some dry time.
Arm & Hammer Baking Soda
Dyson V11 Origin Cordless Vacuum
HOMEXCEL Microfiber Cleaning Cloth (12-Pack)
Fabric Spray
Febreze Extra Strength Fabric Refresher
Heinz All-Natural Distilled White Vinegar with 5% Acidity
Utopia Bedding Waterproof Mattress Protector
Tide Free and Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent
To help refresh your mattress for spring, we spoke to mattress expert Derek Hales, founder and editor-in-chief of NapLab. He has tested hundreds of mattresses and walks us through how to clean a mattress on your own, including the products you'll need to get the job done.
"Most of us are capable of cleaning our own mattress," Hales told Yahoo Canada. "While the process can be time-consuming, it's not difficult. That said, it does require specific care, baking soda, a vacuum cleaner, lots of towels, and lots of time."
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Read on to see Hales's recommended products and how to get the job done.
1. Baking soda
The first step when cleaning a mattress is to remove all the bedding and sprinkle baking soda over the surface of the mattress. "Allow this to sit for 8 hours," Hales said. "I use Arm & Hammer, but any brand is fine." Later, you'll remove this with a vacuum.
Hales recommends cleaning your mattress with baking soda once a year to remove dust and reduce odours. However, if there are more complicated stains (like blood or urine), the cleaning process requires more time and specific care.
Something to keep in mind: Hales advises against using any harsh products on your mattress, like bleach or detergents. All you need are common household products to refresh your mattress and remove dust, pet dander and dead skin cells.
Baking soda is an affordable and effective product for cleaning and deodorizing all around the house. This two-kilogram size is "incredibly economical," according to one Amazon reviewer, and Hales recommends it as a key way to clean your mattress.
5 made-in-Canada cleaning brands worth knowing:
2. Vacuum cleaner
After the baking soda has sat for eight hours, you'll want to remove it. When it comes to choosing the best vacuum to tackle this part, Hale said to choose one with a straight suction attachment so the vacuum doesn't push baking soda deeper into the mattress.
"Don't use a roller brush," Hales said. "If you can afford it, I always recommend Dyson. Ideally, you want a handheld vacuum or vacuum attachment." He recommends the Dyson V11, V12, or V15. "I used to test vacuums in a previous life," he adds.
Vacuuming the mattress can be done more frequently — like every three months or once a month if you have pets or allergies — to keep on top of dust. Don't forget to target the sides of the mattress and between the mattress and box spring if you have one.
If your vacuum has a crevice attachment, it can clean hard-to-reach places, like around raised mattress edges or along decorative quilting.
Backed by nearly 2,000 reviews, this Dyson V11 cordless vacuum boasts strong suction and up to 60 minutes of run time. Amazon shoppers say this model "lives up to the hype" and is "surprisingly powerful."
3. Microfibre towels
Now that your mattress is vacuumed, you can address any more serious stains. For that, Hales recommends a pack of washable microfibre towels. "These are great for dealing with liquid spills that need to be blotted out," he said.
However, be careful with any moisture on a mattress. "If moisture cannot be completely removed from the mattress, it is likely to serve as a breeding ground for mold," he said. That's why it's important to take care with liquid stains.
"Don't scrub liquid stains. Doing so risks pushing the liquid or stain further into the mattress," he said. "Liquids need to be slowly blotted out using a dry towel, sponge, or cloth." The cloths can also be used to further dry the mattress later.
This 12-pack of microfibre cleaning cloths are machine washable and lint-free. With an average rating of 4.4 stars, shoppers say these cloths pick up dust and spills "effortlessly."
4. Fabric spray
Once your mattress is clean, spritz a bit of fabric spray on top. "Febreze is great, but I've also used off-brand fabric sprays that seem to do a well enough job," Hales said. "This is just used to help freshen up the smell."
Don't go too crazy, though: "Remember, it's liquid, so give it a few sprays evenly spread across the mattress, but not so much that it feels notably wet."
At this point, you can open up a window to let in some fresh air or use a hair dryer to help speed along drying out the mattress.
This 700-ml bottle of Febreze is a classic for a reason. Shoppers love the "fresh and clean" scent that is effective at eliminating even "stubborn smells."
5. Vinegar
For stubborn stains, Hales recommends using a spray bottle containing equal parts distilled water and white vinegar. "It's great for helping kill bacteria," he said.
As with any liquid spray, be careful not to overdo it: "Once fluid has penetrated deep into the mattress, especially foam mattresses, it's incredibly difficult to fully dry," Hales said. Less is more when it comes to intentionally adding liquids to a mattress.
With more than 8,000 reviews averaging a 4.7 star rating on Amazon, this all-natural distilled white vinegar comes in a 32-ounce glass bottle. Shoppers note they use it in the kitchen and beyond as a "powerful" cleaning agent.
6. Mattress protector
To avoid a sticky situation in the first place, invest in a good waterproof mattress protector. "The most important part of cleaning a mattress is prevention," Hales said. "Using a quality mattress protector will ensure you never have a major spill or stain that needs to be cleaned." Be sure to pick one that's machine-washable and removable.
This "Amazon's Choice" mattress protector has nearly 42,000 reviews. Shop it in twin, twin XL, full/double, queen and king.
7. Gentle laundry detergent
Some experts say you can use a tiny bit of gentle laundry detergent mixed with lukewarm water to dab a stubborn stain gently with a microfibre cloth. However, Hales recommends using natural cleaning solutions, like baking soda or vinegar, instead.
But now that your mattress is clean, you're going to want freshly laundered bedding to match. Don't forget to wash your duvet and mattress protectors, too.
With an average rating of 4.6 stars, Tide's Free and Gentle hypoallergenic detergent has more than 25,000 reviews from Amazon shoppers who say it's "ideal" for those with sensitive skin or allergies.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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