{"id":25167,"date":"2022-05-12T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-12T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.saatva.com\/how-to-clean-your-mattress\/"},"modified":"2023-07-17T13:48:37","modified_gmt":"2023-07-17T13:48:37","slug":"how-to-clean-your-mattress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/how-to-clean-your-mattress\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Deep Clean a Mattress in 5 Simple Steps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Cleaning your mattress is something you probably don’t think about too often. But as you put together your spring cleaning game plan, it may be something you want to add to your to-do list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over time\u2014and no matter how much of a clean freak you are\u2014a buildup of dead skin cells, dried sweat, household dust, and other allergens can collect on your mattress. This can lead to the presence of fungus<\/a>, bacteria, mildew, and dust mites, all of which can worsen allergies<\/a> and cause other health issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That’s the bad news. The good news is that knowing how to clean a mattress in a few simple steps can help keep it fresher longer. Below, we’re outlining how to deep clean your mattress and answering frequently asked questions about cleaning your bed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Break out the vacuum<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you’re only going to do one thing to clean a mattress, make it this one. A good once-over with a vacuum cleaner will help get rid of a significant amount of dust, crumbs, dust mites, and other nasties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use the vacuum’s upholstery and crevice attachments to get into the nooks and crannies of a mattress. Bonus tip: If you have a garment steam cleaner, go over your mattress with that before vacuuming to kill and loosen even more dust mites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Spot clean mattress stains<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most experts recommend using a pet-stain upholstery cleaner to treat sweat stains or other bodily fluids, like urine stains<\/a>. While a stain-removing cleaning solution should do the trick, you may want to consider something less harsh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you’d prefer something with fewer chemicals, look for a natural enzyme cleaner formulated for stains and odors<\/a>, such as ones made by Biokleen and Simple Solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Or try this all-natural DIY stain remover: Make a paste from lemon juice and salt, spray on the stain with a spray bottle, and let sit for up to an hour. Then just wipe off the salt with a clean towel; no need to rinse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a more stubborn stain<\/a>, like a blood stain<\/a>, you can use hydrogen peroxide mixed with warm water on the surface of the mattress. From there, the solution should lift the stain. Dab the excess liquid with a damp cloth and allow your mattress to air dry before putting a fitted sheet back on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep in mind that you’ll want to use a gentler solution on memory foam because the bleach can cause staining or damage the material. You can use a mixture of either liquid dish soap or white vinegar with cold water for a similar effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Deodorize your mattress with baking soda<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Generously sprinkle your whole mattress with baking soda\u2014up to a full 1-pound box of it if this is the first time you’ve cleaned your bed. Leave it on for a full day if possible, then vacuum it up and go over the mattress one more time with the upholstery attachment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get rid of even more odor-causing bacteria by exposing your entire mattress to antibacterial UV light, either through a big sunny window or, if you’re really motivated, by carrying it outside on a dry, sunny day to soak up the sun’s rays and get some fresh air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Change your mattress covers and pillow covers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mattress and pillow protectors will lessen your need for mattress cleaning in the future by keeping mites, dust, and other dirt from building up in your bed again. You can purchase dust mite mattress protectors<\/span> for both your pillows and mattresses to help protect your bed from allergens. These should be cleaned a few times a year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, if you use any mattress pads<\/span> or mattress toppers<\/span>, you should consider cleaning those at the same time. That way, you can deep clean the entire surface of your mattress to help cut down on allergens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Get a fresh set of sheets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After you get done cleaning your bed, it’s important to put a fresh set of sheets on top of your mattress. In general, you should aim to change your sheets and pillowcases<\/a> every one to two weeks to help reduce the buildup of dead skin cells, sweat, dust mites, and other allergens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can clean most bed linens in the washing machine with regular laundry detergent. However, some fabrics may require special care. Always read the maintenance instructions before throwing your sheets and pillowcases in the washer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs that you may need a new mattress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mattresses don’t last forever. No matter how good a job you do of keeping yours clean, there will come a point when it’s time to replace your mattress<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most mattresses have a lifespan of seven to 10 years, but this number could change based on the type of mattress you have and the quality of the materials inside the mattress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a few signs you may need a new mattress. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n