How to clean a mattress

Be honest – when was the last time you cleaned your mattress?

In a recent survey by which.co.uk, 14% of respondents said it had never been on their cleaning to-do list. Yet a third still expected their mattress to last 8-10 years.

That’s a very long time for dust, sweat and grime to build up! The average adult loses around 285ml of bodily fluid each night and we shed approximately 454g of dead skin each year, all of which can make its way through your bed linen into the fabric of your mattress. What’s more, the average bed contains around 10,000 dust mites. Feeling itchy yet?

A dirty mattress can lead to lingering smells, allergies, insomnia and even long-term respiratory problems. So, it’s incredibly important to freshen it up every now and again. And to help, here we’ve created a simple guide on how to clean a mattress like a pro and keep it in top condition.

5 steps to clean a mattress

As a general rule-of-thumb, you should aim to clean your mattress once every six months – ideally around spring and autumn. Always check the instructions or care label before you begin.

Step 1: Remove your dirty bed linen

To avoid a build-up of dirt, it’s a good idea to change your bed linen every 1-2 weeks. Remove all of the sheets and pillowcases, strip the duvet cover and pop them in the washing machine. The care label will provide specific ‘washing instructions’. But in most cases, a full-cycle at 60°C is recommended to help kill any germs.

Step 2: Hoover the surface

Using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner, hoover the mattress to remove crumbs, dust or dirt. Once you’ve covered the entire surface, pay special attention to hard-to-reach areas – such as the seams, quilting and edges. And if you suffer from allergies, it may also be worth pulling the bed to one side and hoovering underneath at the same time.

Step 3: Tackle any stains

You’re now ready to tackle any stains in the mattress.

One option is to mix a small amount of salt with lemon juice. Apply this to the affected area and leave for around an hour. The natural bleaching properties of the lemon should help to remove any discolouration, and after it’s worked its magic, the solution can be easily wiped away.

Alternatively, you can use an upholstery cleaner or warm soapy water to gently dab at the stain with a cloth or sponge. But keep in mind, mattresses are not waterproof and you should never soak the fabric. Use a spray bottle to apply a small amount of solution each time and take a slow and steady approach.

Step 4: Give it some air

Mattresses can very easily start to smell. Bodily fluids are the primary culprit, but even spilt water can start to smell stuffy over time. So when cleaning your mattress, be sure to open the bedroom window, let in some fresh air and allow it to circulate for a few hours.

This will give the fabric a chance to breathe and should do the trick. But if the smell lingers, sprinkle baking soda over the surface of the mattress. This will break down any acids and absorb any remaining moisture or odour. And the longer you leave it, the better it will work.

Our advice? Sleep in the spare bed overnight and hoover up the baking soda the morning after.

Step 5: Remake the bed

Last but not least, remake the bed with your freshly-laundered bed linen. Fitted sheets are a fantastic way to keep dust at bay, and it’s often worth investing in a mattress protector. This can be placed underneath the sheets – where it will protect the mattress from dust, sweat, and spillages – and will help to keep things fresh between cleanings.

Is it time for a new mattress?

Cleaning a mattress can certainly help to maximise its lifespan. It can also help to flip or rotate the mattress regularly (according to the manufacturer’s instructions) and avoid sitting on the edge.

But even so, it won’t last forever. And if you’ve had yours for approximately 8 years or more, you may want to consider buying a new one.

Here at Dreamers Bed Centre, we have a comprehensive range of mattresses to choose from – including best-selling models by Mammoth Mattresses, Hypnos, Millbrook, Baker & Wells and more. There’s something to suit all sleeping preferences, requirements and budgets. So why not take a look today?

And remember, we’re always on hand and happy to help. Whether you’d like further mattress cleaning tips or have a question about the products currently in our mattress collection, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Either give us a call on 01942 275 464, send an email to info@dreamersbedcentre.co.uk, or pop down to see us in-store.