RS Recommends: How to Clean Your Mattress the Right Way (and the Best Products to Use)
When was the last time you cleaned your bed? We hope you’ve been keeping up with the blankets and sheets you sleep on, but what about your mattress? Even if you’re someone who doesn’t snack in bed, or you’re strict about not laying on your bed with your shoes or outside clothes on, there are plenty of ways for mattresses to collect bacteria over time.
“It is important to clean your mattress just as you would clean the rest of your home and furnishings,” says GhostBed founder Marc Werner. By neglecting your mattress during your cleaning routine, you could be putting yourself at risk to a host of germs, and even insects.
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Not only do we sweat in our sleep, but we routinely shed hair and skin. You might not like to think about it, but these things find their way into our bedding over time, including our mattress. There’s also the bacteria we can’t see, dust that has accumulated, and in some instances pests. If you’re someone who allows your pet to sleep on your bed with you, keep in mind of the dirt, dander, and germs they may be leaving behind as well. Any one, or a combination of, these things can pose threats to our health, from triggering allergies and asthma to losing sleep.
If your skin is crawling from reading all of that, don’t lose sleep over it. Whether you’re someone who hasn’t cleaned your mattress, or perhaps you could stand to do it a little more often, there’s no better time to start a new cleaning habit than right now. However, resist the urge to run to the nearest store and buy a bunch of cleaning supplies. Here’s the best way to clean your mattress without it turning into a nightmare, plus the best products to do it.
How to Clean Your Mattress
Whether you have a traditional box spring mattress or one that’s memory foam, a good place to start is with stripping your bed, washing all blankets, sheets, and pillowcases. If you have a protective mattress pad, you’ll want to make sure you remove, and thoroughly clean, it as well. Then, you’ll want to use a vacuum to get rid of all of the dirt that has built up on the surface; Werner recommends using one that’s handheld, or the upholstery attachment, making sure to get the entire surface (including the sides).
“The vacuum will suck up lingering dead skin cells, dust, lint, furry pet hair, dust mites, and any crumbs from snacking in bed,” he says. You’ll want to get in the practice of doing this at least four times a year with the changing of each season to get the most out of your mattress in the long run.
When it comes to treating deeper issues with your mattress, such as stains or odors, you might need to do more than just vacuum. But don’t go too far with your cleaning. For example, never soak your mattress in water or use heavy-duty cleaning products that contain bleach or ammonia especially if you have a memory foam mattress. Instead, Werner recommends using a natural enzyme cleaner, using a spray bottle and lightly applying it directly to the affected area to help naturally break down the stain or any odor.
Or, you can also use these two alternatives that Werner suggests:
Dishwashing Liquid: “Old-fashioned dishwashing liquid and water can be used as well,” he says. “Be careful to only wet the surface around where the stain is. When using dishwashing liquid, mix it in a bucket with water to form a very bubbly, foamy mixture on top. Take a clean sponge and only dip it into the bubbles as to not soak in the solution. Begin from the furthermost area of the stain and work towards the center of it, scrubbing lightly in a circular motion.”
Vinegar: This is a great option to remove a stubborn odor. Werner recommends filling a spray bottle with a solution, made up of a ¼-cup vinegar mixed with ¾-cup water. Then, spray and scrub the affected area in a circular motion.
If you’re dealing with a particularly stubborn stain that has soaked in your mattress, this may require a deeper cleaning. In this scenario, Werner advises pressing down on the mattress as you scrub. This will allow the cleaning solution to get into the core of the stain and remove it.
The final step is letting your mattress dry; you don’t want to allow for the accumulation of any bacteria or mold due to a damp mattress, so it’s important to let it dry if you’ve had to treat it. While sunshine is an easy and free solution, it’s not always feasible. Thankfully, Werner has some suggestions on how to get around a lack of sunshine.
“You can use baking soda as a soaking agent, as well for additional odor removal,” he says. “Sprinkle it on any wet spots and let it stand for about an hour or until it completely clumps up the dampness. Then vacuum it up.” He also spotlights blow dryers as a solution for drying damp areas, though advises to use its medium setting and not let it linger too long over one spot.
The Best Products to Clean Your Mattress
Below are a list of products you can use when cleaning your mattress.
1. Handheld Cordless Vacuum
We previously highlighted this top-rated handheld vac’s ability to clean the interior of your car, but the truth is it can also give your mattress a deep clean as well. Best of all, it’s lightweight (only 2.4 pounds) and has a whopping 16-foot long power cord. In other words, no need to fret over finding an outlet. Boasting a 106-watt motor, you’ll have all the power you need to suck up surface-level dirt, germs, as well as any dust mites.
2. Nanoskin Enzyme Cleaner
Natural enzyme cleaners, like this one, are recommended to use when treating tough mattress stains (grass or muddy paw prints, just to name a few) and/or odors. We recommend this 16-ounce spray bottle for easy application, though it also comes in larger sizes should you need to stock up. Bonus: You can also use it to treat stains on your dirty rugs or other pieces of furniture, too.
Buy: Nanoskin Enzyme Cleaner $8.99
3. Conair Extremesteam
Garment steamers are fantastic for cleaning not just your clothes, but mattresses too. By holding the steamer closely to the mattress fabric (but still far enough that it won’t cause a drip) you can penetrate the surface and kill hidden dust mites. Once you’re finished, use your vacuum as a finishing touch.
This steamer from Conair is quick and efficient, with four different steam settings to best fit your need. For cleaning your mattress, we recommend going with the low setting so you don’t cause damage to your mattress. Several accessories are included; the delicates bonnet (used for fine fabrics) especially comes in handy when you’re looking for a lighter touch.
4. Arm & Hammer Baking Soda Shaker
As a general rule of thumb, baking soda is something that should always be on hand for cleaning purposes. This shaker is especially useful for making sure you don’t overdo it with the application when refreshing your mattress. Instead, you can dispense a liberal amount on your bed as you attempt to get rid of a nasty stain or odor. Best of all, it’s sold in a pack of six so there’s no need to worry about running out any time soon.
Buy: Arm & Hammer Baking Soda $11.94
5. Amber Glass Spray Bottles (Two-Pack)
If you’re going to go with the vinegar solution or another cleaning formula, it’s important to remember you never want to soak your mattress when you’re cleaning it. To ensure you’re not applying too much, we recommend keeping your mixture in a spray bottle like these, thanks to their mist feature; the mist feature allows you to tread carefully when applying the mixture to your mattress.
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