How to Clean a Mattress

Cleaning and caring for your mattress can help to extend its overall life expectancy and promote an environment that is less inviting to bacteria, microbes, bed bugs, and dust mites. Different mattress types will require a different cleaning measure, but most mattresses can be cleaned relatively easily.

One important point to keep in mind whenever you want to clean your mattress is that moisture and high humidity levels are not friendly elements to the materials with which most mattresses are designed. Whatever approach you use, try to use as little liquid as possible, as once liquid absorbs into the interior of a mattress it can cause problems that will be much more difficult to rectify than a simple stain. Here is a basic guide on how to effectively clean a mattress.

• Invest in a mattress cover - A protective mattress cover can help to prevent unwanted debris, dust particles, liquids, and other molecules from collecting on the surface of the mattress. This will prevent the mattress from deteriorating or staining, and will extend the length of time you will need before having to clean it again. There are many different kinds of mattress coverings available and they are designed with different materials, many of which are impermeable and very easy to clean.
• Vacuum your mattress - One of the most effective ways to clean your mattress is to periodically vacuum it with a strong suction vacuum cleaner. This will remove most of the dust particles that tend to collect along the mattress's surface (an ideal environment for dust mite growth) and will also remove debris, dirt, and any other unwanted particles. Most importantly of all, vacuum cleaning will not require the use of any liquid detergents, so the mattress will remain completely dry and no liquid will be absorbed into surfaces as is often the case when cleaning with other commercial cleaning products.
• Apply a commercial upholstery cleaner - If your mattress becomes very dirty and develops staining, you might have to use a liquid detergent or commercial cleaner of some sort. Upholstery cleaners are designed specifically for the softer fabric sections of furniture like living room sofas or recliners. Remember that whenever you use a liquid cleaner you should always use as little as possible and make sure to dry the mattress immediately after. This will minimize any water from being absorbed into parts of the mattress that will be difficult to dry. Try cleaning your mattress in this way only on particularly sunny days. This will enable you to quickly take your mattress out into the sun where it can dry naturally immediately after it has been cleaned. Alternatively, you can use a fan or even a hair dryer to dry out the parts of your mattress that have been cleaned with liquid detergents section by section.

In conclusion, of the wide range of methods available to clean your mattress, the most effective are those that employ as little moisture as possible. You can prevent your mattress from requiring regular cleaning altogether simply by purchasing a mattress cover. When you do need to clean your mattress with liquid-based cleansers, make sure to dry your mattress as quickly as possible.