Mattress Cleaning & Maintenance Tips

A mattress isn’t one of those things that you normally get excited about, but it’s an investment. And if you’re going to put down that much money for a mattress, you need to keep it clean. 

But how do you possibly clean something this large and awkward? Well, we’ve figured it out for you! Just follow the steps below to clean (and maintain) your mattress for years to come.

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How to Clean Your Mattress

I know you don’t want to hear this, but your mattress isn’t as clean as you think. It’s full of dead skin, dust mites, dirt, and debris. Not only is that nasty, but if you’re someone who deals with allergies, it can be a serious nuisance to your quality of sleep.

Here’s how we tackle mattress cleaning:

1. Gather Your Supplies

You don’t need much to clean your mattress. But you do need the right supplies. This isn’t a situation where you can swap out one supply for something else you have lying around. 

These ingredients and tools are purposefully chosen to clean your mattress without damaging it (USA) (Canada)

• Vacuum with an upholstery attachment (or use your carpet vacuum in a pinch) (USA) (Canada)
• Tide® powdered laundry detergent
• Baking soda
• Cleaning cloths
• Cold water
• Peroxide (if you have blood stains)

2. Strip the Bedding

Remove everything from your bed and lay the mattress bare. This includes comforters, sheets, pillowcases, mattress covers, etc. Toss everything into the washing machine for a clean while you deal with the mattress. Furthermore, bedding should be washed in hot water to help get rid of any of those dust mites that are lurking around.

3. Vacuum Away!

Now for the fun part. Grab your vacuum, insert the upholstery attachment into the wand, and cover every square inch of your mattress. This includes all the sides and seams. If you’re having trouble reaching any area, use the crevice attachment to suck up stubborn dust or dirt.

4. Spot Clean (If Necessary)

If you notice any stains, now’s a good time to spot clean. The type of mattress and the type of stain will dictate how you clean, so be sure to read your manufacturer’s recommendations (if you can find any). See this article for our best stain hacks.

5. Sprinkle With Baking Soda

Once you’ve removed any stains, grab that baking soda and sprinkle it like fairy dust all over the mattress. Let it sit for several hours (or even overnight if you’ll be gone on a trip). The baking soda will break down and absorb whatever moisture or odor is left.

6. Vacuum (Again)

Once you’ve let the baking soda do its thing, vacuum it up. Take your time and work your way into all of the seams, sides, and crevices. We want your mattress to be fresh!

7. Flip & Repeat

Thought you were done? Not quite yet. Go ahead and flip that mattress over and clean the other side. And if your mattress manufacturer recommends regularly flipping your mattress anyway, this is a good time to keep the new side facing up.

How to Maintain Your Mattress

You should clean your mattress every few weeks. But you should also be committed to maintaining it. Doing so can help you get several extra years out of your mattress and prevent the need to go through the process of buying a new mattress (and getting rid of your old one). 

Here are some helpful tips for mattress maintenance:

• Make sure you have a sturdy bed frame/box spring for your mattress. Without proper support, your mattress won’t last nearly as long. Check every few months to make sure it’s still providing adequate support.
• Flip your mattress every three months (for two-sided mattresses). It’s also a good idea to rotate your mattress 180 degrees. This will prevent the mattress from becoming contoured to your body. 
• Wash your bedding at least once a week. And make sure to address any stains as soon as they appear. (Also, on a related note, stop eating and drinking in bed. It’s a recipe for disaster!)

Get a Copy of our Cleaning Guide

We have it available for purchase in hardcopy and ebook versions. You can also grab one of our checklists or calendars to make sure you never miss a corner of your home!

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