You probably spend between six and eight hours a night in bed, but how often do you clean your mattress? Learn how to clean your mattress and keep it in tip-top condition with these easy tips.
How often you should clean your mattress
Buying a good mattress, such as the Highgrove Beds Grange Ortho 1000 Pocket Sprung Natural Fillings mattress, is something of an investment. You should give it a deep clean at least twice a year to keep it fresh. The best times to do this are spring and autumn. Of course, if you spill anything on your bed at any time, you should clean it straight away to prevent stains.
Deep clean your mattress: step by step
1. Get your cleaning supplies together
Make life easier for yourself by gathering all the cleaning supplies you need before you start cleaning your mattress. You’ll need:
- A vacuum cleaner with upholstery and crevice attachments
- Laundry detergent
- Dish soap or an enzyme cleaner for stains
- Baking soda
- Cleaning cloths
- Cold water
2. Strip your bed and wash your bedding
Remove your duvet cover, pillowcases and sheets and launder them in your washing machine while you clean your mattress. If possible, wash your bedding at a higher temperature to get rid of any dust mites that might be living in it, but you should always refer to the specific care instructions on your bedding. At this stage, you should also remove your mattress protector and mattress topper.
3. Vacuum your mattress
Using a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment, vacuum your mattress’ entire surface as well as the sides. Be sure to vacuum the seams thoroughly. Use the crevice attachment to remove hidden dust or dirt.
4. Spot-clean your mattress
After vacuuming your mattress, it’s time to work on getting rid of any stains – and the best way to do this is by spot-cleaning. Remember to never apply cleaning solutions or water directly to your mattress, and to never soak it. Some mattresses, such as those made from memory foam, shouldn’t get wet at all. Read your mattress’ care instructions on how to clean your mattress before spot-cleaning, and remember, less is more!
Make an easy homemade alternative to an enzyme-based cleaner by mixing dish soap and water. Apply the foam to the stain by dabbing the stain with a clean white cloth. Use a different cloth to apply cold water to the stain by dabbing it until the stain is gone. Alternatively, spray an enzyme-based cleaner onto a clean white cloth and follow the same steps.
5. Sprinkle baking soda on the mattress and vacuum again
If you can’t air your mattress outside in the sunshine, sprinkle a layer of baking soda over the entire top surface and leave it for a few hours (the longer, the better). The baking soda will absorb moisture and odours. Later, vacuum up the baking soda on your mattress. If you have a fabric headboard, vacuum it as well.
6. Flip your mattress
Flip your mattress over and repeat the previous steps so both sides are nice and fresh. Don’t wait until the next deep clean before flipping your mattress. Check the care instructions to find out how often you should flip it. A good rule of thumb is to flip spring mattresses every three months.
7. Put a fresh mattress protector and bedding on your mattress
When you’ve completed these steps, it’s time to put on a clean mattress protector and fresh linen. A mattress protector will protect your mattress from dirt, spills, bed bugs, and other things that could affect the quality, hygiene, or lifespan of your mattress, and will make it easier to clean in future.
Shop top-quality mattresses
Depending on your mattress, you should aim to replace it after 6 to 8 years. If you’re noticing signs of wear and tear and your mattress is no longer giving you a comfortable night’s sleep, it may need replacing. Refer to our mattress buying guide and view our range of best-selling mattresses at Fishpools.