If done in the wrong way, sensitive things like mattresses can face serious damage. As we don’t want to spend a ton of money buying something already expensive, it’s always better to learn new ways. Hence, let’s discuss the easiest and effective ways to clean mattresses.
How To Disinfect A Mattress: 4 Ways You can do it
We would like to start by saying that you need to read the cleaning instructions for a mattress. This is because some of the mattresses are made of fancy materials that need special attention. Hence, don’t forget to read the cleaning label or instructions before starting any process.
1.Steam Cleaning
This is certainly one of the easiest ways to disinfect your mattress. However, we will suggest you start by vacuuming the mattress before you apply the steam. You will need to remove any mattress cover that might be present on it.
Now, take the handheld steamer and start from the corner. Make sure to keep the machine lifted from the mattress rather than soaking it in water. Use short bursts of steam all over it.
Make sure to turn the mattress and steam the opposite side. Do not forget the sides of the mattress while steaming it. Also, keep an eye on not getting the mattress soaking wet as it can lead to mold buildup.
Let the mattress stay in a well-ventilated area after the steaming is over. Feel the mattress to see that the whole surface is dry before proceeding to cover it with a clean bed sheet.
2. DIY Baking Soda And Vinegar Spray
Baking soda and vinegar can be a great recipe for cleaning most items present in our home. The acidic property of the substances helps to break down dust and grime along with the bacteria.Making this spray is very simple, and you can prepare it in minutes. Keep in mind not to use vinegar that has color as it may stain the mattress.
How to Prepare It
✔ 1/2 cup or 100 ml of white vinegar. ✔ 2 tablespoon baking soda. ✔ A spray bottle or mister. ✔ Tissue papers. ✔ Few drops of your favourite essential oil (Optional).
Firstly, you will need pour the vinegar using a funnel (or not) in the baking soda. The fizzing will start immediately, so let it subside before placing a few drops of essential oil.
Shake the bottle to mix the solution, and now you are ready to clean the mattress. Remove the bedsheet and start lightly spraying the mattress with the solution. Don’t get too close to the mattress, and make sure not to get it soaking wet.
Remember to cover the mattress, including the sides. Let it sit for 10 minutes and proceed to blot the surface with tissue papers.
Keep the mattress in a well-ventilated room and let it air dry for a few hours before you cover it up. You can also start the process by vacuuming the mattress to get rid of any dust.
3.Alcohol Disinfectant Or Aerosol Spray
This point may seem obvious, but people are yet to understand the magic of alcohol disinfectants. An easy way to disinfect your mattress is with the help of an alcohol spray. To make it even easier, get the alcohol aerosol sprays available in the market. We will recommend you get a spray meant for fabrics.
If you are using liquid disinfectants, then get a colorless product to avoid stains. First, check the alcohol content in the product, and it should be above 90%. Now, take a spray bottle or mister and place the disinfectant inside it.
Keep the room’s windows open while using this spray on a mattress. Start by vacuuming the mattress to get rid of all the dust. Now, proceed with spraying the mattress with either the alcohol spray or disinfectant.
Don’t be too close to the mattress, and make sure to wear a mask while doing this job. Next, spray all the surfaces of the mattress and let it air dry before covering it up. Do not forget to spray the sides and all the crevices of the mattress.
4.How to Disinfect a Mattress Using Sunlight
Sunlight is the best disinfectant available to us. Many people around the world use sunlight to dry their clothes or laundry. The heat and UV rays of the sun help to kill off dust mites.
If you have a backyard or an open terrace space, all you will need to do is to place the mattress on a bed sheet or a plastic sheet. Then, let the mattress soak in all the sun for an hour.
Vacuum the mattress on all sides. Finally, let the mattress soak in the sun for a few more hours before taking it inside.
It is common in Japan to air their futons in sunlight to limit the growth of mold. They also believe that this can energize their bedding and give them a better sleep. Try soaking your mattress in sunlight next time you want to disinfect it.
How to disinfect a mattress: Points to keep in mind
➤Remember to clean and vacuum the bed frame when you are disinfecting the mattress. Give extra attention to the corners as they usually gather a lot of dust.
➤ If you have failed to clean your mattress for years, go for deep cleaning rather than just disinfecting it.
➤Whenever you disinfect a mattress, make sure to do the same with your whole bedding. This should also include pillows, downs, and blankets.
➤While disinfecting your mattress, you can also remove any pre-existing stain. The best way to do so is by using a peroxide solution. Make a mixture of 200 ml of hydrogen peroxide and three tablespoons of baking soda.
Now, apply it to the stain and let it sit for a few hours. Take a damp cloth or tissue to blot it on the stain and let the mattress air dry for a while. Vacuum the mattress and the bed frame to get everything clean. Refrain from using this mixture on a memory foam mattress.
Why should you disinfect a mattress?
Even though surface transmission of certain viruses remains debatable, it’s always better to be prepared. One of the easiest ways to do so is by cleaning our environment. However, people are often stunned to know that they need to clean their homes.
We often carry the perception that our homes are clean spaces. People do spend a meticulous amount of time cleaning their homes and keeping them free from apparent dirt. But, some lurkers aren’t visible to our eyes.
A mattress is a thing that most of us don’t even think about. But, apart from vacuuming it, a mattress doesn’t get the pampering that it deserves. Hence, here are some reason to disinfect or simply clean a mattress:
A mattress needs frequent cleaning as it can hold a lot of dirt and grime. Even though our bed sheets can protect it from some amount of dirt, the dead skin never fails to accumulate on it. Most of us don’t bother to disinfect a mattress after recovering from an illness, but it is necessary. Therefore, we think it is crucial to disinfect a mattress every three or six months to keep it fresh and clean.
Are you planning to get a used mattress? If so, then you have to disinfect and clean it thoroughly before introducing it to your bed. Disinfecting the mattress will take out any dirt that might have been present on it. A deep clean for killing off bedbugs is also suitable for a used mattress.
Mattress cleaning is essential for those who live in a humid or stuffy room. Lack of sunlight in a room can create dampness that affects a mattress. Cleaning and disinfecting will help to alleviate the overall health of the mattress. It’s often recommended to frequently clean the bedding after monsoons or wet seasons.
Your health has to be your priority, and sleeping on an unclean mattress is simply unhealthy. Certain bacteria colonies may inhabit a mattress. It is a health hazard to regularly sleep on such a bed as it worsens your health in the future. Cleaning the mattress helps your kids from falling sick frequently. Did you know that dust mites can actually cause snoring? Yes, they do!
If you happen to have a pet, accumulation of dander on the mattress can increase allergy issues. Cleaning and sanitizing the mattresses regularly helps in keeping allergies at bay. This is especially important for households that have people with breathing issues.
These are a few of the things that you can do to disinfect and clean a mattress. The easy procedures on how to disinfect a mattress are going to make your life much easier, and they are cost-effective. Do make it a bi-yearly routine to clean your mattress to keep yourself healthier.
Jory Burns is outdoor lover and trekking enthusiast. He has been travelling for a decade now, and thus have managed to accumulate a lot of knowledge. He always carry a hammock, a sleeping bed and a tent with himself whenever he goes out for any destination.
