Mattress stains are not the most pleasant topic, but if you want to know how to clean your mattress, we’ve got to talk about them. We’ll show you some easy household solutions for how to remove even the most pesky dirty spots.
How to Clean Mattress Stains: Do I Really Have To?
Yes, you do, and the reason is simple. Your mattress is gross. Think about it:
- You sleep on your mattress every night. You sweat while you sleep. Moisture penetrates through bed sheets. Enough said.
- You are constantly shedding hair and skin cells. If you spend eight hours in one place (like on your mattress while you’re sleeping), that stuff will start to build up. Like we said, gross.
- Do you ever eat or drink in bed? We thought so.
If you find yourself less than enthusiastic about the idea of buying a new mattress every year, it’s a good idea to clean your mattress regularly: that means at least once a month. Sorry.
How to Clean Your Mattress: Dry Method and Wet Method
Dry Method
Are you trying to figure out how to clean your mattress without much effort? You can get away with this if your mattress stains aren’t especially bad.
- To get rid of loose dirt, brush off and vacuum your mattress once a month.
- Two or three times a year, sprinkle baking soda on your mattress and leave for about five hours, then use a vacuum to clear the powder away. Baking soda is particularly effective against sweat stains.
Wet Method
Here’s how to clean mattress stains that are particularly nasty:
- Did you just spill red wine in your bed? Don’t wait to clean it! The quicker you act, the easier it will be to remove the stain.
- For tough stains, mix baking soda with water to make a concentrated paste. Scrub onto the stain and allow to work in for at least thirty minutes. The water will evaporate, leaving the dry baking soda behind. Vacuum this up and allow to air-dry completely before putting your sheets back on.
Cleaning Your Mattress Cover
The easiest way to clean your mattress cover is to remove it and throw it in the washing machine. Be sure to wash your mattress cover with hot water to make sure that any dust mites meet their end.
Tip: Instead of fabric softener, try using two tablespoons of white vinegar: it’s cheaper, better for the environment, and will produce the same (if not better) results. Read more about the benefits of washing your clothes with vinegar.
How to Clean Mattress Stains: Lemon Juice
Lemon juice and salt form a great cleaning agent that is especially effective against:
- Urine stains
- Blood stains
- Fungus
Here’s how to clean your mattress using lemon and salt:
- Rub salt onto dried stains.
- Drop several drops of lemon juice onto the salt and let sit for at least one hour.
- After one hour, scrub the stains with a brush and rinse well with water. If the stains are especially bad, repeat until completely removed.
Tip: To help prevent the growth of fungus, be sure to regularly air out and turn over your mattress.
This article has been translated from German to English by Christie Sacco. You can read the original version here: Matratze reinigen: Tipps und Hausmittel gegen Flecken
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