Since a mattress is a significant investment, you want to ensure that it lasts—which means understanding how to clean a mattress. Mattresses can store dust mites, dead skin, dirt, and other debris, so they should be cleaned on a regular basis—especially if you suffer from allergies, have pets, or are a nighttime snacker.

The good news is that cleaning a mattress is significantly less difficult than you may imagine. Continue reading to learn the nine simple steps to keeping your mattress clean and ready for years of napping. Here are some excellent suggestions for taking proper care of your mattress and some pro tips for mattress cleaning so you can sleep easy.

1. Gather your mattress cleaning supplies

To deep clean a mattress, you’ll need certain materials on hand. Collect:

• A vacuum with an upholstery cleaning attachment
• An enzyme cleaner or dish soap to remove stains
• Laundry detergent
• Baking soda
• Fresh cleaning cloths
• Cold water

2. Strip the bed and wash all the bedding

Before you begin mattress cleaning, you should strip your entire bed. Remove the sheets, pillowcases, and mattress covers and wash them in the washing machine while you clean the mattress. All bedding should be washed in hot water to kill off any dust mites and bacteria. You may be able to wash your pillows as well, depending on the type. (Confirm the care label)

3. Vacuum the mattress

You want to start with vacuuming your mattress to remove large dirt particles and debris. Begin by using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner, and go over the whole surface of the mattress. Don’t forget about the sides of the mattress, because they are as important as the top. Pay close attention to seams and use the crevice attachment to remove any concealed debris or dust.

4. Spot-clean your mattress with a stain remover

After vacuuming, it’s now time to concentrate on getting stains out of the mattress, which entails spot-cleaning. Never soak your mattress or apply a cleaning solution to it directly. Memory foam, for example, isn’t meant to get wet. For that reason, it’s important to proceed with caution and operate on the principle that less is more.

When spot-cleaning, you want to use a good stain remover. The stain remover you choose will be determined by the type of stain as well as the type of mattress. Use an enzyme cleanser to remove biological stains. Blot the stained area with a clean, white towel after spraying it with the cleaning solution. Dab the stain with a clean towel dampened with cold water until it disappears. The idea here is to use the least amount of product and moisture possible. This procedure is good for removing blood, perspiration, vomit, pee, and other stains.

As an alternative to an enzyme-based cleaning, you can make your own DIY solution by combining dish soap and water and applying only the foam to the stain. You can also combine cold water and hydrogen peroxide in equal parts for another cleaning solution.

5. Sprinkle baking soda all over the entire mattress

After the vacuuming and spot cleaning has been completed, you can now move onto the next step; freshening your mattress. If you are unable to expose your mattress to sunlight and fresh air, baking soda is the next best thing. Sprinkle a layer over the top of the entire mattress and set aside for a few hours (or better yet, apply before an overnight trip). The longer you can leave baking soda on the mattress, the better! Baking soda will neutralize the acid and absorb any remaining moisture or odour. Open any windows in the room to let light and sunshine in while the mattress sits with the baking soda. UV rays from the sun will actually help eliminate any mold or bacteria on the mattress.

6. Vacuum again

After the baking soda has done its job, vacuum it thoroughly. (If you have a fabric headboard, this is also an excellent time to vacuum it! Might as well get a fresh start with everything bed-related.)

7. Flip the mattress

Now that the first side is clean, flip the mattress and repeat steps 1-5 until both sides are equally fresh and clean. Of course, whether you’re deep cleaning the mattress or not, flipping should be done on a regular basis. (Try flipping your mattress every 3 months – or more often if you notice sagging.) Consistent mattress flipping will help the mattress wear more evenly and last longer. As mattresses get more specialized, your best bet is to check with the model manufacturer. (For example, the foam Casper mattress just needs to be rotated 180 degrees every few months, but Duxiana’s Dux mattress merely needs to be flipped and turned.)

8. Protect the mattress

Once your mattress has been completely cleaned, it’s time to protect it. Once entirely dry, cover your new mattress with a mattress protector to make future cleaning easier and to protect it from spills, grime, and other annoyances (i.e. bed bugs). It has been proven that mattresses with mattress protectors last longer than those without.

Going along with protecting your mattress includes keeping dust, food and bacteria away from your mattress. Using fitted sheets that are washed on a regular basis and keeping the area around the mattress clean should protect it from dust. Wrapping mattresses and box springs with mattress encasements, prevents dust mites from taking up residence. This is especially important for those who suffer from allergies or asthma.

Call a professional for help

Cleaning your mattress yourself can be difficult and time consuming to do on your own. If you have a busy schedule, don’t neglect cleaning your mattress. Instead, hire professionals to do the job for you. For Mattress Cleaning Guelph, our team can remove stubborn stains and bacteria deeply embedded in your mattress. Our Guelph mattress cleaning services are the best around!