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Your bed is a sacred place. It’s your haven of rest at the end of each and every day. It has to be a comfortable, clean place.
Keeping your bed free from germs and dirt takes just a little proactive effort. In this article, we’re going to cover what you need to know to ensure good sleep in a fresh, clean environment. We’ll explore why cleaning your mattress is important, and we’ll also go over some easy, practical things you can do to keep your bed in top shape.
Ready to learn everything you need to know about mattress maintenance? Let’s dive in.
Why Mattress Maintenance Matters
There are several nasty things that could be lurking in your mattress. Everything from dust mites to bacteria to bed bugs.
Assuming you keep a reasonably clean home, it’s likely you don’t give much thought to regularly sanitizing your mattress. If you don’t have bed bugs, it must be okay, right? Maybe. But maybe not.
Consider this. Lab tests have found bacteria—including Staphylococcus aureus (the bacteria responsible for staph infections) and E. coli—in mattresses that are less than 10 years old. That means even a mattress well within its usable lifecycle could still be in dire need of deep cleaning.
Keeping Your Mattress Clean
If your mattress is a potential breeding ground for bacteria, what do you need to do to ensure it’s as clean as it is comfortable? The best thing you can do is stop the spread of bacteria and other harmful substances before they start.
Here are six ways you can do that.
1. Control Moisture in Your Home
As months and years pass, your mattress will gradually absorb moisture in the air around it.
If you notice a damp feel or smell in your home, invest in a dehumidifier to help control those moisture levels. You can also help protect your home from mold and bacterial growth in the process.
2. Consider the Temperature While You Sleep
Sweat is one of the top reasons things like bacteria develop in a mattress. Keep your home cool and dress comfortably to avoid sweating at night.
To keep things energy efficient, consider using a fan to cool the room instead of bumping the thermostat too low. You can also try different fabrics to help you feel more comfortable.
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3. Replace Bedding and Sheets as Needed
Are your sheets showing signs of wear and tear? Even small holes or rips can allow particles to transfer to your mattress. Also, buildup can occur on your bed linens over time, even with regular washing.
Replace your sheets as soon as you notice damage or residue that can’t be removed.
4. Limit Unnecessary Messes in Your Bed
Do your pets crawl into bed with you at night? Maybe you enjoy eating a snack in bed before you drift off to sleep. It can also be a convenient place to change a diaper in a pinch.
There are numerous ways you could be inviting unnecessary messes into your bed and onto your mattress. To be safe, try to make your bed a space just for sleeping.
5. Change and Wash Your Sheets Often
Most experts agree that you should remove and wash your bedsheets once a week to protect your health and prevent unwanted smells. Otherwise, bacteria, dead skin cells and germs can accumulate and transfer to your mattress.
Over time, this can lead to excessive staining and odors, so keep your sheets clean.
6. Invest in a Mattress Protector
Even if you take care to keep your bed clean, accidents can happen. To ensure your mattress is safe from damage, invest in a mattress protector to keep dust mites, allergens and moisture out.
Then you’ll only need to wash or replace the cover instead of your entire mattress.
Simple Mattress Maintenance
To keep your mattress in great shape for years to come, add these tasks to your home cleaning routine.
Flip Your Mattress
Some mattress styles are designed to lay only one way. If you have an adjustable mattress or one with a pillow or memory foam top, you shouldn’t try to flip it.
However, some traditional styles can benefit from a flip every six months. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions before you do anything. And always get help from another adult.
You can make this part of your spring cleaning checklist to help you stay on schedule.
Rotate Your Mattress
While some mattresses can’t be flipped, most can be rotated 180 degrees. This helps ensure even wear. Rotating your mattress can also prevent moisture or stains from building up in one spot.
It’s important to lift and turn rather than drag the mattress across your bed frame. Dragging your mattress can damage it.
Once again, enlist the help of another adult to make sure you don’t hurt yourself. Plan on rotating all your mattresses every three months for best results.
Treat Mattress Stains and Spills Immediately
If there’s a spill, take action right away. Start with a water-safe vacuum to extract as much liquid as possible.
Next, make the following mixture:
- 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide
- 1 tablespoon clear dish soap
- 1 tablespoon salt
Apply a thin layer over the stain and allow it to dry completely. Vacuum again or dab with a clean cloth dipped in hydrogen peroxide to remove any remnants.
Make sure you check your manufacturer’s warranty, instructions and warnings first.
Vacuum Your Mattress Often
Your bedsheets only provide so much protection. Plus, dust and debris can transfer from your dirty sheets to your mattress when you change the linens. So it’s a good idea to vacuum your mattress every time you change the sheets.
Gently give your mattress a once-over with a vacuum attachment before putting on fresh linens.
Deodorize Your Mattress With Baking Soda
Every time you rotate your mattress, you can give it a little extra deodorizing protection with baking. This will keep it smelling fresh and clean.
Sprinkle a thin, even layer over the entire surface. Let it set in for about ten minutes before vacuuming thoroughly.
Schedule a Professional Mattress Deep Cleaning
There are multiple spots in your home that need a deep cleaning from time to time. Your mattress is not different. But without the right tools and techniques, you could damage your mattress.
A professional can provide a thorough deep clean—far more thorough than the average homeowner could accomplish on their own. Even if you’re vigilant about home maintenance, regular professional clean is important.
We recommend a professional deep clean about once a year.
Make Mattress Maintenance a Priority
A clean, fresh mattress is the perfect foundation for a good night’s rest.
Granted, you’re probably not looking for more chores to add to your to-do list. But mattress maintenance isn’t something you want to skip. Not only does it keep your mattress functional for longer, but it makes your home healthier, too.
Frequent cleanings and a few regular maintenance habits will keep your mattress in great shape for years of use.
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