How to Clean a Mattress
Everyone likes a clean mattress. Here are some tips to keep your mattress fresh and clean from one year to the next.
Air it out
In times past, people literally took their mattresses out and aired them in the spring sunshine. That is still a good idea today. Spread some plastic out in the backyard and haul your mattress out for a nice long stay in the sunshine. Give it at least three or four hours for the sun and the wind to do their role. Airing out helps to remove some of the stale odors that tend to be trapped in the fibers of the mattress.
Dealing with a Stain
One of the most effective ways to deal with a mattress stain is making up some dry suds. All you need is some dry laundry detergent, a little water, and a hand mixer. Put a half-cup of the detergent in a mixing bowl, and slowly add warm water, one teaspoon at a time. Mix the combination as you add the water. What you will end up with is a frothy substance that is moist but not wet. Grab one of the peaks of foam and spread it on the mattress stain. Use a sponge or a soft brush to gently work the froth into the stain. The stain should begin to fade as you rub. If the stain is still there when you rub off all the foam, then top it off with a little more and repeat the process. If the area feels a little damp to the touch, try it with a blow dryer or allow the mattress to air dry in the sun before you dress the bed.
Vacuuming the Mattress
In between spring cleanings, vacuum your mattress. When you remove the bedding and the mattress pad for washing, take advantage of the time to run the vacuum over the surface of the mattress. This will help keep the mattress from building up a lot of trapped odors and also will remove any stain causing agents that may have found their way between the mattress pad and the mattress top.
When All Else Fails…
If the stain is so set in place that you can’t remove it, then you have two choices. You can try a professional cleaning agent that is formulated especially for mattresses. Unless the stains have been allowed to set for a long time, this should work when nothing else will do the job. You can also try an over the counter upholstery cleaner, such as the spray foams made for olefin fiber upholstery. These usually require that you spray them on, work them in, and then let the cleaner dry to a fine dust that you can then vacuum off the mattress.
What if Everything Fails?
If you have tried everything and the stain is still there, then you have two options. First, put on a clean mattress pad and try to forget the stain is there. Second, dump the mattress and buy a new one. Depending on what caused the stain, the second option might be the best choice to make.