Eco-Friendly Ways To Clean Your Mattress

You just purchased a high quality mattress, but most people don’t think of cleaning it until they happen to spill something on it.  However, Consumer Reports and many mattress manufacturers recommend deep cleaning your mattress at least twice a year.  While using chemical cleaners will do a great job, they might not be the healthiest option. Fortunately, there are eco-friendly ways to clean that mattress and even remove stains.  Though the Sleep Foundation recommends replacing mattresses every six to eight years, caring for yours may well extend its lifespan.

Get rid of dirt and dust mites

When giving your mattress a cleaning treatment, of course, the first thing to do is vacuum both sides thoroughly. Use the crevice tool to clean the dust out of any seams or quilt stitching. If your top is quilted, this may take a while but is important, as dust and crumbs tend to settle and stick in those quilting seams. The seams also make a good hiding place for dust mites. They are too small to see with the naked eye, but they definitely are there, feeding on the dead skin cells that everybody sheds. These cells tend to collect on mattresses and can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Vacuuming the top every time you change sheets won’t take long and will go a long way towards keeping dust, dust mites and allergens at bay.  But if it starts to loosen up quilting threads, consider other options.

Flip the mattress

After cleaning, it’s recommended that most mattresses be rotated top to bottom at least twice a year. This works well with a six-month cleaning schedule.  Most modern mattresses are not designed to be flipped as in the past.  Flipping and rotating will not position any sagging sections in the same place, so it does help.

Banish oil and protein-based stains

To get rid of oil-based stains, scrape off any surface excess. Sprinkle on cornstarch and let it soak up the substance for half an hour.  Scrape up or brush off the powder and vacuum. Another natural cleaner that gets rid of stains is a mix of baking soda, salt and water.  Leave it on for half an hour, wipe with a cool, damp cloth, then dry with a fan or blow dryer.

Meanwhile, even protein-based stains such as blood, sweat and urine stains can be removed with eco-friendly cleaning methods.  The stain should be towel-dried if damp.  Dab it with a mixture of water and dish soap but try not to get the spot too wet. If the stain is still there, try a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water, working it into the stain with an old, soft toothbrush.  Allow it to dry and repeat if needed.  You can also sprinkle the stain with powdered oxygen bleach, then spray with water.  The bleach will form bubbles that lift the stain.

Getting rid of acid-based stains and odors

Stains caused by substances such as red wine or tomato sauce can be cleaned with baking soda.  Coat the stain with the soda.  The stain will gradually change to a pale gray.  Dampen a cloth with vinegar.  Use this to dab the area until the stain fades away.  To chase away bad odors, try baking soda to freshen your mattress.  When changing the sheets, sprinkle on the soda all over.  Then do other tasks for a few hours before vacuuming the mattress.  You’ll be surprised at the difference.

Giving your mattress a deep, regular cleaning keeps it smelling fresh.  It also keeps the mites and dust down.  While vacuuming you may also discover new stains.  Using eco-friendly cleaners ensures you won’t breathe in chemical residues while you sleep.  With all the time you spend on your mattress, isn’t it time you gave it a little care?