Experts recommend How to Deep Clean Your Mattress Quickly and Easily / Good Housekeeping to clean your mattress every 2-3 months. The logic here is simple: you spend at least 7–8 hours a day on the mattress. One way or another, dust, dead skin cells, sebum, sweat, and other liquids get on it. This can result in untidy yellow, gray or brown stains on the upholstery. Even if there are none, it’s worth cleaning the mattress: dust mites, which can cause allergies, thrive in such an environment.
What types of cleaning are there?
Mattresses are cleaned using dry (vacuum cleaner, brush, mitt for removing wool and hair) and wet (manual or machine) methods. At home, they use a powerful extractor (washing vacuum cleaner), a Karcher steam generator, and a Kirby multifunctional unit. Dry and wet dry cleaning of mattresses is also possible with removal to a dry cleaning shop. Special stationary equipment provides deep dry (waterless) or water cleaning with subsequent disinfection, impregnation, and drying in accordance with GOST.
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Rules for cleaning mattresses and fillings of various types
Cleaning products and technologies are selected taking into account the type of upholstery, padding, insulation, and filling. Before work, read the labeling on the product to prevent the use of unacceptable care methods.
With buckwheat husk and other natural fillers
The natural filler should not become damp during cleaning. Such mattresses can be cleaned independently at home with minimal moisture using foam from:
- laundry soap;
- neutral washing powder;
- liquid textile detergent;
- dishwashing gel.
The foam is applied with a clean sponge or brush and gently cleans particularly dirty areas. In 10 minutes. Remove it with paper towels, wipe with a well-wrung out cloth, and dry in a ventilated area. You can remove an unpleasant odor from a mattress by sprinkling it with baking soda or salt - substances with absorbent properties. After an hour, the powder is collected with a vacuum cleaner.
Orthopedic
It is not recommended to clean multi-layer mattresses made from different materials yourself. Entrust this work to specialists from a specialized company - this will save your money, nerves, and time.
IMPORTANT! Stains on flock upholstery should be gently dissolved by covering with a damp cloth. Then blot with a clean paper towel or absorbent cloth.
Coconut
Sleeping areas filled with coconut coir should be vacuumed once a week. The mattress cover should be cleaned with a damp sponge and Vanish active foam. There is no need to wet the product. Punching through a slightly damp cloth is allowed.
Polyurethane foam
Study the product labeling. Typically the manufacturer only allows dry (waterless) cleaning.
Spring blocks
Mattresses with independent or dependent spring blocks are cleaned in the same way as orthopedic ones. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and choose acceptable care technologies. Vacuum your sleeping area regularly and remove stains immediately.
Tips for keeping your mattress clean
To extend the life of orthopedic products and keep them clean, you must adhere to several rules:
- annually take it outside for ventilation;
- change bed linen once every 2 weeks, beat out and vacuum the mattress, and also clean the bed frame;
- purchase a high-quality cover that prevents the penetration of various contaminants onto the surface and inside the mattress;
- If traces of mold are detected, immediately treat with ethyl alcohol or vinegar;
- Before cleaning the product, carefully study the manufacturer’s recommendations located on the label.
Important! It is recommended to entrust the removal of complex contaminants that cannot be cleaned independently to specialists.
Cleaning a mattress is a labor-intensive and delicate task. Only with the right approach can you get rid of stains and unpleasant odors, as well as extend the life of the product.
How to remove blood from a mattress
The blood must be removed immediately, then it will be easier to deal with. Once it has dried and its components have penetrated deeply into the structure of the textile fibers and filler, it is much more difficult to remove the stain.
IMPORTANT! Stains on flock upholstery should be gently dissolved by covering with a damp cloth. Then blot with a clean paper towel or absorbent cloth.
Fresh stains are easier to remove. You have to tinker with the old ones longer, clean them with different means, in several stages.
How to remove fresh blood stains from a mattress
The most effective folk remedies for removing blood from a mattress are listed below:
- Boric acid. Treat the stain with a cotton pad soaked in a pharmaceutical solution of boric acid. After 15-20 minutes, blot off any remaining liquid with a paper towel.
- Laundry soap. Rub a piece of laundry soap on a grater or plan it with a knife. Dissolve the shavings in cold water. Beat the soap solution into foam. Apply it to the stain with a clean sponge or microfiber cloth. Rub and blot with a paper towel. Repeat the procedure until the blood disappears.
- Ammonia. One tablespoon of a 10% aqueous solution of ammonia is mixed with half a glass of cold water. Moisten the blood stain and leave for 5 minutes. Then you need to blot the treated area with disposable towels. Remove the stain in several steps.
- Baking soda. Porridge from 1 tbsp. spoons of baking soda and the same amount of cold water are applied to the stain. After half an hour, collect it with a damp cloth and dry it with paper napkins.
- Sea salt. Salt is used in combination with mineral water. Moisten the stain with water, then sprinkle with salt. Leave for several hours. To complete the cleaning, remove any remaining salt with a vacuum cleaner.
- Lemon acid. 1 tablespoon of salt is mixed with lemon juice or a small amount of citric acid solution in water. The resulting paste should be applied to the stain and left for 40-60 minutes. Finally, the cleaning agent is carefully removed.
- Ammonia. Take a tablespoon of ammonia for half a glass of cold water. Wet the mattress pad, cover it with several layers of clean cloth or disposable paper towels, and press it on top with a small weight. After half an hour, wipe the mattress with a well-wrung out damp cloth.
- Ethanol. It is better to remove grease stains with ethyl alcohol rather than blood stains.
- Aspirin. Grind an aspirin tablet and dissolve it in a glass of sparkling mineral water. Treat the blood stain with the solution. After half an hour, scrub with a soft brush. Finally, use a clean cloth to wipe the area where the dirt was.
- Hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide (a ready-made solution purchased at a pharmacy) is applied to the blood-stained area of the mattress using a cotton swab. Ideally, the liquid should begin to foam and hiss. With such a reaction, there is a chance that peroxide will decompose the blood into simple components. Repeat the procedure several times until the stain dissolves.
- Sea or table salt. Mix two tablespoons of table salt, one each of potato starch and hydrogen peroxide. Apply the resulting mixture to the stain and let dry. wipe with a clean cloth. Usually 2-3 procedures are enough to ensure that no trace of blood remains. Fresh small stains are removed with salt water. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of cool water. Pour into a spray bottle and spray the stain. Use a clean sponge or rag to wipe off the blood. Clean from the edges to the center. Dry with a paper towel and let the fabric dry completely.
How to remove old blood stains from a mattress
- Boric acid. Wear protective gloves, soak a cotton swab in boric acid, and treat the dried blood stain. Be prepared to have some tinkering. Don't have the time or desire for such experiments? Are you afraid of ruining your expensive mattress? Call the company CLEAN EVERYTHING, call a specialist at any convenient time.
- Laundry soap. The crushed soap should be dissolved in a small amount of cold water, beat the soap solution into foam. Gently apply it to the stain. Make sure it is well hydrated. You need to soak the hardened area of the textile, but you can’t get it too wet, so as not to dampen the mattress filling. Blot with a paper towel, apply foam again, and scrub with a sponge. Get wet. Repeat until the stain is completely removed.
- Ammonia. Apply a solution of 1 tbsp to the dried blood stain. spoons of ammonia in 100 ml of cool water. Cover with several layers of paper napkins, press on top with some object. Remove the paper after 30 minutes and wet the disaster area again. Repeat until no trace remains of the stain.
- Lemon acid. Citric acid (an aqueous solution of a crystalline substance) or natural lemon juice disinfects and discolors. They can remove old dried blood. Be prepared to repeat the procedure many times: moisten the stain;
- wait 15-30 minutes;
- get wet.
- Eco-friendly, suitable for caring for children's things, hypoallergenic “Eared Nanny”.
About detergents and stain removers for removing blood stains
Specialized companies use special products for working with blood stains. As a rule, they do not exist in a regular retail chain. Products are purchased by dry cleaning companies to fulfill orders.
Professional cleaners:
- Stain & Odor Remover – a product for removing stains and odors from mattresses. It has a powerful formula that is harmless to people and pets. Before use, you should test on a small area of the mattress, protect your eyes from contact with the drug.
- Nature's Miracle Stain & Odor Remover is a stain and dog odor remover for waterproof surfaces with a pleasant citrus scent.
- DuftaPet is an odor eliminator with plant enzymes.
How to remove cat urine from a mattress
Above we have listed effective means for eliminating unpleasant odors. Their formulas cope with the strong ammonia “aroma” of cat urine. There is a multi-step method that completely removes odor. It was invented to combat the liquid released by a skunk in moments of danger. So:
- blot the urine with paper towels, or better yet, sprinkle with absorbent for cat litter boxes (bentonite, zeolite);
- spray with a solution of vinegar in water (163), cover the area with a paper towel, be sure to let it dry completely;
- sprinkle with baking soda powder;
- Sprinkle the baking soda with a mixture of 100 ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, the same amount of cold water, and 1 tsp of dishwashing detergent.
Leave for 3 hours. The reaction will break down the smelly components of urine into volatile gases.
How to remove baby urine from a mattress
Children's urine is removed from the mattress:
- foam from crushed laundry soap and water;
- double (with an interval of 30-40 minutes) irrigation from a spray bottle with undiluted lemon juice
- with a cloth generously moistened with vodka and left on the stain for half an hour.
Cleaning yellow spots yourself
Buy a stain remover or Vanish active foam. The preparations contain chlorine and have a slight bleaching effect. If you are looking for a way without extra costs, here it is:
- prepare a mixture of 1 teaspoon of water and dish gel, add 1 tbsp. l white vinegar, 2 tbsp. l baking soda;
- Apply the well-mixed mixture to the stain, rub with a sponge, and leave for 15 minutes;
- wipe with a damp cloth;
- blot with a disposable towel.
How to remove old yellow stain?
Removing any old stains, not just yellow ones, is a task for professionals, not amateurs. Want to try to remove them? Try:
- Chalk (1 teaspoon), water (200 ml), glycerin (4 teaspoons) are mixed, shaken, applied to a light cloth. After half an hour, wash off with a damp cloth and dry.
- Ammonia (50 ml), 3 tbsp. l potato starch, 1 tbsp. Mix liters of table salt and apply the paste onto the yellow stains left from blood stains. Let the cleaner dry and scrape off with the blunt side of a knife. Wipe with a damp cloth.
- Take starch (2 tablespoons), salt and hydrogen peroxide 1 tablespoon each. spoon. Apply the resulting paste to the yellow spot. Leave until completely dry. Remove any residue with a microfiber cloth.
- Corn starch and hydrogen peroxide in a 2:1 ratio are mixed and spread on the yellowed mattress pad. After half an hour, collect the remaining mixture and wipe with a damp cloth.
How to remove a fresh urine stain?
- Water. It will cope with fresh pollution. Wipe the stain several times with a clean damp rag, after collecting the urine with paper napkins and towels.
- Washing powder. Apply a synthetic detergent diluted in water and whipped into a foam with a clean sponge onto the urine stain. Wipe with a damp, clean cloth.
- Lemon juice and baking soda. The substances will help if you mix them in equal proportions, apply to the stain, leave for 60 minutes, and then wipe with a damp cloth. The substances will help if you mix them in equal proportions, apply to the stain, leave for 60 minutes, and then wipe with a damp cloth.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Prepare a stain remover. Pour 1 tablespoon into a bowl. l. washing powder (or dish detergent), half a glass of soda, add about 1 liter of water. Stir until a homogeneous solution is obtained.
- Pour the solution into a spray bottle or moisten a rag generously and treat the mattress.
- Apply a layer of soda about 1 - 2 mm thick over the entire surface. Leave to dry for 12 hours.
- After drying, remove the soda with a vacuum cleaner.
From household stains
The most common stains on mattresses, after blood and urine, are sweat, tea, coffee, red wine, juice, and grease. Dry cleaning professionals handle everything easily and effectively. Do you like to experiment with cleaning home textiles and furniture yourself? Read the advice of experts from the company CLEAN EVERYTHING on removing household stains from a mattress.
How to remove coffee stains
Dissolve 1 teaspoon of ammonia in 200 g of cold water. Clean the stain with the mixture, leave for 5 minutes, wipe with a damp cloth.
How to remove wine stains
Add a layer of table salt; it will absorb the liquid into the crystals. Vacuum up the salt and wipe the mattress cover with a soapy sponge and then with a clean rag.
Removing stains from colored drinks
Right before cleaning, in a spray bottle, mix 80 ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide, purchased at the pharmacy, and 1 tbsp. spoon of baking soda. Mix well by shaking. After the baking soda has dissolved, add a couple of drops of liquid dish soap to the mixture. Active foam is ready. Apply it to the stain and leave for 5-7 minutes. You can dry the solution with a hairdryer. Collect the remaining soda with a vacuum cleaner.
Grease stains from food
Remove food fats from the mattress with a cotton pad moistened with ethyl (edible or medical) alcohol.
Traces of decorative cosmetics
Carefully remove them with a cotton swab moistened with alcohol, without spreading them over a larger area.
Ink stains
Make a solution of citric acid (10 mg per 200 ml of water) and apply to the stain. Old ink is removed with substances containing active chlorine or dry cleaning is used.
Nail polish
Blot the stain with a napkin and collect as much polish as possible. Apply acetone or nail polish remover to a cotton pad and gently rub the stain.
Wax
Scrape off the wax (paraffin) with the blunt side of a knife blade. Place the blotting paper over the wax mark and iron, barely touching the paper. The melted wax will be absorbed into it. If the stain remains, take it to a dry cleaner.
Glue
Water-soluble glue is removed with a cloth and soapy water. You can try to remove synthetic ones with gasoline or white spirit. This method does not guarantee complete purity. You may need to call a dry cleaner.
Chewing gum
The stains are frozen with ice or food from the freezer placed in a clean bag. When freezing, chewing gum, remnants of adhesive tape, and plaster become fragile. They can be removed mechanically with the blunt side of a knife. Remove stains with gasoline and acetone.
Dry cleaning services
If you are unable to deal with the stains on the mattress yourself, you need to contact a dry cleaner. The price depends on the complexity of the work and the area of contamination.
Approximate prices:
- 1-bed mattress on one side – from 1000 rubles;
- 1.5-sleeping mattress on one side – 1250 rubles;
- 2 sleeping mattress – 1400 rubles;
- Euro mattress – 1700 rubles;
- children's product - 850 rubles.
The advantage of going to a dry cleaner is that the stain will be completely removed from the mattress, and its upholstery will be disinfected with hot steam. Masters carry out work from home, at a time convenient for clients.
How to remove mold from a mattress
If the mattress is very moldy and has a damp smell, the only way to save it is to have it professionally dry cleaned and taken to a workshop. One spot can be removed with sunlight or an ultraviolet lamp. It is advisable to keep the mattress in the light for several days. And yet, the best option is professional dry cleaning. Otherwise, you will breathe air saturated with mold spores, which is dangerous to your health.
Prevention
Let's share proven tips that will help the mattress stay clean longer and be suitable for use for as long as possible:
- An excellent prevention against dust mites in a mattress is to wash bed linen at least twice a month.
- Try to make your bed not immediately after sleep, but after it has ventilated a little from natural body odor.
- If the mattress does not have a clear top and bottom side (this is typical for orthopedic ones), then do not forget to periodically turn it over several times a year. This will protect the product from wear and tear of the cover fabric and will not allow the filler to cake. Also, do not forget to change its position from the head to the feet and vice versa.
Please read all mattress labels and instructions carefully before cleaning.
- Use mattress covers, special bedspreads and linings that will additionally protect the item from contamination.
- Make it a rule to thoroughly vacuum your mattress at least once a month.
- Try to give up such a cozy habit as eating in bed. Food crumbs are a fertile environment for bacteria.
- If the mattress filler is cotton wool, coconut shavings, synthetic padding, then such a mattress should be periodically ventilated in the fresh air and in the sun. The same applies to monoblock latex mattresses.
A mattress cover will help you avoid unnecessary problems.
That’s all we have collected useful on the topic “How to wash a mattress.” We will be very glad if our advice helped you successfully remove dirt and keep your item clean and fresh.
What not to do
There are several such rules:
- do not remove blood with hot water;
- do not rub the stain, but make blotting movements - up and down;
- do not press on the mattress when cleaning so that dirt and cleaning agents do not leak deep into the filler;
- Do not clean the mattress without testing the cleaner on an inconspicuous area.
IMPORTANT! Stains on flock upholstery should be gently dissolved by covering with a damp cloth. Then blot with a clean paper towel or absorbent cloth.
