You’ll probably spend about a third of your life inside of it
And most folks know little to nothing about what lives inside their mattress.
Mattress deep cleaning might just be the most avoided chore of all time. Yet its importance can’t be overstated when it comes to sleep quality, allergy relief, and your overall health. Luckily, it’s easy to fix!
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- What’s Actually Living In Your Mattress?
- Why Do People Avoid Mattress Deep Cleaning?
- Warning Signs Your Mattress Needs Cleaning
- How To Deep Clean A Mattress Step By Step
- When To Hire The Pros For Mattress Cleaning
What You Don’t See Inside Your Mattress…
Wait ’til you see what hides inside most mattresses!
Your mattress contains heat, moisture from sweat, and dead skin cells that people shed every night. That’s basically a welcome sign for dust mites and allergens to move right in…and reproduce rapidly.
Dust mites are arguably the most irritating intruder found in mattresses. Why? These microscopic organisms devour shed skin and flourish in humid environments. With feeding grounds this rich, dust mites burrow their way into mattress fibers. And that’s where regular vacuuming fails to reach.
And that’s why deep cleaning your mattress properly is so important.
Skimping on mattress deep cleaning by simply vacuuming your sheets or flipping your mattress every once in a while just won’t cut it. To really deep clean your mattress, especially if your mattress is years old, call in a professional mattress cleaner service. They know how to extract those unwanted organisms hiding in the fibers of your mattress.
Having said that…knowing what’s hiding inside your mattress and how you can take care of it yourself really does make a difference between cleanings.
Why People Avoid Mattress Deep Cleaning
The truth is…
If you can’t see it, it can be easy to forget it’s even there.
Dirty dishes in the sink and crumbs on the counter are visible problems. When was the last time you looked inside your mattress and saw dust mites? Unlike other household messes, whatever is lurking inside your mattress won’t jump out and say “Hey! Clean me!”
And that’s precisely why folks tend to skip mattress cleaning. There’s no reminder every time you lay your eyes on it. So it gets pushed further down the priority list. Sometimes for weeks. Sometimes for years.
Long story short? Your mattress keeps getting dirtier with zero reminders of how dirty it may actually be.
By the Numbers: How Dirty Can Your Mattress Really Get?
Take a look at these facts…
Dust mites: Researchers estimate there could be anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million dust mites lurking around in your old mattress. Yup. You read that right. Dust mites not only feed off the dead skin inside your mattress, but their droppings are a leading cause of allergies like sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, and asthma.
Bacteria: Researchers also found up to 16 million colonies of bacteria per square inch on the surface of an average 7-year-old mattress. Yep. That mattress you’ve had for a while is five times dirtier than one that’s only been in your home for a year. And they also found bacteria strains that can cause illnesses such as E. coli and Staph infections.
Don’t forget to sweat. Sweat is a huge contributor to dirty mattresses. The average person will produce over 26 gallons of sweat that seeps into a mattress each year. After 10 years, a mattress can actually double in weight just from dead skin cells, dust, dust mites, and sweat absorbed.
Then there’s allergy sufferers. 80% of people who suffer from allergies are allergic to the proteins in dust mite droppings. That means if you’re sick every time you crawl into bed at night, your mattress could be the problem.
Signs Your Mattress Is Ready For A Deep Cleaning
Still not sure if it’s time to give your mattress a deep clean? Keep an eye out for these tell-tale signs:
- Morning allergy symptoms like a runny nose and itchy eyes.
- Skin irritation/rashes that seem to show up after spending the night in bed.
- A persistent smell coming from your mattress.
- Visible stains that don’t come out after pre-treating the area.
- Nighttime allergy and asthma symptoms that get worse.
If you’re experiencing any of these issues, now is the time to deep clean your mattress.
Deep Cleaning A Mattress: Step By Step
Now for the nitty-gritty of how to properly deep clean your mattress.
While you don’t need any fancy equipment to deep clean your mattress, there are certain steps you’ll want to take to ensure you do it right.
Step 1: Strip Your Bed & Wash EVERYTHING
First things first. Remove all bedding from your bed INCLUDING your mattress protector and pillowcases. Be sure to wash all bedding in hot water (ideally temperatures over 140°F) to kill dust mites and bacteria at the source.
Step 2: Vacuum The Mattress
Next, grab your vacuum with a HEPA filter and run it over the entire mattress. Be sure to include the sides and seams of your mattress. You want to suck up any surface level dust, dead skin, and debris before you deep clean.
Step 3: Spot Treat Stains
If you notice any stains, apply an enzyme-based cleaner to the affected area. Remember when we said sweat is one of the largest contributors to dirty mattresses? Enzyme cleaners break down organic matter, like sweat, urine, and blood. Apply it by lightly dabbing the cleaner onto the stain. Blot as needed. Avoid scrubbing or saturating the mattress with too much liquid.
Step 4: Sprinkle On Baking Soda
Grab some baking soda and sprinkle it liberally all over the surface of your mattress. Let it sit for several hours. The longer you allow it to sit, the better. Overnight works best. Afterwards, vacuum up the baking soda. This will neutralize any odors and absorb any excess moisture.
Step 5: Air Out Your Mattress
Allow your mattress to air out in the sun if possible. Prop your mattress up near an open window or somewhere that it can get direct sunlight. Sunlight and airflow will help disinfect and dry out any lingering moisture.
Step 6: Add A Mattress Protector
Last but not least, fit your mattress with a waterproof mattress protector. It offers an extra barrier between you and your mattress. Additionally, washable mattress protectors make cleanings way easier down the road.
You should deep clean your mattress at least twice a year.
Mattress Cleaning: When To Call The Professionals
At-home mattress cleaning will work wonders for surface level dirt and dust. However, there will be some cases where that just won’t be enough.
Say you have serious mold growth, set in smells, or have had some pesky pet accidents. That’s where professional mattress cleaning and steam treatment comes in handy. The hot steam used by professionals kills dust mites, bacteria, and mold deep within your mattress without the use of chemicals.
It also wouldn’t hurt to schedule professional cleanings post sickness, if you have severe allergies, or when moving into a house with an unknown mattress history.
Time For Bed: Final Thoughts On Mattress Deep Cleaning
Here’s a quick recap.
Inside your mattress lives dust mites, bacteria, sweat, dead skin cells, allergens, and many other unwelcome things. And for the most part, you can’t see it.
When it comes to cleaning your mattress, it’s more than just keeping it smelling fresh. Properly cleaning your mattress is key to ensuring you and your family are sleeping in a clean and healthy environment.
Remember…
- Strip the bed and wash bedding in hot water.
- Vacuum your mattress with a HEPA filter.
- Spot treat stains with enzyme cleaner.
- Sprinkle baking soda on the mattress and vacuum it up.
- Air your mattress out.
- Use a waterproof mattress protector going forward.
- Schedule professional cleanings for stubborn dirt and grime.
Cleaning your mattress is so much more beneficial than you may think. Don’t wait until you see stains or smells. By then, your mattress has been dirty for years!