Using a mattress protector as well as frequently cleaning your mattress, pillow, sheets and linens is essential to maintaining a hygienic sleeping environment, and getting the best night’s sleep possible.
Our mattresses are exposed to a number of different particles, from pollen to debris, dust and more. Like any item in the home, your mattress needs to be regularly cleaned to ensure it keeps you healthy, both mentally and physically, for years to come.
So, how often should you clean your mattress and what’s the best way to ensure your mattress, and your sleeping environment, are as healthy and hygienic as possible? Read on to find out.
How often should you clean your mattress?
For most of people, we recommend doing a deep clean of your mattress at least once every six months. However, you may need to clean your mattress more frequently if you suffer from allergies or have pets at home — for example, once every two to three months.
Did you know?
Failing to keep your mattress clean and free from stains may void your mattress guarantee, as it poses a health and safety risk for our staff if it’s returned for inspection or repairs.
If you’re not sure where to start, these four tips will help you rid your sleeping environment of anything that may affect your sleep:
- Wash and air your bedding regularly. We spend anywhere from 49 to 63 hours on our sheets per week, so it’s important to clean them as often as possible. Aim to clean your bedding linens once every fortnight (or once every week if you experience night sweats), and wash your pillow and duvet every three months.
- Keep the air circulating. Try to keep air circulating in your house whenever possible by opening windows or using an air conditioner, investing in a dehumidifier, and sealing off any leaks in your home. This will help remove any lingering smells and also prevent a build-up of mould and mildew.
- Don’t forget about your furry friends! We love our pets, but pet dander? Not so much. Pet dander is made up of tiny particles that have been shed from animals with fur — and it’s one of the biggest triggers of allergic reactions such as sneezing, itching or hives. Wash your pets regularly and keep them off the furniture as much as possible, in order to reduce the amount of dander in your house. Don’t forget to vacuum the house regularly as well!
- Pop a hypoallergenic mattress protector on your mattress. These keep your mattress free of stains and reduce exposure to dust mites, microbes and other allergens.
Want to know more? Here’s how to clean your mattress: a step-by-step guide
1. Start by stripping the bed and washing your bed linens
Remove all of your sheets, pillowcases, mattress covers or protectors, duvets, and pillows and give them all a thorough clean. Make sure to read the care instructions on the label before putting anything in the wash, as different types of materials have different cleaning requirements.
Tip:
If you have asthma or allergies, experts recommend washing your linen in hot water (above 55 degrees) to get rid of dust mites and pet dander.
2. Check for stains
If your mattress is stain-free, then the remaining cleaning process is fairly simple and straightforward. However, if you do find stains, you’ll need to tackle them quickly to ensure your mattress remains clean and odour-free for years to come (more on this in step 4).
3. Gently vacuum your mattress with a soft brush attachment
Most vacuums come with a special attachment that’s designed specifically for cleaning mattresses. Check that the attachment is clean, then vacuum the entire surface of the mattress — paying extra attention to any corners or nooks and crannies to ensure you get any dust mites or other particles. It’s especially important to be gentle when cleaning, as being too rough or careless with vacuuming could damage the mattress fabric, and pull or loosen the stitching.
This is also a good opportunity to vacuum under your bed and rotate your mattress.
4. Spot-clean mattress stains
If you do spot any pesky stains, it’s best to try and remove these as soon as possible. Spot-clean stains with a stain remover — in this case again, the type of remover will depend on your individual mattress’ care instructions. Put the stain remover onto a cloth, then gently blot the stained area until the stain lifts.
Don’t soak your mattress or apply a cleaning solution directly on it, as it may damage the comfort layers or spring unit and void your guarantee. If stubborn stains still aren’t budging, it may be time to call a mattress cleaning professional.
5. Air your mattress
Once you’ve finished vacuuming and cleaning your mattress, it’s time to air it. The best solution is to put your mattress under a window that gets direct sunlight and leave your windows open. This lets the fabric breathe, while the sun helps to kill bacteria or mould.
If you live in an apartment building or can’t put your mattress in the sun, try sprinkling baking soda over your mattress. Use anywhere from half a cup to the entire box (depending on the size of your mattress), then let it sit for a few hours or even overnight if it’s possible. Once the baking soda has worked its magic, vacuum your mattress thoroughly again, then put the sheets back on.
6. Try to do quick cleans on a regular basis
In addition to a deep clean, the best tip for how to keep your mattress clean is to add a quick clean every time you change your sheets and linens. Gently vacuum your mattress to eliminate any particles or dust mites that have accumulated.
7. Keep your sleep environment clean
When it comes to getting a decent night’s shut-eye, creating a healthy and hygienic sleep environment is just as important as having a clean mattress. Keeping your bedroom clean will keep dust and allergens at bay and prevent them from affecting you during sleep. Refer back to the four tips at the start of this article.
