How and when to clean the mattress?

This involves not just washing the sheets! With the global pandemic in full swing, we tell you how to thoroughly clean your bedspread and mattress and make it germ-free

Wondering how to properly clean your bedroom mattress? What products to use that don't damage it? We know for a fact that mattresses are invaded, like blankets and duvets, by annoying mites and microorganisms. But how should one bust the bugs?

If the situation is extreme, for example if someone with a highly contagious disease has slept on it, there are specialised companies that use ozone or ultraviolet rays to clean the mattress. But if you simply want to keep it in good condition, there are several homemade tricks you can employ.

Prevention is Better than Cure

Use a good mattress protector that you can wash once a week. This will help you avoid many of the daily stains. Do not make the bed until an hour or two after waking up and leave the window wide open during that time so that the ventilation removes the mites from the surface. Shake all the sheets daily so the mattress breathes a little.

Frequency of Wash

If it is a child's bed or if you are especially careful with hygiene, we recommend that every month you sprinkle the bare mattress with a little baking soda and, before placing the clean sheets, vacuum it well. If this is not your case, a deep cleaning every six months should be enough.

How to Clean the Mattress at Home

For cleaning at home, start by choosing a night when you are not going to sleep on that mattress. Once the sheets are removed, sprinkle (again) baking soda all over the surface, cover it with a plastic sheet, and let it sit overnight. The next morning, remove the plastic and vacuum it well. Then mix a tablespoon of liquid laundry soap with a litre of water and rub it in circles with a sponge or cloth.

Do this last step only if your mattress supports it. There are some brands where the mattress can even be dry-cleaned. Stains should be removed with the help of a dry absorbent cloth. Brush the surface at the softest speed, to avoid causing damage.

How to Remove Stains?

Every household has their own tricks but these are a few common and effective solutions:

If it is dry blood: Pour a few drops of hydrogen peroxide directly on the mattress, wait for it to bubble and then clean with a cloth.

If it is sweat, urine or vomit: Eliminate the odour with lemon water and rub with a damp cloth soaked in white vinegar. If it doesn't work, try baking soda and warm water to form a kind of paste that you cab apply on the surface for a few hours.

To eliminate mould or humidity: Put the mattress out in the sun for several hours and then vacuum it.

If natural products do not help, use detergent and water to directly attack the dirty area. Try not to soak anything other than the surface so as not to damage the mattress fabrics, especially if it is memory foam.

If the stains still do not come off, use upholstery cleaning products, the strongest but also the most effective. Do not abuse them because they are usually toxic.