If you want to extend the life of your mattress, it is necessary to clean it regularly. It is a mistake to think that washing your bed linen is enough! The mattress also needs a good cleaning at least once a month, every month.
There are various products and techniques for disinfecting and washing your mattress. Here are some hints and tips!
What products to use to wash your mattress?
That depends on the condition of your mattress! Do you want to remove a stain? Do you need to disinfect it (ex.: due to bed wetting, pest infestation, etc.)? Does it need to be dusted? The product you choose will vary depending on the type of cleaning you need to do.
A few useful tips for cleaning a stain on your mattress:
- To remove a blood spot, rub with salt water.
- To remove a urine stain, use a little white vinegar and let dry.
- To clean a coffee stain, wash with white vinegar and alcohol (in equal proportion), rinse gently and let dry.
Here’s good advice for disinfecting a mattress:
- Every month, sprinkle baking soda on your mattress and let it rest about twenty minutes. Then clean it off with a vacuum cleaner. Don’t forget to do this on both sides of your mattress.
- Every two weeks, vacuum your mattress on both sides in order to remove the dust.
Make sure to keep in mind that water (in large quantities) and mattresses do not mix well. So you should avoid spraying your mattress and use a wet cloth instead. Otherwise, you may create moisture which is what attracts insects, including mites and bed bugs.
How to get rid of bed bugs?
Bed bugs are a very irritating problem since they usually hide in the seams and the folds of a mattress. To find out if your mattress houses any bugs, remove your bedding and make an inspection looking for insects, eggs or shell residues. People with this problem will suffer from bites and itching (mainly in the legs, the arms, and the back).
To get rid of them, you can use an over-the-counter insecticide (ex.: Great Value). However, very hot steam is known to be the most effective solution, because it kills the eggs. All you need to do is purchase a steam cleaner and the problem is solved!
In the case of an ongoing bed bug infestation, you can use a vacuum cleaner. Make sure however to close the bag tightly and to dispose of it immediately in the garbage. This will prevent the bed bugs from dispersing at your place (again) or at your neighbours.
If they persist despite all your efforts, consider calling a professional exterminator to prevent the problem from worsening.
Be careful in your choice of chemical cleaners
There are several cleaning products on the market designed to wash and disinfect mattresses. However, we advise you to read what follows to make the right choice. A cleaner containing unsuitable chemicals (phosphate, for instance) can have inconvenient side effects (skin irritation, respiratory problems, etc.).
As it can be difficult to choose among available products, we recommend that you lean towards ecological cleaners. These alternatives are usually healthier choices.
If you have any doubts on the product you want to buy, look for the “EcoLogo”. It is your assurance that the product is low in chemical compounds.
In addition, remember that the Option Consommateurs.ca website also offers useful information.
To avoid these problems in the first place, we always recommend the use of a mattress pad.