It is a normal routine to change and clean our sheets weekly, but what about the mattress underneath? Dust mites target the soft, absorbent fabric of a comfortable mattress, and these unsavory insects can accumulate by the thousands. Their waste has potent allergens that can cause eczema, sinus-related conditions, and respiratory difficulties.
Well, dust mites are just one problem to count. A dirty mattress has accumulated assorted impurities. A dirty bed can interrupt a goodnight's sleep, especially if you have sensitive skin or nose. The best way to keep the mites away is to eliminate the unwanted dirt. Making sure that you can thoroughly clean your mattress regularly is also of great help.
Here are the steps on how to clean your mattress the right way:
Step 1: Wash the Linens
To start, clean the sheets using a washing machine. It is too impractical to clean a mattress if it's just going to be covered with the same dirty bedding. Every bed necessities such as sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and comforters should be washed thoroughly to eliminate dirt and kill off any lingering dust mites including its eggs. Consumers recommend drying the beddings on high heat is also effective to kill unwanted bacteria living on the depths of your bed stuff.
Step 2: Vacuum
Use the vacuum. This step will need a high-powered vacuum with an upholstery attachment. Don't use an ordinary vacuum that is meant for ordinary household cleaning only. For best results, use a vacuum that can go over every square inch of the mattress. Don't forget each corner, edges, and piping.
Step 3: Remove the stains
It's really hard to make those unwanted stains vanish. Examine each part of the mattress and spot any visible stains. Many effective solutions can do the trick including conventional upholstery cleaners. Effective homemade solutions like mixing a teaspoon of mild dish detergent with a cup of warm water are good to get rid of easy-to-remove stains. For more stubborn stains, mix 3 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide with 2 tablespoons of liquid dish soap. Use a toothbrush and apply your mixture to the mattress surface. Scrub forcefully to loosen the stain. Finally, use a clean absorbent cloth to wipe away any remaining solution.
Step 4: Use Baking Soda
Baking soda works wonders. Apart from cooking purposes, this will remove the bad odor of the mattress and leave it smelling fresh. For a super dirty mattress, a full one-pound box of baking soda can eliminate the foul smell. There's no specific rule for how long the baking soda should remain on the mattress. But spreading it to the area and leaving it for one hour before vacuuming is what most people do. It may also be necessary to leave the baking soda on the mattress for the whole day. Actually, it really depends on how long it's been since the mattress was last cleaned and how much odor it accumulates within that period. Rest assured baking soda can help.
Step 5: Vacuum (Again)
For one last time, use the vacuum to clean your mattress. Once the baking soda eliminated the odor, use your upholstery attachment to suck up the powder residues. At this point, the bed is ready to give you a profound sleep.
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