Mattress Cleaning and Sanitisation: Restoration Tips

Sleep; it’s crucial to health on all different levels. 

Enjoying a good night’s sleep is a critical element to physical and mental health. But over time, the very mattresses you sleep on will accumulate dead skin cells, sweat, and other bodily fluids, creating the ideal breeding ground for bacteria and dust mites – especially for mattresses that have been used for a while.

Deep cleaning your mattress can help to remove these pests and provide better quality sleep for your household. If you’re looking for DIY mattress cleaning tips and how to extend your mattress’ lifespan, read on to learn more!

 

Identifying a Mattress That Needs Cleaning

investigating bed for signs

Knowing the tell-tale signs of when you need mattress cleaning is the first step. By identifying factors which affect your sleep, you can be better prepared for the different kinds of mattress cleaning you need to focus on to get it back into shape.


Here are a few ways you can tell if your mattress needs a deep cleaning:

Visible Mattress Stains and Spills

Any noticeable stains, whether from liquids or food, are a clear indication of the need for cleaning.

Unusual Odours

A musty or unpleasant smell emanating from your mattress is often a sign of bacterial growth or trapped allergens.

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Allergies and Skin Irritations

If you experience increased allergies, skin irritation, or difficulty sleeping, your mattress could be a contributing factor.

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Decreased Sleep Quality

A mattress that is no longer comfortable or supportive can negatively impact your sleep quality.

How To Clean An Old Mattress - The Guide

Once you’ve identified the issues, it’s time to start getting your hands dirty with a little DIY mattress cleaning! Follow these steps to perform a thorough cleaning.

1. Preparing the Mattress for Cleaning

Remove all linens:

This includes sheets, blankets, pillowcases, and mattress protectors. Wash these items in hot water to kill any dust mites or bacteria that may have transferred from the mattress and dry them out in the sun or dryer.

Thoroughly vacuum the mattress surface:

Using a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment, thoroughly vacuum the entire surface of the mattress. Pay attention to seams and corners where dust and allergens tend to accumulate. This  step will remove loose debris and prepare the mattress for the next cleaning steps.

Remove all linens:

This includes sheets, blankets, pillowcases, and mattress protectors. Wash these items in hot water to kill any dust mites or bacteria that may have transferred from the mattress and dry them out in the sun or dryer.

Thoroughly vacuum the mattress surface:

Using a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment, thoroughly vacuum the entire surface of the mattress. Pay attention to seams and corners where dust and allergens tend to accumulate. This  step will remove loose debris and prepare the mattress for the next cleaning steps.

2. Tackling Mattress Stains

Identify the Stain:

Start by determining the type of mattress stain you’re dealing with. Common culprits include urine, blood, sweat, and food or drink spills.

Blot, Don't Rub:

 Always blot the stain with a clean, absorbent cloth to remove excess moisture. Rubbing can spread the stain and push it deeper into the mattress fibres.

Identify the Stain:

Start by determining the type of mattress stain you’re dealing with. Common culprits include urine, blood, sweat, and food or drink spills.

Blot, Don't Rub:

 Always blot the stain with a clean, absorbent cloth to remove excess moisture. Rubbing can spread the stain and push it deeper into the mattress fibres.

Create a Cleaning Solution:

Depending on the kind of mattress stain, you can use a variety of solutions. For urine and sweat stains, a mixture of white vinegar and water can be effective. For blood stains, hydrogen peroxide mixed with dish soap can work well.

Apply the Solution:

Gently apply the cleaning solution to the stain, avoiding oversaturation. Let it sit for a few minutes before blotting with a clean cloth. Repeat as needed until the stain is lifted.

Create a Cleaning Solution:

Depending on the kind of mattress stain, you can use a variety of solutions. For urine and sweat stains, a mixture of white vinegar and water can be effective. For blood stains, hydrogen peroxide mixed with dish soap can work well.

Apply the Solution:

Gently apply the cleaning solution to the stain, avoiding oversaturation. Let it sit for a few minutes before blotting with a clean cloth. Repeat as needed until the stain is lifted.

Baking Soda Power:

After treating the mattress stain, sprinkle baking soda over the affected area to absorb moisture and odours. Let it sit for several hours before vacuuming it up.

TOP TIP:


Don’t let mattress stains linger! Leave them for too long and it might become more difficult to remove. Consider using a mattress protector as a first line of defence over accidental spills.

3. How To Sanitise a Mattress

While a regular surface clean may seem enough, learning how to sanitise a mattress is a key move in keeping your bed in the best possible condition for a good night’s sleep. This kind of deep cleaning targets hidden germs, bacteria, and dust mites that can cause various issues like skin irritation and allergic reactions.

Here are some ways you can restore mattress cleanliness through sanitisation:

Alcohol Solution:

Mix equal parts rubbing alcohol and water in a spray bottle. Lightly mist the mattress surface, focusing on areas with potential contamination. Allow it to dry completely before adding bedding.

Hydrogen Peroxide:

Similar to alcohol, hydrogen peroxide is a highly effective disinfectant. Create a solution of equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water, then apply to the mattress using a spray bottle. Let it air dry completely.

Baking Soda:

While primarily an odour absorber, baking soda also has mild antibacterial properties. Sprinkle baking soda on the mattress, let it sit for a few hours, then vacuum up thoroughly.

Professional Mattress Cleaning:

For a deeper and more thorough sanitisation, consider hiring professional mattress cleaning services. These services often use specialised equipment and cleaning solutions designed specifically to kill microbes effectively.

TOP TIP:


Be sure to air-dry your bed after using any kind of liquid-based sanitising method. This is to prevent mould-growth due to lingering moisture that could be left behind in your mattress.

4. Other Ways to Maintain or Restore Your Mattress​

While cleaning is the cornerstone method in keeping your mattress in its best condition, some extra measures can be taken to ensure your bedding continues to provide the best possible sleep for you.


Here are some practical ways to maintain or restore your mattress:

Fluff and Air Your Mattress:

Over time, mattresses can become compressed. To restore its comfortability, gently fluff the mattress with your hands and allow it to air out on a sunny day. This helps remove moisture and reduce odours.

Invest in a Mattress Protector:

A mattress protector is the first line of defence to shield your mattress from spills, stains, dust mites, and allergens. It prolongs the life of your bedding and makes cleaning easier, so purchase a good quality mattress protector.

Fluff and Air Your Mattress:

Over time, mattresses can become compressed. To restore its comfortability, gently fluff the mattress with your hands and allow it to air out on a sunny day. This helps remove moisture and reduce odours.

Invest in a Mattress Protector:

A mattress protector is the first line of defence to shield your mattress from spills, stains, dust mites, and allergens. It prolongs the life of your bedding and makes cleaning easier, so purchase a good quality mattress protector.

Practice Good Sleep Hygiene:

To prevent excessive wear and tear on your mattress, establish good sleep habits. Avoid eating or drinking in bed to prevent mattress stains, shower before sleep to minimise sweat or oil transfers and purchase a pillow protector to keep your pillows clean and fresh.

Flip Your Mattress:

While it may sound funny, flipping your mattress onto its other side once in a while can help to prevent uneven sagging after sleeping on one side for a long time, prolonging its usage.

Practice Good Sleep Hygiene:

To prevent excessive wear and tear on your mattress, establish good sleep habits. Avoid eating or drinking in bed to prevent mattress stains, shower before sleep to minimise sweat or oil transfers and purchase a pillow protector to keep your pillows clean and fresh.

Flip Your Mattress:

While it may sound funny, flipping your mattress onto its other side once in a while can help to prevent uneven sagging after sleeping on one side for a long time, prolonging its usage.

Check your Bed frame:

Ensure your bed frame is sturdy and provides adequate support for your mattress to prevent sagging and potential damage.

Mattress Cleaning Equals a Healthy Life

Investing time and effort into cleaning and sanitising your mattress is crucial for maintaining a healthy and comfortable sleep environment. After all, mattress cleaning brings about healthy sleep, which in turn equals to a healthy life!

Let’s sum up the key steps for DIY mattress cleaning that you can do:

Start by removing the linens and vacuuming the surface

Clean off any mattress stains you can see visibly

Deep clean your mattress through sanitisation to remove microbes and dust mites

Adopt preventative habits to prolong your mattress life

Remember, a clean mattress is not just about aesthetics; it’s about protecting your health and well-being. Regular cleaning and proper maintenance will help you enjoy restful nights and wake up feeling refreshed.

WonderKlean - Professional Mattress Cleaning in Malaysia

If you’re concerned about the state of your mattress but don’t have any time to maintain it, consider looking for a professional mattress cleaning service like WonderKlean.

Professional mattress cleaners ensure that your bed is left in its best state possible, from removing visible mattress stains to utilising industry-grade cleaning equipment to deep clean mattresses at a microbial level.

What’s more, WonderKlean offers a flexible cleaning plan that allows you to pick and select the professional cleaning services you need for your home throughout the year, with mattress cleaning, aircon cleaning, and even washing machine cleaning!

Interested to learn more? Get in touch with our team today to learn how we can service you!
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