The best ways to clean your mattress
We spend around a third of our lives in bed, yet how many of us take the time to really clean our mattress? Here we have some tips for getting rid of everything including stains, crumbs, dirt, and dead skin.
- Always use a washable mattress protector; it gives your mattress the first line of defence. Clean on a hot wash weekly when you wash your sheets.
- Wash your sheets, pillowcases and doona cover weekly on a hot wash. Add a dash of vinegar to your wash to help keep them soft.
- Turn your mattress over every couple of months.
- If you have an upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner, give your mattress a thorough once over every month.
- Clear up spills right away before they have a chance to set. Things like a spilled drink can quickly turn mouldy which can lead to illness down the track.
Tips for removing common stains:
Blood
Work fast with this one. Grab a cake of soap and wet under cold water. Remove any excess water and then rub the soap on the stained area then scrub with a scrubbing brush. Now sprinkle on some talcum powder and leave until it goes fluffy. Brush it off and the marks should be gone.
Urine
Soak up as much as you can with paper towels or cloths. Apply some bicarbonate soda, which will help to draw the urine up. Leave for three hours before vacuuming up.
Liquid
Cups of tea, glasses of water…all of these liquids can leave stains on your mattress. First of all get as much of the liquid as you can with a towel or paper towel. Then spray or drip hydrogen peroxide over the stained area. Dab gently with a soft cloth.
Related links:
How to make your own cleaning wipes
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