Tips and recipes on how to wash your mattress at home

The mattress and bedding must meet hygiene standards. Therefore, keeping them clean and fresh is the key to a comfortable and healthy sleep for a person.

You can clean the mattress both in dry cleaning and at home. Only for this one should know how to do it and how, depending on the type and degree of pollution.

For more information on how to wash a mattress at home, read the article.

What materials are they made of?

When choosing a way to clean a mattress, you should first of all focus on the type of filler.

Dry cleaning is shown in the following varieties:

• spring;
• with coconut filling;
• orthopedic.

For other products, dry processing is necessary as a preventive measure to maintain freshness.

Should I go to dry cleaning?

Anyone who intends to clean a mattress has a choice - take it to dry cleaning or do it on their own at home.

The first option is preferable if there are stubborn stains and a persistent unpleasant odor that cannot be dealt with with the help of improvised means.

It is not recommended to try to remove especially persistent traces with chemicals yourself., which include urine, rust and other stains of biological origin.

This can lead to large streaks on the fabric and increased odor. It is better to immediately contact the services of professionals, then there are more chances to return the mattress to its original cleanliness.

When the area of ​​contamination is too large, and the mattress's service life exceeds 5-6 years, then it is wiser to replace it with a new one. In such a situation, even professional help may not help, only time and finances will be wasted.

Orthopedic products are still difficult to clean, since they consist of several layers. (in the middle - springs or a latex plate, on the sides - synthetic winterizer, coconut, holofiber, foam rubber or a combination of different materials, on top - a fabric cover).

This layering causes the multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms inside. In dry cleaning, such a problem will be dealt with more productively.

What can you clean?

Household foaming gels, sprays and dry foam can effectively remove dust and dirt from the mattress. And also stain removers and various concentrated cleaners for carpets and upholstered furniture cope well with dirt on fabrics.

Most popular household chemicals suitable for cleaning mattresses:

1. Vanish, Shine, Cinderella, Selena - sprays.
2. Vanish - active foam, powder.
3. Nordland - foam.
4. Antipyatin - soap.
5. Dr. Beckmann - gel.
6. Udalix, MienLiebe - stain remover pencil.
7. Wait a minute, Cinderella - cream.

If preference is given to folk methods of cleansing, then you can use the following tools at hand:

• laundry soap;
• 3% hydrogen peroxide;
• pure alcohol;
• solvent or acetone;
• soda;
• salt;
• vinegar;
• borax;
• glycerol;
• ammonia.

Before choosing how to clean a mattress, you should decide on the nature of the pollution.

Step-by-step instructions for washing and cleaning from dust and dirt

Regardless of the type of mattress, when clearing it, you should adhere to a certain algorithm:

1. All linens are removed and sent to the wash. This should be done regularly, then the mattress will become less greasy.
2. Remove small debris and dust accumulations with a vacuum cleaner. A wider nozzle is used, and for hard-to-reach places, a special upholstery nozzle. For convenience, attach it to a flexible hose by removing the tube.
3. Remove existing stains before wet cleaning. The composition is selected depending on the source of pollution and the type of product. Most stains, even old ones, can be easily removed with oxygenated bleach.
4. Then the mattress is wet cleaned, if indicated. You can find out about this from the manufacturer's recommendations for leaving on the label.
5. At the end of the procedure, the product is ventilated so that moisture completely evaporates from it (on the balcony or by opening a window). Otherwise, a fungus dangerous to health will begin to develop in it, from which it will be problematic to get rid of it in the future. An alternative is the effect of ultraviolet radiation - the mattress is placed under the sun's rays.
6. Then baking soda is scattered over the surface of the mattress to eliminate the unpleasant odor and remaining moisture. After half an hour, they pass through with a vacuum cleaner.
7. Then a fresh mattress cover is put on the mattress and clean bedding is covered. Only preliminary inspect the product and make sure that there are no wet traces. Otherwise, mold is inevitable.

Cotton

After the final vacuuming, the cotton mattress can be steamed using a special device or iron with this function. Under the influence of high temperatures, it will be possible to kill pathogenic microorganisms and dust mites.

If the mattress is very dirty, then you will have to resort to wet cleaning, but you cannot completely wash it (the filler will roll).

How to clean a cotton-filled garment:

1. Pour warm water (about 40 ᵒС) into the container and add washing powder or liquid detergent with stain-removing properties.
2. A stiff brush is moistened in a solution and the product is treated from all sides. The more foam there is, the better - they try to use it with minimal surface moisture.
3. The remaining agent is removed with a dry cloth, then with a damp sponge and again passed with a dry cloth.Then leave the mattress to dry, preferably in the sun. To prevent cotton wool from crumpling, periodically beat the product with a carpet cracker.

Foam

Before you start cleaning a foam mattress, it is important to know that it bursts easily and changes shape when bent, squeezed and the water temperature is over 40 ᵒС. You can wash it, but only by hand.

Sequencing:

1. The product is laid out along the bottom and sides of the bath or on the street, spreading a tarp (if possible).
2. The cover is washed separately.
3. If the procedure is carried out on the street, then the mattress is knocked out of dust. At home, they resort to primary rinsing with a shower.
4. The moistened mattress is crumpled with hands over the entire area until the emerging water becomes clear.
5. Moisten again with water and apply detergent or dishwashing detergent. Begin to rub the surface vigorously until abundant foam comes out.
6. Leave the product in this state for 30 minutes, then wash it out of the shower (hose).
7. They put it on its side and wet it again after the water runs off. Again, they begin to intensively wrinkle with their hands to get rid of the main volume of water, and leave the mattress on its side to drain the rest.

Dry the foam mattress in a supine position outdoors, periodically turning it over.

Coconut fiber

Coconut litters are ideal for comfort and firmness. Such mattresses are non-allergenic, hygroscopic and with good air permeability, and also have antibacterial properties. With proper use, it can last at least 10 years.

The main thing is to adhere to the basic rules:

• stored, cleaned and transported only in a horizontal position;
• used indoors with humidity not higher than 70%;
• systematically ventilate and turn over.

Such products require dry cleaning using foam, powders or special pencils.

If spots appear on the surface, you should immediately blot them with a sponge, but do not rub... Apple cider vinegar copes well with organic pollution, and other improvised means from others.

On springs

It is recommended to periodically vacuum the spring mattress and wipe it with a damp sponge.

As a result, it accumulates in layers and over time appears as streaks on the surface. A spring mattress is easier to dry clean.

Orthopedic

Such products have a rather complex multi-layer structure, so cleaning the surface alone will not be enough. In this case, as with the spring option, it is best to seek professional help.

But you can give a few tips to delay this moment:

• the mattress is turned over every six months;
• vacuumed once a week;
• put on a protective cover;
• if stains are found on the fabric, use means for cleaning upholstered furniture.

The only way to remove unpleasant odors from an orthopedic mattress is to sprinkle it with baking soda and vacuum it after an hour.

Polyurethane foam

It is the most common mattress filler. They clean such products with a brush and a vacuum cleaner... First, the mattress is slightly moistened with a solution (1 teaspoon of ammonia is diluted in a glass of water), cleaned and left to dry.

Inflatable

The easiest option to clean... This is due to the fact that the inflatable mattress is not afraid of moisture and only gets dirty on the surface. So it is not difficult to clean it with the help of improvised and household tools.

Since such mattresses are afraid of sharp objects, the preparations used should not contain abrasive particles.

One way to cleanse:

1. 200 g of shavings of laundry soap (washing powder) are diluted in 1 liter of warm water.
2. The sponge is soaked in the resulting solution and the spots are treated until they disappear completely.
3. Leave the mattress to dry.

The stubborn traces are removed as follows: squeeze lemon juice onto them and sprinkle with salt. Then they begin to rub intensively with a brush.

Leave the product for 3 hours and wash off the remaining salt with a damp cloth. You can use a hairdryer to shorten the drying time of the air mattress.

How to get rid of stains?

You can clean problem areas on the surface of the mattress with the help of tools that are always available in the home. Only it is better to start the procedure as soon as possible so that the pollution does not have time to penetrate the filler.

Blood

Newly placed blood stains are treated from a nebulizer with an appropriate solution:

• in a glass of water, dilute 1 tbsp. l. salt or 100 g of baking soda;
• dissolve 1 tablet of aspirin in 200 ml of cool water;
• add 30 ml of dishwashing liquid to a glass of water.

Urine and excrement

Before you start cleansing the mattress from urine, you should remember that all methods are effective only if the traces are fresh.

Effective ways:

• process stains on the fabric with soapy water, blot with a dry towel and allow to dry;
• mix salt with lemon juice and apply to the problem area, then wait a couple of hours and wash off with a damp sponge.

To prevent such troubles, it is better to put a water-repellent cover on the mattress.

Mold

Mold and odor from it are eliminated in the following way:

• prepare a solution from water and isopropyl alcohol (1: 1);
• a mixture of borax (100 g), boric acid (50 g), white vinegar (150 ml) and water (1 liter) is heated to 70 ° C and applied to the spots;
• industrial chemicals.

Contamination of a different origin

Suitable methods for removing other types of stains:

1. Wine. Sprinkle the spots with salt (soda) and wait about half an hour. Then clean the surface with a vacuum cleaner. With persistent pollution, make a gruel from table vinegar and baking soda.
2. The juice. Combine 3% hydrogen peroxide (200 ml), soda (3 tablespoons) and any detergent (1-2 drops). Apply the gruel locally and after 10 minutes vacuum.
3. Coffee Tea... Fresh marks are removed with a napkin moistened with peroxide, ammonia or vinegar. Stubborn stains are removed with a solution of 30 ml of washing gel and vinegar (the same amount), diluted in 100 ml of water.

   Saturate the marks and leave for 10-15 minutes, then wipe with a damp sponge. Repeat the steps if necessary.

4. Marker, pen... It is effective to use pure alcohol or in combination with acetone (in equal proportions) or glycerin (1 tsp for each ingredient). To avoid streaks, start the treatment from the edge and move to the center of the spot.
5. Lipstick and other cosmetics... Alcohol will help get rid of lipstick. And the marks from the spilled nail polish are removed with a liquid to remove it.
6. Greasy stains... Fairy helps a lot - squeeze a little onto a cotton pad and rub the stain. You can use vodka, ammonia, or rubbing alcohol.
7. Glue, gum, scotch tape... Sticky traces are treated with ice cubes, then the hardened mass is scraped off with a knife. The wax and paraffin are removed by ironing them through a sheet of paper.
8. Soil, sand... Mix vinegar with water in equal proportions. With a sponge soaked in this liquid, gently blot the stain and then wipe with a dry napkin.

How to get rid of bad smell?

Even after cleaning and removing stains from the mattress, sometimes an unpleasant smell comes out. To get rid of it completely, the following methods are recommended:

• process the fabric with vinegar solution (1: 1);
• wipe the mattress with ammonia;
• mix a tablespoon of bleaching washing powder, 100 g of soda and a liter of water, after which this solution is sprayed over the fabric.

You can buy ready-made odor absorbers in the store. They are scattered over the surface of the product and after 3-4 hours of exposure they are removed with a vacuum cleaner.

Related Videos

How to clean a mattress from stains, video recipe:

Conclusion

By following these simple tricks, you can extend the life of your mattress. Moreover, all cleaning methods do not require special financial and physical costs.

To make the mattress last as long as possible and retain its original appearance, it is recommended to buy a protective cover. It is especially indispensable if there are small children and animals in the house.

If you are interested in how to wash other bedding, take a look here.