How to clean a mattress

No matter how often you clean at home, and how much effort you put into it, some items require special attention. These include, first of all, the bed. Not everyone knows how to properly clean a mattress, but nevertheless, this procedure is required to ensure the proper level of cleanliness and freshness in the house. In addition, regular cleaning will help you maintain your health and prevent the spread of pathogens in time.

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How do spots appear?

If you saw recently appeared spots on the bed, to begin with, try to determine the nature and limitation period of pollution by appearance or smell. It depends on what exactly means and methods of cleaning need to be applied.

The most common stains on mattresses are from sweat, blood, urine, grease, earth stains and dirt, traces of cosmetics, stains from coffee, wine, drinks with dyes and even mold. Add to this dust, dirt, particles of hair and skin on the bed - this will not turn out to be a very attractive picture.

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How to clean an orthopedic mattress?

Old mattresses are almost impossible to clean from stubborn stains. Therefore, try to find money and buy a new orthopedic mattress. It usually consists of several layers:

• spring block or plate made of synthetic latex;
• interlayers of various materials: foam rubber, tales, sintepon, coconut fiber;
• fabric cover.

Important! It is layering that creates problems. Professionals strongly recommend dry cleaning, where various detergents are used for different parts of the mattresses. But if you do not have the opportunity to use such services, try to cope on your own.

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How to clean the mattress?

Depending on the type of stains, to remove them and neutralize the unpleasant odor, you may need the following cleaning products for mattresses:

• cold water;
• sparkling water (without dyes);
• salt;
• lemon juice or citric acid;
• vinegar;
• baking soda;
• corn starch;
• liquid soap;
• dishwashing detergent like “Fairy”;
• hydrogen peroxide;
• medical alcohol;
• ammonia;
• acetone, thinner or nail polish remover;
• borax or boric acid;
• disinfectant (Mr. Clean).

In addition to the cleaning products themselves, prepare the necessary equipment:

• kitchen sponges;
• a brush;
• a towel (paper and terry) or a dry cloth made of viscose or flannel;
• latex gloves;
• a bowl;
• spray bottle;
• measuring cup;
• a tablespoon and a teaspoon;
• a plastic spoon or spatula;
• hair dryer;
• iron;
• a vacuum cleaner;
• steam cleaner.

Important! Hardest thing eliminate stains of blood and urine from mattresses. They quickly penetrate and lead to the active growth of bacteria, both on the surface and in the lower layers of the mattress. It is on the methods of removing these spots that we dwell on in more detail.

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How to clean the mattress from urine?

If you find a fresh spot from the urine on the mattress, immediately proceed to eliminate it.

Method 1

1. Take a clean sponge.
2. Blot the stain several times to absorb as much fluid as possible.
3. If the sponge is wet, squeeze it out or replace it with a new one.
4. Moisten the problem area with a little cold water to dilute the urine.
5. Take a clean sponge over it again.
6. Disinfect the stain with medical alcohol applied to a cotton swab.
7. Wipe with a 9% vinegar solution to neutralize the bad odor.
8. Dry with a hairdryer or fan.
9. Open the window to air.
10. If possible, place the mattress in the sun.

Method 2

1. Take a bowl, pour 1 tsp. water.
2. Add 1 tbsp. vinegar.
3. Pour 1 tsp. dishwashing detergent.
4. Pour 2 tbsp. baking soda.
5. Add 1-2 drops of a disinfectant (e.g. Mr. Clean).
6. Mix well.
7. Sponge liquid on the mattress.
8. Spread evenly over the surface, pushing as deep as possible.
9. Wipe with a damp towel or cloth.
10. Blot several times with a dry, clean cloth to absorb any remaining moisture.
11. Apply a thin layer of baking soda.
12. Add soda as it dries.
13. Leave it overnight if possible.
14. Vacuum the surface.

Method 3

1. Moisten the stain with a cold water sponge.
2. Take a small amount of borax or boric acid.
3. Pour into a bowl, preferably a plastic one.
4. Add cold water.
5. Mix until a homogeneous paste resembles a paste.
6. Rub the mixture into a stain.
7. Leave for 1-2 hours until the paste is completely dry.
8. Shake or remove residues from the mattress with a dry brush.
9. Mix a little water with a drop of liquid soap.
10. Apply to sponge.
11. Rub the stain.
12. Remove the remaining soapy solution with a damp towel.
13. Blot several times with a dry cloth.
14. Dry the surface with a hairdryer or fan.
15. Vacuum the mattress if necessary.

Important! Many experts categorically against the use of borax, since it is considered a fairly toxic substance. Therefore, when working with the drug, observe safety precautions: wear rubber gloves, do not touch your face and eyes with your hands, and after the cleaning is completed, ventilate the room well. Do not use borax if the family has small children or allergies.

Method 4

1. Take a bowl.
2. Squeeze half the lemon into it.
3. Add 1 tsp. salt.
4. Mix well.
5. Apply to contamination.
6. Leave for about half an hour.
7. Brush off any remaining salt or vacuum.
8. Blot with a sponge dipped in cold water.
9. Wipe with a dry cloth.
10. Dry the mattress with a hairdryer.

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How to eliminate unpleasant odors from the mattress?

1. Remove the cover from the mattress.
2. Take baking soda.
3. Spread on the surface of the mattress.
4. Leave for 2 days.
5. Vacuum.

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How to remove blood from a mattress?

Many methods are suitable for this purpose, but let us dwell on the simplest of them, based on the use of available means.

Method 1

1. Take a bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution.
2. Apply a small amount to the stain.
3. Leave for a while until the peroxide foams.
4. Blot the stain with a dry cloth or napkin.

Method 2

1. Take soda (no dyes).
2. Moisten contamination.
3. Sprinkle salt on top.
4. Leave for 2 hours.
5. Remove any remaining salt with a soft cloth.

Important! These methods are mainly suitable for fresh spots. If you do not have time to treat the contamination before it has dried, use other cleaning agents.

Method 3

1. Take a small bowl.
2. Pour 1 tsp. soda.
3. Dilute it with 2 tsp. cold water.
4. Stir until smooth.
5. Use a soft sponge or cloth to apply the solution to the stain.
6. Leave on for about 30 minutes.
7. Dampen a clean cloth in cold water.
8. Remove residual solution from the stain.
9. Blot several times with a clean, dry towel to absorb moisture completely.
10. Dry with a hairdryer if necessary.

Important! Use exclusively cold water, because the warm blood protein can curl up and the stain will be absorbed even more into the fibers of the mattress.

Method 4

1. Take a tablespoon, measuring cup, funnel, and spray bottle.
2. Measure out 235 ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide.
3. Pour the funnel into the bottle.
4. Take 45g (3 tbsp) baking soda.
5. Pour it into a bottle.
6. Shake well several times to mix the solution.
7. Wait for the soda to completely dissolve.
8. Add 1-2 drops of dishwashing detergent or liquid soap.
9. Shake a few more times to froth the mixture.
10. Use a spray gun to spray the stain.
11. Turn on the fan and direct it towards pollution.
12. Leave on for 10 minutes.

Important! For the solution to work, use it immediately, immediately after preparation. This option is categorically not suitable for latex foam mattresses - it is designed like a large sponge, and the washing liquid just goes deep into the mattress.

Method 5

1. Take a bowl, a tablespoon and a cup (approximately 300 ml).
2. Measure out half a cup of corn starch.
3. Pour it into a bowl.
4. Add 1 tbsp. salt.
5. Pour in the same ¼ cup of hydrogen peroxide.
6. Mix everything until a homogeneous paste-like mass is obtained.
7. Using a plastic spoon or spatula, apply the mixture to the stain.
8. Let it dry completely.
9. Scrape off the remaining paste with a dry brush.
10. Vacuum.

Method 6

1. Dampen the stain with a small amount of cold water with a soft sponge.
2. Pour salt into the dirt.
3. Leave on for about 2 hours or until completely dry.
4. Remove the salt with a dry brush.
5. Blot the stain with hydrogen peroxide.
6. Wait for it to foam.
7. Wipe the stain with a clean, dry cloth.
8. If necessary, treat again with peroxide and get wet.

If the stain still remains:

1. Pour into a cup of water.
2. Add 1 tbsp. ammonia.
3. Shuffle.
4. Apply to stain with a cotton pad.
5. Wait a couple of minutes.
6. Blot with a soft cloth to absorb any remaining liquid.
7. If possible, clean the surface with a steam cleaner or vacuum.

Important! Using this method, you need to carefully clear surface mattressand from the remnants of peroxide and ammonia. Otherwise, they can penetrate into the mattress and spoil its inner layer. For colored upholstery, the use of ammonia is undesirable, since it can discolor the fabric.

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Useful Tips

• Use the sleeping place as intended - for sleep and relaxation. Do not eat or drink in bed, do not smoke, because mattresses easily absorb odors.
• Change your bedding as often as possible in order to detect spots in time and prevent them from soaking into the mattress.
• During cleaning, regularly clean the surface of the mattress with a vacuum cleaner from dust, wipe the tray with a damp cloth.
• Periodically turn the mattress on the other side - let it “breathe”.
• Expose the mattress to ventilate in the sun at least once every few months. In the summer you can do this more often.
• Buy special moisture protective covers and mattress covers to protect your mattress from moisture, dampness and pollution and to extend its service life.
• When cleaning mattresses, keep children away so as not to harm their health.
• Use rubber gloves when handling cleaning products.
• If there are people in the family who are prone to allergic reactions, strictly control the composition of the chemicals used. Try using natural ingredients.

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We hope that our recommendations will help you cope with the problem, and you will no longer be wondering how to clean the mattress at home!