Our mattresses are the most abused items in our home. Just like clothes, they suffer from repeated use.
Unfortunately, unlike our shirts and trousers, we can’t just throw our bedding into the washing machine. Imagine the dirt they absorb every night that we lay on them. Sweat, pet hair, smoke, dust, the baby’s pee—these smells accumulate within the mattress cushions over time.
To rid unwanted smells from your mattresses, you should deodorize them every six months. That means giving your beds a deep clean twice a year. You can hire professional cleaning services for the job, or you can do it yourself to save on your household expenses.
Going the DIY route? Here’s our four-step guide to removing foul odors from your mattress:
Step 1: Vacuum the Mattress
After removing all of the bed covers, it’s time to tackle the mattress. Begin by vacuuming it to suck away all dust particles. You’ll want to use a high-quality, powerful vacuum for this task. Most portable ones aren’t effective in siphoning dirt from thick, dense objects, such as foam.
Using the vacuum’s upholstery attachment, make sure to cover all seams and crevices. Flip your mattress over and do the same for the bottom, and don’t forget the sides.
Step 2: Spray With Distilled White Vinegar
You can buy mattress cleaners from hardware stores, but keep in mind that these products contain harsh chemicals. If you have young kids and pets sleeping with you, you may want to opt for milder solutions.
A great homemade mattress cleaner recipe is a mix of equal parts of water and distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle. Lightly spray the bed’s surface enough to dampen it, but be careful not to saturate it with the liquid. Allow it to air dry for the day.
Step 3: Sprinkle With Deodorizer
For newer mattresses, the white vinegar spray can be enough to remove all traces of bad odor. For beds that need a tougher solution, you can sprinkle a generous amount of deodorizer on the surface.
A popular ingredient is the all-powerful baking soda. Use as much as you want, depending on how dirty your mattress is. Spread the contents to cover the whole area, and let it sit for another day. It helps to open up the curtains to let the sunlight in. Vacuum it up in the evening.
Another natural deodorizer is corn starch. Many homeowners swear by this pantry staple to be effective in cleaning urine from foams and beds. If you have a child who’s not potty trained yet, your mattress must have areas reeking with pee. Sprinkle the cornstarch over these spots, and pour a few drops of water. After five minutes, blot it off using a paper towel. You can also use the cornstarch with the baking soda for a more potent combination.
Step 4: Wash the Bedding
While your mattress is “baking” under the deodorizers, throw your linens into the washing machine. Wash them on the highest possible temperature setting to be sure that all dust mites, fleas, and other bed bugs are killed. Tumble dry for at least 30 minutes.
Doing these four steps will give you and your family a more comfortable sleep. Take note that you should always check with your mattress manufacturer for their recommended cleaning methods. If you want to be on the safe side, try these DIY methods on a small portion of the bed first.
One way to prevent bad smells from getting in is to use a waterproof mattress protector. It will shield your bed from odor-causing stains, spills, molds, and mildew.
If you are looking for a high-quality mattress in Reno NV, browse our collection to find the one best suited for you. Get in touch with us and see how we can help!