On average, French people spend 7 hours a night on their mattresses. This means mattresses require special care when we clean our homes. All too often, we forget to pamper this item, which is, after all, essential to our sleep. Between breakfast in bed and accidents involving our young children, we really put our mattresses through the wringer! Not to mention the stains caused by our inevitable perspiration. Would you like to discover some tips for washing your mattress? Here are all our tips for cleaning it naturally and eco-friendly.
How to Clean a Mattress: Daily Care Tips
Before we get into the topic of cleaning mattresses, let's review a few care tips. If you follow them every day, they should help prevent your mattress from getting damaged.
- Open the bedroom windows every day, if possible when the sun is shining on your mattress. This helps remove moisture caused by your body heat. In addition, fresh air and light help prevent the spread of bacteria and eliminate dust mites.
- Ideally, wash your bedding once a week. Choose a fabric like cotton that can be washed at high temperatures to eliminate as many bacteria and dust mites as possible.
- Use a waterproof mattress protector to protect your mattress from stains and moisture caused by perspiration.
- Invest in a dust-mite-resistant mattress. Instead of buying a chemically treated foam mattress, opt for a natural latex mattress. This material allows the mattress to breathe, is naturally antibacterial, and helps combat dust mites.
How to Clean a Mattress: Tips and Products
First and foremost, determine the best time of day to clean your mattress. The best time to clean and disinfect your mattress and box spring is in the morning, after a good night’s sleep. Simply because that gives them time to dry! If a stain occurs in the evening, wash the soiled area and then dry it with a hair dryer.
Soda crystals, for cleaning your mattress if it gets stained
Soda crystals and baking soda look alike, yet they are different. In fact, soda crystals have a higher alkalinity level. They are therefore more basic and concentrated than baking soda. They can clean and disinfect any stain, even the most stubborn ones. In addition, soda crystals are used to make laundry detergent or homemade cleaning products. It’s a solution that’s both economical and eco-friendly!
If there’s a stain, mix soda crystals with water. For one liter of water, add one cup of soda crystals. Be sure to wear gloves to protect your hands! The solution can irritate the skin. Clean the mattress with a wrung-out sponge. Scrub the stain, then rinse with clean water. Let the mattress air dry all day. You can sprinkle a thin layer of talcum powder on it to help it dry faster. This will also eliminate any odors. Before going to bed, don’t forget to vacuum up the excess talcum powder.
White vinegar: the perfect product for removing stains and disinfecting a mattress
Not only is white vinegar effective and inexpensive (a bottle costs less than one euro), but it’s also incredibly versatile. Thanks to its high acetic acid content, it cleans, removes limescale, removes stains, and disinfects—among other things!
However, white vinegar shouldn’t be used on its own. Mix it with lukewarm water and a few drops of dish soap. For every part white vinegar, use three parts water. Gently scrub the stained area of the mattress little by little using a wrung-out sponge. Then rinse with another sponge that has been dampened beforehand. If there are unpleasant odors, feel free to add a few dropsof essential oil. Tea tree and lavender oils not only smell good but also repel bacteria and dust mites.
Dish soap, to be used on a fresh stain
The dish soap trick only works on fresh stains. Mix a few milliliters of dish soap with hot water, then start cleaning by scrubbing with a sponge. Rinse with another sponge to avoid leaving any residue.
Ammonia: A Product That Must Be Handled with Care
Ammonia is recommended for old, stubborn stains. Caution: Ammonia gas (a natural gas) is different from ammonia solution, which is a chemical compound formed by mixing the gas with water. Be sure to protect your hands and eyes and wear a mask. Contact with, inhalation of, or ingestion of this solution can cause serious health problems. Be sure to ventilate the room and do not smoke near the ammonia.
Mix two liters of lukewarm water with one coffee cup of ammonia. Rub the stain on the mattress with a cloth soaked in the solution, then rinse with water using a clean sponge. Wipe the cleaned area several times to thoroughly remove any ammonia residue. Dry it with a towel, then leave the mattress in the sun, if possible.
Steam cleaning to eliminate pests from mattresses
The effectiveness of steam cleaning in combating dust mites, bed bugs, and other bacteria is well established. However, a steam cleaner cannot remove a stain on its own. Start by vacuuming the mattress to remove dust, then scrub the stain with water and a few drops of turpentine. Finally, run the steam cleaner over the mattress.
Baking soda, to get rid of bad odors
Baking soda has many benefits. It absorbs moisture and kills bacteria and dust mites. But above all, baking soda has a solid reputation for eliminating unpleasant odors. Mix 250 grams of baking soda with a few drops of lavender essential oil, which also repels bed bugs. Then sprinkle the mixture over the mattress. After a few hours, the odors will be gone and the mattress will be sanitized. Vacuum to remove any excess baking soda.
A mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to combat sweating
Without even realizing it, we sweat every night in bed. If the mattress isn’t cleaned regularly, sweat stains can appear. These are the yellowish stains that eventually set into the mattress. The best way to tackle these stains is to use a solution of hydrogen peroxide mixed with baking soda. To do this, mix one cup of baking soda with 50 cl of hydrogen peroxide. Spray the mixture onto the surface of the mattress you want to clean. This tip also works for urine stains.
Now you have all the tips you need to clean your mattress properly and safely. Remember: don't use any chemicals on your mattress! This is especially true if it's made of natural materials like organic cotton or natural latex.
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