Your mattress is disgusting. Here's how to clean it: Video
Your bed is more than a place to rest your head each night or de-stress during a few stolen moments during the day; it's also a haven and a sanctuary. Your mattress needs to be comfortable, supportive and welcoming. It also needs to be clean!
Sadly, no matter how pristine your sheets and pillowcases appear, the mattress underneath can become contaminated with all sorts of nastiness over time. That's partly because we humans are such a sweaty bunch. The average person emits around 26 gallons of sweat per year while lying between the sheets, blankets, duvet or comforter. That creates a moist atmosphere in which fungus and bacteria can thrive, and that doesn't even include all the other dirt, dander and pet fur that can be found in our beds! Indeed, your mattress may well be the dirtiest item in your bedroom. But it doesn't have to be.
Watch the video to learn three easy ways to clean your mattress.
How dirty is your mattress?
Not to ruin your next nap, but the units of bacteria found in even a newer mattress are high. And once a mattress hits around seven years old, you truly are sleeping with an enemy of many millions. According to a study by Amerisleep, the list of undesirables includes bacteria, body fluids, dead skin cells and dust mites, all of which can harm your health, not to mention your peace of mind.
How to clean your mattress
It's best to clean your mattress every six months to keep it lasting as long as possible. One of the best ways to clean your mattress is to put it outside and let the sunlight and fresh air do all the hard work.
But lugging a mattress through a doorway, down a hall and outside can be a challenge for many people. So consider these lift-free alternatives to cleaning your mattress:
- Use a fabric sanitizer.
Remove the sheets and spray the mattress with your favorite fabric sanitizer. Make this part of your regular routine and do it every time you strip the bed to wash the sheets.
If you prefer to avoid harsh chemicals, make your own disinfectant by combining equal parts water and distilled white vinegar. Lightly spray the mattress and let it dry. Sprinkle baking soda on your mattress to get rid of the vinegar smell and let it sit for 20 minutes before vacuuming it up.
- Steam it.
Use your fabric steamer over the mattress to remove any dust mites, bed bugs and allergens. Be careful not to let in too much moisture to avoid any mildew or mold developing on your mattress.
How often should you change your mattress?
Several factors can determine how often you change your mattress, mostly related to what it's made of, comfort and how much you can afford. But as a general rule, it's advisable to buy a new mattress every seven to ten years. Yes, that may sound like a hefty recurring expense, as, depending on the materials and size of the mattress, a good one can cost you thousands of dollars.
It's also recommended to wash your sheets and pillowcases at least once a week. While it may be a time-consuming task, and folding a fitted sheet can be akin to an Olympic sport, bear in mind that we each spend about a third of our lives in bed, so it's probably money and time well spent. Sleep well.