How to Clean and Care for Your Mattress
Covers don’t necessarily just go on top of the mattress; they can zipper tightly closed, completely encasing it. These come in a variety of prices and materials, such as cotton and cotton blends, often with polyurethane backing. Covers serve different purposes, from protecting against dust and dust mites to creating waterproof barriers — great not just for potty-training kids but also for people who tend to sweat in their sleep — to warding off bacteria. There are also scented encasements.
Yet another option: mattress covers designed to prevent bedbugs. “Another destroyer of your sleep investment,” says Lin Enilk of the American Sleep Association.
As soon as an accident occurs, blot it dry quickly, then begin treating the spot. For blood or urine, Enilk recommends using a cloth dampened with a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to scrub the area. “Keep in mind, however, that hydrogen peroxide may change the color of your mattress,” she says.
- Fill a spray bottle with a few drops of mild dish soap mixed with water.
- Spray the solution lightly on the stained area.
- Scrub gently with a soft brush.
- Aerate the dampened mattress by setting it outside (if feasible) or directing a portable fan on the area.
See more on removing stains in your home
“It’s the perfect time because it’s not something that needs to be done monthly,” Uusimaki says.
This is also a good time to consider using the handheld brush attachment on your vacuum if it has one and gently go over the mattress to eliminate any dust that might have collected.