We all like to get our sleep, and rely on our mattresses to provide us with a clean comfy place to rest.

But, what happens when your mattress gets dirty? How do you prevent dust mites and other
allergens from interfering with your sleep? What routine maintenance does a mattress need?

Mattresses can harbor spills, stains, dirt, dust, dust mites and worse – so, maintaining a clean mattress is
important for several reasons, not the least of which is the fact that you are partially clothed body is
lying on top of it with only a sheet separating you.

Vacuum the Mattress

This is an important step because it removes the dust, dead skin cells and other debris that lands on
your mattress and which accumulates, en masse, over time. Consider doing this every time you rotate
your mattress; once a season. Now, the important part here is to use a clean upholstery attachment,
because remember that your vacuum sucks up all kinds of nasties and you don’t want to be depositing
those on your mattress.

Deodorizing a Mattress

You can fancify your mattress vacuuming by adding another step, and that is deodorizing.  I guess with
all that sweat, dust and other fun stuff your mattress handles, it can start to develop its own unique
aroma.  To combat this, simply sift baking soda over your mattress, leave for thirty minutes and then
vacuum up with that upholstery attachment.  Baking soda is a natural deodorizer so it will definitely help
neutralize any odors.  Note however, that it won’t really clean any stains in this ‘dry’ cleaning method.  
If you like essential oils, add five drops to the baking soda pre-sift and you’ll get to enjoy that lovely
scent for a few nights thereafter.
Practical ways to clean a Mattress

Flip it!
Turn and/or flip your mattress so it will wear evenly, do this at the turn of every season and rotate
clockwise. Rotating the mattress means we prolong the life of the mattress and even out the wear. 
Dry Times
No water on your mattress – mattresses really don’t like water, and memory foam mattresses can’t
actually handle liquids at all.   On that note, never, ever get your memory foam mattress wet.  If you
need to spot clean, be super stingy with the liquid and blot like a mad man or woman.
Fan Club
Use fans to dry the mattress so if that mattress gets wet, use fans to assist in dry time and if you have
access to a wet dry vac, use that to help extract moisture.  Don’t think about sleeping on mattresses
until they are completely dry.
Bed Bugs
We’ve been asked about how to deal with bedbugs.  This is a serious issue and should not be a DIY
project.  Act fast and call a professional.  Have them treat your mattress, room and any other affected
areas of the house immediately.  If you get – them you want them gone, and these guys know how to do
it.
Cover Up
Now you may recall at the beginning of this video that I mentioned something about a tip which would
save your mattress from spills and stains and the like – well, its not really a huge secret but a mattress
protector is one of the best investments for your mattress – there are a few different types, which I have
linked below if you are interested in learning more.

How to Clean a Mattress (and Why)

You spend about a third of your life on your mattress. When was the last time you gave it a good, deep
clean? The seldom-used living room sofa probably feels the bristle of a vacuum brush more often than
your trusty mattress. It’s time to change that. Besides promoting a more pleasant and productive night's
sleep, a clean, cared for mattress can last longer—and it might even help prevent nasty, not to mention
costly, pest infestations.

Back when most mattresses could be flipped over, the conventional wisdom was that you should turn it
twice a year, and take that opportunity to clean it as well. These days, a lot of mattresses, including the
pillow-top variety, can’t be turned because they have a proper top and bottom. But cleaning your
mattress two times a year remains a good rule of thumb. (Check the mattress label for instructions since
the manufacturer might recommend rotating the mattress head to foot to ensure even wear.)
Step 1

Start the cleaning process by stripping the mattress of all sheets and bedding and tossing the items in
the wash. To remove tough stains, always use a Consumer Reports top-rated laundry detergent and the
hottest water setting on your washing machine; dry on high heat as well to zap any surviving critters.

Step 2

Next, vacuum the entire mattress surface with the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Pay
attention to seams and crevices, where dirt, dust, dead skin, and other icky stuff collect; switching to
your vacuum’s crevice attachment can help get in deep.

Our tests have found that a normal vacuum cleaner provides capable cleaning, but if you’re fastidious,
consider investing in the Dyson V6 Mattress Handheld Vacuum, a $250 device designed specifically for
the job. In a Consumer Reports at-home mattress test, we cleaned half of a foam Tempur-Pedic mattress
with a top-rated canister vacuum and half with the Dyson handheld. The Dyson sucked up 3 grams of
material, including dead skin cells that dust mites like to nosh on, compared with the 1 gram that our
regular vacuum removed.

Step 3

Once you’re finished vacuuming, check for stains and spot treat them with an appropriate cleaner. An
upholstery cleaner or enzyme-based pet-odor remover can do the job on many bodily fluids. You can
also try a simple solution of 1 teaspoon mild dish detergent and 1 cup of warm water.

Step 4

Next, deodorize the mattress by sprinkling baking soda over the entire surface. Especially if this is your
first cleaning, don't be afraid to empty an entire 1-pound box onto the mattress. For best results, leave
the baking soda there for 24 hours. That means you might need to plan the project around an overnight
trip—or be willing to sleep elsewhere in your home. If you can place the mattress near a window, the
sunlight will add its sanitizing power.

Step 5
After the baking soda has had a chance to tackle odors, go back over the mattress with your vacuum’s
upholstery attachment. If you don't already own a mattress cover, we recommend buying one. And
adding a mattress pad between the cover and bottom sheet will help absorb moisture. Along with the
periodic deep cleaning described here, these extra layers of protection will help prevent mites, fleas,
and other pests from sharing your bed. That should really help you sleep tight

What Do I Do Daily, Weekly, and Monthly to Keep My Mattress Clean?

Cover the mattress, to protect it and extend time between cleanings. Consider purchasing a mattress
cover to protect the surface of your mattress. Choose a washable cover that is easy to remove and
replace on your mattress. Some covers are even designed to reduce dust mite allergies, and reduce the
need to vacuum your mattress.

Wash the bedding including sheets, pillowcases, and comforters or comforter covers weekly. Clean
bedding will protect the mattress cover which in turn protects the mattress from becoming soiled. 
Remove and wash the mattress cover whenever there are any spills or at least monthly.