How to Properly Clean Your Mattress

How to Properly Clean Your Mattress

5.0 min read

In every aspect of life, cleanliness plays an important role in maintaining good physical and mental health. On average, about one-third of our life will be spent sleeping or resting on a mattress. Because of this, it is crucial to keep our mattresses clean and well maintained as this helps prevent bacteria, dust mites, and other unwanted contaminants from affecting our health. In this article, we will cover the steps involved in properly cleaning the Progressive Bed mattresses so you can enjoy the good night’s sleep you deserve!

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Things to Consider Before Cleaning

Certain cleaning techniques we use for other household items may initially seem like effective solutions for cleaning a mattress, however, it is important to realize that the items we clean likely have different materials, characteristics, and reactions. The mattress for adjustable beds we offer is made of foam and has a fabric layer for its cover. Below are some of the techniques that get asked when cleaning a mattress:

  • Is steaming a foam mattress safe?
  • Are harsh detergents and cleaners suitable for foam mattresses?
  • Can a foam mattress be soaked in water?

 

Is Steaming a Foam Mattress Safe?

Steaming is generally a useful method for cleaning and disinfecting hard surfaces, however, we do not recommend steaming foam mattresses. Using a steam cleaner will result in moisture and high heat that could damage the foam layer’s integrity and compromise the mattress construction.

 

Are Harsh Detergents and Cleaners Suitable for Foam Mattresses?

Harsh detergents and cleaners like bleach are not recommended for foam mattresses. The risk of using these chemicals is that they can sometimes cause damage to the foam inside the mattress or may also lead to further staining.

 

Can a Foam Mattress be Soaked in Water?

A foam mattress absorbs water very easily and tends to get waterlogged, resulting in dampness and potential damage when too much water has saturated. Because of this, we recommend trying as best as possible to reduce the volume of water used during the cleaning of a foam mattress to minimize its exposure to water.

 

Cleaning a Foam Mattress Step by Step

When cleaning any foam mattress, it is good practice to always check the label and see if there were any recommendations by the manufacturer. This is because different foam mattresses by different companies may have been designed with some variations. The steps involved in cleaning our Progressive Bed adjustable mattresses are indicated below:

  1. Emptying the bed
  2. Washing the sheets and mattress covers
  3. Vacuuming the mattress
  4. Spraying the mattress stains
  5. Removing the mattress stains
  6. Deodorizing the smells
  7. Drying the mattress
  8. Putting the bed back together

 

1.     Emptying the Bed

Cleaning mattress

 

The first step is to empty your bed by removing everything that could get in the way of cleaning such as the pillows, bed sheets, comforters, and blankets. This is to make the rest of the mattress cleaning process easier and more thorough. For any of the bed supplies that are still clean, you may keep them in a temporary safe and clean area to avoid contamination.

 

2.  Washing the Sheets and Mattress Covers

Washing the sheets and mattress covers

 

Once the bed is empty, examine each item to confirm what needs cleaning. Verify if there was any manufacturer-recommended cleaning process for each item such as the pillowcase, blanket, etc. Our Progressive Bed mattress has a zipper for its removable cover consisting of a fire-retardant fabric layer – stay tuned for it’s release!

 A zipper

 

This mattress cover needs to be zipped up before a wash and must not be cleaned using bleach. We recommend machine washing on a gentle cycle with cold water and mild detergent. After the wash, the cover can then go into the dryer on a low heat setting and finish with low-temperature ironing.

 

3.      Vacuuming the Mattress

Vacuuming the mattress

 

If possible, use an upholstery attachment with your vacuum when cleaning the mattress. The vacuum is to help remove any loose surface contaminants such as food crumbs, dust, hair, and debris. Begin by vacuuming from the top, then proceed to vacuum the sides. Once this is done, place the mattress against a flat wall or flip it upside down to vacuum the bottom area.

 

4.      Spraying the Mattress Stains

Spraying the mattress stains

 

Find suitable cleaning agents for removing mattress stains such as enzymatic cleaners or make your mixture consisting of white vinegar and water following a 1:1 ratio.  We recommend using a spray bottle to aim your cleaning agents directly at the stained areas. Lightly spray the stained areas and gradually spray a little more if needed, however, control the trigger so that your mattress does not get excessively wet.

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5.   Removing the Mattress Stains

Mattress stains

 

Wiping the stains using a circular motion is not recommended as this may cause the stain to spread to another area. Begin removing the stains by dabbing the contaminated areas using a clean rag or paper towels. If there were still a few stubborn stains remaining, you may need to spray them once more and give 5 minutes for the spray solution to rest before dabbing with your rags or paper towels.

 

6.  Deodorizing the Smells

Baking soda

 

Add a little bit of baking soda to the previously stained areas and let the baking soda rest overnight. Doing so helps deodorize the mattress to keep a fresher smell for longer. Once it is morning, begin vacuuming the surface of your mattress to remove the remaining baking soda.

 

7.  Drying the Mattress

Drying the mattress

 

Since the foam is sensitive to water, we recommend air drying our adjustable mattresses as soon as you have completed the previous steps. Using a fan can help to speed up the drying process while in the safety of your home. If your area has nice weather, it is possible to let the mattress dry in sunlight, however, be sure to keep the mattress indoors if there was a risk of rain or moisture.

8.    Putting the Bed Back Together

Progressive bed

 

Once everything is dry, it is now time to put the bed back together and complete the cleaning process. Unzip the Progressive Bed fabric cover and insert the foam mattress back in. Then, zip the fabric cover closed and place the covered mattress back onto the bed frame. To protect the mattress even further and improve its overall lifespan, you could also add a waterproof mattress protector for extra security. After that, place the bedsheets over the fabric-covered mattress while tucking in the edges. To complete the cleaning process, place the rest of your bed supplies (pillows, blankets, comforters, etc) back in your favorite orientation.

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In Summary

A mattress eventually gets dirty over time due to dust, dirt, and spills. By practicing good mattress cleaning habits, you too can enjoy the benefits of a healthier lifestyle, better mood, greater comfort, and improved mattress longevity.

We hope you found this article helpful and informative, especially if you were looking for tips and recommendations on how to clean our Progressive Bed adjustable mattress! If you have any queries or wish to discuss our products further, please do not hesitate in reaching out to us! We are experts in what we do and want to ensure you find the best adjustable bed and mattress to meet your needs.

sales@progressivebed.com | 1-800-828-9381

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