How to Keep Your Mattress Clean and Allergen-Free

Like anything in your home, your mattress needs some special cleaning on a regular basis. In addition to laundering bedding and pillows, the mattress itself requires its own regimen. Since you can’t fit it in the washing machine, use these methods to ensure a clean mattress:

Regularly wash bedding and pillows.

Simple. Effective. Putting clean sheets on your bed ensures you aren’t letting dirt, dead skin cells and dust go unnoticed. This also means you aren’t sleeping in this each night! Make sure you wash that mattress pad and cover as well.

Treat stains when they happen.

Get rid of all mattress stains immediately so they don’t become permanent. For general stains, upholstery and enzyme cleaners are most common (upholstery cleaners are also very gentle on the skin). Dark liquid stains require vinegar and baking soda.

Vacuum dirt and dust.

To get rid of any surface grime, break out your trusty vacuum. Some vacuums have special attachments designed specifically for mattresses so cleaning is even easier. Make sure to vacuum both sides and within the seams.

Deep clean annually.

In addition to simple surface cleaning, it’s recommended to deep clean your mattress regularly to keep dust mites and allergens at bay. Dust mites feed on dirt, hair and dead skin cells (which you shed easily while sleeping). Steam cleaning every six to 12 months gets rid of dust mites (and, if you have them, bed bugs) and is a safe, chemical-free method of cleaning. Getting rid of dust mites and other allergens helps you breathe easier and with cleaner air each night. When using steam, make sure to let the mattress properly dry after cleaning to avoid mold.

If it’s too old, replace it.

Mattresses gain weight over the years due to a build-up of dust mites, dirt, dead skin cells, etc. Be conscious of your mattress’ age!