Why Regular Mattress Cleaning Is Important
We spend about a third of our lives in bed. During this time, considerable amounts of sweat, skin flakes, dust and other contaminants accumulate in the mattress.
Did You Know?
A person loses about 0.5-1 litre of sweat per night and 1.5 grams of skin flakes. After one year, up to 500 grams of skin flakes can accumulate in your mattress -- ideal food for house dust mites.
Benefits of regular cleaning:
- Reduction of allergens and house dust mites
- Extending the mattress lifespan by years
- Elimination of odours and bacteria
- Better sleep quality and hygiene
- Preservation of support properties
Basic Cleaning: Step-by-Step Guide
What you need:
- Vacuum cleaner with upholstery nozzle
- Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
- Spray bottle
- Clean, light-coloured cloths
- Soft brush
Step 1: Preparation
Remove all bedding, mattress protectors, toppers and pads. Wash these at a minimum of 60°C to kill mites. Open the windows for good ventilation.
Step 2: Thorough vacuuming
Vacuum the entire mattress surface with the upholstery nozzle. Work systematically in rows and do not forget the sides and seams. This is where particularly large amounts of contaminants collect.
Step 3: Apply baking soda
Sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda over the entire mattress surface. About 200-300 grams for a standard mattress. The baking soda binds moisture, neutralises odours and creates an unfavourable environment for mites.
Pro Tip
Mix the baking soda with a few drops of essential lavender oil (5-10 drops per 100g of baking soda). Lavender has additional antibacterial properties and provides a pleasant scent.
Step 4: Leave to work
Leave the baking soda to work for at least 2-4 hours. Overnight (8 hours) is ideal for a particularly thorough clean. During this time, the baking soda can absorb moisture and odours.
Step 5: Vacuum and turn
Thoroughly vacuum up the baking soda. Make sure to remove all residue. Turn the mattress and repeat the process on the other side.
Step 6: Air out
Let the mattress air out for at least 2 hours with the window open before making it up again. On a sunny day, brief airing outdoors is ideal -- UV rays have an additional disinfecting effect.
Removing Stains: The Best Methods
Important When Removing Stains
- Always treat stains from the outside inwards
- Never rub -- always blot!
- Use as little moisture as possible
- Always test on an inconspicuous area first
- Allow the mattress to dry completely
Removing blood stains
Important: Always treat blood with cold water! Warm water causes the protein to coagulate and the stain sets.
- Immediately blot fresh blood with cold water and soap
- Dried blood: Apply a paste of baking soda and cold water
- Leave for 30 minutes
- Blot with cold water and allow to dry
- For stubborn stains: Carefully dab with hydrogen peroxide (3%)
Removing urine stains
Urine stains are particularly stubborn and can leave unpleasant odours. Quick action is essential here.
- Immediately absorb fresh urine with kitchen paper (do not rub!)
- Spray with a mixture of water and vinegar (1:1)
- Sprinkle baking soda generously on top
- Leave for at least 8 hours
- Vacuum thoroughly
For older urine stains: Apply a paste of 3 tablespoons of baking soda, 200ml hydrogen peroxide (3%) and 1 drop of washing-up liquid. Vacuum after drying.
Sweat stains and marks
- Spray with a mixture of water and lemon juice (2:1)
- Blot with a clean cloth
- Apply baking soda and leave for several hours
- Vacuum and allow to dry thoroughly
Coffee and tea stains
- Immediately blot with cold water
- Apply gall soap or mild soap solution
- Work carefully from outside to inside
- Blot again with clean water
- Allow to dry completely
Red wine stains
- Immediately sprinkle with salt (absorbs the liquid)
- Brush off after 30 minutes
- Apply sparkling mineral water to the stain
- Blot with a clean cloth
- Follow up with baking soda if necessary
Proven Home Remedies for Mattress Cleaning
| Home Remedy | Effect | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Baking soda | Binds odours, moisture; works against mites | Apply generously, leave to work, vacuum |
| Vinegar | Disinfects, neutralises odours | Dilute with water (1:1), spray on |
| Lemon juice | Bleaches, disinfects, fresh scent | Dilute with water, apply to stains |
| Salt | Absorbs liquid | Sprinkle on fresh stains, brush off |
| Hydrogen peroxide | Bleaches, disinfects (for blood/protein stains) | Dab on 3% solution, leave to work |
| Gall soap | Dissolves grease and protein stains | Moisten, apply, blot |
What You Should Avoid
- Steam cleaner: Too much moisture, risk of mould
- Bleach: Damages materials and cover
- Hot water: For protein stains (blood, urine)
- Aggressive cleaners: Can attack the material
- Too much moisture: Mattress does not dry completely
Combating House Dust Mites
House dust mites are found in every mattress -- this cannot be completely avoided. But you can significantly reduce their population and thus minimise allergic reactions.
What helps against mites?
- Regular airing: Uncover the bed daily, let moisture escape
- Low humidity: Below 50% is ideal (mites need moisture)
- Wash bedding at 60°C: Every 1-2 weeks
- Baking soda treatment: Every 1-3 months
- Turn the mattress: Every 2-3 months
- Use encasing: Mite-proof covers for allergy sufferers
Encasing: The Best Protection for Allergy Sufferers
Encasing covers are special, allergy-friendly covers that completely enclose the mattress. They prevent mites and their droppings from penetrating to the outside and also protect against new colonisation.
Allergy Consultation at Willing1863
We are happy to advise you on allergy-friendly mattresses and suitable accessories. Make an appointment at our manufactory in Detmold.
Request ConsultationNeutralising Odours
Removing general odours
- Vacuum the mattress thoroughly
- Apply baking soda generously
- Leave for 8-12 hours (ideally overnight)
- Vacuum thoroughly
- Repeat if necessary
Stubborn odours
For stubborn odours (e.g. smoke, old urine smells), treatment with an enzyme cleaner can help. These biological cleaners break down organic odour sources.
Natural fragrance additives
For a pleasant scent, you can add essential oils to the baking soda:
- Lavender: Calming, antibacterial
- Tea tree oil: Strongly antibacterial, antifungal
- Eucalyptus: Refreshing, works against mites
- Lemon: Fresh, disinfecting
Proper Mattress Care for a Longer Lifespan
Daily care
- Uncover the bed and air for 30 minutes
- Allows moisture to escape
- Briefly ventilate the room
Weekly care
- Change bedding (for allergy sufferers: every 3-4 days)
- Wash mattress protector
Monthly care
- Vacuum the mattress
- Check for stains and damage
Quarterly care
- Thorough cleaning with baking soda
- Turn the mattress (for non-single-sided mattresses)
- Check and clean the slatted frame
Additional tips
- Use a mattress protector: Protects against sweat and soiling
- Use a topper: Additional protective layer, easily washable
- Do not sit on the mattress: Point loading causes damage
- Do not let children jump on the bed
- Keep pets off the bed where possible
Frequently Asked Questions
A thorough mattress cleaning should be done every 3-6 months. Ideally, you should vacuum the mattress every 2-4 weeks when changing the bedding. For allergy sufferers, we recommend a monthly deep clean with baking soda.
Steam cleaners are not recommended for mattresses. The moisture penetrates deep into the mattress core and can cause mould there. Most mattresses cannot dry completely. Use dry cleaning methods like baking soda instead.
Immediately blot fresh urine stains with kitchen paper (do not rub!), then spray with a mixture of water and vinegar (1:1). Sprinkle baking soda on top and leave for 8 hours, then vacuum. For older stains, use a paste of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and washing-up liquid.
Baking soda binds moisture and odours and creates an unfavourable environment for house dust mites. It does not kill the mites directly but significantly reduces their habitat. For allergy sufferers, we additionally recommend special encasing covers.
For surface mould: Treat with a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water (1:1) and allow to dry thoroughly. For deep mould infestation, the mattress should be disposed of for hygiene reasons. Mould is a health risk and cannot be removed from the mattress core.
A mattress should be replaced when: There are deep hollows and permanent deformations, it feels worn out with no support, there is mould inside, strong odours that cannot be removed, the mattress is over 8-10 years old, or you regularly wake up with back pain.
Conclusion: Clean Mattress, Better Sleep
With regular care and the right home remedies, you can keep your mattress hygienically clean and significantly extend its lifespan. The most important measures are regular vacuuming, the baking soda treatment every few months and airing the bed daily.
If stains or odours cannot be removed, you should consider a new mattress. We are happy to advise you on which mattress is optimal for your needs.