How to clean a mattress properly

Quality sleep is one of the most important elements to our health. Sleep strengthens our immune systems, gives us mental clarity and makes our lives more joyful. The cleanliness of our beds and mattresses is extremely important to the health and quality of our sleep.

In this article we’ll take a look at some of Hoover’s tips and tricks for cleaning a mattress to ensure the best and healthiest sleep possible.

Keep your bedding clean

It might sound like a no-brainer, but it is key to wash sheets at least once a week to keep your mattress and sleeping environment hygienic. Remove all covers and wash all sheets, blankets and comforters. Wash them on a hot cycle to kill any bacteria and remove any grease. Other bedding like quilts and duvets can be washed a little less frequently, at least twice a year. Once your bedding is clean, let’s see how to clean a mattress.

Vacuum your mattress

Vacuuming your mattress is one of the most important steps in cleaning your mattress. Vacuuming eliminates dust, dust mites and other dirt and allergens that affect sleep quality. The Hoover 4-in-1 HMC5 has many powerful features making it the ideal tool for cleaning your mattress and other upholstery like pillows and sofas. Its lightweight handheld design makes it easy to move around and move across surfaces like mattress and sofas.

The Hoover 4-in-1 Beat&Roll feature is perfect for deep cleaning and removing dust and allergens from inside mattress fibres and crevices. The roller revolves at 4200 revolutions per minute, beating the mattress gently with soft nylon and rubber bristles at the same time. This gentle beating movement frees trapped dust and efficiently removes it.

Vacuum: The powerful suction of the HMC5 is not only for mattresses but is also great for sofas and other upholstered areas to remove dust and pet hair. The lightweight design (only 2.2kg) makes it comfortable to move easily across surfaces and the 5-metre cord is long enough to clean the surface of a king size mattress without having to unplug and move to another outlet.

Air out your mattress

Airing out your mattress is another great way to eliminate bacteria. Although it sounds old fashioned, leaving your mattress in the direct sunlight kills bacteria and mould. Now, not all of us have the possibility to take our mattresses outside, especially if you live in a flat.

Fortunately, the HMC5 also has a UV light & Drying feature. This UV light mimics the UV rays of the sun, eliminating dust mites, dust and killing bacteria. The UV light only activates when in direct contact with a surface and then automatically turns off once removed from the surface. The drying feature uses 50-degree air to dry the mattress after washing or stain removal, preventing the formation of mould, mildew and odours.

How to remove stains

At some point in our mattress’s life, it’s bound to get some kind of stain. The best trick for removing stains is addressing them as soon as possible. A stain that is still damp is much easier to deal with than a dry stain. However, even if the stain is dry there are a few effective methods we can use.

For dried stains: Mix a small amount of mild detergent with cold water and use a clean cloth or sponge to gently scrub the stained area. Avoid using too much water, as it can seep into the mattress and cause mould or mildew. Fortunately, with the HMC5, if you accidentally use a little too much water, no big deal. The drying feature uses 50 degree air to effectively dry the wet spots and reduces the risk of mould formation.

For tougher stains, try using a mixture of paste made of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. Mix baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to form a paste. Cover the stain with the paste and let sit for 15 minutes or so. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

How to deodorise your mattress

After stain removal and drying, deodorise the mattress by sprinkling baking soda on the mattress. You can also make a mixture of baking soda and your favourite essential oil like eucalyptus or lavender giving your mattress a clean and fresh scent. Sprinkle the mixture over the mattress covering the entire surface. Let the baking soda act for as long as possible, 8-10 hours. Once the baking soda has absorbed all the odours from the mattress, use the HMC5 again to vacuum to remove the baking soda and eliminate any remaining dust.

Protect your mattress

The best way to avoid a dirty and stained mattress is by protecting it.

• Choose a waterproof and anti-dust mite mattress protector to make sure your mattress is always feeling as fresh as possible.
• Rotate and flip your mattress 180 degrees once a month to prevent uneven wear and tear.
• Keep pets off the bed. As sad as it is, pets are one of the biggest causes of stains and dust in our beds. So if you want your mattress and sleeping environment to be as hygienic as possible, pets are a no go.

These tips and tricks are sure to improve your sleep quality and the cleanliness of your mattress. Happy cleaning and happy sleeping!