How to Clean a Bed Mattress

As you sleep, you shed hair and dead skin cells that may get trapped in your bed's mattress. Children often have night-time accidents that can set into a mattress and cause unpleasant odors. Dust mites live in the padding and may contribute to allergies and asthma attacks. The mattress on your bed need to be cleaned periodically, but obviously cannot be thrown in the washing machine for a quick wash. You can effectively clean your bed mattress with a variety of products you probably already have in your home.

Things You'll Need

• Washing machine Vacuum cleaner Upholstery cleaner Soft cloth Hydrogen peroxide Spray bottle White vinegar Paper towels Fabric refresher spray

Instructions

1. Remove the bedding, sheets and mattress pad from your mattress and wash them in the washing machine. If you keep soiled sheets on your mattress, the dirt and odor will permeate through your mattress.

2. Vacuum your mattress while the sheets are being washed. Use the brush attachment to get dust mites and other debris out from crevices in the padding. The frequency of your vacuuming may depend on how dusty your house is.

3. Clean stains off of your mattress with an upholstery cleaner. Allow the cleaner to sit for 5 to 10 minutes before you wipe it away with a soft cloth.

4. Remove blood stains from your bed mattress with hydrogen peroxide. This solution is commonly used for first aid and is available for purchase at the drug store. Let the peroxide bubble up on the stain and then wipe it off.

5. Use a combination of white vinegar and water to clean your mattress without harsh chemicals. Fill a spray bottle with a half-and-half solution of vinegar and water and spray it onto the offending spots. Blot it off with a cloth or paper towels.

6. Get rid of urine odors, the smell of cigarettes and other unpleasant scents in your mattress with a fabric refresher spray, such as Febreze. After you have cleaned your bed mattress, spray the surface and allow it to air dry for a couple of hours. Make up your bed with sheets and blankets when the mattress is completely dry.