What Can I Use to Freshen up a Mattress?

Regular cleaning will keep your mattress smelling fresh.

Over time, mattresses can start to smell a little stale due to an accumulation of dust, sweat, spills and possibly stains. In addition, mattresses require routine cleaning to remove dirt, dust mites and other allergens. You have a number of ways to clean your mattress, remove stains and keep it smelling fresh and clean.

General Deodorizing

If your mattress is clean but is beginning to smell musty, freshen it up with a few simple steps. To begin, spray your mattress lightly with an antibacterial air freshener and let it dry. Alternatively, sprinkle the mattress with baking soda, and leave it for several hours or overnight; use a brush or vacuum to remove the baking soda. A little fresh air is also good for natural deodorizing your mattress: On a sunny day, take the mattress outside, and let it air out for a few hours. Bring the mattress in before it gets dark or if the weather forecast calls for rain.

Removing General Stains

To remove general stains such as a spilled drink, use a cleanser containing citrus, suggests Mrs.Cleanusa. Spray on a small amount, and leave it on the stain so that the cleanser has time to work. Use a dry towel to blot the area, and let it dry. To keep the mattress from getting musty, turn on a fan or open a window.

Cleaning Blood and Urine Stains

Remove blood from a mattress with cold, damp towels. Blot gently, and apply a small amount of hydrogen peroxide. Cover one small area at a time, and blot it up immediately before moving to the next area. Let the mattress air dry.

Urine may be removed from mattresses through several methods. First, remove as much urine as possible with a dry towel, and apply a pet cleaner to the stain. Follow the directions on the container. Alternatively, apply a small amount of a vinegar and water solution onto the stain, and pour baking soda on top. Give the baking soda several hours to soak up all the vinegar and urine, and then vacuum up the baking soda.

Removing Mildew

Mildew causes mattresses to smell musty. If your mattress is badly mildewed, you might want to purchase a new one. If only a small area of your mattress is affected, Mrs.CleanUsa recommends taking the mattress outside and removing the mildew by vacuuming the mattress with a car vacuum, such as those found at car washes. Let the mattress air out outside.

Keeping Your Mattress Smelling Fresh

To keep your mattress clean and smelling fresh, vacuum the surface of the mattress frequently, and flip the mattress over every six months. You may also wish to purchase a mattress cover, which can be washed in the washing machine along with your sheets and blankets. Place dryer sheets beneath your bedding the next time you change the sheets to keep your mattress smelling nice.

References

• Mrs.CleanUsa: Cleaning a Mattress
• 1001 Ways to Use White Distilled Vinegar
• Mrs.CleanUSA: How To Clean a Mattress