How to maintain a clean mattress

Whether you clean your mattress often or you’ve never even considered the idea, the best way to clean your particular mattress depends on the materials it’s made of. A while back, we outlined the best ways to clean your mattress based on its construction, but now we want to talk about keeping a mattress clean with periodic freshen-up sessions.

Simple tips to maintain a clean mattress

1. First and foremost, invest in a mattress protector and wash the protector once a month. Using a protector on your mattress is the best way to extend its life, as it will keep unwanted germs, odors, and spills from causing damage. Mattress protectors have gotten a bit of a bad rap over the years—often when you think of a mattress protector, the first thing that comes to mind is the sound of hard, crinkling plastic every time you move. Great news: gone are the days of noisy mattress protectors. The T&N Mattress Protector is quiet, lightweight, and liquid-proof.
2. Make sure to wash your bedding once a week or at least once every couple of weeks. This will keep the protector from becoming overly soiled.
3. Every few months, strip the mattress of all the bedding and the mattress protector and sprinkle baking soda directly onto the mattress to kill odors and draw out any moisture or dust. Take it a step further by adding two to three drops of peppermint oil or tea tree oil to the baking soda and mix well before sprinkling onto the mattress (these oils have antibacterial/antimicrobial properties). However, don’t go overboard with the essential oil or you may have some serious fumes to air out. A couple of drops will go a long way. Next, let the baking soda sit on the mattress surface for an hour and then use a vacuum to remove the baking soda from the mattress. This is easiest to do with a handheld vacuum or the extension feature of your floor vacuum. Make sure to get all of the baking soda off the mattress before redressing the bed.

If you do not plan to invest in a mattress protector, it’s very important that you change your bedding often and make sure to use the baking soda tip at least once a month. No matter what, though, a mattress protector is absolutely the best way to keep your mattress clean and in good shape for as long as possible.

Looking for ways to get specific stains or odors off your mattress or bedding? Check out all of our how-to blog posts below.

How to Get Urine Out of a Mattress
How to Remove Blood Stains From a Mattress
How to Get Blood Out of Sheets
How to Wash Pillows
How to Sanitize Tuft & Needle Products