Introduction – The Challenge of Cleaning Your Mattress
ShrinkThatFootprint certainly has a lot of DIY type articles. DIY is associated with reduced consumption, recycling and upcylign which is certainly good for carbon reduction. On the other hand, sometimes DIY is great for reducing reliance on chemicals, adhering to a natural life style, and saving money. So its the second type of DIY that we’ll talk about today – cleaning a mattress. Cleaning mattresses can be very challenging, and you may need the right cleaning tools to help you with that. Commercial cleaning solutions for mattresses can go a long way in cleaning them to make them dry and free from bacteria. A DIY Mattress Cleaner is a homemade solution to clean and freshen mattresses. It typically consists of everyday household ingredients like baking soda, essential oils, and vinegar. The baking soda is a natural deodorizer, while the vinegar helps disinfect and eliminate dirt and grime. Adding essential oils adds a pleasant scent and can also have antibacterial properties.
The cleaning process can be done in different ways depending on your preference. You can use the hot water extraction method, cold water extraction method, or dry cleaning method to clean mattresses. The most commonly used methods are steam vacuuming and wet cleaning. There are other methods for it too. I will discuss this more here.
7 DIY Mattress Cleaner
When it’s come to cleaning your mattress, you probably know by now that commercial mattress cleaners can be expensive and leave your mattress smelling like chemicals. So, what better solution than a homemade DIY mattress cleaner, which is inexpensive and free from harsh chemicals? Here are 7 DIY mattress cleaner ideas to help you get started:
1. Baking Soda And Essential Oils
This is one of the simplest DIY mattress cleaners, as it simply involves mixing baking soda with a few drops of your favorite essential oil and sprinkling this mixture over your mattress. Depending on your preference, you can use any type of essential oil, such as lavender or tea tree oil. Baking soda has natural deodorizing properties and is a gentle abrasive that helps remove dirt and grime from your mattress. At the same time, the essential oil adds a pleasant scent and may also have antibacterial properties.
2. Vinegar And Water Solution
Another simple DIY mattress cleaner option is to mix equal parts distilled vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spritz this mixture over your mattress. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant that helps eliminate dirt and grime while also killing any lingering bacteria on your mattress. It’s important to note that vinegar can cause discoloration on some types of material, so do a spot test in an inconspicuous area before using it on the entire mattress. Distilled white vinegar is a great natural cleaner because it is non-toxic, and it helps to destroy odors and bacteria. Plus, it is a natural deodorizer and can help to freshen up your mattress. Isn’t it smelly? No, distilled white vinegar has a mild smell that dissipates quickly. It can actually help to neutralize odors instead of adding to them.
3. Hydrogen Peroxide Solution
To make a hydrogen peroxide-based DIY mattress cleaner, mix equal parts water and 3% hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle and spritz it over your mattress. Hydrogen peroxide has antibacterial properties that help kill germs and sanitize your mattress while leaving behind a crisp, clean smell. However, as with the vinegar solution, it’s important to do a spot test first in case it discolors the material of your mattress. Higher strength hydrogen peroxide, for example 6%, will have an even stronger effect of discolorizing.
4. DIY Dry Cleaning Kit
If you don’t want to get your mattress wet or deal with any lingering moisture, you can use a commercial or homemade dry cleaning kit to clean your mattress instead. These typically involve adding special cleaning powder or liquid to water and then sponging it over the surface of your mattress. Dry cleaning kits are convenient and easy to use, though they may cost more than other DIY options and can leave behind a chemical smell if not used properly.
5. Steam Vacuuming Method
Another popular way of cleaning mattresses is by using a steam vacuum, which typically involves placing your mattress inside a special machine, turning it on, and letting the steam do its job. Steam vacuuming effectively removes dirt, dust mites, and other grime from your mattress by liquefying them so you can easily vacuum them. However, steam vacuums can be expensive to purchase and use, so you may be better off using another type of DIY spray or dry cleaning kit if cost is an issue.
6. Cold Water Extraction Method
The cold water extraction method may be a good option if you don’t have access to a commercial steam vacuum but still want to clean your mattress effectively and efficiently. This simply involves placing a wet towel on top of your mattress for a certain amount of time, such as 30 minutes, and then using a vacuum cleaner to suction up all excess moisture. This method effectively cleans mattresses of dirt, dust mites, and bacteria without leaving any lingering moisture or unpleasant chemical smells behind.
7. DIY Enzyme Cleaner
Finally, if you have a more serious issue with stains or odors on your mattress that commercial cleaners cannot fix, you may want to make your own natural enzyme-based DIY mattress cleaner instead. Enzyme cleaners contain special enzymes that help break down stains and odors by eating away at their components and neutralizing them, so they no longer cause issues. To make an effective DIY enzyme cleaner, mix baking soda and diluted white vinegar in a large bowl, then add 1 tablespoon of the enzyme mixture to 2 cups of warm water. Soak a clean cloth in this solution and carefully rub it over your mattress until all stains are removed. Rinse with water, let dry completely, and enjoy your fresh-smelling mattress again!
8. Vacuum Attachment
Use an upholstery attachment to thoroughly vacuum the top and sides of the mattress. Be sure to get into the crevices and seams.
9. Rotate And Flip
Rotate the mattress head-to-toe and flip it over every few months to prevent wear.
Use Your Mattress Cleaner
Here’s one process we came up with for the DIY mattress cleaner. Stripping and vacuuming a mattress is the first step to DIY mattress cleaning. This is important to remove any dust and dirt from the surface. Once the mattress is stripped and vacuumed, baking soda needs to be applied. Baking soda is known to help remove odors and deep clean the mattress.
After the baking soda has been applied, it is time to spray the mattress with vinegar. Vinegar has antibacterial and antifungal properties that help keep the mattress clean and free of potential allergens. Once the mattress has been sprayed with vinegar, essential oils can be added to give the mattress a refreshing scent. Finally, the mattress needs to be vacuumed again to remove any baking soda or vinegar residue. This is an important step to ensure that the mattress is clean and ready for use.
Tips And Tricks For Cleaning Your Mattress Naturally
One of the easiest and most natural ways to clean your mattress is by sprinkling baking soda over the entire surface and letting it sit for at least an hour before vacuuming it. This helps to get rid of odors and absorb moisture.
For tougher stains, create a paste using baking soda and water, then apply it directly to the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes before wiping or scrubbing with a damp cloth. You can also use white vinegar to remove tough stains or try sprinkling cornstarch on any liquid stains before vacuuming them.
Letting your mattress air out in the sun can also help freshen it up, and using lavender essential oil to deodorize. By using these simple, natural cleaning tricks, your mattress will be fresh and odor-free.
Wrapping Up
Whatever method you choose for cleaning your mattress, remember to be gentle with it. Mattresses can be expensive investments, so take care not to damage or scratch them while cleaning. And if you’re still unsure which DIY mattress cleaner option is right for you, talk to a professional at your local home improvement store or consult an expert online for more advice on maintaining your mattresses effectively and efficiently. Whatever method you choose, good luck and happy cleaning!
