How to Clean Bed Mattress?
Here’s something we all ignore way too much and that’s cleaning our mattresses. With all the dust in the air added to the humid weather and chai spills, our mattresses have taken a lot over the years. And with the load shedding, it’s not like we can just deep clean them with fancy gadgets every other week. But don’t worry, we’ve got your back, with a super detailed yet easy-to-follow guide that works perfectly for our desi lifestyles.
Should You Clean Your Bed Mattress?
Spots and stains are the big enemies of mattresses, especially if you have kids and pets. Here’s how to clean stains from your bed mattress.
How to Clean Tea or Coffee Stains From Your Bed Mattress
Mix equal parts of white vinegar (sirka) and water in a spray bottle. Spray the stained area and pat it with a clean cloth gently. Make sure you don’t rub it or that will make it worse. Let this sit in for 5–10 minutes, then blot with a dry cloth.
How To Clean Sweat or Yellow Stains From Your Bed Mattress
The sweat stains are pretty common, especially during these humid Karachi nights when even fans are useless. Make a mixture of hydrogen peroxide by adding a few drops of liquid detergent like Surf Excel and then add baking soda to that. Apply it to the stain directly with a spray bottle or a cloth. Let it sit for about 10 minutes, then blot.
How To Clean Blood Stains From Your Bed Mattress
Always use cold water for this because hot water will make it worse. Dab the stain using cold water and a cloth with a little detergent on it. For tougher stains, mix baking soda with water to a paste consistency. Smear on, then gently scrub with a toothbrush.
How to Remove Smell from Mattress at Home
Whether it’s the smell of food odors or humidity leaving your mattress smelling musty. Here’s how you freshen it up:
Sprinkle a layer of baking soda, meetha soda, all over the mattress. Leave it for at least an hour, but if you have time, let it sit overnight for best results.
You can also add a few drops of perfume or itr of your choice, or even essential oil of your choice, be it lavender, rose, or sandalwood oil. Make sure you spray it before sprinkling the baking soda. This works just great when you want your room to smell fresh.
How to Clean Mattress Without a Vacuum
No vacuum? That is not a problem! Not everybody has a fancy vacuum cleaner at home, but you can still deep clean your mattress with the following steps:
Start With Brushing Off The Dust
This will remove apparent dust particles. Use a soft-bristled brush or a clean jharoo to sweep, especially at the edges.
Sprinkle The Baking Soda
Sprinkle baking soda and let it sit for a couple of hours. Wipe it off with a damp cloth, taking care not to soak the mattress.
Let Your Mattress Sit Under The Sun Light
Take your mattress out on a sunny day. UV rays kill bacteria and take odors away without adding anything. This works even better in the dry winters of Lahore or Islamabad!
Dust and Allergy Protection For Your Mattress in Pakistan
Mattresses are dust magnets with all the dust storms and pollution. The table below contains all the causes and frequent solutions that will help you keep your mattress clean and in good condition.
Issue | Cause | Solution | Frequency |
Dust/Pollution | Dust storms, open windows | Vacuum or wipe with a damp cloth | Monthly |
Humidity/Odor | Monsoon dampness, lack of ventilation | Sprinkle baking soda, sun-dry | Quarterly |
Chai/Tea Spills | Frequent accidental spills | Dab with vinegar-water mix, blot | As needed |
Sweat Stains | Hot weather or humid nights | Hydrogen peroxide + baking soda spray | Quarterly |
Dust Mites | Allergens thriving in moist conditions | Steam clean or use tea tree oil mix | Every 6 months |
Stubborn Stains | Set-in stains (unknown origin) | Baking soda paste, scrub gently | As needed |
Sagging Mattress | Poor support or no rotation | Rotate/flip mattress | Every 6 months |
Food Crumbs | Eating in bed | Shake or vacuum crumbs | Weekly |
Pests (Ants, Bugs) | Leftover crumbs or spills | Clean spills immediately, vacuum | As needed |
Longevity | General wear and tear | Use a waterproof mattress protector | Always |
Following are a few more tips that help clean your mattress of dust mites and allergies:
Buy a Waterproof Mattress Cover
You can get reasonably cheap mattress covers at the local bazaars or even online, like at Daraz. They save you from dust, from stains, and sweat stains.
Wash Your Bed Covers And Sheets More Often
Wash your bedding, pillow covers, and quilt covers every week. If you live in humid cities like Karachi, do it more often, avoiding that musty, stale smell.
Use an Air Purifier
Air purifiers do wonders for the air in your home. However, if you don’t have one you can use desi alternatives as well such as keeping indoor plants like aloe vera and snake plants as they clean the air automatically.
Try Steam Cleaning Your Mattress
If you have access to steam iron, run it over the mattress. The heat will kill dust mites and bacteria.
Use Anti Allergy Spray
You can make your spray by mixing equal parts water with a few drops of tea tree oil or eucalyptus oil. Lightly spritz over the mattress and let it air dry.
Dry the Mattress
The only good friend of a dust mite is humidity. Use a dehumidifier, or just let the mattress air out in sunlight wherever and as often as possible.
When to Replace Your Mattress in Pakistan?
If your mattress has started to feel like sleeping on a hard surface then it is probably time to replace it. Mattresses in Pakistan tend to last for 8–10 years, but with good care, you can stretch the life up to a maximum of 12 years. Check out our wide range of mattresses at Mehran Foam and you’ll definitely get a mattress that meets your needs.