JOIN USWe all love our comfy beds. It is the place where we can relax after a hard day. But is it really clean? asks Suja Natarajan
There is nothing like a good night’s sleep on your favourite, cosy bed. However, do you know that you share your bed with a host of dirty allergens, pollen, and dust mites? If you have problems getting a restful sleep and are often down with allergies or back pain, your mattress may be the cause.
A clean bedroom doesn’t just mean clean bed sheets and pillow covers. When you crash into your bed every night, you sweat oil and dirt, giving the critters an open invitation to settle and multiply. And who can deny the numerous spills of coffee, tea and juices on the mattress? With a hectic and cluttered lifestyle, cleaning the mattress would be the last on your list of cleaning chores. But with a clean mattress, you make the choice to sleep in a sanitised environment right in the comfort of your own home.
Why cleaning is important
It’s not just about what you see, but also how you feel. So, keep it clean:
To keep allergies at bay: Did you know that there are up to 2,500 dust mites in a gram of dust, which means, there are about two million dust mites in a double-sized mattress? When we perspire and shed dead skin, the grime settles in various pockets of the mattress, where dust mites dwell and thrive. These dust mites and other related allergens are the reason behind asthma, skin rashes and other allergic conditions.
To avoid bed bugs : Even if your house is clean and immaculate, there is a
possibility of bed bugs sneaking their way into your mattress. Thriving in places of poor sanitation, bed bugs are known to hitch a ride on luggage or clothes.
To keep the indoor air fresh: Have you experienced that rancid bedroom odour, especially when you have kept your room closed for too long? Well, your mattress is the culprit. Your mattress is a haven for fungi and mould that arises from sweat, leftover food, spills and stains, which cause the unpleasant smell.
To extend the mattress’s lifespan: Accumulation of dust and dirt makes the mattress age faster. If you clean the mattress regularly, you can prevent the build-up of dirt and grime and make your mattress last longer. Regular upkeep of the mattress also helps maintain its appearance.
To sleep better: A clean mattress gives you peace of mind, good health and
comfort that helps you sleep a lot better.
How to do it right
Vacuuming: Regular vacuuming of your mattress keeps it free of dust, debris and dirt. Remember to use a clean attachment, as you don’t want the residual dirt of the attachment spewing on your mattress. Mattress manufacturers suggest vacuuming your mattress every two months. If you or anyone in the family is prone to allergies, clean the mattress regularly. For a hassle-free clean-up, spread baking soda on the mattress and leave it for an hour before vacuuming it. Baking soda draws out dirt, odour and moisture. Do remember to wash the bed linen, including the mattress protector, every two to three weeks .
Spot and stain removal: You can use upholstery stain cleaners to tackle general stains. A word of caution – use the cleaning liquid to a minimum, otherwise, it will
affect the interior padding of the mattress, causing it to develop mould or mildew. For stains such as sweat, urine and vomit, follow the principle of ‘prevention is better than cure’. Attend to the stain immediately by pressing a wet cloth on it. For stubborn stains, mix two parts of hydrogen peroxide with one part of liquid dishwasher. Leave the mixture on the stain for about five minutes before you wipe with a wet cloth. Dry the mattress completely with a fan before reuse.
Steam cleaning: Steam goes deep into your mattress and helps take out all the dirt. However, since steaming can leave your mattress damp, ensure the steam cleaner uses less water and has more vacuum strength. You can either do this yourself or hire a professional cleaner.
Remember to dry vacuum the mattress to remove the dirt and debris before you start steaming. It’s recommended that you do steam cleaning on a hot sunny day when you can put out the mattress for complete drying before reuse.
Flip or rotate: Sleeping on a mattress over time tends to leave a body impression on it. Make sure you flip and rotate your mattress every season in the clockwise
direction to keep a uniform distribution of foam. Rotating reduces body impressions and also prolongs the life of the mattress. Most of the times, flipping is considered to be better than rotating. Most quality mattresses allow flipping and rotating. However, do check for labels, which say “no flipping required”.
D for drying: A damp mattress is dangerous to you as well as your mattress, as it is a host for germs and bacteria. It also quickly degenerates the mattress foam. One of the best ways to inhibit bacteria or mould build-up is to dry the mattress on a sunny day. The sunlight and air draw out stagnant odour as well as bed bugs, if any.
Protecting it: One of the best accessories for a mattress is a waterproof mattress pad or cover. You should consider using a protective cover if your mattress has a
potential risk of getting damp or stained. It efficiently reduces seepage of stains, dust and dust mites into the mattress.
Mattress covers are easier to maintain and keep your mattress cleaner. You can
regularly wash them along with your bed linen.
Useful tips
* Mix baking soda with an essential oil like lavender, and vacuum it out. This mixture leaves the mattress fresh and clean.
* Make it a point to use upholstery attachments for vacuuming.
* Maintain a cool temperature in your bedroom as dust mites multiply in warm weather.
*Discourage kids from bouncing on the bed as it damages the mattress.
* Wash bedding covers regularly in hot water to kill dust mites.
* Provide a sound foundation to your mattress with the right bed frame or box spring. A weak frame reduces the comfort factor and also contributes to quick deterioration of the mattress.
Although maintaining a mattress may look daunting, you’ll discover that with
little time and dedicated efforts, you can improve the quality of your sleep as well as add years to your mattress.