A clean mattress is a healthy mattress, but accidents can happen! Your mattress is potentially exposed to kiddo accidents, pets, and the occasional spilt cup of tea. Despite its daily use, chances are you don’t often give your bed a good clean. Luckily, there are eco-friendly ways to remove stains from a mattress so you can avoid conventional cleaning products and still get a good result. (Plus it’s likely you’ve already got everything you need in your pantry at home.)
Treating mattress stains
Whenever possible, it’s best to treat stains straight away. Quickly remove excess liquid by soaking it up with a clean cloth or towel. Baking soda is your best friend when it comes to natural home cleaning solutions – including cleaning your mattress. Mix into a paste using a small amount of water, and rub onto the stain. Leave for a while, then wipe away excess with a damp cloth. Use fresh water to agitate stains if needed. Soak up remaining moisture with a towel, and leave to completely dry. (If you want to speed up drying time, try holding a hair dryer above the stain.)
A small amount of dish washing soap and hydrogen peroxide can be helpful to add to your baking soda mixture if cleaning up a piddle and sweat stains.
Likewise, mixing white vinegar and water is also a natural cleaning solution, and is particularly effective for cleaning vomit. Simply spray, blot with a clean towel and allow your mattress to air dry.
If you’re noticing odours
Mix together a cup of baking soda with a few drops of essential oil, we recommend lavender. Use a strainer to shake the baking soda over your mattress. Leave to settle over the mattress, then vacuum. (You don’t get more eco-friendly or easier than that!)
Keep your bedroom well-aired to help reduce moisture and mould. Regularly giving your mattress time in the sun acts like a natural bleach and helps to air out any inset odours.
If you need to lighten old stains
If you have unsightly old marks you want to remove, apply fresh lemon juice to the stain, cover with salt and leave your mattress in the sun as a natural way to bleach and lighten stains. Brush or vacuum away excess salt when you’re done. A mixture of dishwashing liquid and warm water can also do the trick.
Keeping your mattress clean
A mattress protector is a good line of defence against mattress stains. They can be easily removed for regular washing, and provide a barrier between you and your mattress. A thicker, waterproof mattress protector is a particularly good investment for those who are regular bed-wetters or sweaty sleepers. Likewise, pillow protectors are a great way to keep pillows fresher and more hygienic.
Aim to clean your mattress at least every six months (treat stains immediately). Regularly vacuuming your mattress can help remove built up dander and dust that accumulates through normal daily use.
Change bedding every week to prevent a buildup of bacteria and keep your bed feeling fresh!
A few simple household ingredients are likely all you need to create a safer cleaning solution for you and a kinder choice for the planet! At teddy, making more conscious choices is important to us. For every mattress purchase, we donate a native tree for planting and our mattresses are made with plastic otherwise destined for the ocean. Find out more about our sustainability initiatives and what drives us here.