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Are you aware that about a third of your entire life is spent in bed? It’s for this reason why you should have a mattress that allows you to enjoy restorative sleep, the kind that is comfortable and provides enough support for your back and the rest of your body.
Don’t forget the importance of sleeping on a clean mattress every single time!
Health authorities recommend having 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Because you spend several hours lying in bed, your mattress is susceptible to collecting dead skin cells, dirt and grime. This can pave the way for the growth of microbes, many of which can cause dermatological and respiratory issues.
Just because your mattress is spotless doesn’t mean it’s clean — harmful microorganisms in it are invisible to the naked eye, and it’s very likely that your mattress is already overflowing with those!
This is why experts suggest for you to have your mattress cleaned and disinfected every 6 months or so. That’s about twice a year! Springing into action to disinfect your mattress a couple of times a year lets you have a good night’s sleep knowing that you’re lying on something that’s clean.
So how do you disinfect your mattress effectively? Keep on reading to find out how!
Begin by Cleaning Your Bedding
There is no point in having a clean and disinfected mattress if your bedding is dirty and teeming with those invisible microbes that can make your skin itchy and your throat scratchy!
Needless to say, you should start by having your bed sheet, blanket and pillowcases washed very well. The best way to kill off those microorganisms residing in your bedding is by laundering them using hot water — microbes that can wreak havoc on your skin and respiratory health cannot stand high temperatures.
Afterwards, it’s a wonderful idea to dry them in the dryer. You may also hang your bedding under the blistering sun. Did you know that the sun’s UV rays have antimicrobial properties?
Vacuum and Steam Cleaning
Once you’re through with cleaning and disinfecting your bedding, it’s time to move to the main event: disinfecting your mattress! The quickest way to do this is with the help of a steam cleaner. Again, those microbes lurking in your mattress are unable to tolerate high temperatures.
But before you do that, you should first grab your vacuum cleaner. Failure to do so will make dirt and grime sticky upon coming into contact with steam, making them harder to get rid of.
See to it that you vacuum clean every crevice, corner and edge of your mattress, preferably using a brush attachment. Once you’re happy, it’s time for some steam cleaning. Refrain from rushing when using your steam cleaner — the goal is to zap as many microorganisms as you can.
The best time to steam clean your mattress is early in the morning. This is because your mattress needs to be put under the sun to allow it to dry very well.
Using a Homemade Disinfectant
Aside from exposing those microbes to heat, you may also get rid of them by spraying them with something that they cannot stand, particularly in the form of disinfectant. In the current market, you can choose from a wide variety of mattress disinfectants. But why buy when you can simply make one from scratch?
Did you know that to disinfect your mattress you can put 2 cups of white vinegar in a spray bottle and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil?
After giving the spray bottle a shake, all you have to do is spray the mixture on your mattress. As always, this is best done after giving it a thorough vacuuming. Allow your mattress to spend plenty of time outside to air dry, preferably under the sun for that added microbe-zapping action courtesy of the sun’s UV rays.
Other than white vinegar, you may also come up with a homemade disinfectant for your mattress using 2 cups of vodka or rubbing alcohol. Feel free to add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, too!
Sprinkle Baking Soda — Voila!
Do you have no time to make a homemade disinfectant and spray it all over your mattress that could use some cleaning and disinfecting? No worries! That’s because you can simply reach for a large box of baking soda!
All you have to do is generously sprinkle baking soda on your mattress. You may also add a few drops of your preferred essential oil to make your mattress smell really nice afterwards. It’s a wonderful idea to leave baking soda on your mattress for half a day. For best results, leave it there for a full 24 hours.
What’s so nice about using baking soda is that there is no vacuuming needed beforehand — you can get rid of dirt and grime while vacuuming up baking soda after allowing it to sit in place for several hours.
Replacing Your Mattress
According to experts, it’s a good idea to replace your mattress every 7 to 10 years. It’s also recommended for you to opt for a high-quality mattress. It’s true that it tends to carry a steeper price tag than something whose quality is substandard, but it’s for the benefit of your physical and mental wellness.
