A used mattress may seem like a great deal, but it could be harboring some unwanted guests. Dust mites, bedbugs, and other bacteria can all call a mattress home. Luckily, there are some easy steps you can take to clean and disinfect a used mattress before you bring it into your home.
- Take the mattress outside and vacuum it thoroughly to remove any dust, dirt, or debris
- Mix a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water in a large bucket
- Dip a sponge or brush into the mixture and scrub the entire surface of the mattress, paying special attention to any stains
- Rinse the mattress with clean water and allow it to air dry completely in the sun before bringing it back inside
How to Clean a Used Mattress for Bed Bugs
If you’re moving into a new home or apartment, there’s always the potential that your mattress may be harboring bedbugs. While these tiny pests are not known to transmit disease, they can cause a great deal of discomfort by biting and feeding on your blood while you sleep. If you suspect that your mattress may have bedbugs, it’s important to clean it thoroughly before using it.
Here’s how to clean a used mattress for bedbugs:
1. Start by stripping the bedding from the mattress and washing all of the fabrics in hot water. This will kill any bugs or eggs that may be present.
2. Vacuum the entire surface of the mattress, paying close attention to any crevices or tufts where bugs could hide.
3. Apply a high-quality insecticide designed specifically for bedbugs to the entire surface of the mattress. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully and allow time for the insecticide to dry completely before using the mattress again.
4. Once you’ve treated the mattress for bedbugs, encase it in a tight-fitting cover or wrap to prevent any future infestations.
Credit: www.nolahmattress.com
How Do I Clean And Sanitize an Old Mattress?
Assuming you mean how to clean a mattress that’s already in use:
First, strip the bedding and wash all the linens. Vacuum the entire mattress, paying special attention to any crevices or tufts.
If there are any stains, treat them with a gentle cleaning solution (like dish soap and water) or a commercial spot cleaner. Let the mattress air out for a few hours before putting fresh sheets on.
To sanitize the mattress, start by vacuuming it again.
Then, use a steam cleaner on the entire surface to kill any remaining germs. You could also try sprinkling baking soda over the mattress and letting it sit for a few hours before vacuuming it up; this will help absorb any bad smells.
Also Read: How to Clean Air Mattress from Bed Bugs
How Do You Sanitize And Deodorize a Mattress?
Assuming you would like tips on how to clean a mattress: It is important to clean your mattress every few months in order to remove sweat, dead skin cells, and other allergens that can lead to dust mites. You should also clean your mattress if you spill something on it.
Here are a few tips on how to sanitize and deodorize your mattress:
1. Vacuum the entire surface of the mattress with the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Make sure to get into all of the crevices and sides of the mattress. This will remove any dirt, dust, or hair that may be on the surface of the mattress.
2. Mix together 1 cup of baking soda with a few drops of essential oil (lavender oil works well for this). Sprinkle this mixture over the entire surface of the mattress and let it sit for 30 minutes before proceeding to step 3.
3. Vacuum the baking soda off of the surface of the mattress. The baking soda will have absorbed any odors from sweat, spills, etc.
4. Create a mixture of 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 2 parts water in a spray bottle and lightly mist over the entire surface of the mattress (be careful not to soak it). Let this sit for 10-15 minutes before proceeding to step 5.
5. Use a damp cloth to wipe down the surface of the Mattress where you sprayed the hydrogen peroxide mixture. This will help remove any lingering stains or odors.
See Also: How to Clean Pack N Play Mattress
How Do You Remove Bacteria from a Mattress?
Most people don’t think about cleaning their mattress very often, but it can actually be a hotbed for bacteria. Your skin cells, sweat, and body oils all transfer to your mattress and provide the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. Over time, these microscopic critters can cause your mattress to smell bad and even affect your health.
Here’s how to remove bacteria from a mattress and keep it clean.
To start, strip the bedding from your mattress and wash all of the fabrics in hot water. Then, vacuum the entire surface of the mattress with the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner.
If you have a handheld steamer, you can use that to kill any remaining bacteria on the surface of the mattress. Just be sure not to get the fabric too wet or you could damage the material.
To clean deeper down, mix 1/2 cup baking soda with 1/2 cup white vinegar and 1 cup of warm water.
Stir until everything is evenly mixed and then pour it into a spray bottle. Spray liberally over the entire surface of the mattress and let it sit for at least 15 minutes before wiping away with a damp cloth. You may need to do this process more than once if your mattress is extremely dirty or smells bad.
What Can You Spray on a Mattress to Disinfect It?
If you’re looking to disinfect your mattress, there are a few different things you can spray on it. One option is to use a diluted bleach solution. To do this, mix 1 tablespoon of bleach with 1 gallon of water and then spray it onto your mattress.
Let the solution sit for about 10 minutes before wiping it off with a clean cloth.
Another option is to use white vinegar. Simply mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle and then spritz it onto your mattress.
Let the mixture sit for about 15 minutes before wiping it down with a clean cloth.
If you’re concerned about using chemicals on your mattress, there are also some natural disinfectants you can try. One is hydrogen peroxide, which can be mixed at a 3% concentration with water in a spray bottle.
Another is tea tree oil, which can be used neat or diluted with water depending on how strong you want the scent to be. Simply add around 20 drops of tea tree oil to a spray bottle filled with water and then spritz it onto your mattress.
Conclusion
If you’re planning on buying a used mattress, you’ll want to make sure it’s clean and disinfected before using it. Here’s how to do that:
Start by stripping the bedding and any other materials from the mattress.
Then, vacuum it thoroughly using a powerful vacuum cleaner. If there are any stains or spots on the mattress, treat them with a stain remover or spot cleaner before vacuuming again.
Once the mattress is clean, you’ll need to disinfect it to kill any bacteria or viruses that may be present.
You can do this by spraying it with a disinfectant solution or wiping it down with sanitizing wipes. Let the mattress air dry completely before putting new bedding on it and using it.
