Don’t let the bedbugs bite!
Considering we spend about a third of our life sleeping, then it’s important to keep our mattress clean, and to prevent microorganisms inhabiting our mattress – even if we regularly change our bedding.
As all home executives know, dust never sleeps, and these particles, which have bacteria and fungus in them, settle everywhere in the home, including on your bed. Factor in that you shed dead skin cells when you sleep, and dust mites feed on them, the picture becomes clearer as to why it’s essential to clean and care for your mattress.
To put your mind at rest, dust mites are more of a nuisance than life threatening, but Asthma, eczema and hay fever sufferers will find their symptoms worsen in the presence of mites. The Allergy Foundation South Africa found there are an estimated 1,000 mites in the average bed. This varies according to the climate, as these pests prefer humid conditions.
To ensure you get the best night’s sleep possible, we gain practical advice from Hugh Mathie, the stalwart of beds and bedroom furniture in Kloof, who has been in the industry for over 50 years.
To protect your mattress from stains, mold, and allergens, use a hypoallergenic, waterproof mattress protector. Place the protector over your mattress, and then add your fitted sheet. Wash your mattress protector monthly and your linen every fortnight, or more often if you sweat a lot at night.
Depending on the type of mattress you have, flipping or rotating it monthly is recommended. Flipping your mattress involves turning it over completely. If your mattress is built the same on both sides. Flipping helps it to wear evenly and from getting lumpy or developing ‘valleys’ where you sleep.
Rotating your mattress from head to foot also helps it wear evenly. You can do it with any kind of mattress. It’s easier to do when you’re washing your bedding and the mattress is bare.
Hugh recommends buying a new quality mattress at the five to eight-year mark. This will vary depending on age and how well your bed is taken care.
“Whether you sleep alone or next to a partner, Hugh Mathie Beds will assist you to find the correct bed for your individual needs. I look forward to meeting you and showing you our patented, and exclusive range of beds,” said Hugh.
Removing odours
Baking soda can be used to remove mattress odours. Sprinkle it on and gently rub it into your mattress so it bonds with surface moisture. The longer you leave the baking soda on your mattress, the better it works. Give it at least 15 minutes and several hours if possible.
Once you’ve deodorised your mattress, you’ll need to vacuum it. for this. Clean the top and sides of your mattress in overlapping, narrow paths. Don’t press too hard, or you’ll reduce your machine’s suction. Be sure you also clean the grooves near the seams and edges.
How to get rid of mattress stains
To get stains off of your mattress, you need to spot treat each one. Don’t pour anything directly onto your mattress or use a steam cleaner or carpet shampooer. Mattresses aren’t meant to get wet and can grow mold inside if they do, especially memory foam.
Use the homemade mattress stain removers below to get your mattress white again. Clean all stains of one type before proceeding to clean the next. (For example, remove all uine stains from your mattress then get rid of blood stains.) You don’t need to wait for one type of stain remover to dry before cleaning the next kind.
URINE STAIN REMOVER: Combine 3 tablespoons of baking soda, 8 ounces of hydrogen peroxide, and a tiny amount of liquid dish soap in a bowl. Use a rag to dab the mixture onto the stain, but don’t drench it. Switch to a clean cloth and blot the moisture. Turn your rag as you work, so you’re always using a fresh spot to lift the stain. Let it air dry.
SWEAT STAIN REMOVER: Lightly spray the area with hydrogen peroxide until it’s damp but not soaking wet. (You can usually put the sprayer nozzle directly onto the peroxide bottle.) Let the area air-dry. The stain will fade as the peroxide dries.
BLOOD STAIN REMOVER: Combine 2 ounces of hydrogen peroxide and 1 tablespoon each of liquid dish soap and salt. Spread this on the bloodstain and wait 10 minutes, then scrape it away with a spoon. Use a clean rag dipped in hydrogen peroxide to remove any residue. Let the area dry.
HOMEMADE MATTRESS CLEANING FOAM: Use this to remove wine, vomit, or unknown mattress stains. Whisk 2 tablespoons of the powdered white laundry detergent (no blue crystals, no oxygenated bleach) with 1 tablespoon of water to create a dry foam. Spread the foam on the stain, wait 10 minutes, and scrape it away. Wipe with a damp rag to remove any residue then let it air dry.
Flip Your Mattress to Clean Both Sides
Once your mattress is clean and dry on the top, you may want to flip it and repeat the tips above to clean the other side. Only do this if it’s constructed the same on both sides, like most spring mattresses.
