Q&A for How to Clean a Mattress

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  • Question
    How do I remove yellow stains from a mattress without hydrogen peroxide?
    Chris Willatt
    House Cleaning Professional
    Chris Willatt is a House Cleaning Professional based in Denver, Colorado. Chris is the owner of Alpine Maids, a cleaning agency that he founded in 2015. Chris is on a mission to elevate what it means to be a cleaning professional and has built up Alpine Maids with that goal in mind. Chris has been featured in USA Today, Forbes, and Readers Digest. Alpine Maids received Angie's List Super Service Award for three years in a row from 2016-2018. They were also awarded Colorado's "Top Rated Local House Cleaning" Award in 2018 and were featured on the Inc. 5000 Company List.
    House Cleaning Professional
    Expert Answer
    If you don't have hydrogen peroxide, you can cover the stains with oxidizing bleach. Let it soak into the mattress for about 15 minutes and then scrub it away with water.
  • Question
    How do you disinfect a mattress?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Getting your mattress out into the sunshine for a bit can help freshen it and kill surface bacteria naturally. You can also spray your mattress with an antiseptic fabric spray, such as Clorox Bleach-Free Fabric Sanitizer or Tide Antibacterial Fabric Spray. Vacuum the mattress thoroughly to remove dust and debris before using the spray.
  • Question
    What’s the best way to deep-clean a mattress?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Using a handheld vacuum cleaner attachment can help you get deep into your mattress to pull out dirt, dust, and dust mites. You can also try massaging baking soda into your mattress for a deeper clean. Steam cleaning is another good way to get down into the deeper layers and kill bacteria.
  • Question
    Is it okay to steam clean a mattress?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Yes, you can. Vacuum the mattress first to remove dust and loose particles, then run the steam cleaner over the entire mattress. If possible, put the mattress out in the sun to dry out. The UV rays will also help kill lingering bacteria.
  • Question
    How do I clean blood stains off my mattress?
    Community Answer
    Spray it with equal parts cold water and H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide). It will foam as it releases. Blot the foam with a clean rag damp with cold water. Repeat until the stain is gone.
  • Question
    How do I get pee stains out of a mattress?
    Community Answer
    Use hot water and vinegar. This makes a soluble remedy to remove the stain and pick up the odor from your mattress.
  • Question
    How can I remove fecal stains from a mattress?
    Community Answer
    Try baking soda. Leave it overnight and then remove the baking soda with a vacuum cleaner.
  • Question
    How do I remove a Coke stain from a mattress?
    Community Answer
    Try using stain remover and a toothbrush. You will have to scrub very hard, but it may come out.
  • Question
    How do I remove an ink stain from a mattress?
    Community Answer
    You can try cheap hairspray to bring up the stain. Spray the stain, try blotting - not rubbing - and then spray lightly with water and blot. Allow it to dry. Repeat as necessary. You can follow up with an upholstery cleaner, blot up the upholstery cleaner and allow it to dry again.
  • Question
    I spilled soda on my bed and didn't realize it had gone through to the mattress cover until it had already dried. What will take the stain out?
    Community Answer
    Mix boiling hot water and soap together, then get a towel or something to blot it with. Do not rub it in.
  • Question
    How do I remove a dried red jello stain from a memory foam mattress topper?
    Community Answer
    Soak the area affected with water first and then try a fabric cleaner pen (like Tide To Go or something similar). If that doesn't get rid of it, then soak that area of the mattress in a tub of soapy water (using dish soap might help, or a small amount of laundry detergent).
  • Question
    How do I remove a mattress cover that contains a zipper all the way around?
    Community Answer
    Find the pull tab for the zipper. If there is no pull tab, you can make one out of ribbon or a paper clip. As a last resort, cut the mattress cover off.
  • Question
    Where can I buy an enzyme cleaner?
    Community Answer
    They can be found online, and in pet stores. They are usually used to clean pet-related stains.
  • Question
    Is baking powder the same as baking soda?
    Community Answer
    No; baking powder contains baking soda, but in a smaller concentration because it also includes other ingredients. You can use baking powder instead of baking soda for cleaning, but you'll have to use more of it.
  • Question
    Besides a vacuum cleaner, what else would work for the cleaning?
    Community Answer
    Bicarbonate of soda is good for removing odour and moisture. But vacuum cleaners remove most dirt, dust and skin cells, so they remain the best option overall. You can also finish by lightly spritzing with anti-bacterial spray that contains a pleasant odour.
  • Question
    Can you vacuum dry your mattress in still damp?
    Sherri Gordon
    Community Answer
    It is not advisable. The damp baking soda can stick to the walls of your vacuum hose. It can also clog your vacuum filters.
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