‘ Everything gets dirty in time and we have to clean them. Some materials are cleaned easily and some tough. There are also microorganisms formed in time. These are ugly, more disgusting and more disturbing. Would you crawl into bed with a bunch of such bugs? No? Well you do. Every single night. They are called dust mites, and they are everywhere. They contribute to allergy problems. You have to clean them all.
In addition to these dust mites, their feces, and all that dead skin they are waiting to munch on, your bed also collects dust, lint, hairs, and othe assorted debris that is floating around our homes. Regular cleaning of your bed mattress, and the bed sheets keeps these potential allergens in check. It also will increase the life span of your sleeping habitat. The bed mattress should be flipped over many times per year. It is a great idea to coordinate it with changing your clocks to and from day light savings time but it is even better if you flip your mattress once a week to allow each side time to air. This can prevent
mold growth. At the very least, do this every month or so. Be careful to check if your mattress can be flipped. Some have a designated topside and won’t be as comfortable upside down. The first time flip it over side for side, and the next time flip it over end for end (A note left between the mattress can remind you which way it is suppose to be flipped). This equalizes the wear of the mattress, and minimizes peaks and valleys. It is also a good plan on “flipping day” to vacuum the entire bed mattress and box spring. If you use a plastic mattress cover, wipe it down after vacuuming with a disinfectant. Plastic covers are a must for young children who might have a periodic bed wetting accident. But you may face this problem if you have one or more of those sweethearts. To clean urine, use an enzyme based cleaning product. These digest the uric acid crystals at the source of the stain. Spray the stain and methodically blot it. Once dry, shake baking soda over it. Let it set over night and vacuum it the next day. You can also make a mixture using 8 ounces of hydrogen peroxide and 3 tablespoons of baking soda. This works best as a spray. There are several techniques which can be used to remove stains and keep your mattress fresh.Vacuum the mattress This helps to keep it clean by the sheer fact that when it gets wet, there is less matter in the dirt to cause it to stain. Try using an upholstery cleaner Since they are made for surfaces that touch your skin, it should work unless you are extremely sensitive to cleaners in general. It also has the advantage of removing dust mites and their refuse. Use enzyme cleaners Enzyme cleaners are always effective in breaking down the ‘structure’ of the stains and solving and cleansing them off.
CLEANING UNIDENTIFIED STAINS OFF:
Spray it with a citrus type cleaner and let it set for about five minutes. Afterward, blot (don’t rub) as much of the cleaner out as you can using a clean, white, absorbent cloth. A mild dish detergent can also be used.
CLEANING STAINS OF COLORED DRINKS:
Use a citrus cleaner or vinegar. Apply either of these as a spray or onto a clean white cloth. The acid in them will help remove the stains. Apply rubbing alcohol. Alcohol will help carry the stain further. Blot the stain with a clean absorbent cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol, rather than pouring it on the stain.
CLEANING BLOOD STAINS
Use hydrogen peroxide. Apply to the mattress and blot it while it is bubbling. will help to lessen it. Be sure to blot it with a clean, white, dry cloth. Rinse with cold water. Rub in meat tenderizer from the pantry which removes the proteins. Rinse and follow up as per rust removal to remove the iron found in the blood. You can also add in salt to plain water and pour the solution into a spray bottle. This is particularly effective in removing fresh blood stains. Make a baking soda solution. Mix one part baking soda and two parts cold water in a large bowl to make a solution. Apply it on the area using a clean cloth and let it sit for 30 minutes. Use a cloth damped in cold water to rinse the remaining solution and then apply a dry towel to absorb the moisture. Apply detergent. Mix 1 tablespoon of liquid dish washing detergent with two cups of cold water in a bowl. Soak a white cloth in the solution and apply to the affected area. Gently brush the affected area with a toothbrush and rinse the solution by blotting with a wet cloth. Use a cloth towel to dry the stained area.
CIGARETTE ODOR REMOVAL:
Using the same processes as above, apply it to the entire mattress, one section at a time. Launder your linens frequently. If you smoke, you should do this even more often than you would on an ordinary basis. This will help keep the odor from being so pervasive. Spray the odor out. Use two large cans of Lysol spray (one for each side) and saturate the mattress. Let it dry for a couple of days and then follow up with two large bottles of Febreze. Place a hypoallergenic mattress pad cover on.
MOLD AND MILDEW REMOVAL:
Give your mattresses a ‘suntan’. These types of stains are caused by too much moisture. Try taking your mattress outside on a bright, sunny day and let the sun dry it out. Try to remove the excess mold and mildew by wiping or sweeping it off. Vacuum your mattress on both sides. When you’ve finished, dispose of the
vacuum’s filter and bag. This will prevent the mold spores from leaking out the next time you use the vacuum. Mix equal parts of isopropyl alcohol and warm water. Sponge it onto the mattress. Rinse the area with warm water. Use a common disinfectant. Products such as Lysol will kill any spores that linger.
TIPS:
* Vacuum your mattress every month or so. This reduces the dustiness of the mattress. A dust barrier covering the mattress will reduce dust and dust mites as well.
* Get a good mattress cover. Try to prevent your mattress get dirty in the first place! It’s a lot easier to throw a mattress protector or mattress cover in the wash than it is to clean a mattress, so using one of these is a great time saver.
* If you happen to have a mattress with liquid-proof mattress cover, be advised that even if the liquid-proof
mattress cover is of high quality, it may not be highly durable and should not be washed in a machine with the sheets. Such treatment will eventually lead to tiny rips and tears, resulting in leaks and a dramatic loss in effectiveness. Instead, this mattress cover should be spot cleaned by hand or carefully inspected for leaks. It can lose effectiveness in as little as two years if not cared for properly.
* Washing bedding in hot water every week also kills dust mites.
* Whenever possible, blot out the extra moisture if you can.
WARNING FOR USING MATTRESSES PROPERLY:
* Most importantly, do not lay a mattress directly on the floor in a basement room or anywhere for any length of time. If you must use a mattress on the floor, stand it up during the day to air out. Make sure you use a boxspring under the mattress or a breathable support system.
* Flip kids foam mattresses regular and use a waterproof cover if you have pets on your bed regularly.
