In spring, nature revives and comes back to life after a long winter sleep. You may also want to take a fresh look at your sleep haven and give that well-deserved spring bed a break!
A suitable mattress spring design means more than a pillow to put your head on when you sleep; it's a purposeful dream investment.
Such comfort givers, composed of springs wrapped in plushy stuffing, are typically humble servants who make it possible for a restful night.
Despite this, the spring mattress may require some care and maintenance to achieve its perfect quality in the years to come. Dust mites, dead skin cells, and allergens can accumulate between the layers of your spring mattress, making it difficult to get to sleep and triggering allergies.
Common cleaning, respectively, goes in pairs with good sleeper health, which is provided by your spring mattress. It also helps extend the life of your mattress by ensuring that dust and dirt do not have a chance to cling to the coils and padding. This ensures that the spring mattress will keep its form for a long time and provide consistent support.
Therefore, along with opening your windows to the nice spring air, make sure you make your bedroom suitable for good sleep.
This guide gives you a deeper understanding of the process and steps to follow to keep your spring mattress clean and ready for springtime.
Why Cleaning Your Spring Mattress Matters
Spring mattresses are complex structures often made with coils and padding. The levels of complexity depend on the brand and type of mattress. This design gives you just the right amount of comfort and firmness. But after a specific time, dead skin, dust, and allergens build up in your mattress's layers. This can, in turn, lead to allergies, asthma, and sleeping interruption.
The accumulation of dust mites and their waste can trigger allergies and asthma attacks, while the presence of mould and mildew can cause respiratory issues and skin irritations.
Constant cleaning removes uninvited guests who could pose health risks, promoting a better sleep space. Furthermore, intensive care expands the lifespan of your spring mattress. Dust and dirt can harm a mattress, so you must regularly clean it. However, there are certain situations where professional cleaning is recommended.
Professional cleaning can remove deep-seated stains, eliminate odours, and sanitise your mattress, ensuring a healthier sleep environment and prolonging its life. It would be wise to let an expert handle the maintenance. This way, you can ensure maximum durability of your mattress and optimal distribution of body weight.
Here are some of the key benefits of cleaning your spring mattress, which will not only motivate you but also help you understand the value of this task:
- Improved Sleep Quality: A clean mattress free of allergens and dust mites promotes better sleep by reducing allergy and asthma symptoms that can disrupt sleep.
- Enhanced Hygiene: Regular cleaning removes dead skin cells, sweat, and other bodily fluids that can accumulate on your mattress, fostering a more hygienic sleep environment.
- Extended Mattress Lifespan: Proper care helps prevent the build-up of dust and debris within the mattress, ensuring it retains its shape and offers optimal support for longer.
- Fresher Sleep Environment: A clean mattress naturally smells fresher, creating a more inviting and relaxing sleep haven.
Spring Cleaning for a Spring Mattress: A Step-by-Step Guide
Now that we understand the importance of cleaning your spring mattress let's delve into the steps involved. Here's a comprehensive guide to deep cleaning your spring mattress:
1. Strip the Bedding: Remove all linens, sheets, pillowcases, and mattress pads from the bed. Wash all these items in hot water (check care labels for specific temperatures) to eliminate dust mites and allergens. This is also a great time to inspect your mattress pad or protector for wear and tear. Consider replacing it if needed.
2. De-dust and DeodorizeDeodorize: Before coming onto a deeper clean, remove any loose dirt, dust, and hair from the surface of your spring mattress. Use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner to thoroughly clean all sides and seams. You can also sprinkle baking soda on the mattress surface, leave it for 30 minutes to absorb odours, and vacuum it thoroughly.
3. Spot Cleaning: If your spring mattress has any stains, address them before proceeding with a general cleaning. Use a clean, damp cloth and a mild upholstery cleaner specifically designed for your mattress fabric (check the manufacturer's instructions). A mixture of hydrogen peroxide and dish soap can be effective for urine stains. For blood stains, use a mixture of cold water and salt. For oil or grease stains, sprinkle baking soda on the stain and let it sit for a few hours before vacuuming. For stubborn stains, consult a professional cleaning service.
Important Note: Avoid excessive water or harsh chemicals, which can damage the mattress and promote mould growth.
4. Deep Clean and Refresh: Depending on your mattress type and the extent of cleaning required, you may choose one of the following methods. It's recommended to deep clean your mattress at least twice a year or more frequently if you have allergies or pets.
- Baking Soda and Vinegar: This natural cleaning method effectively removes light dirt and odours. Sprinkle baking soda on the entire mattress surface, leave it for an hour, and vacuum thoroughly. Create a spray solution with equal water and white vinegar for an extra refresh. Lightly mist the mattress surface with the solution (avoid soaking), let it air dry completely, and then vacuum again. Rest assured, this method will leave your mattress clean and fresh.
- Enzyme Cleaner: For a deeper clean, especially if you have pets, consider using an enzyme cleaner formulated explicitly for mattresses. These cleaners break down allergens and residues left behind by dust mites and pet dander. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully when using an enzyme cleaner.
5. Airing Out: Once your spring mattress is clean, allowing it to air dry completely is crucial. This step is important as it helps remove any residual moisture and prevents the growth of mould and mildew. Prop your mattress against a wall or open a window for several hours to facilitate air circulation and prevent moisture build-up. If possible, do this on a sunny day to take advantage of sunlight's natural disinfecting properties.
6. Flip or Rotate: Many spring mattresses are designed to be flipped or rotated regularly. This practice helps distribute wear and tear evenly, ensuring your mattress retains shape and offers optimal support for a longer lifespan. Double-sided mattresses can be flipped head-to-toe or top-to-bottom, while single-sided mattresses with pillowtop features can be rotated 180 degrees.
7. Invest in Protection: Consider investing in a mattress protector once your spring mattress is clean and refreshed. A good-quality, waterproof protector shields your mattress from spills, dust mites, and allergens, extending its lifespan and reducing the need for frequent deep cleanings. It also helps maintain the mattress's warranty, as many manufacturers require the use of a protector to keep the warranty valid.
8. Regular Maintenance: As the owner of a spring mattress, it's your responsibility to maintain its freshness and cleanliness. Incorporate these practices into your routine:
- Weekly Vacuuming: Once a week, use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner to remove dust and debris from the surface of your mattress.
- Monthly DeodorizingDeodorizing: Sprinkle baking soda on your mattress surface once a month, leave it for 30 minutes to absorb odours, and then vacuum it thoroughly.
- Regular Linen Washing: Wash your sheets, pillowcases, and mattress pad in hot water (check care labels) every other week to eliminate dust mites and allergens.
Bonus Tip: Avoid eating or drinking in bed to minimise spills and crumbs that can attract dust mites and contribute to stains.
Expert Advice: Spring Mattress Cleaning Do's and Don'ts
Here are some additional tips from sleep experts to ensure you clean your spring mattress safely and effectively:
Do:
- Check your manufacturer's cleaning instructions: Different spring mattress types may require specific cleaning. Consult your mattress manual or contact the manufacturer for specific cleaning recommendations.
- Test cleaning solutions on an inconspicuous area: Before applying any cleaning solution to the entire mattress, test it on a small, hidden area to ensure it doesn't cause discolouration or damage.
- Avoid harsh chemicals and excessive water: Harsh chemicals and too much water can damage the fabric and padding of your spring mattress. Opt for gentle cleaning solutions and avoid soaking the mattress.
- Allow for complete drying: Ensure your spring mattress dries completely after cleaning to prevent mould growth.
- Vacuum regularly: Regular vacuuming is vital to removing dust, debris, and allergens from your spring mattress.
Don't:
- Use harsh chemicals or bleach: These can damage the fabric and padding of your mattress.
- Soak your mattress: Excessive water can cause mould growth and damage your spring mattress's internal structure.
- Steam clean your mattress: Steam cleaning can be too harsh for most spring mattresses and can saturate the inner layers.
- Neglect to check for mould or mildew: If you suspect mould or mildew growth on your spring mattress, consult a professional cleaning service.
Conclusion
These simple tips and expert cleaning techniques will let you keep your spring mattress a comfy haven for a long time. By keeping a clean and well-serviced spring mattress, we can enjoy better sleep quality, which is also a good step to support our great health and wellness. In addition to this, giving your spring mattress a little time and effort to clean is, in fact, a good investment, which is equivalent to getting good sleep and a long life. Therefore, enjoy spring with your spring mattress, accord it with worthy care and attention, and wake up happy and ready for new victories!
