I have seen a lot of beds in my time as a property stager. So, they are a hot topic during my consultations. You probably change your linen each week, but have you given much thought to your mattress?

We all know that mattresses can be a breeding ground for dust mites, bacteria, and allergens. These can cause negative impacts on your overall health and well-being. Here I dig deeper into why cleaning your mattress every 3 - 6 months is essential for enjoying a good night’s sleep and ensuring you have a healthy sleeping environment.

Dust Mites Love to Feed

Up to 2 million house dust mites can live in an average mattress. Each day these dust mites can produce up to 20 faecal pellets. It is proteins within these droppings that are the most common trigger of dust related allergies. This can cause symptoms like sneezing and coughing for some people.

Bacteria and Fungi

An average adult sweats 98 litres a year while in bed, so bacteria and fungi can potentially thrive and these release harmful substances into the air. This contributes to respiratory issues, headaches, and other health problems.

Your mattress has an average life cycle of 8 to 10 years. That’s about 3 000 times your body has slept on it. If you need to shower a couple of times a day, when was the last time you gave your mattress a clean?

Cleaning Your Mattress

1.     Remove your bed of sheets, blankets, and mattress protectors. Ideally it is recommended to wash your sheets weekly.

2.     Vacuum the surface of your mattress, particularly seams and crevices. 

3.     Mix 1 cup of baking soda with a few drops of lavender essential oil in a bowl, and then put the mixture in a strainer. Shake the fragranced baking soda evenly over the entire mattress. Leave the baking soda on the bed until your bedding is finished washing and drying.

4.     Vacuum the baking soda off your mattress.

5.     For spot cleaning, use a mixture of water and mild detergent.

6.     Rotate your mattress and air dry above your frame or stand, if possible, in sunlight before you remake your bed with clean linens.

Consider a professional clean by the experts. Professional mattress cleaning can prolong the life of your mattress, so you don’t need to buy them as often. While you can vacuum your mattress yourself, the equipment and knowledge that the experts have will ensure that your mattress is sanitised and will stay cleaner for a longer period.

If you found these ideas helpful, drop me a comment. I’d love to hear from you.