Beds are a daily necessity, and as such, comfort is fundamental. It only takes a few seconds for an accident to happen though, and be it spilling drinks or a bad night, staining a mattress is actually very common. The key is acting as fast as possible, and here are some steps you can take to make sure your mattress is spotless.
Step #1.Remove bed sheets
Before getting to the actual stain, remove all bedding. This will prevent you from unnecessarily exposing your bed sheets to cleaning products that may deteriorate them. Make sure to throw them in the washing machine if needed.
Step #2. Determine what caused the stain
Different stains require different cleaning methods, so here is a list of solutions for several scenarios. Remember to check your mattress for any labeled care instructions before proceeding.
Urine, sweat, and vomit
These stains can be removed with a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, a few drops of dishwash, and 3 tablespoons of baking soda. An alternative to this mixture is vinegar if you prefer avoiding chemicals.
Spray the stain wet first, and then spray it with the mixture. Rub gently with a small brush; even an old toothbrush can work. Once the stain is removed, absorb the excess water by pressing with a towel.
Blood
You can use the same mixture mentioned above to clean blood stains but make sure the water you spray the stain with and the mixture are cold when using. Hot water will set the stain and make removing it almost impossible.
You will need to brush thoroughly. Blood stains can be a bit harder to remove, so blot up and repeat if necessary. Another option is applying a few drops of laundry detergent directly onto the stain to break down the blood. You can try it if the stain persists.
Food and drink spills
A general solution is mixing equal parts of laundry detergent with vinegar and a bit of water. Spray the mix onto the stain and brush gently. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then remove it with a wet towel.
This should get rid of most stains, but another tip is to use laundry detergent (just a few drops) on oily stains to break it down. Also, you can use cold water and rub the spot with salt for wine stains.
Step #3. Get rid of odd smells
Mattress stains often come with smell, not to mention the different aromas cleaning products can leave behind as you clean the spot. However, getting rid of these smells is easy! Just sprinkle the area with baking soda. This will not only deodorize your mattress, but it will also help soak up moisture, allowing it to dry faster.
Step #4. Remove baking soda
Ideally, you want your mattress to be fully dry before removing the baking soda, so let the powder sit as long as possible. Then, use your vacuum cleaner to suck up the baking soda. If the mattress is still wet, a hair dryer or fan can help you dry it faster.
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