Bissell Woolite Advanced Stain & Odor Remover Mattress Cleaner

You’ve likely heard how dirty mattresses can be. Over time, dust mites, dead skin, dirt and more collect beneath your sheets. If you suffer from allergies, you may not realize that the source of your problem is inside that surface you sleep on every night.

But while you can easily wash and dry your sheets, pillowcases, blankets and duvet cover, you can’t exactly toss your mattress in the washing machine. You can’t drag it to a professional dry cleaner, either. Once your sheets are off your mattress, you may wonder how you can possibly get beneath the surface of your mattress to deal with the buildup inside.

The first step in cleaning a mattress is to simply vacuum it. Use the handheld attachment that came with your vacuum and run it over the entire surface. You can buy specialized vacuum cleaners that use high-frequency vibration to shake up the dust and dirt inside and remove it. You can also use that type of handheld vacuum cleaner on your sofas, pillows and other thick surfaces.

Once you’ve dealt with the interior, you’ll need to spot treat any stains using a stain remover. Use these types of removers sparingly, especially if you have memory foam, which isn’t supposed to get wet. The goal is to treat the stain, not soak the mattress.

Lastly, sprinkle baking soda over the entire mattress and let it set for several hours or overnight, if possible. This will absorb any remaining moisture or odor.

• If you treat stains on your mattress, avoid spraying cleaner directly on the surface. Spray the cleaner on a cloth and blot the area, using as little product as possible. You can use water on a cloth to soak up the remainder of the stain.
• Even if your stain remover claims it doesn’t damage dyes, test it on a small spot before using it liberally. This will ensure it really is colorfast to help keep the original colors in your mattress’s surface.
• Don’t just treat the top of your mattress. Once you’re finished cleaning one side, flip the mattress and treat the other side as well. You should flip your mattress regularly as directed by the manufacturer anyway. If your mattress has a design that requires one side face up at all times, you can rotate it 180 degrees periodically to help the mattress wear evenly.
• In addition to regularly cleaning your mattress, you should also make sure it’s covered with a mattress protector. This will help reduce the allergens that build up inside as well as keeping it safe from stains.
• Make sure any cleaners you use are safe for use around children and pets if that’s a concern.