How to Steam Clean a Mattress: Remove Urine, Sweat Stains, Dust Mites

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Updated on:

June 30, 2023

How to Steam Clean a Mattress to Remove Urine, Sweat Stains, Dust Mites

Has your mattress been cleaned after purchasing it? Nope. It is necessary. Mattresses accumulate dust mites and dead skin. Steam cleaning a bed will give you a clean feeling! We want you to learn how to vacuum and wash your mattress, kill bed bugs and dirt mites. It can be applied to memory foam mattresses, pillow tops, and pillow covers.

You probably don't spend a lot of time worrying about your mattress' cleanliness, but it is something you should. This is especially true when you realize that we can spend up to a third of our lives in bed.

There is no right cleaning method when it comes to cleaning a mattress, but below you will find two ways that we recommend.

Key Takeaways:

  • Importance of Steam Cleaning: Steam cleaning removes stains, dust mites, and debris from mattresses for a clean and hygienic sleeping environment.
  • Step-by-Step Process: Vacuum, spot treat stains, steam clean, and ensure thorough drying.
  • Additional Tips: Clean mattress regularly, minimize moisture, use sunlight, invest in a mattress protector, and consider a mattress topper.

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Do Mattresses Get Dirty Quickly? Understanding Mattress Hygiene

Since mattresses are in close proximity to our bodies, they may gradually accumulate sweat, dead skin cells, dust mites, bacteria, urine stains, and odors. According to one study, an average mattress might house anywhere between 100,000 and 10 million dust mites. dirty paws

Your mattress will probably require more frequent care to keep odors and stains from developing if you tend to perspire during the night, sleep with your pets, dine in bed, or have children who are in the process of potty training.

If you've been sick on your mattress or had a bloody nose overnight, steam cleaning your mattress is also an excellent idea. You'll need to steam clean your mattress more frequently in any of these scenarios.

We highly recommend to deep clean your mattress after post construction.

101 Guide: Steam Deep Cleaning a Mattress for Hygiene

Steam cleaning a mattress is not as hard as it seems as long as you prep your mattress to cleaning.

For steam cleaning a mattress, sprinkle baking soda in a small container. Vacuum using the upholstery attachment, and run the steam cleaner across the area. Leave for 2 hours to dry.

Make sure to start early

Make sure to give your bed enough time to dry before going to bed because this process takes some time and effort. Start the operation early in the morning, or plan to spend the night somewhere else after steam cleaning your mattress.

You won't need to steam clean your mattress all that frequently if you take good care to preserve it from spills and stains, but perspiration, skin cells, dirt, and other particles will accumulate over time.

Although you won't need to steam clean your mattress very frequently — especially if you do a good job of protecting it from spills and stains - sweat, skin cells, grime, and dust are unavoidable, so we advise deep cleaning your mattress at least once a season. Once you know how to steam clean a mattress, including it in your seasonal thorough cleaning schedule won't be difficult.

Essential Tools for Steam Cleaning a Mattress:

  • vacuum with a long attachment
  • laundry detergent or a baking soda mixture
  • vinegar
  • dry towels
  • steam cleaner

For this tutorial, we are going to be using the Volt Mini steam cleaner by Fortador to clean mattress.

Turn on the steam cleaner

1. Turning on the Steam Cleaner for Mattress Cleaning

Fill up your steam machine with cold tap water and turn it on. Plug it into the outlet and press the button on the touchscreen. You should hear the sound of the machine starting to heat up. It should be ready to use in about 5-10 mins.

Vacuum and Deodorize

2. Vacuuming and Deodorizing: Preparing Your Mattress for Steam Cleaning

While you're preparing you machine for steam cleaning a mattress, vacuum the mattress's surface thoroughly after removing all the sheets, blankets, pillows, and extra mattress pads from your bed.

This step is crucial to ensuring that you clean the bed thoroughly enough to allow the steam to permeate the bed more deeply. Any hair, skin cells, dirt, and other substances that won't dissolve when steamed can be removed with the use of a vacuum.

Try sprinkling baking soda over the entire surface of your bed before vacuuming if there are any odors that persist or if you want to ensure that your bed smells new. To make your bed smell even fresher and more deodorized, you may also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the baking soda during this stage.

We advise lavender because research has shown that it can help you relax and calm down before bed, which makes it a pretty good choice for a mattress. Before vacuuming it off, give the baking soda mixture at least an hour to absorb odors and oils from your mattress.

Make sure you use a hose attachment with a close suction to the bed when vacuuming your mattress. Cover the entire bed with quick strokes, giving close attention to the places that are most likely to get dirty, such as your head and feet.

Spot treat stains

3. Spot Treat Stains on Your Mattress for Effective Cleaning

Spot cleaning any stains is another thing you should do before steam cleaning your mattress. A moderate detergent and water mixture applied with a sponge works well for stains. Or, since you already have the baking soda out, another excellent natural stain removal method is to sprinkle some extra baking soda on the stain and then dab it with some white vinegar.

Whatever you do, just be careful not to oversaturate the stain with liquid because, as we've already mentioned, it's crucial that your mattress be able to fully dry once you've washed it.

Steam clean

4. Steam Cleaning Your Mattress: A Thorough Process for Deep Hygiene

Holding the steamer a few inches above the mattress's surface on a medium heat setting and keeping it away from the fabric, carefully slide it across the bed with long, low strokes. Pay close attention to how damp the mattress feels; it should feel slightly damp but not soaking wet; picture a light rain rather than a thunderstorm.

If it appears to be becoming overly wet, raise the steamer higher and farther away from the surface and carry on as normal. Steam clean the sides of the mattress as well for an even deeper clean.

5. Ensuring Proper Drying to Complete the Mattress Cleaning Process

After the entire bed has been steam-dried, give it at least three hours to dry. Open the windows, position a fan or two to blow directly at the bed, or, if you have a clear area outdoors and the weather's beautiful, transfer your mattress outside to dry in the sun. All of these methods will hasten the drying process.

To check if the mattress is dry enough to put the sheets back on, use dry towels and press forcefully in various spots on the mattress. If they pick up any moisture, allow the bed to dry out more.

Home steam cleaner Fortador Volt Mini

Fortador Volt Mini Portable Steam Cleaner: Efficient Cleaning Solution for Mattresses and More

Any upholstered object can be effectively kept clean using steam cleaning. Fortador Volt Mini steam machine, which has a maximum temperature of 338°F, is particularly effective at killing bacteria and dust mites as well as dissolving stains and debris from different surfaces, furniture and carpets.

Due to the fact that steam cleaning just uses water and heat, it is also highly environmentally friendly. Additionally, it is advised that you use a mild laundry detergent when steam cleaning any upholstered items rather than one that has harsh chemicals that will harm both the environment and your skin.

Best Steam Cleaners for Mattresses: A Comparison and Recommendation

Fortador Volt Electra vacuum steam cleaner

Fortador Volt Electra Vacuum Steam Cleaner

Fortador VOLT Electra vacuum electric steam cleaner is the only fully electric device in the world that achieves a maximum pressure of up to 12 BAR or 175 PSI, which is better than the results of the market-leading diesel combustion machines.

With the help of steam plus detergent technology, the electric steamer Fortador VOLT Electra performs both extraction with vacuum and washing and sanitizing with dry steam. It includes a quality wet/dry extractor that can be used independently and is built in from the reputable manufacturer Ghibli & Wierbel.

Fortador Volt Mini portable steam cleaner

Over the past several years, steam cleaning has become the preferred method for cleaning and sanitizing a variety of things, including all kinds of vehicles along with homes, offices, medical facilities and even your mattress.

Steam cleaning is environmentally friendly as operators need little or no additional detergents or other agents to sanitize and deodorize many different surfaces.

Steaming's biggest advantage is its ability to kill and remove more than 99% of bacteria, viruses, germs and other pathogens. However, working with a large diesel-powered seamer isn't practical for many different types of cleaning jobs.

Accessories

Powerful Accessories: Enhancing Your Steam Cleaning Experience for Mattresses

Like other Fortador steam cleaners, the Volt MINI comes with an outstanding selection of accessories and attachments (included steam mop) that make quick work of any cleaning job. First off, you get a 15-foot hose, which is five feet longer than the hoses you get from most other commercial-grade steam cleaning units. When combined with its long power cord, you can get this cleaner into hard to reach spaces that larger steamers can't go in.

Small and electric, the Volt MINI is a portable steam cleaner that won't pollute the air in the buildings you clean because it doesn't emit diesel fumes.

Another benefit of the machine is its low noise level, which allows operators to effortlessly work in public areas like offices and residences.

How to Clean a Mattress Without a Steam Cleaner: Effective Stain Removal and Deodorizing Tips

1. Clean the covers

The first step is to remove any sheets, covers, and pads from your mattress. If the maker has offered any specific cleaning recommendations, heed them; otherwise, put the sheets in your washer. To get rid of any bacteria that might still be on your linens, use a dependable washing detergent and a hot water setting.

2. Vacuum

Vacuum your mattress using a brush attachment for simple accessibility. Get in between the seams with care.

3. Stain removal

Throughout the lifespan of your mattress, knowing how to remove visible stains from a mattress will come in helpful. To best break down the proteins in stains, use a stain remover rather than other substitutes. Blot the spot with a clean cloth that has been sprayed with the enzyme cleanser.

While the enzymes begin to work, leave the cleaner alone for around 15 minutes. After that, use the same cloth to blot the stain one again in order to completely remove it. Blot the area with a cold, moist towel after wiping up any extra cleanser.

4. Deodorize mattress smells

When thinking about how long a mattress lasts, deodorizing your mattress is crucial. On one side of your mattress, spread baking soda evenly across the surface until it is completely covered. Allow this to sit for no less than 10 minutes or more than 24 hours. Baking soda will infiltrate the fibers more deeply the longer it is left out, eliminating odor and absorbing up any moisture.

Vacuum up the powder after it has had time to solidify. To make sure that all of the baking soda is vacuumed, you might need to repeat this step more than once.

5. Completely dry the mattress

Before you put the sheets back on the mattress, allow it to completely dry by air drying. By an open window that allows in sunlight is the ideal location to let it dry. The UV rays will help the mattress dry out more quickly by eliminating any bacteria, mold, and odors that may be present.

Mattress cover

6. Invest in a Mattress Cover for Long-Term Maintenance and Protection

Having a mattress protector will save you a lot of time the next time you clean your mattress.

Tips for Maintaining a Clean Mattress and Preventing Dirt and Odors

Clean mattress often

The cleaning process for the entire mattress can be tedious. However, a deep clean is required at least a couple of months a year. If you do not have a mattress protector, it is your time to invest one. Having it will save you some time in between cleanings.

Minimize moisture levels

We advise making an investment in an excellent mattress topper to give an additional layer of defense between your body and the bed. These are readily removable and may be put in the washing machine and come in a variety of fabrics.

Please keep in mind that some mattress protectors might really alter the cooling and feel of some mattresses. If you tend to get hot when sleeping, we advise opting for one composed of a permeable material, such as organic cotton, or one with improved cooling qualities.

Use direct sunlight

In addition to being good for you and your plants, bright sunlight may also keep your mattress clean and in good condition. If possible, you may destroy any bacteria or moisture on your mattress and freshen the fragrance by putting it outside in a clean, dry place every other month.

commonly asked questions about mattress cleaning

Commonly Asked Questions About Mattress Cleaning: Expert Answers to Your Queries

How Long Does a Mattress Last? Factors Affecting Mattress Lifespan and Replacement Guidelines

Although proper and frequent cleaning can extend the life of your mattresses, eventually a new mattress will be required. Every seven years is when we advise purchasing a new mattress.

However, you could also need a new mattress if your allergy symptoms worsen, you see physical wear and tear like rips or sagging, or you have neck or back pain.

Professional Mattress Cleaning Services: Should You Hire Someone for Deep Cleaning?

If you are to lazy to clean yout dirty mattress, you can always find a mattress cleaning service in your area that will gladly do the deep cleaning for you.

Removing Blood Stains from a Mattress: Quick and Easy DIY Methods

Mix baking soda and some cold water to make a paste, apply to the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes. Remove with a damp cloth. Mix some baking soda and hydrogen peroxide and apply the mixture onto the stain. Let it sit, then clean it off with a damp cloth.

About the Authors

Sabrina Tretyakova
In the world of cleanliness and hygiene, Sabrina Tretyakova stands as a beacon of expertise and dedication. As an ISSA-certified cleaning technician, Sabrina brings a wealth of knowledge and three years of unwavering commitment to her profession. Having served a staggering 1,200 clients
Izabela Forysiak
With a decade of experience in export operations and logistics, I bring a wealth of expertise to the field. I've navigated the complexities of logistics with precision, ensuring smooth operations and seamless exports.

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