Before we look into whether or not steam cleaning mattresses is a good idea, let’s first discuss the benefits of this process in general.
- Natural Method: Steam cleaning mattresses is a natural and chemical-free way to deep clean your bed and your home. It uses high-temperature steam to kill bacteria, dust mites, and other allergens, making it a great option for those with allergies or sensitivities.
- Very Effective: Additionally, steam cleaning can be more effective than traditional cleaning methods, as the high heat can penetrate deep into surfaces and remove dirt and grime that may be missed by other cleaning methods.
- Maintains Indoor Air Quality: Steam cleaning helps to maintain a better indoor air quality by lowering the risk of respiratory irritation and allergies by doing away with the need for harsh chemicals.
- Quick Drying Time: Steam cleaning reduces moisture retention, ensuring a quicker drying time for your mattress and preventing the growth of mould or mildew. This is in contrast to other older procedures that require longer drying times.
- Versatile Use: Steam cleaning is not just for mattresses; it can also be used to clean a wide range of surfaces, including carpets, curtains, and upholstery. This means that it can effectively and thoroughly clean your entire home.
- Environmentally Friendly: With no reliance on chemical detergents, steam cleaning aligns with eco-friendly practices, making it a sustainable option for those seeking environmentally conscious cleaning alternatives.
- Odour Removal: Your mattress and house will smell clean and new after the high-temperature steam kills bacteria and helps neutralise and remove offensive odours.
- Allergen Reduction: Steam cleaning efficiently eliminates typical allergens like pet dander and pollen, in addition to dust mites and germs, promoting a more allergen-free atmosphere in your home.
- Extended Mattress Lifespan: By preventing the buildup of dirt and microorganisms that can eventually cause wear and tear, regular steam cleaning can help your mattress last longer.
Steam Cleaning vs. Vacuuming
You may be wondering, why not just vacuum my mattress instead of steam cleaning it? While vacuuming can remove surface dirt and debris, it may not be as effective at removing allergens and bacteria that can be deeply embedded in your mattress.
Steam cleaning, on the other hand, can reach deep into the layers of your mattress and effectively kill these allergens and bacteria, leaving your mattress cleaner and healthier.
Can You Steam Clean Mattresses?
Yes, you can steam clean mattresses with the necessary tools and skills. One-third of our lives are spent in bed; while in bed, we may sweat, spill food and beverages, and release dead skin cells.
A mattress cover or protector cannot totally prevent moisture and other contaminants from penetrating the mattress, making mattress cleaning unavoidable.
Steam cleaning the mattress at 212 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) kills dust mites and bacteria and breaks down all stains.
Bed bugs are resilient, and harsh chemicals may not kill them. Steaming a mattress for bed bugs at 212 °F or more kills them and their eggs.
Below are the advantages of steam cleaning your mattress
- Deodorizes Your Mattress: Steam cleaning a mattress neutralizes and removes odors, leaving it completely clean and smelling fresh.
- Removes Stains: Steam cleaning a mattress is an effective way to easily and quickly eliminate urine and other stubborn stains.
- Eliminates Impurities: High temperatures in your mattress may create a conducive environment for dust mites, bacteria, allergens, and viruses. Steam cleaning eliminates them instantly.
- Chemical-free: When steam cleaning, you only need water and a steam cleaner. A commercial steamer is more powerful and heats water to high temperatures. High temperatures successfully remove stains, dust, dirt, dust mites, bed bugs, and other pollens without too much effort.
How to Steam Clean a Mattress in 10 Simple Steps
First, check the material of your mattress to see if it can be steam cleaned. If so, strip the bed of the protector and other bedding and wash them.
Gather all the necessary equipment and materials for cleaning the mattress.
What you need to steam clean your mattress:
- Vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment
- Steam cleaner
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Dry lint-free towels
- Deodorizer (optional)
Here's how to clean mattress with steam cleaner:
Step 1: Strip the Bed of All Sheets, Blankets, and Pillows
Remove the pillows, comforters, blankets, sheets, and the mattress topper to ensure the mattress is completely exposed.
Step 2: Wash the Bedding
Machine wash all blankets, sheets, and other bedding. They also absorb sweat, oils, and dead skin cells from your body.
If the care instructions allow, use high water temperatures to deodorize and sanitize the bedding. Otherwise, use the recommended temperatures and washing method.
You may need to hit up a laundromat with larger washing machine bins or dryers in order to properly agitate and dry bulky bedding and comforters. Or you may want to take some items to a dry cleaner to properly care for.
Step 3: Vacuum the Mattress
Use a vacuum cleaner to remove surface-level debris and dirt.
Step 3: Deodorize the Mattress
Sprinkle baking soda on the mattress to deodorize it. One cup is enough for a twin-sized mattress, and ½ cup would be enough for a smaller one. A whole box of baking soda would be enough for a king or queen-sized mattress.
Increase or reduce the quantity accordingly based on the size of your mattress.
To perfume your mattress, add several drops of essential oils to the baking soda before sprinkling it. Eucalyptus, peppermint, or lavender deodorize the mattress and remove dust mites.
Add white vinegar to help the mixture penetrate the mattress and remove stains.
Step 4: Let the Baking Soda Sit for About an Hour
Allow 1 hour for the baking soda to absorb the oils, stains, and odors. If there are urine stains, allow more time (sometimes even 24 hours) for the baking soda to sit on the mattress to absorb the smell completely.
Step 5: Vacuum the Mattress
➤ Professional mattress vacuuming services in Kenya ✓ Call Green Carpet Cleaning& Allergy Kenya 0792-293-443 ☎ Remove allergens & dust mites ➟ Breathe easier with our expert care ❱❱ Contact us today!
Use the hose attachment and the rotating brush when vacuum cleaning. Slowly run the vacuum over the mattress.
When vacuuming areas that are in frequent contact with the skin, for example, where you lay your head, hold the vacuum cleaner a little longer to suck up the loose fibers, dust mites, dirt, and dead skin.
Step 6: Choose a Steam Machine
Use a powerful steam cleaner like the ones used by commercial cleaners such as optima, which can heat water to 212°F.
If you're renting one, check its specifications to ensure that water will get hot enough to do the job. If you cannot afford a steaming machine, use an iron box with a steaming function.
Avoid a household carpet steamer; its water temperature isn't ideal for killing bed bugs, bacteria, or dust mites.
Step 7: Fill the Water and Heat the Steamer
Most steamers have a wand to apply steam, a tank for water, and a motor to generate heat. Fill the tank with water up to the recommended level.
Following the manufacturer's instructions, turn the machine to heat the water.
Step 8: Steam the Mattress
Holding the steam cleaner at least 6 inches above your mattress, steam clean from the top left corner. Steam towards the right and then down, ensuring the hot steam covers the entire mattress.
Use slow, long, but even strokes to steam clean.
Don't steam one spot for an extended time as you could over wet or damage it. If the mattress takes too long to dry, mold and mildew may grow on it, so simply dampen it.
Turn down the dial to reduce the amount of steam released if you notice that the machine is over wetting the mattress.
Once the top is dry, flip it over. Start the whole process again to ensure both sides of the mattress are clean.
If you're lucky to have a one-sided mattress, you won't have to flip it to clean the other side.
Step 9: Steam the Sides
Steam cleaning the sides, working from top to bottom, leaves no room for bed bugs, dust mites, bacteria, dirt, and other contaminants.
Step 10: Allow the Mattress to Dry
Wait for the mattresses to dry completely for about 2 to 4 hours. If you use too much steam, you may have to wait longer, sometimes up to 8 hours.
Use dry towels or a wet-dry vacuum to suck out excess water from the mattress and then move it outside to dry thoroughly under the sun (which has the added benefit of helping lift stains), laying something underneath the mattress to protect it from getting dirty.
If there is insufficient space outside, run the fans and properly ventilate the room to shorten the drying time.
Step 11: Confirm if It's Dry
Press down the mattress with a dry towel or hand to check if it is completely dry. Allow more time if there's some moisture. Cover your bed with clean bedding if it's completely dry.
Can You Steam Clean a Mattress?
The short answer is yes, you can steam clean a mattress. However, there are a few things to keep in mind before you start.
First, it’s important to check the care instructions on your mattress. Some mattresses may not be suitable for steam cleaning, and using this method could potentially damage the material.
Additionally, if your mattress has any stains, it’s important to spot clean them before steam cleaning. Steam cleaning can set stains, making them more difficult to remove.
Preparing Your Mattress for Steam Cleaning
Before you begin steam cleaning your mattress, there are a few steps you should take to prepare it.
- Start by completely removing all bedding, including sheets, blankets, pillows, and mattress protectors, from the mattress. Don’t forget to also take off any additional items such as stuffed animals, decorative pillows, or throws, as these can harbour dust and allergens.
- Once the mattress is free from any coverings, the next step is to thoroughly vacuum it. Utilise a vacuum cleaner equipped with a soft brush attachment, which is gentle enough to clean the mattress without causing any damage. Carefully run the attachment across the entire surface of the mattress, ensuring you reach all the nooks and crannies.
Remember, the goal of vacuuming is to get rid of any surface dirt, dust, or debris that might have accumulated over time. By eliminating these particles, you can contribute to a cleaner and healthier sleeping environment.
Steam Cleaning Your Mattress
Now that your mattress is prepped, it’s time to start steam cleaning. Here are the steps to follow:
- Fill your steam cleaner with water according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Turn on the steam cleaner and allow it to heat up.
- Once the steam is hot, hold the nozzle about 6 inches away from the mattress and begin to move it slowly across the surface.
- Be sure to cover the entire surface of the mattress, paying extra attention to any stains or heavily soiled areas.
- Once you have steam cleaned the entire mattress, allow it to dry completely before putting any bedding back on.
Tips for Effective Steam Cleaning
To ensure that your steam cleaning is as effective as possible, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Use distilled water in your steam cleaner to prevent mineral buildup.
- Test a small, inconspicuous area of your mattress before steam cleaning the entire surface.
- Move the steam cleaner slowly and evenly across the surface of the mattress.
- Allow the mattress to dry completely before putting any bedding back on.
Other Methods for Deep Cleaning Your Mattress
While steam cleaning is an effective method for deep cleaning your mattress, there are other options available as well. You can opt to clean your mattress using these other ways that are also effective.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
A popular DIY method for deep cleaning a mattress is using a mixture of baking soda and vinegar.
- To do this, sprinkle baking soda over the surface of your mattress and let it sit for a few hours.
- Then, spray the mattress with a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar and let it sit for another few hours.
- Finally, vacuum up the baking soda and vinegar mixture.
Hydrogen Peroxide and Dish Soap
You can use hydrogen peroxide and dish soap to clean mattresses. This is a cheap and easy way to clean and deodorise your bed.
- Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and dish soap in a spray bottle.
- Spray the solution onto the stained areas of the mattress.
- Gently scrub the stains with a soft brush or cloth.
- Allow the solution to sit for 10-15 minutes.
- Blot the area with a clean cloth to remove excess moisture.
- Let the mattress air dry completely before putting any bedding back on.
This method can be effective in removing stains and odours from your mattress. Remember to always spot test the solution on a small, inconspicuous area of the mattress before applying it to the entire surface.
Professional Mattress Cleaning Services
If you're not comfortable steam cleaning your mattress yourself, or if you have a particularly stubborn stain, you may want to consider hiring a professional mattress cleaning service. These companies have specialised equipment and cleaning solutions that can effectively deep clean your mattress.
Additional Tips for Cleaning Your Mattress
- Use a fabric cleaner: If your mattress has stubborn stains that cannot be removed with steam cleaning alone, you can try using a fabric cleaner specifically designed for mattresses. Follow the instructions on the cleaner and spot test it on a small, inconspicuous area of the mattress before applying it to the entire surface.
- Deodorise with baking soda: To keep your mattress smelling fresh, you can sprinkle baking soda over the surface and let it sit for a few hours before vacuuming it up. Baking soda helps absorb odours and can leave your mattress smelling clean.
- Sunlight exposure: If possible, take advantage of sunny days and place your mattress outside in direct sunlight. Sunlight can help kill bacteria and freshen up your mattress naturally.
- Regularly wash bedding: To prevent dirt and allergens from accumulating on your mattress, it’s important to regularly wash your bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, and mattress protectors. Follow the care instructions that came with for each item.
- Vacuum the mattress regularly: In addition to steam cleaning, it’s a good idea to vacuum your mattress regularly to remove any surface dirt, dust, or debris. Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to gently clean the mattress without causing any damage.
Remember, maintaining a clean mattress can contribute to a healthier sleeping environment and prolong the lifespan of your mattress.
Maintaining a Clean Mattress
Now that you’ve deep cleaned your mattress, it’s important to maintain its cleanliness. Here are a few tips to help keep your mattress clean and healthy:
- Use a mattress protector to prevent stains and spills.
- Vacuum your mattress regularly to remove surface dirt and debris.
- Rotate your mattress every few months to prevent uneven wear.
- Follow the care instructions provided by the manufacturer.
In conclusion, steam cleaning is an effective method for deep cleaning your mattress. However, it’s important to check the care instructions on your mattress and spot clean any stains before steam cleaning. By following the tips and methods outlined in this article, you can effectively deep clean your mattress and maintain its cleanliness for years to come.