Your mattress is exposed to a lot: sweat, drool, shed skin flakes, hair and skin oil, and various bodily fluids. Add allergens, dust mites, and pet dander that is found in most homes, and your mattress is ripe for a cleaning. Despite using it daily, most people show their mattress little love, never giving it a proper cleaning. But just as you wash your sheets on a regular basis, you need to clean your mattress, although fortunately not nearly as often. When it is mattress-cleaning time, you might already have everything you need at your disposal. While it is very important to keep the space where you spend up to a third of your life clean and fresh, you can use natural methods and simple ingredients (such as baking soda and vinegar) to freshen and clean your mattress, remove stains, and leave your sleeping space pleasantly scented and ready for dream time.

Instructions

Strip the Bed

Strip all the bedding from your mattress, and toss it into the washing machine while you work.

Vacuum the Mattress

Vacuum the top of your mattress, the sides, and underneath the bed. Now lift the mattress (get someone to help if it’s difficult), and vacuum between the mattress and the box springs.

Sprinkle Baking Soda

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. Vacuum the baking soda off the mattress.

Treat Stains

Spot-clean any stains on the mattress by mixing a paste of baking soda, salt, and water. Rub the stain with the paste, and let it sit for 30 minutes. Wipe away with a damp, clean cloth.

Remake the Bed

Remake your bed with clean linens.